Why did President Johnson order the bombing of North Vietnam in 1965?

President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered the bombing of North Vietnam in 1965 primarily to address the deteriorating situation in South Vietnam, where the government faced political instability and the Viet Cong were increasingly targeting U.S. personnel and bases.1

Advisers argued that air attacks would serve several strategic purposes:
* Boost Morale: It was intended to reassure the shaky South Vietnamese government of continued American commitment.1
* Deterrence and Cost: The campaign aimed to make Hanoi pay a price for its military efforts in the South.1
* Reduce Supply: Officials hoped the strikes would diminish the North's ability to supply men and materiel for the war in the South.1

While some advisers favored a short, sharp campaign, Johnson adopted a strategy of graduated air attacks—code-named Rolling Thunder—intended to increase pressure until the North decided the cost of the war was too high. Ultimately, Johnson was driven by the immediate need to take action to halt the collapse of the South Vietnamese government.1