Question 1 (b) Explain why the USA became involved in the Vietnam War.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme. The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. Target: A01 (recall, select and deploy historical knowledge) and A02 (explain, analyse and make reasoned judgements).
2. Level 1 (1-2 marks): Simple statements or descriptions of events. Limited explanation of US involvement. For example, states the USA wanted to stop communism.
3. Level 2 (3-5 marks): Identifies and describes reasons for US involvement. Some attempt at explanation, but links may be implicit or undeveloped. For example, describes the Domino Theory and states the USA wanted to contain communism.
4. Level 3 (6-8 marks): Explains a range of reasons for US involvement in the Vietnam War, showing clear understanding of the links and significance of each. Developed explanations showing sound historical knowledge. For example, explains the Domino Theory, the policy of containment, the Gulf of Tonkin incident, and the belief in American exceptionalism.
5. Indicative content:
6. - **Containment:** The broader US foreign policy goal of preventing the spread of communism globally.
7. - **Domino Theory:** The belief that if one country in Southeast Asia fell to communism, others would follow.
8. - **Fear of Communism:** The ideological battle against communism, especially after the 'fall' of China and the Korean War.
9. - **Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964):** Alleged attacks on US destroyers providing justification for increased military involvement.
10. - **Support for South Vietnam:** The USA supported the anti-communist regime in South Vietnam and felt obligated to defend it.
11. - **French defeat at Dien Bien Phu (1954):** Left a power vacuum and a perceived need for US intervention to prevent communist takeover.
12. - **Internal US politics:** Presidential desire to appear strong against communism.