Based on a variety of primary sources, this course explores the US experience during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The problems of limited war; the origins of the Korean War; Truman and the decision to intervene; Inchon and the decision to cross the 38th parallel; the Chinese intervention and its consequences; the US home front during the Korean War; the Truman-MacArthur Controversy; Korea and US Cold War strategy: NSC-68, NATO, and ‘The Great Debate’; fighting while negotiating, 1951-53; legacies; JFK and Vietnam; LBJ and the decision to escalate; LBJ as Commander in Chief; the war on the ground in Vietnam: ‘search and destroy’ versus ‘hearts and minds’; the Tet Offensive; the media and military at war; the US home front during the Korean War; Vietnam and US Cold War strategy: détente and triangular diplomacy; fighting while negotiating, 1969-73; legacies.