Transcript Tonkin Gulf Incident - Indiana Area School District

Tonkin Gulf Incident
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1954
French Fall at Dien Bien
Phu
Vietnam divided along
the 17th Parallel
Tonkin Gulf Incident
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Communist NorthHo Chi Minh
“We hold these
truths to be self
evident, that all
men are created
equal . . .”
Supported by VCVietcong
Tonkin Gulf Incident
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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
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1954
Communist
insurrection develops
in Vietnam
U.S. dispatches
advisers to South
Vietnam.
Tonkin Gulf Incident
1961
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JFK sends Green Berets
to South Vietnam to train
ARVN(Army of the
Republic of Vietnam)
“Pay any price . . .”
Tonkin Gulf Incident
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1964
U.S. warships
cruise the North
Vietnamese coast
Why:
1. scare them
2. gather information
3. provoke them
4. protect our interests
Tonkin Gulf Incident
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August 2, 1964
Maddox attacked
by several North
Vietnamese patrol
boats.
Returns fire, sinking
one, and damaging
two others, no U.S.
casualties.
Tonkin Gulf Incident
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August 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
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Tonkin Gulf Incident
“Hell, those dumb
stupid sailors were
just shooting at
flying fish.”
LBJ
Tonkin Gulf Incident
August 4, 1964
1.
2.
3.
Take all necessary measures
to repel any armed attack
against the forces of the
United States and to prevent
further aggression.”
Take all steps to assist
SEATO in defense of
freedom.
Resolution shall expire when
the president shall determine
that peace and security is
assured.
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