LBJ and the Gulf of Tonkin
Step 5:
Read the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and answer the following questions.
- When was the resolution approved?
- The resolution is in two parts. The first has sentences that begin with "Whereas..." and the second starts with "Resolved..." What is the difference in the two parts? What do you think the author of each part was trying to do?
- What powers do you think the document gives to the president? What does the document say he can do?
- What limits does it set on what the president can do?
Step 6:
Each member of your group should choose one of the following roles. Each role will ask you to look at new artifacts or information from the perspective of the role you will take.
After you have looked at the documents and understand that person's position and opinions on the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, you should be ready to give a short press conference giving your character's main reasons for wanting to vote for or against the resolution. You personally may not agree with these positions, but the purpose of this exercise is for you to understand what this person thought and said at the time, so you need to make your argument as you believe this person would have.
Here is a guide to help you write your press release.
Roles
- Role 1: PRESIDENT LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON
- Commander-in-Chief
- Role 2: SECRETARY ROBERT S. MCNAMARA
- Secretary of Defense (1961 – 1968) to Kennedy and Johnson Administrations
- Role 3: SENATOR WAYNE L. MORSE
- Unites States Senator (D-Oregon)
- Role 4: THE AMERICAN PRESS
- Editor-in-Chief
Step 7:
Each member of the group should give their presentations. Listen carefully to the arguments each person makes. As you listen to each presenter, fill in the a chart like the one below.
In the second column, list the one or two arguments you see as the most convincing. When they are finished, write in the third column why you agree or disagree with this person. You may change your answers as you hear other arguments, and you may discuss this with other members of your group.
You should write your own opinion here, not the opinion of the person whose role you took.
| Person | Most convincing arguments | Why do you agree or disagree with this person’s positions? |
|---|---|---|
| President Johnson | ||
| McNamara | ||
| Morse | ||
| Press |
Step 8:
In your group, step out of your roles and vote for whether or not you think Congress should pass the Gulf of Tonkin resolution. Vote your actual opinion here – you don’t have to agree with the role or position that you argued for.
If your group is deadlocked (your vote is a tie), spend a few minutes trying to convince each other to vote your way. If you can't reach a consensus after about 10 minutes, that's okay.