What did LBJ do in the Vietnam War?
Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, played a crucial role in the Vietnam War. He inherited the conflict from his predecessor, John F. Kennedy, and significantly escalated the US involvement. In this article, we will explore what LBJ did during his time in office and how it shaped the course of the war.
Early Involvement
When Johnson became President in 1963, the US was already engaged in a limited way in Vietnam. Kennedy had deployed a small number of troops to the region to advise and assist the South Vietnamese military. However, Kennedy’s plan was to avoid getting bogged down in another Asian conflict, having recently withdrawn from Vietnam’s north.
Escalation
Johnson’s early efforts to de-escalate the conflict were soon thwarted by the Gulf of Tonkin incident in August 1964. The attack on a US Navy ship, the USS Maddox, by North Vietnamese torpedoes, led Johnson to seek congressional approval for a military response. Public opinion was on Johnson’s side, and Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which authorized the President to take "all necessary measures" to defend South Vietnam.
Tactics
Johnson’s strategy involved two main tactics:
- Search and destroy: US troops would hunt and destroy North Vietnamese Army (NVA) forces within South Vietnam.
- Strategic hamlets: The US and South Vietnamese governments would establish protected villages, or strategic hamlets, to contain and control the population, limiting the NVA’s access to resources and supply lines.
Bombing Campaign
In February 1965, Johnson authorized a significant escalation of the US bombing campaign against North Vietnam, Operation Rolling Thunder. The goal was to demoralize the enemy, disrupt their supply lines, and force them to negotiate a peace agreement.
Ground Troops
The next major escalation came in August 1965, when Johnson sent the Marine Corps to I Corps, the northernmost region of South Vietnam. This marked the beginning of a significant increase in ground troops, with over 500,000 soldiers deployed by the end of 1967.
Peace Talks
Johnson initially sought a negotiated peace through secret talks with the North Vietnamese in Paris. However, the North Vietnamese refused to consider American withdrawal, and Johnson ultimately decided to renounce negotiations in July 1967.
Moratorium and Protests
As the war escalated, anti-war protests grew in size and frequency. In October 1967, Johnson was met with massive opposition when he sought $1.7 billion in additional funding to continue the war.
Election and Decline
Johnson’s handling of the war became increasingly controversial, and he eventually announced his decision not to run for re-election in March 1968. In November 1968, Richard Nixon won the presidency, promising to end the war.
Assessing LBJ’s Impact
Johnson’s decision to escalate the war has been widely criticized. Many historians argue that he was drawn into a conflict he was not prepared to fight and that his tactics only increased the suffering and division at home.
Timeline: LBJ’s Time in Office
| Month/Year | Event | LBJ’s Response |
|---|---|---|
| August 1964 | Gulf of Tonkin incident | Requested congressional approval for military action |
| February 1965 | Operation Rolling Thunder begins | Authorized large-scale bombing campaign against North Vietnam |
| August 1965 | Marines sent to I Corps | Initiated significant increase in ground troops |
| July 1967 | Renounced peace talks | Decided against negotiating with North Vietnamese |
Conclusion
Lyndon Baines Johnson played a significant role in shaping the course of the Vietnam War. His decisions to escalate the conflict, authorized through the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, led to increased US involvement and significant criticism. The war continued to rage on, causing unprecedented division and suffering for Americans and Vietnamese alike. Today, LBJ’s involvement in the Vietnam War serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of entering into conflicts without clear objectives and a well-planned strategy.
