Was the U.S. planning to go to war with North Vietnam before the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?

Most history books say that the United States war in Vietnam began in 1964, after Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. However, it’s no secret that the United States had been very involved in the region for at least a decade before. By the time JFK was assassinated in 1963, the United States had 16,000 military troops in Vietnam. Today we’re going to try to answer the question:
Was the U.S. planning to go to war in Vietnam before August 1964? 

 

Document A
1. According to this document, what did the North Vietnamese do?
2. Why did the United States feel compelled to respond at this point?
3. According to this document, was the U.S. planning to go to war in Vietnam
before August 1964? Explain your answer.

 Document B

1. When was this document written? Who wrote it?
   
2. What did Bundy suggest to the President?
   
3. What are three reasons why Bundy made this recommendation?
   
4. According to this document, was the U.S. planning to go to war in Vietnam
   before August 1964? Explain your answer. 
   

 Document C

1. When was this document written? Who wrote it?
2. How did Rusk feel about the South Vietnamese government’s ability to fight
the Communists? Support your answer with evidence.
3. Why did Rusk think attacking the North Vietnamese is not a smart idea? 4. According to this document, was the U.S. planning to go to war in Vietnam
before August 1964? Explain your answer. 

Document D

1. What type of document is this? How trustworthy do you think this type of document is?
2. What is the dilemma facing President Johnson?
3. According to this document, was the U.S. planning to go to war in Vietnam before August 1964? Explain your answer. 

Using all four documents, write a paragraph in response the question:
Was the U.S. planning to go to war in Vietnam before August 1964?