Fear of losing the South, and of allies losing trust in US promises, drew the USA from sending advisers to full-scale war.
At first, the USA sent aid and advisers to train the South's army. As the South weakened, the USA sent more. It feared that losing the South would damage containment. It also cared about credibility: whether allies would trust US promises. Each president added help to protect what had already been committed.
In August 1964, there were reports of naval clashes in the Gulf of Tonkin. The clash on 2 August happened. A second attack on 4 August did not, as later evidence showed. Congress still passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. It gave President Lyndon Johnson wide power to use force.
In 1965, the USA began steady bombing of the North and sent large numbers of ground troops. US firepower caused heavy losses. But enemy forces could regroup and get new supplies. And bombs could not make people trust the South's government.
- Credibility
- Whether allies trust US promises.
- Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, 1964
- Gave President Johnson wide power to use force.
- 1965
- US bombing of the North and large ground forces.
Worked example: Power to act is not proof
What does the Tonkin Resolution show, and what does it not show?
- It shows Congress gave Johnson power to use force.
- It does not prove that both reported attacks happened.
- Later evidence showed the 4 August attack did not happen.
Watch out for this
Congress mentioned the attacks, so both must have happened.
Only the 2 August clash happened. The Resolution shows what Congress decided, not what happened at sea.
Check your understanding
What did the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution do?
- It proved two North Vietnamese attacks had taken place.
- It ordered US troops to leave Vietnam.
- It gave President Johnson broad power to use force in Vietnam.