Final answer:
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, passed on August 7, 1964, gave President Johnson nearly unlimited authority to increase U.S. military involvement in Vietnam as a response to the alleged attacks on U.S. warships. Johnson declared the U.S. a victim of aggression and Congress quickly approved the resolution, which led to increased troop commitments and aerial assaults. The resolution faced later criticism as the war escalated and evidence suggested that the second attack might not have occurred.
Step-by-step explanation:
Following perceived communist threats in Vietnam, the Gulf of Tonkin incident sparked an escalation in military action. On August 2, 1964, the USS Maddox encountered North Vietnamese patrol boats, leading President Johnson to declare the U.S. a victim of aggression. This was followed by the almost unanimous passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution on August 7, 1964, which authorized the President to take all necessary measures to repel an armed attack and prevent further aggression in Vietnam. Only two senators opposed the resolution, presenting President Johnson with a blank check to expand military involvement in Indochina, despite questions about the legitimacy of the attacks. The resolution gave the Johnson administration nearly unlimited power to wage war without a formal declaration from Congress. The American public was largely unaware of the complexity behind the incidents, including U.S. provocations and unclear evidence of the second attack. Ultimately, this resolution would underpin a significant escalation of U.S. military efforts in Vietnam, with a dramatic troop increase and aerial attacks. By the end of 1965, there were over 184,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam. The resolution's broad authority was later criticized and called for repeal as the Vietnam War continued to escalate with significant American involvement under both the Johnson and Nixon administrations.