Gulf of Tonkin incident
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the importance of the Gulf of Tonkin incident.
Key learning points
- US President Lyndon B. Johnson continued US involvement in Vietnam.
- An American ship was attacked by North Vietnamese patrol boats in the Gulf of Tonkin.
- American ships thought they were attacked a second time, but they were mistaken.
- America launched air strikes on North Vietnam in response.
- America did not officially declare war on North Vietnam, but Congress authorised aggressive action to be taken.
Keywords
Gulf - a gulf is a deep inlet of a sea almost surrounded by land, with a narrow mouth
Patrol - a patrol is a repetitive journey aimed at keeping watch over a particular area
Congress - Congress is the group of elected representatives that decide laws in the United States, made up of the Senate and House of Representatives
Common misconception
Highly-trained members of the military and government tend not to make mistakes.
Everyone is capable of making errors, sometimes big and far-reaching ones, especially if they are under a great deal of stress.
Teacher tip
For the decision making task, allow students to make a snap judgement then introduce other factors that the government would have also considered, e.g. Domino theory, Red Scares, the upcoming election, to mimic the complex nature of the decision.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why did Ngo Dinh Diem refuse to allow elections in 1956 that would have unified the country?
Q2.How did the Buddhist monk, Thich Quang Duc, protest against Diem's regime on 11th June 1963?
Q3.Which neighbouring countries to Vietnam did the Ho Chi Minh Trail pass through? Choose two options.
Q4.Complete the following sentence: John F. became president of the United States in 1961.
Q5.Match the keywords to their correct definition.
fire bombs
defoliant used to destroy the jungle canopy
communist guerrilla force
Q6.Sort the following events into the order in which they occurred.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What happened in South Vietnam after the assassination of Diem?
Q2.What was the purpose of the OPLAN 34A missions conducted by the US Navy?
Q3.How many North Vietnamese patrol torpedo boats chased down and fired upon the USS Maddox on 2nd August 1964?
Q4.Match the vessel to the damage it received on 2nd August 1964.
a single bullet hole
four sailors dead, six injured
Q5.How many North Vietnamese patrol torpedo boats attacked the USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy on the night of 4th August 1964?
Q6.How did Johnson respond to the report of an attack on the USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Gulf of Tonkin incident, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Gulf of Tonkin incident, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the The USA, 1954–75 conflict at home and abroad unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.