Ngo Dinh Diem

Question 1

Why did the USA prevent the elections taking place?

Answer 1

A fear of communist victory

The communists already controlled North Vietnam

Question 2

Why was Ho Chi Minh an inspirational figure?

Answer 2

He worked among the people 
Respected the elderly 
Referred as uncle 
Had a humble image 
Used simple language

Question 3

What did Ho Chi Minh call on the Vietnamese to defend?

Answer 3

Their fatherland

“Nothing more precious than independence of freedom”

Question 4

How much of the population would have voted for Ho Chi Minh as their leader?

Answer 4

80%

Question 5

What did the USA help set up?

Answer 5

The anti-Communist Republic of South Vietnam under Ngo Dinh Diem

Question 6

When was the Republic of South Vietnam formed?

Answer 6

1955

Question 7

What was Diem prepared to do to communists?

Answer 7

Imprison or exile them

Question 8

Why did Diem have little respect for Buddhists?

Answer 8

He was a Catholic

Question 9

What % were Buddhists?

Answer 9

70%

Question 10

Why had some Buddhists become Catholic?

Answer 10

They wanted to please their colonial masters- the French

Catholics were rewarded with the best jobs and became the largest land owners in Vietnam

Question 11

What % of the population were Buddhists?

Answer 11

10%

Question 12

What was the Diem policy of “agrovilles”?

Answer 12

It moved peasants from their villages

Question 13

Why was his regime corrupt?

Answer 13

He gave important jobs to friends and family

Refused to hold elections

Question 14

How much did the USA support Diem with?

Answer 14

$1.6 billion in the 1950s

Question 15

When was the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam set up? What was it best known as?

Answer 15

1960

Viet Cong

Question 16

What did the Viet Cong start?

Answer 16

A guerrilla war against South Vietnamese forces, officials, buildings and supply bases

Question 17

When was the birthday of Buddha?

Answer 17

May 8th 1963

Question 18

What did Buddhists do on May 8th 1963 to celebrate the birth of Buddha?

Answer 18

Met in the city of Hue

Question 19

What happened in Hue when Buddhists met on May 8th 1963?

Answer 19

The police opened fire in an attempt to disperse the crowed

In the panic, one women and eight children were killed

Question 20

How did Buddhists show their anger at the death of these people and show the world how much they hated Diem?

Answer 20

They asked monks to volunteer to commit suicide

Question 21

Who was the first monk to volunteer to commit suicide?

Answer 21

Thich Quang Duc

A 66 year old monk

Question 22

When did Thich Quang Duc commit suicide? Where?

Answer 22

11th June 1963

A major intersection in Saigon

Question 23

What did Thich Quang Duc do?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

What was Diem’s response to the Buddhist monks setting themselves on fire?

Answer 24

Arrested thousands of Buddhist monks

Many never seen again

Question 25

Over the months of June, July and August 1963, how many more monks committed suicide in the same way as Thich Quang Duc?

Answer 25

5

Question 26

What did Madame Nhu and members of the government say in response to the monks’ suicides?

Answer 26

She said burning monks made her clap her hands and if more monks wanted to burn themselves, she would provide the matches
Members of the government offered to buy the petrol

Question 27

When did army leaders overthrow and kill Diem?

Answer 27

1963