Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, resolution put before the U.S. Congress on Aug. 4, 1964, by President Lyndon B. Johnson, following attacks by North Vietnamese vessels on U.S. destroyers. The resolution gave the president power to take measures necessary to repel other attacks and prevent aggression. The resolution was later seen as the beginning of full-scale U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and was attacked for giving excessive power to the president. In July 1970 the Senate voted to revoke its authorizations.

See also: Vietnam War.