Presidential Decisions: #36 Lyndon B. Johnson (D-Tx)

Decision: Escalating U. S. involvement in the Vietnam Conflict without a formal declaration of war by Congress

Historical Circumstances (1/2): After World War II, the Asian nation of Vietnam was divided into North and South Vietnam after it maintained its independence from France North Vietnam received support from the Soviet Union and Communist China and sought to reunite their country under one, communist government North Vietnam received support from the Soviet Union and Communist China and sought to reunite their country under one, communist government Eager to contain communism, the United States started sending military aid and advisors to South Vietnam so they could defend themselves from an invasion, though the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Eager to contain communism, the United States started sending military aid and advisors to South Vietnam so they could defend themselves from an invasion, though the 1950’s and early 1960’s.

Historical Circumstances (2/2): During Johnson’s presidency, South Vietnam was being seriously threatened by a communist takeover. In 1964, a story emerged that claimed the North Vietnamese, unprovoked, attacked U. S. naval ships in the Gulf of Tonkin. In 1964, a story emerged that claimed the North Vietnamese, unprovoked, attacked U. S. naval ships in the Gulf of Tonkin. Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions, allowing Johnson to use “conventional” (meaning non-nuclear) warfare in Vietnam, even without a formal declaration of war by Congress as required by the Constitution. Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions, allowing Johnson to use “conventional” (meaning non-nuclear) warfare in Vietnam, even without a formal declaration of war by Congress as required by the Constitution. The United States started send more and more troops to Vietnam to try to stop a communist takeover. The United States started send more and more troops to Vietnam to try to stop a communist takeover.

SPECIFIC long-term effects (1/1): LBJ’s escalation of U. S. involvement would lead to his demise. The Vietnam Conflict became increasingly unpopular within the United States. The Vietnam Conflict became increasingly unpopular within the United States. Suspicion arose about the government’s strategy and goals in the conflict. Suspicion arose about the government’s strategy and goals in the conflict. When he was up for re-election in 1968, he had become so unpopular over Vietnam, that he chose not to run. He left office as one of the country’s most unpopular presidents and his successes, such as the Great Society program, were overshadowed by the war. When he was up for re-election in 1968, he had become so unpopular over Vietnam, that he chose not to run. He left office as one of the country’s most unpopular presidents and his successes, such as the Great Society program, were overshadowed by the war.