Lyndon B. Johnson and the United States Congress
In the spring and summer of 1964 President Lyndon Johnson and his advisors were considering a drastic
increase in military operations against North Vietnam. Unknown to the American public and most members
of Congress, we were already conducting covert operations against North Vietnam. National Security Advisor
McGeorge Bundy suggested that a congressional resolution authorizing future military operations would
be useful, and plans were made to implement immediate action against North Vietnam if the occasion arose.
However, Johnson and his political advisors adamantly refused to openly request such authorization in
an election year.
But on the morning of August 1, 1964, a North Vietnamese torpedo boat fired on the American destroyer
Maddox patrolling in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam. This was in retaliation
for bombings by South Vietnamese strike forces as well as the electronic espionage conducted by the Maddox.
Another destroyer, the C. Turner Joy, joined the Maddox, and on August 4 both reported to
be under attack. This attack most likely never occurred. The enemy contact was based on sonar and radar
evidence, both adversely affected by "freak weather effects." President Johnson proceeded with
air strikes and began to mobilize congressional support. Gathering congressional leaders in the White
House, Johnson presented the events as blatant North Vietnamese/communist "aggression on the high
seas." He did not inform Congress about the covert operations the American and South Vietnamese ships
were engaged in, or that the North Vietnamese attack was a response to these operations. Led by Senator
William Fulbright, both houses of Congress passed a resolution granting Johnson widespread power to respond.
This authority would be used to increase American military commitment to unprecedented levels without
a formal declaration of war.
In the following messages by President Johnson and the subsequent Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, it is important
to note what both the president and Congress use as justification for our actions. What high ideals and
goals are set forth in these documents? See also if you can understand the reason for passage of the War
Powers Act in the 1970s [discussed at the end of this section]. |
