American View - President Eisenhower Prepared to prevent further expansion of communism in...

American View - President American View - President EisenhowerEisenhower

Prepared to prevent further Prepared to prevent further expansion of communism in expansion of communism in South-East Asia.South-East Asia.

Expected the North Vietnamese Expected the North Vietnamese Army backed by China, to invade Army backed by China, to invade over the 17th parallel.over the 17th parallel.

Were determined that South Were determined that South Vietnam was not going to be the Vietnam was not going to be the next domino to fall.next domino to fall.

Ngo Dinh Diem was the anti-Ngo Dinh Diem was the anti-communist leader chosen to keep communist leader chosen to keep the domino upright. the domino upright.

Diem took office in Saigon as Diem took office in Saigon as Prime Minister on 7 July 1954. – Prime Minister on 7 July 1954. – was a devout catholic and anti-was a devout catholic and anti-communist and had strong links to communist and had strong links to the US.the US.

Diem inherited a country in a state Diem inherited a country in a state of collapse and chaos – refugees of of collapse and chaos – refugees of war needed assistance.war needed assistance.

1955 USA sent $322 million in aid 1955 USA sent $322 million in aid to South Vietnam.to South Vietnam.

Chapter 7:Chapter 7: The Diem Regime 1954-1960 The Diem Regime 1954-1960 FQ: FQ: Did Diem create a strong anti-communist domino in the South?Did Diem create a strong anti-communist domino in the South?

Diem in GovernmentDiem in Government

All rivals to his regime were suppressed by a combination of military moves and All rivals to his regime were suppressed by a combination of military moves and bribes.bribes.

Rigged the voting against Emperor Bao Dai, which enabled him to end the Rigged the voting against Emperor Bao Dai, which enabled him to end the monarchy and establish a republic with him as president, Prime Minister, and monarchy and establish a republic with him as president, Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense.Minister of Defense.

Diem promoted members of his family. His brother Ngo Dinh Nhu founded the Diem promoted members of his family. His brother Ngo Dinh Nhu founded the revolutionary Labour party Can Lao in 1956 - Can Lao was the only political party revolutionary Labour party Can Lao in 1956 - Can Lao was the only political party permitted in South Vietnam.permitted in South Vietnam.

Nhu’s wife tried to control the morals of the Vietnamese people by attempting to Nhu’s wife tried to control the morals of the Vietnamese people by attempting to restrict divorce, prostitution, dancing, contraceptives and wrestling.restrict divorce, prostitution, dancing, contraceptives and wrestling.

Other brothers of Diem were governors, ambassadors and spiritual advisors.Other brothers of Diem were governors, ambassadors and spiritual advisors.

Elections CancelledElections Cancelled

Diem felt strong enough by 1956 to refuse to hold the elections called for under Diem felt strong enough by 1956 to refuse to hold the elections called for under the Geneva accords.the Geneva accords.

He didn’t trust communists – USA supported this view.He didn’t trust communists – USA supported this view. Diem’s army officers were trained by Americans.Diem’s army officers were trained by Americans. Within the South Vietnamese army (200,000 soldiers), distrust of Diem was Within the South Vietnamese army (200,000 soldiers), distrust of Diem was

growing and Self-defense corps were organised. growing and Self-defense corps were organised.


Peasants under DiemPeasants under Diem 85% of the Sth Vietnamese lived as 85% of the Sth Vietnamese lived as

peasants on the land.peasants on the land. With USA assistance, Diem tried to With USA assistance, Diem tried to

introduce land reforms, this was introduce land reforms, this was met with resistance from the met with resistance from the landowners.landowners.

Diem appointed outsider provincial Diem appointed outsider provincial chiefs to control villages (these chiefs to control villages (these were resented).were resented).

With the threat of communism With the threat of communism growing, Diem moved troubled growing, Diem moved troubled villages to new hamlets built villages to new hamlets built behind barbed-wire, villages felt behind barbed-wire, villages felt imprisoned.imprisoned.


Oppression under DiemOppression under Diem Denunciation of the communist’s Denunciation of the communist’s

campaign.campaign. Newspapers censored, public Newspapers censored, public

meetings barred.meetings barred. 12,000 killed between 1955-57.12,000 killed between 1955-57. By 1961 up to 150,000 political By 1961 up to 150,000 political

prisoners in jail and a system of prisoners in jail and a system of concentration camps established.concentration camps established.

ActivitiesActivities

Resource activities Resource activities p36&37. (text p36&37. (text interpretation Q’s interpretation Q’s should be from should be from own knowledge). own knowledge).

The communists of South Vietnam attacked Diem as a traitor and an American puppet. The communists of South Vietnam attacked Diem as a traitor and an American puppet. Despite Diem’s ruthless crackdown on communism (2/3 of all communist party Despite Diem’s ruthless crackdown on communism (2/3 of all communist party members killed or imprisoned 1957-1959), a South Vietnamese communist members killed or imprisoned 1957-1959), a South Vietnamese communist movement emerged and began to threaten – The Viet Cong.movement emerged and began to threaten – The Viet Cong.

Chapter 8:Chapter 8: The Viet Cong Rebellion The Viet Cong Rebellion FQ: FQ: Were the Viet Cong Nationalists or Communists?Were the Viet Cong Nationalists or Communists?

Viet Cong means Viet Cong means ‘Vietnam Communist’.‘Vietnam Communist’. The Viet Cong was actually a broad group The Viet Cong was actually a broad group

called the National Liberation Front for called the National Liberation Front for South Vietnam (NLF) whose core group was South Vietnam (NLF) whose core group was a remnant of the Viet Minh.a remnant of the Viet Minh.

The NLF was a coalition of about 20 South The NLF was a coalition of about 20 South Vietnamese groups opposed to the Diem Vietnamese groups opposed to the Diem regime.regime.

Its ultimate objective was the reunification Its ultimate objective was the reunification of Vietnam.of Vietnam.

Not just war but a social revolution – used Not just war but a social revolution – used propaganda, persuasion and terror to gain propaganda, persuasion and terror to gain the support of the people and convince the support of the people and convince them that Diem was a puppet of American them that Diem was a puppet of American imperialism.imperialism.

30,000 part time guerillas built up and were 30,000 part time guerillas built up and were organised into the People’s Revolutionary organised into the People’s Revolutionary Army – The army of the NLF.Army – The army of the NLF.

Guerilla warfare intensifies – America reactsGuerilla warfare intensifies – America reacts..

1961 1961 the NLF stepped up their anti-Diem campaign and (in response) the NLF stepped up their anti-Diem campaign and (in response) American American soldierssoldiers began arriving as advisors to the South Vietnamese army. began arriving as advisors to the South Vietnamese army.

September 1961September 1961 – Viet Cong leads first of a number of raids/attacks on small – Viet Cong leads first of a number of raids/attacks on small towns.towns.

By 1961 American Govt estimated that NFL controlled 80% of South Vietnam’s By 1961 American Govt estimated that NFL controlled 80% of South Vietnam’s countryside and had 19,000 troops. They viewed NFL guerillas as ‘outside countryside and had 19,000 troops. They viewed NFL guerillas as ‘outside agitators’ – merely killers and looters.agitators’ – merely killers and looters.

Many peasants saw the NLF as Many peasants saw the NLF as ‘liberators’‘liberators’ - land reform measures saw landlords - land reform measures saw landlords flee and land redistributed among the peasants.flee and land redistributed among the peasants.

By 1961 Diem’s regime faced wide-spread and well-organised communist rebellion. By 1961 Diem’s regime faced wide-spread and well-organised communist rebellion. A second Indochina war was inevitable.A second Indochina war was inevitable.

Chapter 8:Chapter 8: The Viet Cong Rebellion The Viet Cong Rebellion FQ: FQ: Were the Viet Cong Nationalists or Communists?Were the Viet Cong Nationalists or Communists?

Activities/QuestionsActivities/Questions1.1. Copy and complete the following questions:Copy and complete the following questions:

a)a) Why was the Viet Cong Formed?Why was the Viet Cong Formed?b)b) What similarities and differences existed What similarities and differences existed

amongst groups belonging to the Viet Cong?amongst groups belonging to the Viet Cong?c)c) What was the ‘hamlet strategy’? What was the ‘hamlet strategy’? d)d) Was it successful?Was it successful?e)e) What social groups in Sth Vietnam would be What social groups in Sth Vietnam would be

attracted to the ideas and tactics of the Viet attracted to the ideas and tactics of the Viet Cong?Cong?

2.2. Resource question BResource question B pg 41 pg 41

Chapter 9:Chapter 9: The Decline and Fall of Diem The Decline and Fall of Diem FQ: FQ: Why did the Diem Regime fall?Why did the Diem Regime fall?

USA interventionUSA intervention Diem had become a Diem had become a symbol of anti-communismsymbol of anti-communism and was faced with the threat and was faced with the threat

of a strong of a strong Viet CongViet Cong campaign. Diem needed the campaign. Diem needed the USAUSA to help fight against the to help fight against the North.North.

In 1961 John F. Kennedy decided that USA would supply the Sth Vietnam Army with In 1961 John F. Kennedy decided that USA would supply the Sth Vietnam Army with training, support, better communications, transport, intelligence and training, support, better communications, transport, intelligence and weapons.weapons.

By By 19621962 the second Indochina war was in full fledge and Diem’s soldiers were the second Indochina war was in full fledge and Diem’s soldiers were dying at a rate of 500 per month.dying at a rate of 500 per month.

By the end of By the end of 19631963, there was a force of , there was a force of 16,700 Americans16,700 Americans in Sth Vietnam in Sth Vietnam supplying Combat Support Units, air combat and special forces.supplying Combat Support Units, air combat and special forces.

Questions! Questions!

Why was the Ho Chi Minh trail so important for the Viet Cong?Why was the Ho Chi Minh trail so important for the Viet Cong? It allowed North Vietnam to infiltrate South Vietnam at any point It allowed North Vietnam to infiltrate South Vietnam at any point

along its 400 mile length. By 1963 there were more than 30,000 along its 400 mile length. By 1963 there were more than 30,000 regular and 80,000 regional Viet Cong in South Vietnam.regular and 80,000 regional Viet Cong in South Vietnam.

What did it involve?What did it involve? A system of roads, trails, transit shelters, and air raid shelters from A system of roads, trails, transit shelters, and air raid shelters from

North Vietnam to South Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia.North Vietnam to South Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia.

Questions! Cont….Questions! Cont….

How were the Buddhists treated under Diems government?How were the Buddhists treated under Diems government? Buddhism (unlike Catholicism) was not regarded by Diem’s government as a Buddhism (unlike Catholicism) was not regarded by Diem’s government as a

religion, but merely an association. religion, but merely an association. Display of Buddhist flags banned and festivals banned.Display of Buddhist flags banned and festivals banned. When 3000 people protested this, government troops fired bullets into the crowd When 3000 people protested this, government troops fired bullets into the crowd

and 9 killed.and 9 killed. Raids on pagodas and arrests of monks made.Raids on pagodas and arrests of monks made.

How did they protest?How did they protest? Very well organised:Very well organised:

headquarters were formed in pagodasheadquarters were formed in pagodas propaganda courses were conductedpropaganda courses were conducted rallies and hunger strikes took placerallies and hunger strikes took place daily news bulletins were issued.daily news bulletins were issued.

What was the USA’s reaction to the Buddhist’s situation?What was the USA’s reaction to the Buddhist’s situation? President Kennedy was shocked – American officials began to President Kennedy was shocked – American officials began to reconsider reconsider whether whether

Diem was the best man for the job.Diem was the best man for the job. August 1963August 1963 Kennedy appointed a new ambassador Kennedy appointed a new ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Henry Cabot Lodge who who

took a hard line against Diem’s policies.took a hard line against Diem’s policies. October 1963October 1963 American govt cut off some of its aid to Diem’s govt American govt cut off some of its aid to Diem’s govt


Questions! Cont….Questions! Cont….

What was the final result?What was the final result? Coup d’etat was plotted with approval of the new ambassador.Coup d’etat was plotted with approval of the new ambassador. 1 November1 November tanks rolled into Saigon – Diem and his brother fled the palace but tanks rolled into Saigon – Diem and his brother fled the palace but

were captured and shot. were captured and shot. Photos were published and other Diem family members fled to safe havens in Photos were published and other Diem family members fled to safe havens in

America and France.America and France.

Political ConfusionPolitical Confusion

Overthrow of Diem Military Coups. Confusion and violence reigns

1964 - Viet Cong held 1/3 of the country

John F Kennedy assassinated November 1963

Lyndon Johnson new president


•Resource questions A, B, C (p45-46)•Review activities A, B, DActivities:

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