Presidential decisions for war
Subtitle: Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf
By: Gary R. Hess.
Series: The American moment
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Published: 2001
Place of publication: Baltimore
Language: eng
Number of pages: 262
Subjects: Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Johnson, Lyndon B. 1908-1973; Bush, George, 1924-; Presidents -- United States -- History -- 20th century; Cold War; Intervention (International law) -- History -- 20th century -- Case studies; United States -- Foreign relations -- 1945-1989 -- Decision making -- Case studies; United States -- Foreign relations -- 1989-1993 -- Decision making -- Case studies; United States -- Military policy -- 20th century -- Case studies
Genres: Case studies.
Description: "In 1950, Americans expected that the United States would wage another major war in the near future. Instead, over the course of the next half-century, they fought limited wars against minor powers: North Korea, North Vietnam, and Iraq. In Presidential Decisions for War, Gary R. Hess explores the ways in which Presidents Truman, Johnson, and Bush took America into these wars.

He recreates the unfolding crises in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf, explaining why the presidents and their advisers concluded that the use of military power was ultimately necessary to uphold U.S. security. The decisions for war are then evaluated in terms of how effectively the president assessed U.S. interests, explored alternatives to war, adhered to constitutional processes, and built congressional, popular, and international support."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [231]-255) and index.