Excerpt from the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, 1964
Whereas naval units of the Communist regime in Vietnam, in violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of international law, have deliberately and repeatedly attacked United Stated naval vessels lawfully present in international waters, and have thereby created a serious threat to international peace; and
Whereas these attackers are part of deliberate and systematic campaign of aggression that the Communist regime in North Vietnam has been waging against its neighbors and the nations joined with them in the collective defense of their freedom; and
Whereas the United States is assisting the peoples of southeast Asia to protest their freedom and has no territorial, military or political ambitions in that area, but desires only that these people should be left in peace to work out their destinies in their own way: Now, therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Congress approves and supports the determination of the President, as Commander in Chief, to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.
Section 2. The United States regards as vital to its national interest and to world peace the maintenance of international peace and security in southeast Asia. Consonant with the Constitution of the United States and the Charter of the United Nations and in accordance with its obligations under the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, the United States is, therefore, prepared, as the President determines, to take all necessary steps, including the use of armed force, to assist any member or protocol state of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty requesting assistance in defense of its freedom.
Section 3. This resolution shall expire when the President shall determine that the peace and security of the area is reasonably assured by international conditions created by action of the United Nations or otherwise, except that it may be terminated earlier by concurrent resolution of the Congress.
Use the excerpt from the Tonkin Gulf Resolution to answer the question.
Which paragraphs MOST CLEARLY lay out the U.S. policy of containment during the Cold War?
A.
paragraphs 1 and 2
B.
paragraphs 2 and 3
C.
paragraphs 4 and 5
D.
paragraphs 5 and 6
None of the paragraphs specifically mention the policy of containment during the Cold War.
The correct answer is C. Paragraphs 4 and 5 most clearly lay out the U.S. policy of containment during the Cold War. These paragraphs mention the Communist regime in North Vietnam waging a campaign of aggression against its neighbors, the United States assisting the peoples of southeast Asia to protect their freedom, and the United States regarding the maintenance of international peace and security in southeast Asia as vital to its national interest and world peace. These points align with the policy of containment, which aimed to prevent the spread of communism and protect the interests of the United States and its allies.
To answer this question, we need to analyze the paragraphs to identify which ones most clearly lay out the U.S. policy of containment during the Cold War.
Paragraphs 1 and 2 refer to the actions of the Communist regime in Vietnam attacking U.S. naval vessels and waging aggression against its neighbors. These paragraphs focus on the specific situation in Vietnam but do not explicitly mention the policy of containment.
Paragraphs 2 and 3 discuss the United States' commitment to maintaining international peace and security in Southeast Asia. While this paragraph mentions assistance to member states of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, it does not directly address the policy of containment either.
Paragraphs 4 and 5 are not included in the given excerpt.
Paragraphs 5 and 6 state that the United States regards the maintenance of international peace and security in Southeast Asia as vital to its national interest and world peace. It mentions the use of armed force to assist any member or protocol state of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty in defense of its freedom. This aligns with the policy of containment as it demonstrates the United States' commitment to preventing the spread of communism in the region.
Therefore, the correct answer is D. paragraphs 5 and 6.