U.S. Bombing of North Vietnam

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On February 24, 1965, United States President Lyndon B. Johnson authorized Operation ROLLING THUNDER to commence against North Vietnam. ROLLING THUNDER, the longest bombing campaign ever conducted by the United States Air Force, lasted from 1965 to 1968. (Tilford, “Operation ROLLING THUNDER”) There were several reasons why President Johnson chose to begin an all-out bombing campaign against North Vietnam at this time. The United States wanted to prevent the spread of communism by enforcing the containment of communism via President Harry S. Truman's Domino Theory. (Cunningham) The United States wanted to support South Vietnam's right to self-government, free elections, and freedom from religious persecution. (Fasanaro) President Johnson felt forced to retaliate against the increasingly aggressive communist North Vietnamese forces, as per the Tonkin Gulf Incidents which occurred in July and August of 1964, and the attack on the Pleiku U.S base on February 7, 1965. (Tilford, “Strategic Bombing”) President Lyndon B. Johnson was justified in ordering the United States military to bomb North Vietnam.

The U.S bombing of North Vietnam was mainly to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. The United States’ fear of communism was steeped in history and historical documents. After World War II and the beginning of the Cold War, the United States began a foreign policy constructed to contain the spread of communism. On March 12, 1947, President Harry S. Truman announced the Truman Doctrine to support any country facing “armed minorities or outside pressures.” The Truman Doctrine led to the containment policy toward communism and became a primary part of the United States foreign policy. (Pieroaoli) President Dwight ...

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...the 1950’s, one of the main goals of all the United States presidents was the containment of the spread of communism. Numerous worldwide treaties and organizations had revolved around this very subject. Much United States financial aid and many personnel had been dedicated to the cause of preventing communism and securing peace in Southeast Asia. With the Gulf of Tonkin incidents and the 1965 attack on the U.S. base in South Vietnam, President Johnson perceived the mounting aggression of the Communist North Vietnamese. Johnson was frustrated with the progress of the war in Vietnam when he ordered Operation ROLLING THUNDER, the longest U.S. bombing campaign. (Tilford, “Strategic Bombing: Vietnam War”) With this order, President Johnson had hoped to counter the communist aggression and was therefore justified in taking the next step against the North Vietnamese.

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