American Role Grows Objective: analyze why the United States became involved in the war in Vietnam

Domino Theory If one country falls to communism, nearby countries will also topple Helped shape policy in Vietnam for next 20 years US leaders feared if Vietnam fell, rest of SE Asia would follow

Gulf of Tonkin August, 1964 - reports of North Vietnam patrol boats attacking American ships

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Congress allowed president to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack…”

Escalation Increasing military involvement Johnson sends more troops and began a bombing campaign against North Vietnam

Operation Rolling Thunder March, 1965 Bombing raids target Ho Chi Minh Trail, bridges, docks, factories, and military bases in the north Hoped to stop or slow flow of supplies and troops into the south American planes dropped more bombs on North Vietnam from 1965 - 1968 than they dropped on the Axis powers during WWII