Going to war is not the same thing as declaring war. Confused? Officially, Tonkin Gulf Resolution is not a declaration of war. It's a permission slip, allowing the President to wage war in Vietnam in order to protect American interests.
But the central theme is warfare, whether it's declared or not. Thanks to this resolution, President Johnson gains unlimited authority to use whatever resources and military personnel necessary to deal with the situation in Vietnam.
Questions About Warfare
- What is the difference between declaring war and giving the President the authority to wage war?
- Should it really be considered war when one side is exponentially stronger and better equipped (U.S.) than the other (Vietnam)?
- What are the dangers in granting the President unlimited military authority?
- What are the benefits in granting the President unlimited military authority?
Chew on This
Check out some potential thesis statements about Tonkin Gulf Resolution.
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution allowed the President to become a military dictator, throwing soldiers, planes, and bombs at a helpless country.
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution gave the President just enough power to act militarily in order to protect Americans.