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Explain why the Vietnam War escalated under President Johnson in the years 1963-68 - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 2
Explain why the Vietnam War escalated under President Johnson in the years 1963-68. You may use the following in your answer: • Gulf of Tonkin • Ho Chi Minh Trail Y... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain why the Vietnam War escalated under President Johnson in the years 1963-68 - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Gulf of Tonkin
Answer
The Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964 marked a significant escalation in U.S. involvement in Vietnam. After alleged attacks on U.S. ships by North Vietnamese forces, President Johnson used these incidents to seek congressional approval for increased military action. This led to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which granted Johnson broad powers to conduct military operations without an official declaration of war.
Step 2
Ho Chi Minh Trail
Answer
The Ho Chi Minh Trail was a crucial supply route for the North Vietnamese, used to transport troops and materials to the south. Johnson's administration recognized the importance of this route and responded by increasing bombing campaigns against it. This strategy aimed to disrupt the flow of supplies and weaken the North Vietnamese forces, contributing to a larger military footprint in the region.
Step 3
Additional information
Answer
Moreover, Johnson believed in the domino theory, where the fall of one country to communism could lead to the fall of others in the region. This ideological belief, combined with pressures from military advisors, led to a significant increase in U.S. troop deployments in Vietnam. From a few thousand advisors in 1963, U.S. troop numbers soared to over half a million by 1968, indicating a clear escalation in military involvement.