Lyndon B. Johnson had to make certain decisions about the Vietnam war. One of the issues that L.B.J had to decide on was the gulf of Tonkin. L.B.J told congress as well as Americans that two American Patrol boats were attacked by the Northern Vietnamese unprovoked. This gained support for him send more armed forces into North Vietnam and use any forces necessary to repel attacks on the United States. But while the Maddox and Timer Joy were attacked it was because the ships were collecting electronic information from North Vietnam. This wasn't the only lie that L.B.J told Congress as well as the American people about his involvement in Vietnam.
"The President's response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident spiked his poll ratings and no longer felt so vulnerable to Goldwater's attack. Instead he painted Goldwater as a dangerous extremist who might lead the United States into World War III and presented himself as a man of peace."(Appy, 113).
L.B.J actions contradicted his statements that he was a "Peace" candidate. Instead of trying to keep peace in Vietnam the amount of armed forces he sent into North Vietnam kept escalating. Not only was L.B.J sending troops into North Vietnam he was sending troops to bomb South Vietnam. More then five hundred thousand members of the armed forces were sent to Vietnam. Lyndon B. Johnson kept telling Congress and Americans that sending more troops was a way to protect Americans and keep peace in Vietnam. All the increases made in Vietnam were meant to help the people in South Vietnam. While L.B.J was explaining to Americans that his increases involvement was to keep peace, it was really a way to declare war without going through the American people or congress. Lyndon B. Johnson was not only planning the Gulf of Tonkin but also the major escalations in the war. this proves that Johnson's plans in Vietnam were not intended to keep peace but to go into war with Vietnam without the formal title. Many of the Congressmen and Americans were on the side of Johnson until they started finding out about the lies. Johnson kept informing Americans he was optimistic about the success in Vietnam. But Johnson had a lot of doubts in the success of Vietnam. Would the lies of Johnson lead to the downfall of Americans in Vietnam?