This resolution declared, “The United States regards as vital to its national interest and to world peace the maintenance of international peace and security in Southeast Asia.” It also gave Johnson the right to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” The House passed the resolution by a unanimous vote the vote in the Senate was 88 to 2. He also asked Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This time, Johnson authorized retaliatory air attacks against North Vietnam.

On August 4, the two destroyers reported that they were under attack. Johnson responded by sending in another destroyer. On August 2, North Vietnamese torpedo boats attacked an American destroyer in the Gulf of Tonkin. In early August, a series of events occurred that allowed Johnson to appear statesmanlike while simultaneously expanding the U.S. However, Johnson was campaigning in the presidential election of 1964 as the “responsible” candidate who would not send American troops to fight and die in Asia. military intervention in the conflict could turn the tide. Johnson made the decision that only direct U.S. The administration of President Lyndon B. In addition, hundreds of millions of dollars in military and economic assistance had been given to South Vietnam. military advisers had been sent to South Vietnam to train that nation’s military forces. Kennedy, hundreds-and then thousands-of U.S. military aid and training seemed able to save the southern regime. The insurgents, aided by communist North Vietnam, controlled large areas of South Vietnam, and no amount of U.S. The resolution marked the beginning of an expanded military role for the United States in the Cold War battlefields of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.īy 1964, America’s ally, South Vietnam, was in serious danger of falling to a communist insurgency. Johnson nearly unlimited powers to oppose “communist aggression” in Southeast Asia. The United States Congress overwhelming approves the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Lyndon B.

Lyndon johnson the passage of power