Our aim is to weigh both sides of one hard question and reach an honest conclusion together.
Setting the scene in 1954 and introducing our two sources.
What made the Domino Theory so convincing in 1954.
The moral counter-case, and the question of who gave America the right to decide.
Telling a real risk apart from a panic.
The guns-versus-butter choice between Vietnam and priorities at home.
How the fear shifted war powers toward the president.
Southeast Asia, or American credibility, and how credibility becomes a trap.
"On balance," plus our four points for each side of the question.
Your turn. Pick a side and tell us where we went wrong.