“You have a row of dominoes set up; you knock over the first one, and what will happen to the last one is that it will go over very quickly.”
- October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969
- American
- The 34th President of the United States, General, Military Leader
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Quote
“You have a row of dominoes set up; you knock over the first one, and what will happen to the last one is that it will go over very quickly.”
Explanation
This quote is a metaphorical explanation of the “domino theory,” which was a central idea in U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War. Eisenhower used this imagery to convey the belief that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would quickly follow, like a chain of falling dominoes. It reflects a strategic concern about geopolitical instability spreading rapidly, especially in regions like Southeast Asia.
The quote was made in 1954, during a press conference addressing the situation in Indochina (modern-day Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia). Eisenhower’s warning supported the rationale for American involvement in resisting communist movements abroad, particularly as fears grew over Soviet and Chinese influence. His administration believed that allowing one nation to fall could trigger a regional or even global cascade, threatening U.S. allies and interests.
Today, the quote is often referenced critically in hindsight, particularly because the domino theory was a key justification for the Vietnam War, a conflict that became prolonged and deeply controversial. While the theory helped frame Cold War policy, its oversimplification of complex regional dynamics led to costly interventions. Nonetheless, the image of dominoes remains a powerful symbol for understanding how perceived small events can have wide-reaching consequences, whether in politics, economics, or international relations.
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