The Eisenhower Doctrine: America First—Before It Was a Slogan

When Ho Chi Minh wrote to President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954, seeking recognition and support for Vietnamese independence, Eisenhower—perhaps in one of the most telling and historically consequential decisions—simply ignored the letter. This diplomatic cold shoulder marked a pivotal moment in U.S.–Vietnam relations. Eisenhower chose instead to align…