Ngo Dinh Diem Flashcards
Why did the USA prevent the elections taking place?
A fear of communist victory
The communists already controlled North Vietnam
Why was Ho Chi Minh an inspirational figure?
He worked among the people Respected the elderly Referred as uncle Had a humble image Used simple language
What did Ho Chi Minh call on the Vietnamese to defend?
Their fatherland
“Nothing more precious than independence of freedom”
How much of the population would have voted for Ho Chi Minh as their leader?
80%
What did the USA help set up?
The anti-Communist Republic of South Vietnam under Ngo Dinh Diem
When was the Republic of South Vietnam formed?
1955
What was Diem prepared to do to communists?
Imprison or exile them
Why did Diem have little respect for Buddhists?
He was a Catholic
What % were Buddhists?
70%
Why had some Buddhists become Catholic?
They wanted to please their colonial masters- the French
Catholics were rewarded with the best jobs and became the largest land owners in Vietnam
What % of the population were Buddhists?
10%
What was the Diem policy of “agrovilles”?
It moved peasants from their villages
Why was his regime corrupt?
He gave important jobs to friends and family
Refused to hold elections
How much did the USA support Diem with?
$1.6 billion in the 1950s
When was the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam set up? What was it best known as?
1960
Viet Cong
What did the Viet Cong start?
A guerrilla war against South Vietnamese forces, officials, buildings and supply bases
When was the birthday of Buddha?
May 8th 1963
What did Buddhists do on May 8th 1963 to celebrate the birth of Buddha?
Met in the city of Hue
What happened in Hue when Buddhists met on May 8th 1963?
The police opened fire in an attempt to disperse the crowed
In the panic, one women and eight children were killed
How did Buddhists show their anger at the death of these people and show the world how much they hated Diem?
They asked monks to volunteer to commit suicide
Who was the first monk to volunteer to commit suicide?
Thich Quang Duc
A 66 year old monk
When did Thich Quang Duc commit suicide? Where?
11th June 1963
A major intersection in Saigon
What did Thich Quang Duc do?
He sat down in the middle of a busy Saigon intersection, poured petrol over him and was set alight
He sat still while people screamed and Buddhists handed out leaflets for Diem’s government to show charity and compassion to all religions
What was Diem’s response to the Buddhist monks setting themselves on fire?
Arrested thousands of Buddhist monks
Many never seen again
