Introduction to “Peace Without Conquest”

On April 7, 1965 in front of sixty million viewers across the United States and around the world, Lyndon B. Johnson delivered a televised address from Johns Hopkins University. It was his first major speech on the War in Vietnam. Johnson had ordered his staff to compose an address because of the rising criticism and opposition to the War. It was later billed as “Peace Without Conquest” (which is notably similar to Woodrow Wilson’s “Peace Without Victory) and became one of the Johnson Administration’s most important foreign policy speeches. “Peace Without Conquest” was Johnson's explanation of the American involvement in the war as a means to bring harmony to the region while avoiding occupation.
In his speech, Johnson announced plans for an ambitious $1 billion development program along the vast Mekong River that would benefit not only Vietnam, but all of Southeast Asia. The program was intended as an offer to North Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh. Johnson was sure that Ho Chi Minh would take the offer, but the very next day, he turned it down. Ho Chi Minh’s rejection was just one of many instances in which Johnson’s deal-making skills failed him.
The speech was a huge success. Worldwide, leaders and newspapers of NATO allies applauded the speech. At home, editors and columnists praised Johnson's perceived new course. Those advocating a more militant line found Johnson's promise to defend South Vietnamese independence reassuring, while those clamoring for nonmilitary solutions found their satisfaction in Johnson's willingness to negotiate and offer of development aid.

Submitted by Morgan Watts