What this lesson teaches
I can judge how far the superpowers got involved in the Korean and Vietnam wars, and what difference it made.
Syllabus K330, The Cold War, Learning Outcomes. Evaluate the extent and impact of superpowers involvement in civil wars with reference to the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Make a guess
In 1960 the USA had only a few hundred military advisers in South Vietnam. How do you think that changed by 1965?
- It withdrew the advisers as the South grew stronger.
- It began bombing the North and sending large numbers of ground troops.
- It stayed the same, because Congress refused to approve more.
Show the answer
It began bombing the North and sending large numbers of ground troops.
Fear of losing the South, and of allies doubting US promises, drew each president deeper into the war.
Fear of losing the South, and of allies losing trust in US promises, drew the USA from sending advisers to full-scale war.
At first, the USA sent aid and advisers to train the South's army. As the South weakened, the USA sent more. It feared that losing the South would damage containment. It also cared about credibility: whether allies would trust US promises. Each president added help to protect what had already been committed.
In August 1964, there were reports of naval clashes in the Gulf of Tonkin. The clash on 2 August happened. A second attack on 4 August did not, as later evidence showed. Congress still passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. It gave President Lyndon Johnson wide power to use force.
In 1965, the USA began steady bombing of the North and sent large numbers of ground troops. US firepower caused heavy losses. But enemy forces could regroup and get new supplies. And bombs could not make people trust the South's government.
- Credibility
- Whether allies trust US promises.
- Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, 1964
- Gave President Johnson wide power to use force.
- 1965
- US bombing of the North and large ground forces.
Real examples to use
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, 7 August 1964
The House passed it 416 to 0 and the Senate 88 to 2, giving Johnson wide power to use force without declaring war.
Troops pour in, 1965 to 1969
US forces grew from about 184,300 at the end of 1965 to a peak of about 543,000 in April 1969.
Worked example: Power to act is not proof
What does the Tonkin Resolution show, and what does it not show?
- It shows Congress gave Johnson power to use force.
- It does not prove that both reported attacks happened.
- Later evidence showed the 4 August attack did not happen.
Watch out for this
Congress mentioned the attacks, so both must have happened.
Only the 2 August clash happened. The Resolution shows what Congress decided, not what happened at sea.
Check your understanding
What did the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution do?
- It proved that two North Vietnamese attacks on US ships had taken place.
- It ordered US advisers to leave Vietnam within a year.
- It gave President Johnson broad power to use force in Vietnam.
Show the answer
It gave President Johnson broad power to use force in Vietnam.
Yes. It became the basis for escalation.