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The Tonkin Gulf Incident: Catalyst for U.S. Escalation in Vietnam

The Tonkin Gulf Incident of 1964 marked a turning point in U.S. involvement in Vietnam, following escalating tensions that began with the French fall at Dien Bien Phu. The incident involved alleged attacks on U.S. naval vessels by North Vietnamese forces, which led to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, granting President Johnson broad powers to escalate military actions. The backdrop includes a divided Vietnam, a conflict between the Communist North led by Ho Chi Minh and the anti-Communist South under Ngo Dinh Diem, and significant political and religious tensions contributing to the complex landscape of war.

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The Tonkin Gulf Incident: Catalyst for U.S. Escalation in Vietnam

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  1. What would Make someone do this?

  2. Tonkin Gulf Incident 1954 • French Fall at Dien Bien Phu • Vietnam divided along the 17th Parallel

  3. Tonkin Gulf Incident • Communist North- Ho Chi Minh • “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal . . .” • Supported by VC-Vietcong

  4. Tonkin Gulf Incident • Democratic South- Ngo Dinh Diem • Wins disputed election. • Favors Catholics(10%) over Buddhists(70%) • Catholics own most of land, positions in government. • Reinforces anti-Buddhists laws, displaying Buddhist flags on holidays. • Communists death squads

  5. Tonkin Gulf Incident 1954 • Communist insurrection develops in Vietnam • U.S. dispatches advisers to South Vietnam.

  6. Tonkin Gulf Incident 1961 • JFK sends Green Berets to South Vietnam to train ARVN(Army of the Republic of Vietnam) • “Pay any price . . .”

  7. Tonkin Gulf Incident 1964 • U.S. warships cruise the North Vietnamese coast • Why: 1. scare them 2. gather information 3. provoke them 4. protect our interests

  8. Tonkin Gulf Incident August 2, 1964 • Maddox attacked by several North Vietnamese patrol boats. • Returns fire, sinking one, and damaging two others, no U.S. casualties.

  9. Tonkin Gulf Incident August 4, 1964 • Maddox and C. Turner Joy report 2nd attack, and return fire. • Evidence does not support this attack. • Explanations:

  10. Tonkin Gulf Incident • Truth • Weather or equipment malfunction • Human error • Lie

  11. Tonkin Gulf Incident “Hell, those dumb stupid sailors were just shooting at flying fish.” LBJ

  12. Tonkin Gulf Incident August 4, 1964 • Take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” • Take all steps to assist SEATO in defense of freedom. • Resolution shall expire when the president shall determine that peace and security is assured. Click for video

  13. Domino Theory

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