Making the Vietnam War Official

 two separate incidents involving naval forces of North Vietnam and the US in the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin 1. On August 2, 1964, the USS Maddox engaged three North Vietnamese torpedo boats, resulting in damage to the three boats. 2. On August 4 the Maddox reported a second engagement with North Vietnamese vessels. This second report was later concluded to be incorrect

 The Gulf of Tonkin Incident occurred during the first year of the Johnson administration  Johnson's supported military escalation in Vietnam  After Kennedy's assassination, Johnson ordered in more American forces to support the Saigon government

 On July 31, 1964, the Maddox had begun its intelligence collection mission in the gulf  The Maddox was under orders not to approach closer than eight miles from the North's coast  On August 2, Maddox claimed it was attacked by three North Vietnamese patrol boats 28 miles away from the North Vietnamese coast in international waters

 Maddox evaded a torpedo attack and opened fire with its guns, forcing the patrol craft away  U.S. aircraft were launched then attacked the retiring patrol boats, claiming one as sunk and one heavily damaged  Maddox, suffering very minor damage retired to South Vietnamese waters

 On August 4, another North Vietnamese patrol off the North Vietnamese coast was launched  This time the Maddox was to close to no more than 11 miles from the coast of North Vietnam  During an evening and early morning of rough weather and heavy seas, they received radar, sonar, and radio signals that they believed signaled another attack by the North Vietnamese navy

 For some two hours the ships fired on radar targets and maneuvered vigorously amid electronic and visual reports of enemies.  At 1:30 am Washington time, Maddox sent a cable in which he admitted that the attack may never have happened and that there may have been no Vietnamese craft in the area  One hour later, Maddox sent another cable, stating, "Entire action leaves many doubts except for apparent ambush at beginning. Suggest thorough reconnaissance in daylight by aircraft."

 At 6 pm Washington time, Maddox cabled yet again, this time stating,  "the first boat to close the Maddox probably fired a torpedo at the Maddox which was heard but not seen. All subsequent Maddox torpedo reports are doubtful in that it is suspected that sonarman was hearing ship's own propeller beat"

 President Johnson, who was up for election that year, launched retaliatory air strikes and went on national television  Although Maddox had been involved in providing intelligence support for South Vietnamese Defense Secretary McNamara denied that the U.S. Navy had supported South Vietnamese military operations in the Gulf  He thus characterized the attack as "unprovoked" since the ship had been in international waters

 As a result of his testimony, on August 7, Congress passed a joint resolution titled the Southeast Asia Resolution (Tonkin Gulf Resolution), which granted President Johnson the authority to conduct military operations in Southeast Asia  The Resolution gave President Johnson approval "to take all necessary steps, including the use of armed force, to assist any member or protocol state of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty requesting assistance in defense of its freedom."

 Mixture of Petrol and chemical thickener  Sticky gel to attach to the skin  Burns for a long time  Will burn through skin, muscle and bone producing 5 th degree burns  Most victims died from the ordeal  Burns at 5000 f or 2777C

Search and Destroy Missions U.S. Patrols searched for enemy camps and supplies hidden in the jungle. Then the soldiers destroyed them with massive fire power and air raids (Bombs, Napalm, etc.)

 Inadequate intelligence  Inexperienced troops often hit by booby traps  Civilian casualties high  Tactics made the US very unpopular with villagers.  Killings, rape etc

 is the most important and popular holiday and festival in Vietnam.holiday Vietnam  It takes place from the first day of the first month of the Lunar calendar (around late January or early February)  The Vietnamese follow certain rules or customs (Do’s and Don’ts)

 The Do’s :  One should give people lucky presents to enhance the relationship between themselves and others: new clothes, peach branches (for expelling evil), chickens (wishing for good manners), new rice (wishing for being well-fed), rice wine in a gourd (wishing for a rich and comfortable life), red things (red symbolizes happiness, luckiness, advantages) like watermelon, tomatoes, clothes, etc.  One should sprinkle lime powder around the house to expel evil.  One should return all things borrowed, and pay debts before Tet.  The Don’ts:  One shouldn't say or do bad things during New Year.  One shouldn't hurt or kill animals or plants but should set them free.  One shouldn't sweep the house or empty out the rubbish to avoid luck and benefits going with it, especially on the first day of the new year.  One shouldn't give these presents to others: clock or watch (the recipient's time is going to pass), cats (poverty), medicine (the receiver will get ill), fish (its ink is black, an unlucky color), writing ink (for the same reason), scissors or knives (they bring incompatibility).  One shouldn't have duck meat because it brings unluckiness.  One shouldn't have shrimp in case one would move backwards like shrimp, in other words, one would not succeed.  One shouldn't let the rice-hulling mill go empty because it symbolizes failed crops.  One shouldn't refuse anything others give or wish you during Tet.

 In the first days of 1968, President Johnson and General Westmoreland expressed optimism about Vietnam.  However, on January 30 th, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong launched a massive offensive on the lunar holiday of Tet.  US forces achieved military victory, but Americans were shocked and demoralized by the strength of the enemy.

 On March 12 th, President Johnson narrowly defeated Senator Eugene McCarthy in the first primary.  The challenge to LBJ illustrated the disunity of the party.  This was an embarrassing development- LBJ was is serious political peril.

 McCarthy was an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam war.  He attracted liberals and white suburbanites.  Student volunteers cut their hair and dressed conservatively to make a good impression. “Be Clean for Gene!”

 Four days after the NH Primary, Senator Robert F. Kennedy announced his candidacy.  The combination of low approval, the stress of Vietnam, the disappointing NH primary, and RFK’s challenge discouraged LBJ from running.

 RFK was anti-war and he reached out to African Americans and Latinos. He was charismatic and popular, splitting the anti- war vote.  RFK supported the National Farm Workers Union strike against grape producers, led by Cesar Chavez.  He soon overtook McCarthy, winning nearly all the primaries.

 On April 4, shortly before addressing a mostly African American crowd at an Indianapolis campaign rally, RFK learned of King’s assassination.  Although advised not to speak that night, RFK informed the crowd of the tragedy in Memphis.

 Hours after winning the decisive California primary on June 4 th, Kennedy was assassinated while addressing a crowd in the early morning hours of June 5 th.  Thus, in the 1960’s, America witnessed the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and Robert F. Kennedy.

Assassination of Robert Kennedy Kennedy emerged as the Democratic Favorite Won the California Primary and gave his victory speech at the Ambassador’s Hotel. While being escorted through the Hotel’s Kitchen. Senator Kennedy was shot 3 times by Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan. Sirhan Sirhan believed that Kennedy supported Israelis against Arabs. He is currently serving a life sentence in California (denied parole 14 times).

1968TODAY

 After Johnson's withdrawal from the race, Vice President Hubert Humphrey announced his candidacy.  He had a strong civil rights record and ties to organized labor, but his affiliation with Johnson and support for the Vietnam made him unappealing to anti-war voters.  After Kennedy's assassination, Humphrey was the only candidate with the credentials to secure the nomination.  Humphrey did not compete in the primaries, but he did use his political connections to garner enough delegates to win at Democratic Convention  Ironically, his campaign was called "The Politics of Joy."

 The events of the Convention, dramatically illustrated the divisions in the Party and society.  Anti-war activists planned a massive demonstration. In response, Chicago's Mayor Richard Daley refused all parade permits and mobilized over 20,000 law enforcement personnel, including local police, the National Guard, and US Army.

 On August 28, as demonstrators marched toward the convention arena, a "police riot" occurred.  Officers fired tear gas and beat protesters and reporters indiscriminately.  Humphrey won the nomination, but the Democratic party was hopelessly fractured.

 At the 1968 Republican Convention in Miami Richard Nixon was nominated on the first ballot and Spiro Agnew emerged as his running mate.  Nixon campaigned as the champion of the "silent majority," the hardworking Americans who paid taxes, did not demonstrate, and desired a restoration of "law and order.“  Nixon vowed to restore respect for the rule of law, reconstitute the dignity and stature of America, dispose of ineffectual social welfare programs, and provide strong leadership to end the turmoil of the 1960's.

 For the first time since 1948, a serious third party candidate ran for president.  Alabama Governor George Wallace, an ardent segregationist, railed against anti-war demonstrators, urban uprisings, and school integration initiatives with incendiary language.

 Wallace did surprisingly well in the polls until his selection of Air Force General Curtis LeMay as a running mate.  LeMay famously advocated the use of nuclear weapons to "bomb North Vietnam back to the Stone Age," and this did not resonate with most Americans.  Wallace won only five states in the Deep South, but his limited success illustrates the polarization of American public opinion and the lingering influence of racism.

 Richard Nixon only narrowly defeated Hubert Humphrey, but the combined total of popular votes for Nixon and Wallace indicate a shift to the right in American politics.  The 1960's began as an era of optimism and possibility and ended in disunity and distrust.  The Vietnam war and a series of assassinations and crises eroded public trust in government and produced a backlash against liberal movements and the Democratic party.