Gulf of Tonkin
What was the name of the U.S. ship attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin?
U.S.S. Maddox
Who proposed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?
President Lyndon B. Johnson
When did the Domino Theory begin?
The Cold War
Richard Nixon called his plan to shift combat responsibility to South Vietnam while withdrawing U.S. troops what
Vietnamization
In January 1968, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched surprise attacks during this Vietnamese holiday
Tet offensive
Critics later argued that Johnson used the Gulf of Tonkin incident to do this and expand U.S. military involvement without proper congressional oversight
escalate the Vietnam War
When did Congress pass the War Powers Act?
1973
Who proposed the domino theory?
Dwight D. Eisenhower
While withdrawing U.S. troops, Nixon expanded the war into these neighboring countries to cut off North Vietnamese supply lines
Cambodia and Laos
The Tet Offensive shocked Americans because it showed that U.S. officials had lied about this
U.S. progress in the war
This was passed by Congress and gave President Johnson unlimtied authority to use military force in Vietnam without an official declaration of wa
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Why did Congress pass the War Powers Act?
to limit the ability of the president regarding war and sending troops
U.S. leaders used the Domino Theory to argue that involvement in Vietnam was necessary to stop this larger global threat
Spread of Communism
Nixon’s quote was meant to achieve this goal: maintaining U.S. credibility without committing more American troops
"peace with honor"
This Green Beret soldier, who received the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam, was badly wounded but saved the lives of many comrades
Roy Benavidez
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was eventually limited by this 1973 law, which restricted the president’s ability to commit U.S. forces without congressional approval
War Powers Act
Why was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution controversial?
The executive branch (President LBJ) escalated the war and U.S. involvement in Vietnam without legislative (Congress) approval. no checks and balances.
The Domino Theory was most often used to justify American involvement in which conflict?
the Vietnam war
Although Vietnamization reduced American ground troops, Nixon continued heavy U.S. involvement in the war by relying on this branch of the military
Air force / air power (bombing campaigns)
The Vietnam War was fought between communist North Vietnam (backed by the Soviet Union and China) and....
South Vietnam (supported by U.S. leaders and military)
The Gulf of Tonkin incident highlighted this constitutional tension between the President and Congress
Checks and Balances
EX.: the power to declare war versus the power to act as commander-in-chief
Was there a declaration of war?
NO!
The Domino Theory reflected America’s broader Cold War goal of preventing the spread of communism, a strategy also known by this term
Containment
While promoting Vietnamization at home, Nixon also appealed directly to Americans, asking them to support his policies in what became known as his famous televised address
the “Silent Majority” speech
The Tet Offensive was a military failure for the communists, but a political success because it did this to U.S. public opinion
It was a turning point because it turned many Americans against the war