The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution arose after two reported incidents involving U.S. Navy destroyers and North Vietnamese torpedo boats. The first incident took place on August 2, 1964, when the USS Maddox engaged in a skirmish with North Vietnamese forces while conducting a naval reconnaissance mission in the Gulf of Tonkin. On August 4, a second incident was reported, leading to alarm within the Johnson administration about North Vietnam's provocative actions against U.S. vessels. Although later evidence suggested the second incident may have been exaggerated or fabricated, the U.S. government leveraged these events to seek greater military powers.

President Lyndon B. Johnson and his administration argued for immediate action and presented the facts to Congress. In a swift political move, Congress voted overwhelmingly in favor of the resolution, with only two dissenting votes. The resolution effectively granted Johnson the authority to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war, marking a major turning point in U.S. foreign policy. This allowed for a rapid escalation of military operations in Vietnam, culminating in the deployment of combat troops and extensive bombing campaigns against North Vietnam.

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution is significant not only for its immediate impact on U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War but also for its long-term implications on executive power. Subsequently, Johnson escalated the U.S. military presence in Vietnam dramatically, leading to an extensive and controversial conflict that lasted for years. The resolution exemplified the shift towards a more interventionist U.S. foreign policy and illustrated the complexities of Congress's role in authorizing military action.