Johnson, Erhard and Vietnam : On the negotiations between Americans and Germans about the support of the Vietnam War in the years 1963-1966
Abstract
The text describes the diplomatic communication about the Vietnam War between the United States and the Federal Republic between 1963 and 1966. Particular emphasis is put on the meetings conducted between the US president Lyndon Johnson and German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard.
The difference in their strategy is that compared to Johnson, Erhard was during consultations more responsive. The Vietnam War considerably influenced the relations between these two states during this period.
The US president who was under severe pressure from the American public was not only seeking an evidence of solidarity by European allies, but later also fulfilment of offset payments. In talks with Erhard, Johnson demonstrated his superiority, but given the breadth of the Vietnam trauma in American society, this was only a minor, partial success.