What was the primary aim of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War?

The primary aim of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War was to prevent the spread of communism. This involvement was largely motivated by the context of the Cold War, during which the United States implemented a policy of containment designed to stop the expansion of communism worldwide. The fear was that if Vietnam fell to communism, it could trigger a domino effect, causing other countries in Southeast Asia to follow suit. This strategy was rooted in the belief that the spread of communism posed a direct threat to democratic governments and capitalist economies, thus shaping U.S. foreign policy decisions.

While establishing a democratic government in South Vietnam was part of the broader strategy, it was largely seen as a means to achieve the ultimate goal of halting communism, rather than an independent objective. Engaging in military exercises and extracting resources were not primary justifications for the war, as the focus was squarely on the ideological battle against communism.