Gulf of Tonkin Incident and Resolution

Use this activity while teaching about the Vietnam War, war powers, or separation of powers. For grades 7-12. Approximate time needed is 60 minutes.

Ask students to complete the activity individually, in pairs, or in small groups. Alternatively, you can look at the activity as a full class and assign the final activity to be done individually.

Students will be presented with official government documents related to the attacks on the USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin (Vietnam), documents related to President Johnson’s thoughts and speeches after the Gulf of Tonkin “incident,” and the the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution itself (this “first draft” is near identical to the final draft).

As they progress through the documents, they should respond to the questions posed after each document and enter their responses in the blank boxes that follow.

Once they have looked at all four documents, students should click on “When You’re Done,” where they will be presented with the final question:

• Was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution the appropriate response to the attack on the USS Maddox?

Students should evaluate whether the resolution was a justified response to the event – understanding that it would allow the escalation of forces and eventually a full-scale war. Facilitate a class discussion based on students’ evaluations.