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The Domino Theory was a theory that believed that if a country came under the influence of Communists there would follow a “domino effect” that would spread communism to other nearby countries.  This theory drove foreign policy in the 20th Century.  The theory was first advanced during Harry S. Truman’s presidency.  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''' proposed that if a country came under the influence of Communists there would follow a “domino effect” that would spread [[communism]] to other nearby countries.  This theory drove [[foreign policy]] in the 20th Century.  The theory was first advanced during Harry S. Truman’s presidency.  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.

==In the 1950s and the Vietnam War==

==In the 1950s and the Vietnam War==

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:

[[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 [[mockery|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==

Before the 2003 Iraq war, neoconservative theorists suggested that a liberated Iraq could be a vanguard of democracy. A democratic Iraq would lead to the fall of authoritarian rulers in neighboring states, and the spread of democracy throughout the Middle East. This has sometimes been called the "democratic domino theory" or the "reverse domino theory."

Before the 2003 [[Iraq war]], [[neoconservative]] theorists suggested that a liberated [[Iraq]] could be a vanguard of [[democracy]]. A democratic Iraq would lead to the fall of authoritarian rulers in neighboring states, and the spread of democracy throughout the Middle East. This has sometimes been called the "democratic domino theory" or the "reverse domino theory."

==Real falling dominoes==

==Real falling dominoes==

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.dominodomain.com/biggest-domino-project Domino Day] Commercial website

*[http://www.dominodomain.com/biggest-domino-project Domino Day] Commercial website