Confrontation in the Vietnam War​

Who was Lyndon B. Johnson?

US President from 1963–69 who escalated American involvement in Vietnam.

What was Johnson’s approach to Vietnam?

Containment of communism and support for South Vietnam; aimed to prevent the “Domino Effect” in Southeast Asia.

How did Johnson justify US involvement?

Fear that if South Vietnam fell, other countries in the region would follow (Domino Theory).

What was the principle of “American credibility”?

Johnson believed the US had to act to maintain global influence and credibility with allies.

What happened in the Gulf of Tonkin?

Alleged attacks on US destroyers by North Vietnamese patrol boats.

What did the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution allow?

Gave Johnson authority to “take all necessary measures” to protect US forces, effectively enabling full-scale military escalation.

Why was the resolution significant?

It marked the start of major US military involvement in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war.

How did US involvement escalate after 1964?

Troop numbers increased, air campaigns (Operation Rolling Thunder) expanded, and ground forces were deployed.

How many US troops were in Vietnam by 1968?

Around 536,000.

What strategy did the US use?

Search-and-destroy missions, bombing campaigns, and pacification programs.

What were the strengths of the US/South Vietnamese forces?

Superior technology, firepower, and air support.

What were the weaknesses of the US/South Vietnamese forces?

Lack of local knowledge, guerrilla warfare difficulties, and low morale among troops and South Vietnamese population.

What were the strengths of the Viet Cong/North Vietnamese?

Guerrilla tactics, knowledge of the terrain, support from local population, and resilience.

What were the weaknesses of the Viet Cong/North Vietnamese?

Less advanced weaponry, high casualty rates, reliance on supply lines like the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

What was the Tet Offensive?

A massive, coordinated attack by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces on South Vietnamese cities during the Tet Lunar New Year.

Why was it significant militarily?

Militarily, the offensive was a failure for the communists—they suffered heavy losses.

Why was it significant politically?

It shocked the US public and media, undermined confidence in Johnson, and shifted opinion against the war.

What was the impact on US policy?

Johnson’s approval ratings dropped, leading him not to seek re-election in 1968 and prompting eventual steps toward de-escalation.

What was the overall US strategy in Vietnam?

Containment of communism through military intervention, support of South Vietnam, and escalation of force as needed.

What were the main challenges for the US?

Guerrilla warfare, local population support for Viet Cong, and domestic opposition to the war.

How did the Tet Offensive change the course of the war?

Showed that the US could not easily defeat the communists, shifted public opinion, and led to political consequences for Johnson.

What does this period reveal about Cold War confrontations?

Military superiority did not guarantee success; local factors and public opinion were crucial in proxy wars.