what would make someone do this?

Tonkin Gulf Incident1954

French Fall at Dien Bien Phu

Vietnam divided along the 17th Parallel

Tonkin Gulf Incident Communist North-

Ho Chi Minh “We hold these

truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal . . .”

Supported by VC-Vietcong

Tonkin Gulf Incident Democratic South- Ngo

Dinh Diem Wins disputed election. Favors Catholics(10%) over

Buddhists(70%) Catholics own most of land,

positions in government. Reinforces anti-Buddhists

laws, displaying Buddhist flags on holidays.

Communists death squads

Tonkin Gulf Incident

1954 Communist

insurrection develops in Vietnam

U.S. dispatches advisers to South Vietnam.

Tonkin Gulf Incident1961

JFK sends Green Berets to South Vietnam to train ARVN(Army of the Republic of Vietnam)

“Pay any price . . .”

Tonkin Gulf Incident1964

U.S. warships cruise the North Vietnamese coast

Why:1. scare them

2. gather information

3. provoke them

4. protect our interests

Tonkin Gulf IncidentAugust 2, 1964

Maddox attacked by several North Vietnamese patrol boats.

Returns fire, sinking one, and damaging two others, no U.S. casualties.

Tonkin Gulf IncidentAugust 4, 1964

Maddox and C. Turner Joy report 2nd attack, and return fire.

Evidence does not support this attack.

Explanations:

Tonkin Gulf Incident Truth Weather or equipment malfunction Human error Lie

Tonkin Gulf Incident“Hell, those dumb stupid sailors were just shooting at flying fish.”

LBJ

Tonkin Gulf IncidentAugust 4, 1964

1. Take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.”

2. Take all steps to assist SEATO in defense of freedom.

3. Resolution shall expire when the president shall determine that peace and security is assured. Click for video

Domino Theory