Essay About Ngo Dinh Diem And Government Of The U.S.

His 415: Vietnam & 20th Century Experience – the Coup Against Ngo Dinh Diem as a Turning Point
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The Coup against Ngo Dinh Diem as a Turning Point
Barbara A. Smith
DeVry University Online
HIST 415: Vietnam & 20th Century Experience
Professor: Traci Sumner
Submitted: January 27, 2013
Consequences or changes that occur due to an event are turning points. This is whether these
turning points are about history or someones life. Thus, keep in mind; when a turning
point causes an event to occur in someones life, it usually only has an effect on that persons life.
When an event causes a turning point in history; it may have an impact on the whole world, a
nation, or land. The following discusses the turning point of the Vietnam war; the assassination
of Ngo Dinh Diem.
In an article written by Drake, (1993), he explains how the U.S. initially became involved in
the Vietnam situation in 1949. Based on their fear of the spread of Communism, their interest in
Indochina developed. Previously, the government of the U.S. had been extremely pleased as
long as France was cooperating with the European defense alliances. The US provided
significant assistance to the French after the Communists had gained control of China in mid-
1949. They did not want the French to end the war as they preferred Vietminh to stay in
power. During the succeeding years, the escalation towards the Vietnam war continued.
A crucial turning point in U.S. involvement was the coup detat against Ngo Dinh Diem,
resulting in Diem and Nhus deaths on November 2, 1963, (Cantu & Cantu, 2006). According to
an article by Prados, (2003), though the US government did not participate in the coup
themselves; they did not try to stop it. This was a desperate time for the U.S. government.
Their interference in the Diem leadership made them responsible for the outcome in Vietnam.
After backing Diem for years, to maintain US credibility”, the government decided they could
not withdraw from South Vietnam. Thus, began a campaign never won.
(The Pentagon Papers, 1971), make the point that Diems own actions contributed to his
assassination. The three main contributing factors were; Diems nepotistic approach in
government policy, his tyrannical actions against the Buddhists, and therefore the US
governments recognition that Diem lacked the ability to control the people or the inclination to
follow their advice.
Diems first mistake, as previously stated; Appointing government posts to his brother, Nhu,
and other relatives. His strategic hamlet program, (Brigham, 1971), in forcing peasants from
their farm land, also impacted the relationship with the people negatively, thus promoting
enmity.