Essay On Gulf Of Tonkin Resolution

The lead into the Vietnam War for the United States was when torpedo shots rang out from North Vietnamese torpedo boats aimed at the USS Maddox eventually sending just over 2.7 million American troops to Vietnam (“Statistical Information about Casualties...”). On August 2, 1964 a United States destroyer was fired upon by North Vietnamese torpedo boats then two days later an attack on two navy ships was reported. This pressed congress into action, passing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in response. Congress’ decision to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was justified to promote peace and security that needed to be maintained in Southeast Asia, the United States cannot set a precedent of no retaliation after attacks, and South Vietnam continued political instability and military loses to North Vietnam.

II. Background The United States has naval destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin due to tensions in Southeast Asia. The Viet Minh who were communists in the State of Vietnam trying to spread communism were gaining traction

One of these vessels is the USS Maddox. The USS Maddox reported an attack by North Vietnamese patrol boats on August 2, 1964. On August 4, 1964 the USS Maddox and the USS Turner Joy, another US destroyer in the Gulf of Tonkin, reported another attack (“US Naval Review of Tonkin Naval Battle”). Shortly after the second attack doubts emerged that there may have been no attack. Immediately after the second attack report had gotten back to Washington, President Johnson was already talking to congress about defending US forces in Southeast Asia. “The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was written up and presented to the House of Representatives who debated it for only 40 minutes. After the 40 minutes they voted and it was 416-0 in favor of the Resolution. Next it went to the Senate and they also approved it shortly afterward with a vote of 88-2