El Salvador: Another Vietnam

The many aspects and problems of American involvement in Vietnam and El Salvador are beyond the scope of this thesis. Nevertheless, it is possible to gain a detailed knowledge of these conflicts by concentrating the area of study upon a common and specific timetable. Therefore, the focus of this thesis shall be on the period that directly preceded escalated American involvement in these nations. For Vietnam, this period occurred from 1945 until 1954; for El Salvador, the relevant time period includes the years of 1972 until 1980. By narrowing the scope of investigation within these particular limits, it is highly likely that a qualified decision can be reached as to whether El Salvador is already or has the potential to become another Vietnam.