Johnson's escalation: US involvement in the Vietnam War, 1954-75: History: GCSE (9:1)

President Johnson

Became President in 1963

Johnson's Commitment

Johnson inherited a growing US commitment to the Vietnam War.

Growing threat of the Vietcong

There were 60,000 guerrilla groups operating in South Vietnam by the end of 1954.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

A network of paths used by North Vietnam to transport supplies to the Vietcong in South Vietnam.

1964

By 1964 35% of South Vietnam was in the hands of the Vietcong.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

On 2nd August 1964 the destroyer USS Maddox, an American naval vessel, was attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, just off the coast of North Vietnam by North Vietnamese torpedo boats. Two days later there was a second attack.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This gave Johnson the power to take any military measures he thought necessary to defend South Vietnam.

Initial escalation by Johnson

Initially Johnson increased air support and attacks.

February 1965

The Vietcong attacked air bases and destroyed 10 US helicopters, killed 8 service men and wondered over 100.

American troops in Vietnam

March 1965-3,500 US Combat troops arrived in Vietnam to protect air bases.

American troops in Vietnam by the end of 1965

200,000 US troops

Total troops by 1968

500,000 US troops.