Sorry for the lack of posts during these past two months, but it has been a busy academic year. Three semesters in to the PhD program, and with one more to go, my energy has been directed towards completing the remain coursework requirements. As for progress on figuring out my dissertation topic, I am leaning towards following the approach of historians like Mark Atwood Lawrence and Eugenie M. Blang. These scholars examined the European connections to America’s Vietnam War. I hope to more fully explore the British Commonwealth’s role in the Vietnam War by incorporating Australia and Canada into a study of America’s waging of the war in Vietnam. Much like my earlier musings on the selection of a dissertation topic, I hope to have a more developed idea after I complete course and examination requirements.
My undergraduate advisor at Virginia Wesleyan College, and friend, Dr. Dan Margolies recently wrote a short article, “Extradition as Foreign Policy,” on America’s use of extradition in foreign policy matters. Prominent extradition cases have emerged through out American history, with controversies being the norm. In light of more recent cases, such as those involving a famous movie producer and Russian arms dealer, Margolies provides us with an informative and enjoyable read. Read the article over at History News Network.
Recently I discussed three possible dissertation topics. In the short time since that post, I have put more thought into exploring the North Vietnam’s 1968 Test Offensive from a multinational perspective. The legacy of Tet ’68 is a controversial topic in Vietnam War historiography, with orthodox scholars viewing the offensive as a significant defeat for US forces in Vietnam. Lately, I have been wondering if Australia saw Tet ’68 as a defeat, or a victory. More importantly, what role did Australian forces play in pushing back North Vietnam Army and Viet Cong troops? Ultimately I want to demonstrate the Vietnam War as conflict with global repercussions and not purely as an American war. Doing so might help place Tet ’68, and perhaps the entire Vietnam War, into a Pacific history perspective. Again, this is just the initial thought process and nothing concrete. I will write a post on Tet ’68 once I have a firmer grasp on the offensive and it’s legacy.
At some point during this semester my dissertation topic must be narrowed down into an original research project. In the most basic sense, my dissertation will deal with the relationship between the United States and Australia during the Vietnam War. Wanting to better understand how the US Army and the Australian forces in Vietnam worked together is not groundbreaking. Ideally, I would like to demonstrate that the Vietnam War was not just a US issue, but rather a conflict that tested America’s relationship with the Commonwealth, particularly Australia. As a result, I need a new angle to examine the military relations between the two Allies.
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In light of the recent earthquake in Haiti, and subsequent US military assistance, it seems prudent to revisit some of the previous American forays into the Caribbean nation. Two instances of American intervention that immediately come to mind are President Woodrow Wilson’s 1915 invasion and the 1994 action under President Bill Clinton. These are just two of the many other occurrences of America’s physical display of interest in Haiti. Albeit this interest ranged from economic to humanitarian justifications.
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Synopsis
The purpose of Thompson Werk is to present the musings of a US War and Society doctoral student. Discussion topics principally center around the World Wars and Vietnam.
The opinions expressed on this site are not be confused with those of my colleagues, employers, friends, family, and/or anyone else associated with me.
Contact me with any comments, complaints, and/or questions.
Comments
- Robert: Throughout Vietnamese history there are
- Chris: "Hopefully most people outside of
- Gulmira: You have more ufseul info
- Gennarino: Recurring bad dreams and the
- Robert: I’ll be happy to get
