Tonkin Gulf Resolution

The Tonkin Gulf Resolution was a 1964 Congressional approval allowing President Lyndon B. Johnson to take military actions in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war. It was prompted by alleged attacks on U.S. ships in the Gulf of Tonkin. This resolution effectively gave the president broad authority to escalate U.S. involvement in Vietnam, leading to significant military commitments. Although presented as a response to hostile acts, later evidence showed that the incidents were misconstrued or exaggerated, raising concerns about the unchecked powers granted to the executive branch.