8.9: The Vietnam War

Question 1

CONDITIONS

Answer 1

• JFK replaced Eisenhower
• agreed w/ Domino Theory
• sent military advisors to South only to support gov
• 1963: JFK’s assassination and LBJ into office

Question 2

GULF OF TONKIN

Answer 2

• North fired on US battleship
• story’s truth disputed
• LBJ used above as justification for US military intervention
• pushed Congress to pass Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
• Granting President blank cheque to exercise whatever powers to protect US interests in region

Question 3

WAR!

Answer 3

• no declaration
• only Congress could declare
• debate back home: Executive branch had abused power by conducting foreign policy w/ military action apart from congressional approval
  196: 200,000 US troops to Vietnam
• LBJ’s strategy = step-by-step escalation due to belief that North = backawards, primitive and weak
• 1965, 200,000 troops in Vietnam
• 1000s of US troops dying due to vague cause