The end of Diem: Unpopular land and village policies In South Vietnam 85% of the people worked as peasants on the land. 2.5% of landowners owned approximately 50% of the land that could be cultivated. They charged high rents to peasants. In the north (under the Viet Minh) peasants were given land. Under the Diem government they had to buy it. Diem replaced traditional village leaders with officials appointed by the government. These were usually Catholic and strongly resented by the villagers.

The end of Diem: The Viet Cong 10,000 Viet Minh soldiers had remained in South Vietnam after the division of the country. They influenced the local population by spreading propaganda about life under Ho Chi Minh. In December 1960 they became the core of the National Liberation Front for South Vietnam (NLF). Diem and the Americans referred to the NLF as the VIET CONG (Vietnamese Communists)

The end of Diem: Oppression under Diem Diem launched a campaign to end communism in South Vietnam. Diem: Censored all books and newspapers Banned all public meetings Imprisoned 40,000 political prisoners by the end of Executed 12,000 opponents between 1955 and 1957.

The end of Diem: Growth in support for the Viet Cong The Viet Cong wanted to unite Vietnam under the rule of Ho Chi Minh. They referred to Diem as an American puppet. Drawing support from the villagers of South Vietnam they controlled 80% of South Vietnam’s landscape and had 19,000 troops by 1961.

The end of Diem: The Strategic Hamlet Diem’s response to Viet Cong influence was to force peasants to move from their traditional villages. He placed them inside ‘Strategic Hamlets’ – which were fortified camps designed to prevent the Viet Cong getting access to peasants. Many villagers resented this treatment and Diem’s Hamlets resulted in an increase level of support for the Viet Cong.

The end of Diem: Coup and the death of two Presidents The unpopularity of Diem, his failure to contain the Viet Cong and the Buddhist protests led Kennedy to reconsider his support for Diem. The US gave shelter to Buddhists in their Embassy and in October 1963 cut off some aid to Diem. A group of South Vietnamese generals planned a takeover with the approval of the American Ambassador. On November 1 Diem and his brother were executed by the army after taking shelter in a church. 20 days later President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. His Vice President Lyndon B Johnson would now inherit the situation in Vietnam.

New Heading: America escalates its involvement Read pages (the handout!) – Highlight significant events – The United States went through three stages. Take summary notes describing the event that shows the US stepping up to this level. Political and Financial support Sending ‘Advisors’ Direct military involvement – For each of the above which event preceded it? Choose the event that you think was most critical in getting the US involved. Explain your choice.