26th Annual Student Research Conference
The Influence of Dean Acheson on Americas Entry into WWII, Korea, and Vietnam
Jay A. Godsy
Dr. Thomas Zoumaras and Dr. David Robinson, Faculty Mentors
Though he never had the final say in foreign policy decisions, Dean Acheson served in key advisory positions during a transitional time in American history. His contributions are often overshadowed by the career of his more aggressive predecessor, John Foster Dulles, who held higher position during a period of greater conflict and fear; however, the decisions of Dulles and others in the Cold War period resulted from policies instated by Acheson. By examining his biographies, correspondence, and declassified administration documents, this paper argues that Acheson was the key figure in Americas entry into three of its deadliest conflicts in the last hundred years. This paper attempts to prove that Achesons economic policies towards Japan after World War I were the underlying cause for Americas entry into WWII and that his counsel and anti-communist policies led to Americas entry into Korea as well as Vietnam.
Keywords: Dean Acheson, John Foster Dulles, WWII, U.S. foriegn policy, Cold War
Topic(s):History Senior Seminar
History
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 301-2
Location: VH 1236
Time: 1:15