American Exceptionalism and the Legacy of Vietnam

American Exceptionalism and the Legacy of Vietnam examines the influence on post-Vietnam US foreign policy of the belief in American exceptionalism--the notion that the US is an extraordinary nation with a special role to play in human history: not only unique but also superior among nations. Trevor B. McCrisken argues that although belief in American exceptionalism was shaken, it survived the trauma of Vietnam and continued to influence foreign policy in the Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton administrations. Exceptionalist beliefs consistently provided the framework for foreign-policy discourse under each President, but the legacy of Vietnam also placed limits on the conduct of foreign affairs. The foreign policy and rhetoric of each post-Vietnam administration is analysed with a particular focus on US interventions in Grenada, Panama, the Gulf War, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo and elsewhere. The connections between the Vietnam syndrome and the belief in American exceptionalism are also explored."--Jacket

1945-1989 · 20th century · American · c 1970 to c 1980 · c 1980 to c 1990 · c 1990 to c 2000 · Current Events · Foreign relations · General · Influence · International relations · International Relations - General · National characteristics · Nationalism · Political science · Politics · United States · USA · Vietnam War · 1961-1975 · 1989 · American history: postwar · American National characteristics · Exceptionalism · from c 1945 · History · National characteristics, american · Political Culture · Politics/International Relations · Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000 · Vietnamese Conflict