Johnson Flashcards
What happened before August 1964?
CIA carried out missions across NVN
Included raiding the coastline and spying mission code name OPLAN 34A
One ship involved was the Maddox
When was the Tonkin Gulf incident
August 1964
What happened at the Tonkin Gulf
- Claimed 2 American ships (Maddox and Turner Joy) have been fired upon
- LBJ makes this public
- Doubts emerge as to whether the attack actually took place - Sailors were nervous could have been a Torpedo or fish
What was the Tonkin Gulf resolution
Enabled the president to wage war
Congress passed the Resolution believing American lives were at risk
Why was the Tonkin Gulf Resolution not properly debated
Senate was 2/3 empty
Vote when the Tonkin Gulf Resolution was passed
88-2
How did LBJ describe the Tonkin Gulf Resolution
- Referred to it as ‘grandma’s nightshirt’ as it covered everything
- Seen as a ‘blank cheque’
What did LBJ’s approval rating rise to after the Tonkin Gulf
42% to 72%
What did the Working Group recommend in 1965
- Domino Theory is real
- Independent SVN is crucial to US credibility
- Saigon is weak and needs escalation to survive
- Heavy Bombing will force the North to negotiate
Who won the 1964 Presidential elections
Johnson
Who was LBJ’s opponent in the 1964 elections
Barry Goldwater - seen as dangerous due to comments on nuclear weapons
What was Rolling Thunder
Ariel Bombardment (bombing) of Vietnam 1955-68
What % of Americans supported Rolling Thunder
67%
How many times was the leader of Vietnam changed between 1964-67
5
Which US ambassadors supported escalation
Cabot-Lodge and Maxwell Taylor
Which 2 events encouraged further escalation in the 60s
Brinks Hotel Bombing (Dec 1964)
Pleiku airbase (Feb 1965) - 8 American servicemen died
What was the aim of Rolling Thunder
- Aimed to secure position of Americans in SVN
- Demoralise Hanoi
- Pressure them to negotiate
Who was Dr Quat replaced by after 1965
-Ky and Thieu
-‘absolutely bottom of the barrel’
How much of SVN did the VC control by 1965
75%
How many troops were in Vietnam by July 1965
Rose from 75,000 to 125,000
When was the Battle of La Drang
Nov 1965
What was the Battle of La Drang
A search and destroy operation
US soldiers landed to find that they were outnumbered by the VC
How were the US saved in the battle of La Drang
Operation Flaming Dart
All aircraft diverted to drop their bombs on La Drang
How many troops were in Vietnam in 1966
385,000
