How do you think this resolution influenced later u.s. policy in southeast asia? gulf of tonkin resolution?
http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/gulf-of-tonkin-resolution
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The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, passed by the United States Congress in 1964, had a significant impact on later U.S. policy in Southeast Asia, particularly in relation to the Vietnam War. To understand its influence, we can examine the historical context and the provisions of the resolution.
1. Historical Context: The resolution came at a time when the U.S. was increasingly involved in Vietnam. The U.S. had been providing military aid and advisory support to South Vietnam in its fight against the communist North Vietnamese forces.
2. Provisions of the Resolution: The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution authorized then-President Lyndon B. Johnson to take any necessary measures to assist Southeast Asian countries facing aggression. It was enacted in response to an alleged attack on U.S. naval vessels by North Vietnamese forces in the Gulf of Tonkin.
Now, let's consider how this resolution influenced later U.S. policy in Southeast Asia:
1. Increased U.S. Involvement: The resolution effectively escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. It gave President Johnson broad and almost unlimited powers to deploy additional troops, conduct airstrikes, and carry out military operations without seeking formal declarations of war. This led to a significant increase in U.S. troop levels in Vietnam.
2. Expanded Military Operations: With the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, the U.S. began conducting more aggressive military operations in Southeast Asia. The U.S. military conducted extensive bombing campaigns targeting North Vietnamese positions and supply routes, both within Vietnam and neighboring countries like Laos and Cambodia. This expansion of military operations contributed to the continuation and escalation of the war.
3. Normalization of Presidential War Powers: The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution set a precedent for granting broad war powers to the U.S. President without congressional approval. It established a legal and political framework where subsequent presidents could employ military force without a formal declaration of war in other conflicts or humanitarian interventions.
4. Growing Opposition and Anti-War Movement: The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and the subsequent escalation of the war fueled opposition within the United States. As the war dragged on, increasing numbers of Americans grew critical of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The anti-war movement gained momentum. The resolution became a focal point for activists, who argued that it granted excessive powers to engage in overseas conflicts.
Overall, the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution influenced later U.S. policy in Southeast Asia by enabling a significant expansion of military operations, intensifying U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, and setting a precedent for presidential war powers without explicit congressional approval.