The Gulf of Tonkin : The United States and the Escalation in the Vietnam War

__The Gulf of Tonkin: The United States and the Escalation in the Vietnam War__ analyzes the events that led to the escalation of the conflict in Vietnam and increased American involvement. On August 4, 1964, the captains of two American destroyers, the USS __Maddox__ and the USS __Turner Joy__, reported that their ships were being attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats. This report came on top of a previous report by the captain of the USS __Maddox__, indicating that he had been attacked by torpedo boats two nights earlier. The text introduces readers to the historiography of these incidents and how the perception of the events changed over time. The attacks, which were collectively called the Gulf of Tonkin incident, are presented in the context not only of the Vietnam War but also of the Cold War and U.S. government powers, enabling students to understand the events’ full ramifications. Using essential primary documents, Tal Tovy provides an accessible introduction to a vital turning point in U.S. and international affairs. This book will be useful to all students of the Vietnam War, American military history, and foreign policy history. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Series Introduction Illustrations Timeline Introduction Notes 1 The Road to Vietnam: the United States Foreign Policy After World War II American Foreign Policy After World War II The Beginning of the Cold War From Western Europe to East Asia Notes 2 Setup: The United States and Vietnam (1954–1963) The Geneva Convention Enter the United States Kennedy Administration and Vietnam Washington Changes Sides Why Vietnam? Notes 3 from Dallas to Tonkin: The Critical Moment Before Tonkin (November 1963 to August 1964) Tonkin Tonkin: Crossing the Rubicon (November 1964 to November 1965) Notes 4 the White House vs. Capitol Hill: the War Powers Act Powers: A Historical Review Up to 1941 Powers 1945–1964 The Disenchantment of Congress After 1973 Summary Notes Documents Document 1 Declaration Of independence Of the Democratic Republic Of vietnam (September 2, 1945) Document 2 The Truman Doctrine (March 12, 1947) Document 3 President Eisenhower’s News Conference (April 7, 1954): the Domino Theory Document 4 Radio and Television Report To the American People Following Renewed Aggression in the Gulf of Tonkin (August 4, 1964) Document 5 Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Special Message to the Congress on U.S. Policy in Southeast Asia” (august 5, 1964) Document 6 Joint Resolution of Congress H.J. Res 1145 (August 7, 1964) Document 7 Remarks At syracuse University on the Communist Challenge in southeast Asia (August 5, 1964) Document 8 Joint Resolution (August 10, 1964) Document 9 Department of State, “Aggression From the North” (February 27, 1965) Document 10 Address at Johns Hopkins University, “Peace Without Conquest” (April 7, 1965) Document 11 Un Charter, Chapter 7, Article 51 Document 12 Nato Treaty, Article 5 Document 13 Richard Nixon’s Veto of the War Powers Resolution (October 24, 1973) Document 14 War Powers Resolution (November 7, 1973) Bibliography Document Collections Books and Articles Websites Index "The Gulf of Tonkin: The United States and the Escalation in the Vietnam War analyzes the events that lead to the escalation of the conflict in Vietnam and increased American involvement. On August 4, 1964, the captains of two American destroyers, the USS Maddox and the USS Turner Joy, reported that their ships were attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats. This report came on top of a previous report by the captain of the USS Maddox, indicating that he had been attacked by torpedo boats two nights earlier. The text introduces readers to the historiography of these incidents and how the perception of the events changed over time. The attacks, which were collectively called 'The Gulf of Tonkin Incident, ' are presented in the context not only of the Vietnam War, but also the Cold War and the United States government powers, allowing students to understand the events' full ramifications. Using essential primary documents, Tal Tovy provides an accessible introduction to a vital turning point in U.S. and international affairs. This book will be useful to all students of the Vietnam War, American military history, and foreign policy history"-- Provided by publisher