Ngo Dinh Diem and American Imperialism Daniel Tu University of Tulsa March 18, 2005 Fifth Triennial Vietnam Symposium Lubbock, Texas

Empire Rome Usually has connotations of evil Indispensable

The definition of empire A large, composite, multi-ethnic or multinational political unit, usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate, sometimes far distant peripheries. Imperialism is used to mean the actions and attitudes which create or uphold such big political units—but also less obvious and direct kinds of control or domination by one people or country over others.[1] [1] Stephen Howe, Empire: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002), p.30.

American imperialism Informal Military and economic might Democracy

Cold War Cold war seen as an imperial clash between the Soviet Union and the United States

Vietnam Matter of independence rather than fight over Communism The French Indochina War

Diem Hope Defender of freedom

1956 Elections Stipulation of the Treaty of Geneva of 1954 Blocked because of bias

Three years of peace Working progress

1959 Agitation in the villages

1960 Coup of 1960 Young military officers America does not give its support

1961 Kennedy transition

1962 Need for commitment Situation in Laos

1963 Turbulent times Assassination

1964 Question of succession

1965 Johnson transition Introduction of troops

Johnson Removal of Diem affected Johnson

Conclusion Diem was a product of his time Consequences