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What is the Domino Theory?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
The domino theory is a theory which was promoted by American foreign policy analysts during the 1950s and 1960s. According to the theory, nations on the borders of communist nations could be considered under threat, potentially falling like dominoes to communist influence and setting up a situation in which communism would rapidly spread across a region or perhaps even an entire continent. As late as the 1980s, this theory was revived to justify American intervention overseas.
Many people are familiar with the domino effect, a phenomenon which is best illustrated by thinking about a row of dominoes standing on end side by side. By making a small change to one of the dominoes in the row, the entire row will be altered as the change is magnified and passed along. The domino theory builds on this idea, viewing countries as a row of vulnerable dominoes which could collapse if one is pushed into communism.
The first mention of the domino theory occurred in a speech by Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. Eisenhower used this theory to explain why American intervention in Asia was crucial, because he suggested that it could lead to the spread of the “iron curtain” of communist control. The theory built on worldwide fears about communism, using the spread of the communism after the Second World War to illustrate the power of communist nations to annex and influence their neighbors.
Under the domino theory, foreign policy analysts argued, the United States had a duty to intervene overseas, to protect free nations from the scourge of communism. In addition to protecting free states, of course, this intervention would also ensure that the United States would have an entry point into regions of interest, and it could maintain profitable trade agreements with these nations.
The domino theory heavily influenced American foreign policy during the 1950s and 1960s, setting the stage for the invasion of Vietnam and justifying American activities in Korea during the Korean War. In the 1980s, the domino theory cropped up again, used by the Reagan administration to support invasion of several South American countries by American troops. Some people have also argued that it lurked in the background of the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, with the the government arguing that it needed to take action to prevent the spread of terrorism.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
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![The US became involved in Asia in the 1950s out of fear that communism would spread throughout the region.]()
By: Franck ThomasseThe US became involved in Asia in the 1950s out of fear that communism would spread throughout the region. -
![Some have suggested that an updated form of the Domino Theory loomed over the US decision to invade Iraq.]()
By: bogdanserbanSome have suggested that an updated form of the Domino Theory loomed over the US decision to invade Iraq. -
![The first mention of the domino theory occurred in a speech by Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954.]()
By: Kevin PugetThe first mention of the domino theory occurred in a speech by Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954.
Discussion Comments
After the indecisiveness and appeasement which Neville Chamberlain showed toward Germany before WWII, the West had learned to be tougher on its enemies and not concede one inch to dictators of any sort. This reflected public opinion, and politicians in democratic nations wanted to avoid looking like weak leaders. This was true on both sides of the spectrum, and often the most hawkish leaders were given power in both the US and the USSR. On the other hand, nobody wanted a nuclear fallout to occur. Hence the Cold war.
@klow
It could also be the case that communist nations fear a domino effect and are therefore reluctant to concede any border state, be it even the starving DPRK, to aid or concessions from capitalist nations. Unfortunately, this creates a lot of hostility and misunderstanding when it comes to the American understanding of Chinese aid to DPRK. If the system of DPRK were to become more democratic or there was reunification, China would have a democratic neighbor and/or refugees would flood into Manchuria.
The Domino theory has, for all practical purposes, existed for as long as war. Governments use fear tactics to justify the invasion of other countries or at the very least, to influence public opinion about a certain nation. North Korea is a strong modern example of this. Since the Korean War, the North Korean government has kept its people in a constant state of hostility, ignorance, and nationalism by keeping nearly all foreign made technological and cultural influences out of the country. In fact, the only country that really has any presence in North Korea is France. Even then, the French people that go to work there are kept largely separated from the citizens of North Korea. They are given "guides" that regulate foreign communication with North Koreans. Guy Delisle's graphic novel "Pyongyang" is an interesting exposure of North Korea's methods of regulating foreign workers.
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