response to test answer INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

In the United States, Republicans are frequently viewed as too __________ in dealing with international threats, and Democrats are frequently viewed as too __________ in dealing with them;

ANSWER: 

Tough . . . soft;  Correct  

Soft . . . tough;

Belligerent . . . peaceful’ 

Peaceful . . . belligerent

Part II.  Short Essay – 300 words maximum (worth 2.5 total grade points)

With regard to the “correct” answer in question number 5., above, explain with sufficient detail how people’s perceptions about political parties and how “tough” or “soft” a particular party is or may be in dealing with international threats was proved wrong during the war in Vietnam, beginning with the Kennedy Administration and ending with the presidency of Richard M. Nixon?  Who started the U.S. on the road to heavy involvement in Vietnam?  Who continued to escalate that involvement during the mid-1960s?  Who campaigned on a platform of ending U.S. involvement and was instrumental in ending that involvement?  Write a well-reasoned, scholarly answer giving examples where appropriate.