Kennedy options

Question 1

Withdraw

Answer 1

Diem had failed to carry out reforms. The US was therefore justified in leaving. This was not really considered - make Kennedy look weak and Domino Theory.
George Ball - “if you decide to jump on a tiger’s back, you must not be able to choose when you dismount.”

Question 2

Peace

Answer 2

Peace was always the plan - peace talks announced in 1962.
BUT US do beliebe they can “win” more advantage (dominate the South if given more time).
Hanoi (North Vietnam) stated they would only negotiate after the US left.
Very little progress.

Question 3

Military

Answer 3

Increase military advisers (800 in 1960, 16,000 in 1963)
MACV (organisation made by USA) send supplies including helicopters.
May 1962 McNamara “every quantative measure shows we are winning the war” BUT they fail to account for things that can’t be measured like morale.

Question 4

Reform

Answer 4

Need to introduce social and land reform but ignored by Diem.
1962 stretegic hamlets programme (2,600-3,000 operated under Viet Cong control) - HATED
Buddhist spring 1962 - conflict between catholics and buddhists (buddhism religious days banned and catholic religious days promoted). Leads to self-immolation of monks which showed the cultural division as suicide seen as a “sin” in Christian church - many americans shocked at the dislike of the Vietnamese towards them.

Question 5

Remove Diem

Answer 5

August 1963 Cabot-Lodge (Republican) arrives in Saigon as the new US ambassador - told to act tough on Diem and dislikes him.
Kennedy approved coup on confused circumstances (LBJ opposed the coup)

November 1963 coup took place - Diem and brother are murdered which Kennedy claimed shocked him but US fundamentally tied to the new regime.

Question 6

Kennedy assassinated

Answer 6

November 22nd 1963 JFK assassinated in Dallas Texas.