This investigation will seek to answer the question: “How did Operation Rolling Thunder result in the prolonging of the war during the period of Johnson Presidency.” This investigation will evaluate the reason for Operation Rolling Thunder in the prolonging of the war. Operation Rolling Thunder began in 1965 under the approval of President Lyndon B. Johnson, during the Vietnam War. I chose this question because, it is important to note how political agendas and policy influences the value of a military action and standpoint.
Hence, with reference to sources ranging from books, speeches and journal articles such as, Clodfelter, Mark’s book “The limits of Airpower, The American bombing of North Vietnam” and Lyndon B. Johnson speech, “"Tragedy, Disappointment, and…show more content… Instead it boosted Hanoi’s determination towards the defeat of the U.S, the counter effect that U.S. was striving for, it gave rise to the propaganda advantage towards the Northern Vietnamese, dragging out the war. Although Operation Rolling Thunder was a method to disrupt incoming man power and supplies from the neighbouring countries, in hope to diminish its nationalistic tendencies in hopes of abandoning goals to reunify the country as a communist state. Yet, the persistency of Hanoi resulted in the inability to conceive U.S goals towards Vietnam. As stated in Johnson’s speech, “They have been directed at radar stations, bridges, and ammunition dumps, not at population centers.” The goals of excessive bombing was implemented to intimidate Northern Vietnam, yet it was done under fundamental miscalculations, resulting in the failure of forcing Northern Vietnamese into negotiation. The failure in the attainment of the objectives set highlights the futile effects Operation Rolling Thunder had on Vietnam. With the inability to achieve its goals and having a counter effect towards it, this clearly showed the prolonging of the