Just looking for some insight to help wrap my head around this semi-vague topic. Going to debate against the Vietnam war (time frame up to Tet offensive) for a class coming up. How did the Military Industrial Complex play a roll in Vietnam?
My debate is next week, for which I must provide a page of talking points for my side (class split in two) against the Vietnam war up to the date of the Tet offensive (as if the debate is happening a day after the attack) pertaining to or from Ike's farewell speech, focusing on the Military Industrial Complex. Our professor's analysis will consider the short notice and will not be too harsh
I dont know if "a class coming up" means tomorrow or in two weeks, but Ill start off by recommending you this book: The Vietnam War: A Concise International History, its short, its simple, and its a great undergraduate text to figure out what the Vietnam War was. Its a good place to start, to figure out what the Vietnam War was!
Now, I cant just give you may answer, that would be too easy. Youve got to get your own head around this, or your debate will suck. So Ill just point you into some directions, and see if that helps.
First, youve got to come up with a definition. What is the Military-Industrial complex? What does that phrase even mean, and how can you apply it to your historical period, ie the Vietnam War and the Cold War?
Second, Id really go back and look at Eisenhower's farewell address. What was he saying about the relationship between warfighters and the private manufacturers who made their weapons?
Third, How did trends in the greater Cold War influence this Military and Industrial Complex?
Fourth, What did Truman say about the spread of Communism? What happened in 1949 that really shook the Federal government, and whats that got to do with Greece, Vietnam, and the larger Cold War? Not only will this help you defend against your opponent (who I assume is pro-war), but itll demonstrate just how important people in the 50s and 60s felt the war was.
Last, where is the Military-Industrial Complex today. If youre coming at an anti-war perspective from an M-I perspective, you can (I think) argue that the Vietnam War was one of several huge shifts from a wartime procurement system to the post-Cold War procurement system. Basically, did the Vietnam War introduce good or bad trends into the M-I Complex.
I think once youve got your head around some of the problems in here, youll really understand both the M-I Complex, and its relationship to Vietnam. Now, if you have more specific questions Ill be glad to help you, especially if its got to do with specific events or persons. If youve got thsoe kinds of specific questions, just put them here!
P.S., What is NSC-68?