What was the purpose of Operation Rolling Thunder?

The chosen answer accurately identifies the purpose of Operation Rolling Thunder as a bombing campaign against North Vietnam. Initiated in 1965, this sustained aerial bombardment was designed to weaken the North Vietnamese war effort by targeting military bases, supply routes, and infrastructure. The operation aimed to enhance the effectiveness of South Vietnamese forces and demonstrate the United States' commitment to the conflict, seeking to coerce North Vietnam into negotiating a settlement favorable to U.S. interests.

The other options do not align with the specific objectives of Operation Rolling Thunder. For instance, while ground invasions occurred later in the Vietnam War, Operation Rolling Thunder itself focused solely on aerial bombardment rather than troop movements on the ground. Negotiating peace treaties was not a goal of this campaign, as it instead aimed to escalate military pressure. Likewise, a naval blockade, while part of broader U.S. strategy at times, was not the main focus of Operation Rolling Thunder, which distinctly emphasized bombing operations. This highlights the specific military strategy employed during this phase of the Vietnam conflict.