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The '''Domino theory''' was a phrase that became popular during the administration of U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. According to this theory, once nations such as Vietnam fell to communism, other countries of Asia would fall like a row of standing dominos, one after the other, each knocking the next over.

The '''Domino theory''' was a phrase that became popular during the administration of U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. According to this theory, once nations such as Vietnam fell to communism, other countries of Asia would fall like a row of standing dominos, one after the other, each knocking the next over.

Secretary of State Dulles explained the phrase in a 1954 press conference, referring to plans for treaty negotiations:

Secretary of State Dulles explained the phrase in a 1954 press conference, referring to his plans for the treaty negotiations that led to the creation of SEATO:

:"The situation in that area, as we found it, was that it was subject to the so-called 'domino theory.'" "You mean that if one went, another would go?" "We are trying to change it so that would not be the case.... You generally have a whole series of countries that can be picked up one by one. That is the whole theory of the North Atlantic Treaty. When the nations come together, then the so-called 'domino theory' ceases to apply."<ref>The Dulles' Statements on Indo-China, ''The New York Times,'' May 12, 1954, p. 6</ref>

:"The situation in that area, as we found it, was that it was subject to the so-called 'domino theory.'" "You mean that if one went, another would go?" "We are trying to change it so that would not be the case.... You generally have a whole series of countries that can be picked up one by one. That is the whole theory of the North Atlantic Treaty. When the nations come together, then the so-called 'domino theory' ceases to apply."<ref>The Dulles' Statements on Indo-China, ''The New York Times,'' May 12, 1954, p. 6</ref>

During the Vietnam War, the phrase was heard often. Supporters of the war gave the theory as a reason for staying in the war. The actual phrase "domino theory" though, was usually used dismissively by opponents of the war. They thought this theory was an exaggeration. A New York Times columnist mocked it in these words:

During the Vietnam War, the phrase was heard often. Supporters of the war gave the theory as a reason for staying in the war. The actual phrase "domino theory" though, was usually used dismissively by opponents of the war. They thought this theory was an exaggeration. A New York Times columnist mocked it in these words:

:...two of the favorite propositions of its supporters have been particularly hard for opponents to accept. One is the so-called "domino theory"&mdash;that if South Vietnam fell to the Communists, other nations in the area would topple like dominoes until the United States was thrown back to Pearl Harbor, or perhaps the West Coast.<ref>Wicker, Tom (1967), "Southeast Asia: Dominoes and Master Plan," ''The New York Times,'' February 12, 1967, p. 180</ref>

:...two of the favorite propositions of its supporters have been particularly hard for opponents to accept. One is the so-called "domino theory"&mdash;that if South Vietnam fell to the Communists, other nations in the area would topple like dominoes until the United States was thrown back to Pearl Harbor, or perhaps the West Coast.<ref>Wicker, Tom (1967), "Southeast Asia: Dominoes and Master Plan," ''The New York Times,'' February 12, 1967, p. 180</ref>

==In recent years==

==In recent years==