American View - President Eisenhower Prepared to prevent further expansion of communism in South-East Asia. Prepared to prevent further expansion of communism in South-East Asia. Expected the North Vietnamese Army backed by China, to invade over the 17th parallel. Expected the North Vietnamese Army backed by China, to invade over the 17th parallel. Were determined that South Vietnam was not going to be the next domino to fall. Were determined that South Vietnam was not going to be the next domino to fall. Ngo Dinh Diem was the anti- communist leader chosen to keep the domino upright. Ngo Dinh Diem was the anti- communist leader chosen to keep the domino upright. Diem took office in Saigon as Prime Minister on 7 July – was a devout catholic and anti- communist and had strong links to the US. Diem took office in Saigon as Prime Minister on 7 July – was a devout catholic and anti- communist and had strong links to the US. Diem inherited a country in a state of collapse and chaos – refugees of war needed assistance. Diem inherited a country in a state of collapse and chaos – refugees of war needed assistance USA sent $322 million in aid to South Vietnam USA sent $322 million in aid to South Vietnam. Chapter 7: The Diem Regime FQ: Did Diem create a strong anti-communist domino in the South?

Diem in Government All rivals to his regime were suppressed by a combination of military moves and bribes. All rivals to his regime were suppressed by a combination of military moves and bribes. 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 Minister of Defense. 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 Minister of Defense. Diem promoted members of his family. His brother Ngo Dinh Nhu founded the revolutionary Labour party Can Lao in Can Lao was the only political party permitted in South Vietnam. Diem promoted members of his family. His brother Ngo Dinh Nhu founded the revolutionary Labour party Can Lao in Can Lao was the only political party permitted in South Vietnam. Nhu’s wife tried to control the morals of the Vietnamese people by attempting to restrict divorce, prostitution, dancing, contraceptives and wrestling. Nhu’s wife tried to control the morals of the Vietnamese people by attempting to 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 Cancelled Diem felt strong enough by 1956 to refuse to hold the elections called for under the Geneva accords. Diem felt strong enough by 1956 to refuse to hold the elections called for under 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 growing and Self-defense corps were organised. Within the South Vietnamese army (200,000 soldiers), distrust of Diem was growing and Self-defense corps were organised. Chapter 7: The Diem Regime FQ: Did Diem create a strong anti-communist domino in the South?

Peasants under Diem 85% of the Sth Vietnamese lived as peasants on the land. 85% of the Sth Vietnamese lived as peasants on the land. With USA assistance, Diem tried to introduce land reforms, this was met with resistance from the landowners. With USA assistance, Diem tried to introduce land reforms, this was met with resistance from the landowners. Diem appointed outsider provincial chiefs to control villages (these were resented). Diem appointed outsider provincial chiefs to control villages (these were resented). With the threat of communism growing, Diem moved troubled villages to new hamlets built behind barbed-wire, villages felt imprisoned. With the threat of communism growing, Diem moved troubled villages to new hamlets built behind barbed-wire, villages felt imprisoned. Chapter 7: The Diem Regime FQ: Did Diem create a strong anti-communist domino in the South? Oppression under Diem Oppression under Diem Denunciation of the communist’s campaign. Denunciation of the communist’s campaign. Newspapers censored, public meetings barred. Newspapers censored, public meetings barred. 12,000 killed between ,000 killed between By 1961 up to 150,000 political prisoners in jail and a system of concentration camps established. By 1961 up to 150,000 political prisoners in jail and a system of concentration camps established. Activities Resource activities p36&37. (text interpretation Q’s should be from own knowledge).

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 members killed or imprisoned ), a South Vietnamese communist movement emerged and began to threaten – The Viet Cong. Chapter 8: The Viet Cong Rebellion FQ: Were the Viet Cong Nationalists or Communists? Viet Cong means ‘Vietnam Communist’. Viet Cong means ‘Vietnam Communist’. The Viet Cong was actually a broad group called the National Liberation Front for South Vietnam (NLF) whose core group was a remnant of the Viet Minh. The Viet Cong was actually a broad group called the National Liberation Front for South Vietnam (NLF) whose core group was a remnant of the Viet Minh. The NLF was a coalition of about 20 South Vietnamese groups opposed to the Diem regime. The NLF was a coalition of about 20 South Vietnamese groups opposed to the Diem regime. Its ultimate objective was the reunification of Vietnam. Its ultimate objective was the reunification of Vietnam. Not just war but a social revolution – used propaganda, persuasion and terror to gain the support of the people and convince them that Diem was a puppet of American imperialism. Not just war but a social revolution – used propaganda, persuasion and terror to gain the support of the people and convince them that Diem was a puppet of American imperialism. 30,000 part time guerillas built up and were organised into the People’s Revolutionary Army – The army of the NLF. 30,000 part time guerillas built up and were organised into the People’s Revolutionary Army – The army of the NLF.

Guerilla warfare intensifies – America reacts the NLF stepped up their anti-Diem campaign and (in response) American soldiers began arriving as advisors to the South Vietnamese army the NLF stepped up their anti-Diem campaign and (in response) American soldiers began arriving as advisors to the South Vietnamese army. September 1961 – Viet Cong leads first of a number of raids/attacks on small towns. September 1961 – Viet Cong leads first of a number of raids/attacks on small towns. 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 agitators’ – merely killers and looters. 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 agitators’ – merely killers and looters. Many peasants saw the NLF as ‘liberators’ - land reform measures saw landlords flee and land redistributed among the peasants. Many peasants saw the NLF as ‘liberators’ - land reform measures saw landlords flee and land redistributed among the peasants. By 1961 Diem’s regime faced wide-spread and well-organised communist rebellion. A second Indochina war was inevitable. By 1961 Diem’s regime faced wide-spread and well-organised communist rebellion. A second Indochina war was inevitable. Chapter 8: The Viet Cong Rebellion FQ: Were the Viet Cong Nationalists or Communists? Activities/Questions 1.Copy and complete the following questions: a)Why was the Viet Cong Formed? b)What similarities and differences existed amongst groups belonging to the Viet Cong? c)What was the ‘hamlet strategy’? d)Was it successful? e)What social groups in Sth Vietnam would be attracted to the ideas and tactics of the Viet Cong? 2.Resource question B pg 41

Chapter 9: The Decline and Fall of Diem FQ: Why did the Diem Regime fall? USA intervention Diem had become a symbol of anti-communism and was faced with the threat of a strong Viet Cong campaign. Diem needed the USA to help fight against the North. Diem had become a symbol of anti-communism and was faced with the threat of a strong Viet Cong campaign. Diem needed the USA to help fight against the North. In 1961 John F. Kennedy decided that USA would supply the Sth Vietnam Army with training, support, better communications, transport, intelligence and weapons. In 1961 John F. Kennedy decided that USA would supply the Sth Vietnam Army with training, support, better communications, transport, intelligence and weapons. By 1962 the second Indochina war was in full fledge and Diem’s soldiers were dying at a rate of 500 per month. By 1962 the second Indochina war was in full fledge and Diem’s soldiers were dying at a rate of 500 per month. By the end of 1963, there was a force of 16,700 Americans in Sth Vietnam supplying Combat Support Units, air combat and special forces. By the end of 1963, there was a force of 16,700 Americans in Sth Vietnam supplying Combat Support Units, air combat and special forces. Questions! Why was the Ho Chi Minh trail so important for the Viet Cong? It allowed North Vietnam to infiltrate South Vietnam at any point along its 400 mile length. By 1963 there were more than 30,000 regular and 80,000 regional Viet Cong in South Vietnam. It allowed North Vietnam to infiltrate South Vietnam at any point along its 400 mile length. By 1963 there were more than 30,000 regular and 80,000 regional Viet Cong in South Vietnam. What did it involve? A system of roads, trails, transit shelters, and air raid shelters from North Vietnam to South Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia. A system of roads, trails, transit shelters, and air raid shelters from North Vietnam to South Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia.

Questions! Cont…. How were the Buddhists treated under Diems government? Buddhism (unlike Catholicism) was not regarded by Diem’s government as a religion, but merely an association. Buddhism (unlike Catholicism) was not regarded by Diem’s government as a 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 and 9 killed. When 3000 people protested this, government troops fired bullets into the crowd and 9 killed. Raids on pagodas and arrests of monks made. Raids on pagodas and arrests of monks made. How did they protest? Very well organised: Very well organised: headquarters were formed in pagodas headquarters were formed in pagodas propaganda courses were conducted propaganda courses were conducted rallies and hunger strikes took place rallies 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? President Kennedy was shocked – American officials began to reconsider whether Diem was the best man for the job. President Kennedy was shocked – American officials began to reconsider whether Diem was the best man for the job. August 1963 Kennedy appointed a new ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge who took a hard line against Diem’s policies. August 1963 Kennedy appointed a new ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge who took a hard line against Diem’s policies. October 1963 American govt cut off some of its aid to Diem’s govt October 1963 American govt cut off some of its aid to Diem’s govt Chapter 9: The Decline and Fall of Diem FQ: Why did the Diem Regime fall?

Questions! Cont…. 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 November tanks rolled into Saigon – Diem and his brother fled the palace but were captured and shot. 1 November tanks rolled into Saigon – Diem and his brother fled the palace but were captured and shot. Photos were published and other Diem family members fled to safe havens in America and France. Photos were published and other Diem family members fled to safe havens in America and France. Political Confusion Overthrow of DiemMilitary Coups. Confusion and violence reigns Viet Cong held 1/3 of the country John F Kennedy assassinated November 1963 Lyndon Johnson new president Chapter 9: The Decline and Fall of Diem FQ: Why did the Diem Regime fall? Resource questions A, B, C (p45-46) Review activities A, B, D Activities: