1. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution:
- In August 1964, following alleged attacks on US naval vessels in the Gulf of Tonkin, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
- This resolution granted broad authorization for the President to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war.
2. Escalation of Troop Levels:
- President Johnson significantly increased the number of US troops deployed in Vietnam.
- By the end of 1965, there were over 184,000 US troops in the country, and this number continued to rise throughout Johnson's presidency.
3. Bombing Campaigns:
- Johnson authorized a series of intense bombing campaigns against North Vietnam, including Operation Rolling Thunder, which began in March 1965.
- The bombing campaigns aimed to disrupt North Vietnam's supplies and infrastructure, but they also caused significant civilian casualties.
4. Search and Destroy Strategy:
- The US military adopted a search-and-destroy strategy, which was a significant shift from the previous containment strategy.
- US troops conducted large-scale military operations to seek out and destroy enemy forces in South Vietnam.
5. Chemical defoliants:
- Johnson approved the use of chemical defoliants, such as Agent Orange, to strip away jungle cover and expose enemy forces.
- The use of defoliants had long-term environmental and health consequences.
6. Limited Engagements:
- While committing more troops and resources to the war, Johnson maintained limits on the scope of US involvement.
- He avoided sending ground troops into North Vietnam and focused primarily on operations in South Vietnam.
7. Domestic Opposition and Anti-War Movement:
- Johnson's escalation of the war in Vietnam faced growing domestic opposition and led to the rise of the anti-war movement.
- The war became increasingly unpopular in the United States, with anti-war demonstrations and protests taking place across the country.
8. Casualties and Human Cost:
- The war inflicted heavy casualties on both sides. The number of US troops killed in Vietnam continued to increase during Johnson's presidency.
- The war had profound social and psychological impacts at home in the United States.
By expanding the scale of US military involvement, President Johnson aimed to achieve quick and decisive results, but the escalation proved costly in terms of lives, resources, and the growing divisions in American society.