Liliputin - 5038

A domino just fell, baby! ... "
Leonid Brezhnev to Gerald Ford on April 30, 1975

Liliputins. What, the heck, is this?
http://stihi.ru/2021/11/24/7101


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"A domino just fell, baby": UAW scores big win in the South

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To fall sequentially
fall like dominoes

To fall sequentially. This phrase can be used to describe the physical collapse of something or the defeat of something.
If that building collapses, the others around it will fall like dominoes.

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Where the Domino Fell
by Olson (Author)

This updated, expanded edition of Where the Domino Fell recounts the history of American involvement in Vietnam from the end of World War II, clarifying the political aims, military strategy, and social and economic factors that contributed to the participants' actions.

Revised and updated to include an examination of Vietnam through the point of view of the soldiers themselves, and brings the story up to the present day through a look at how the war has been memorialized

A final chapter examines Vietnam through the lens of Oliver Stone's films and opens up a discussion of the War in popular culture
Written with brevity and clarity, this concise narrative history of the Vietnam conflict is an ideal student text
A chronology, glossary, and a bibliography all serve as helpful reference points for students
An important contribution not only to the study of the Vietnam War but to an
understanding of the larger workings of American foreign policy

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domino effect
noun
plural domino effects
: a cumulative effect produced when one event initiates a succession of similar events
 compare RIPPLE EFFECT

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The domino theory is a geopolitical theory that suggests a change in the political system of one country can influence or cause similar changes in neighboring countries. The theory was used to justify U.S. foreign policy and military intervention in several countries ( including Vietnam War) during the Cold War, based on the fear of the spread of communism. The domino theory can also refer to a theory of accident causation, but this is less common.


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The Fall of Saigon on on April 30, 1975

The South Vietnamese stronghold of Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City) falls to People's Army of Vietnam and the Viet Cong on April 30, 1975. The South Vietnamese forces had collapsed under the rapid advancement of the North Vietnamese. The most recent fighting had begun in December 1974, when the North Vietnamese had launched a major attack against the lightly defended province of Phuoc Long, located due north of Saigon along the Cambodian border, overrunning the provincial capital at Phuoc Binh on January 6, 1975. Despite previous presidential promises to provide aid in such a scenario, the United States did nothing. By this time, Nixon had resigned from office and his successor, Gerald Ford, was unable to convince a hostile Congress to make good on Nixon’s earlier promises to rescue Saigon from communist takeover.

This situation emboldened the North Vietnamese, who launched a new campaign in March 1975. The South Vietnamese forces fell back in total disarray, and once again, the United States did nothing. The South Vietnamese abandoned Pleiku and Kontum in the Highlands with very little fighting. Then Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang fell to the communist onslaught. The North Vietnamese continued to attack south along the coast toward Saigon, defeating the South Vietnamese forces at each encounter.

The South Vietnamese 18th Division had fought a valiant battle at Xuan Loc, just to the east of Saigon, destroying three North Vietnamese divisions in the process. However, it proved to be the last battle in the defense of the Republic of South Vietnam. The South Vietnamese forces held out against the attackers until they ran out of tactical air support and weapons, finally abandoning Xuan Loc to the communists on April 21.

Having crushed the last major organized opposition before Saigon, the North Vietnamese got into position for the final assault. In Saigon, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu resigned and transferred authority to Vice President Tran Van Huong before fleeing the city on April 25. By April 27, the North Vietnamese had completely encircled Saigon and began to maneuver for a complete takeover.

When they attacked at dawn on April 30, they met little resistance. North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace and the war came to an end. North Vietnamese Col. Bui Tin accepted the surrender from Gen. Duong Van Minh, who had taken over after Tran Van Huong spent only one day in power. Tin explained to Minh, “You have nothing to fear. Between Vietnamese there are no victors and no vanquished. Only the Americans have been beaten. If you are patriots, consider this a moment of joy. The war for our country is over.”