How did the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution affect the course of the Vietnam War?
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, passed by the United States Congress in 1964, essentially gave President Lyndon B. Johnson the authority to escalate U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War without a formal declaration of war. This resolution was passed in response to reported attacks on U.S. naval vessels by North Vietnamese forces in the Gulf of Tonkin.
The resolution allowed for the increased deployment of U.S. troops and resources to Vietnam, leading to a significant escalation of the conflict. This ultimately resulted in a massive increase in the number of American troops in Vietnam, as well as a significant increase in air and ground operations.
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution essentially paved the way for the U.S. to become deeply embroiled in the Vietnam War, which continued for many years and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. The wide-ranging authority granted to President Johnson through this resolution had a profound impact on the course of the war and contributed to its prolongation and escalation.