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“Peace without Conquest”: Lyndon Johnson's Speech of April 7, 1965
Author(s) -
YURAVLIVKER DROR
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
presidential studies quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.337
H-Index - 5
eISSN - 1741-5705
pISSN - 0360-4918
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-5705.2006.02557.x
Subject(s) - conquest , rhetoric , administration (probate law) , political science , southeast asia , law , free speech , vietnam war , history , ancient history , philosophy , linguistics
This article explores the speech that President Lyndon Johnson delivered on April 7, 1965 entitled “Peace without Conquest.” He sought to answer Vietnam critics with “unconditional discussions” and a billion‐dollar electrification project for Southeast Asia, but he also reaffirmed his determination not to withdraw. This article analyzes the situation leading to the speech, the speech itself, and public reaction, concluding that although LBJ's speech failed to bring peace to Southeast Asia, it succeeded in mollifying critics enough for the administration to escalate the war. Johnson's speech exemplifies the powers and dangers of rhetoric—a lesson still relevant today.