Which of the following statements is true of the Gulf of Tonkin affair?
A. Johnson told Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution to let him expand the war.
B. Congress was divided and only reluctantly passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
C. The destroyer Maddox was sunk by North Vietnamese gunboats.
D. Johnson ordered air strikes after the attack
I know the answer is not B. or C.
I don't think it is A. because my book says that Johnson told Congress he wanted to pass the resolution in order to defend the South Vietnamese army, not to escalate the war.
D. could be true, but it is a little confusing. He did order air attacks after the Resolution was passed, but he also ordered them on the day before he petitioned Congress.
Is D. the correct answer?
Yes, I think D is the correct answer.
http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/gulf-of-tonkin-resolution
Thank you!
You're welcome.
Yes, D. is the correct answer. The Gulf of Tonkin incident refers to an event that took place on August 4, 1964, involving the USS Maddox, a US Navy destroyer, and North Vietnamese forces. Initially, the USS Maddox reported being attacked by North Vietnamese gunboats, which led President Lyndon B. Johnson to order retaliatory airstrikes. However, subsequent investigations cast doubt on the accuracy of the initial reports, suggesting that the attack may have been misinterpreted or exaggerated.
It is important to note that the Gulf of Tonkin incident played a crucial role in the passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. With regards to statement A., it is correct that President Johnson urged Congress to pass the resolution, but he did so not specifically to expand the war, as mentioned in your book. Instead, Johnson argued that such a resolution was necessary to defend South Vietnam and to exhibit US resolve in supporting its ally.
Regarding statement B., it is incorrect because Congress, in fact, passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution with overwhelming support. There was limited debate, and a vast majority of lawmakers rallied behind the resolution. So, statement B. is not true.
As for statement C., it is also false. Although initially, the USS Maddox reported being attacked by North Vietnamese gunboats, subsequent investigations and evidence have indicated that there may have been errors or misinterpretations in the reporting. It is highly unlikely that the destroyer was actually sunk.
Therefore, the correct answer is D. Johnson did order airstrikes after the Gulf of Tonkin incident, but it should be noted that the timing and reasoning behind those air strikes have been the subject of debate and scrutiny.