Escalation Of The Conflict Under Johnson Flashcards
What are three reasons why the war escalated under Johnson
The Gulf of Tonkin
Increased threat for the VC
The Ho Chi Minh Trail
What was Johnaon’a aims
Stop the spread of communsim
Establish democratic government in SV which is supported by thr people
Ensure the situation did not deteriote into a nuclear war
What was Johnaon’a problems
Communists in Vietnam were becoming stronger and harder to defeat
Government in SV was very weak and unpopular
USSR was becoming a superpower with nuclear capability
How did the Ho Chi Minh escalate the war
The North Vietnamese with China’s help supported the VC in South Vietnam by sending troops and supplies via the trail.
The Ho Chi Minh trail aas a network of paths and smaller trails which connected North and South Vietnam
The Ho Chi Minh developed as the paths became wider and easier to send more support.By 1974, some parts of the trail were properly paved and and dotted along the trail there were small hoapitals , and fuel and weapon stores
As a rsult of the developed Ho Chi Minh trail what happened
The VC recieved more supplies and therefore were made stronger
Why was there an increased threat from the VC
The VC became more oeganised and effective and their numbers increased due to the unpopularity of the government and the anger towards the government and the Strategic Hamlet Programme.Some of the VC’s ideas were popular among the ordinary Vietnamese, who sympathised with their view of American imperialists wanting to control Vietnam for their own ends.
Many rural SV supported the VC.The increased aupport of covilians made the threat more extensive
How did the VC gain public support
They aympathised with their view of Americans as imperialists wanting to control Vietnam for their own ends
Causes of the Gulf of Tonkin
Two US Ships Maddox and C Turner Joy , were ordered to make regular patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin and the along the North Vietnamese coast.
At the same time , small US ships were secretly ferrying ARVN troops to carry out raids on North Vietnamese ahips and territory
What could Johnson not do before the Gulf of Tonkin
Johnson continued to provide more advisiors and more aid.
Johnson wanted Congress to authorise the use of US troops in Vietnam but it was a presidential election year and he did not want to divide Congress
How did the NV react to the US ferrying ARVN troops to carry out raids on NV ships and territory
It angered the North Vietnamese and made them strike in the Gulf of Tonkin
Events of the Gulf of Tonkin - 2 August 1964
Maddox radar showed three North Vietnamese torpedo boats closing in.The captain called for air support.The NV boats fired and the Maddox fired back and withdrew when the US planes arrived
Events of the Gulf of Tonkin - 4 August
During a bad storm , Maddox and C.Turner Joy reported NV torpedo attacks and claimed to have sunk two enemy boats.
There was confusion over what actually happened.
How did Johnson react to the confusion on the 4 August 1964
Johnson was told of the incident but was later told it might not have happened.
Ignoring the confusion Johnson ordered planes to strike North Vietnamese targets in retaliation
Events of the Gulf of Tonkin - 5 August 1964
Johnson told Congress about the attack on the Maddox and C Turner Joy .
He asked Congress to give him the poeer to stop future attacks
On 7 August Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
What did the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution give Johnson
It gave Johnskn the power to take all necessary steps to stop attacks on US forces without consulting Congress, or offically declaring war.
Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution , allowing Johnson to use armed force to defend South Vietnam and American troops
