The Gulf of Tonkin Incident, 1964
History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 5.3.4
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident, 1964
On 2nd August 1964 three torpedo boats from the North fired on the USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin.
US attacks
- The USA had been using its ships to allow ARVN troops to attack the North along the Gulf of Tonkin, which angered the North.
- On 2nd August 1964 three torpedo boats from the North fired on the USS Maddox, which fired back.
Air strikes
- Two days later, another attack was reported — though it may have been a mistake.
- In response, President Johnson ordered a US air strike on North Vietnam.
- Two US planes were shot down.
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
- On 7th August, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
- It gave President Johnson the power to stop further attacks without needing Congress’ approval or declaring war.
- Johnson never officially declared war on North Vietnam,
- As he feared it might trigger a war with China or the USSR.
- But he still sent troops, which had the same effect as going to war.
VC victories
- From November 1964, the North sent increasing numbers of troops and supplies into South Vietnam.
- The VC won battles at Binh Gia and successfully attacked the US airfield at Pleiku.
US troops
- The US wanted a popular Vietnamese leader to win public support in the South.
- They believed only a local government, not the US, could truly earn this support.
- But since the ARVN couldn’t manage this, the US sent in troops.
- Their aim was to keep the anti-communist government in power.
Test yourself on The Gulf of Tonkin Incident, 1964
US Attacks on North Vietnam
Why did Johnson never actually declare war on the North?