Question

Explain one event that escalated American involvement in Vietnam and two events in the war that began to turn American public opinion against US involvement there.

A) The Tet Offensive; Draft protests and anti-war demonstrations
B) The Gulf of Tonkin Incident; Vietnamization and withdrawal of troops
C) The Fall of Saigon; Peace negotiations and international pressure
D) The Paris Peace Accords; Protests and draft exemptions

Answer 1

The Gulf of Tonkin Incident escalated American involvement in Vietnam. The Tet Offensive and draft protests/anti-war demonstrations turned American public opinion against US involvement.

Step-by-step explanation:

The event that escalated American involvement in Vietnam was the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. In August 1964, the USS Maddox, a US Navy destroyer, was allegedly attacked by North Vietnamese patrol boats in the Gulf of Tonkin. This incident led to the passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which authorized President Johnson to escalate US military involvement in Vietnam.

Two events in the war that began to turn American public opinion against US involvement in Vietnam were the Tet Offensive and the draft protests and anti-war demonstrations.

1. Tet Offensive: In January 1968, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong launched a massive surprise attack on several cities and towns in South Vietnam during the Vietnamese New Year holiday known as Tet. The offensive exposed the vulnerability of US forces and shattered the belief that victory was near, leading to increased opposition to the war.
2. Draft protests and anti-war demonstrations: As the war dragged on, opposition to the draft and anti-war sentiment grew. People protested against the draft, which was seen as unfair and biased. Anti-war demonstrations, such as the protest at the Lincoln Memorial in October 1967, attracted tens of thousands of protesters and sparked a nationwide movement against the war.