“Peace without Conquest”: Lyndon Johnson's Speech of April 7, 1965

Abstract

This article explores the speech that President Lyndon Johnson delivered on April 7, 1965 entitled “Peace without Conquest.” He sought to answer Vietnam critics with “unconditional discussions” and a billion‐dollar electrification project for Southeast Asia, but he also reaffirmed his determination not to withdraw. This article analyzes the situation leading to the speech, the speech itself, and public reaction, concluding that although LBJ's speech failed to bring peace to Southeast Asia, it succeeded in mollifying critics enough for the administration to escalate the war. Johnson's speech exemplifies the powers and dangers of rhetoric—a lesson still relevant today.

LBJ, LBJ, How Many Kids Did You Ignore Today?

“…President Johnson simply 20 Melvin Small, Covering dissent: the media and the anti-Vietnam War movement (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1994), 35. 21 Dror Yuravlivker, "Peace Without Conquest: Lyndon Johnson's Speech of April7, 1965." Presidential Studies Quarterly 36, 3 (2006, 458.…”