Final Answer:
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to wage an undeclared war in Vietnam. So the correct answer is option B.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, passed by the United States Congress on August 7, 1964, in response to reported attacks on U.S. naval vessels in the Gulf of Tonkin, granted President Lyndon B. Johnson the authority to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war. This marked a significant escalation of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. The resolution provided Johnson with broad powers to take any necessary measures to prevent further aggression in Southeast Asia. As a result, Johnson ordered a substantial increase in the deployment of U.S. troops to Vietnam and intensified bombing campaigns. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution became a pivotal moment in U.S. history, as it effectively gave the president a blank check to conduct military operations in Vietnam.
The decision to grant such authority to President Johnson was influenced by the perceived need to respond to the escalating conflict in Vietnam and the perceived threat of communist expansion in the region. The resolution passed with overwhelming support in Congress, reflecting the prevailing sentiment at the time. However, it later became a source of controversy and criticism as the Vietnam War prolonged and its costs, both human and financial, became more apparent. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution ultimately underscored the importance of the separation of powers and the role of Congress in authorizing the use of military force. So the correct answer is option B.