European views on American involvement in the Vietnam war.

[Razgovory]

How is defending a state from an invading state "Imperalism"?

[clandestino]

What is seen by "invasion" by some, can be seen as "liberation war" by others. 

[Sheilbh]

How is defending a state from an invading state "Imperalism"?

Well it was one of Britain's most common ploys in India.  I'd see it as America's grubby colonial war, picking up shortly after France's grubby colonial war.  And, yeah, I've heard Zanza's comparison with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan too.

The other element is that I think a significant part of protests at the time were about European politics as much as American.  They were a generational challenge to the European post-war consensus.

I think the point here is that someone was comparing US involvement in Vietnam to Auschwitz.

I don't think that is the point.  We'd all agree that that was ridiculous and people on the internet are stupid.  Then the thread would end.  Talking about European view on Vietnam is new and interesting and has debates.

[Razgovory]

How is defending a state from an invading state "Imperalism"?

Well it was one of Britain's most common ploys in India.  I'd see it as America's grubby colonial war, picking up shortly after France's grubby colonial war.  And, yeah, I've heard Zanza's comparison with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan too.

The other element is that I think a significant part of protests at the time were about European politics as much as American.  They were a generational challenge to the European post-war consensus.

I think the point here is that someone was comparing US involvement in Vietnam to Auschwitz.

I don't think that is the point.  We'd all agree that that was ridiculous and people on the internet are stupid.  Then the thread would end.  Talking about European view on Vietnam is new and interesting and has debates.

Okay, what exactly made it "colonial" or "Imperialist"?

[Razgovory]

Oh and Shelf is right.  The picture isn't really the point.  It just sparked my interest.

[Sheilbh]

Okay, what exactly made it "colonial" or "Imperialist"?

What do you mean by those terms?

[Admiral Yi]

Well it was one of Britain's most common ploys in India.

No it wasn't.  Britain's common ploy in India was to offer support to a local Raj in return for subject status and then annex the common enemy too.  Britain didn't gain an empire by defending victims of aggression then packing up and going home.

I'd see it as America's grubby colonial war, picking up shortly after France's grubby colonial war.  And, yeah, I've heard Zanza's comparison with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan too.

[/quote]

As Raz asked, how was it a colonial war?  Colonial wars were fought to aquire territory and subject states.

[Razgovory]

Okay, what exactly made it "colonial" or "Imperialist"?

What do you mean by those terms?

That's what I want to know!  You were the one who used the word "colonial", and Zanza used the term "Imperalist".

[Sheilbh]

No it wasn't.  Britain's common ploy in India was to offer support to a local Raj in return for subject status and then annex the common enemy too.  Britain didn't gain an empire by defending victims of aggression then packing up and going home.

You lost, at best you abandoned an ally to further other interests - you didn't pack up and go home, 'Mission accomplished'. 

As Raz asked, how was it a colonial war?  Colonial wars were fought to aquire territory and subject states.

Ok, grubby imperial war, but one that followed very shortly on from a colonial war except with the Americans instead of the French.

[Sheilbh]

That's what I want to know!  You were the one who used the word "colonial", and Zanza used the term "Imperalist".

Yeah, imperialist is right and colonial is wrong.

[Neil]

'Lost' is a strong word.  They negotiated a peace that was status quo antebellum.  When the North Vietnamese broke the deal and engaged in their killing fields, that's when the US abandonned their ally.

[Neil]

That's what I want to know!  You were the one who used the word "colonial", and Zanza used the term "Imperalist".

Yeah, imperialist is right and colonial is wrong.

Just like their imperialist war against the Germans in the 40s?

[Sheilbh]

'Lost' is a strong word.  They negotiated a peace that was status quo antebellum.  When the North Vietnamese broke the deal and engaged in their killing fields, that's when the US abandonned their ally.

Which everyone knew was going to happen.

[Neil]

European sympathies with criminal regimes have been noted.

[derspiess]

Surprised people here are actually using the term "imperialism".  You guys are social democrats, not Marxists.