Difference between revisions of "Ngo Dinh Diem"
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| − | Ngo Dinh Diem was the first president of South Vietnam. | + | {{Language box |
| + | |vie=Ngô Đình Diệm | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | '''Ngo Dinh Diem''' (January 3, 1901 – November 2, 1963) was the first president of [[South Vietnam]] (1955–1963). Diem was a devout [[Roman Catholic]] throughout his life. | ||
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| + | Diem served as interior minister for Emperor Bao Dai, but resigned to protest French influence in 1933. At this time, Vietnam was part of French Indochina and Bao Dai was a French puppet. The resignation earned Diem a reputation as an uncompromising nationalist. In 1954, when it became clear that the French would withdraw from Indochina, Bao Dai asserted his independence by appointing Diem as premier. | ||
| + | [[File:Diem 11-2-1963.jpg|right|250px|thumb|US ally President Diem was murdered in a [[CIA]]-backed [[coup]]. [[Henry Kissinger]] later said, "To be an American enemy is dangerous, to be an American friend is fatal."]] | ||
| + | When the French withdrew, Vietnam was split along the 17th parallel, and Bao Dai departed to France. North Vietnam was ruled by the communists, while South Vietnam, headed by Diem, was backed financially by the United States. The Catholic community fled communist oppression in the North and relocated to the South. This created a base of popular support for Diem. In 1955, Diem ousted the absent and unpopular Bao Dai and declared himself president. As Diem never married, Madame Nhu, Diem's sister-in-law, played the role of first lady. She did much to promote fashion, including the [[ao dai]], Vietnam's national costume. | ||
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| + | In the late 1950s, the North Vietnamese began to encourage communists in South Vietnam to revolt. The [[Vietcong]] launched a campaign of assassination and terrorist attacks in 1957. The first large unit military action was in September 1959. This was the beginning of the [[Vietnam War]]. | ||
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| + | When Vietnam's [[Buddhist]] majority protested Diem's pro-Catholic policies, [[U.S. President]] [[John F. Kennedy]] decided to support a coup against Diem. In November 1963, South Vietnamese generals with the help of [[Moderate Republican]] U.S. Ambassador [[Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.]], assassinated Diem and his brother, Ngo Diem Nhu.<ref>https://www.pbs.org/weta/reportingamericaatwar/reporters/halberstam/coup.html</ref> This is another example of the [[Deep State]] being willing to go out of their way to attack those who uphold [[biblical]] values. | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
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| + | == See also == | ||
| + | *[[Ho Chi Minh]] | ||
| + | *[[North Vietnam]] | ||
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| + | {{DEFAULTSORT:Ngo Dinh Diem}} | ||
| + | {{Deep State}} | ||
| + | [[Category:Vietnam]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Catholic Politicians]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Anti-Communism]] | ||
Latest revision as of 07:37, December 22, 2023
| Ngo Dinh Diem | |
|---|---|
| Vietnamese name | |
| Vietnamese | Ngô Đình Diệm |
Ngo Dinh Diem (January 3, 1901 – November 2, 1963) was the first president of South Vietnam (1955–1963). Diem was a devout Roman Catholic throughout his life.
Diem served as interior minister for Emperor Bao Dai, but resigned to protest French influence in 1933. At this time, Vietnam was part of French Indochina and Bao Dai was a French puppet. The resignation earned Diem a reputation as an uncompromising nationalist. In 1954, when it became clear that the French would withdraw from Indochina, Bao Dai asserted his independence by appointing Diem as premier.
When the French withdrew, Vietnam was split along the 17th parallel, and Bao Dai departed to France. North Vietnam was ruled by the communists, while South Vietnam, headed by Diem, was backed financially by the United States. The Catholic community fled communist oppression in the North and relocated to the South. This created a base of popular support for Diem. In 1955, Diem ousted the absent and unpopular Bao Dai and declared himself president. As Diem never married, Madame Nhu, Diem's sister-in-law, played the role of first lady. She did much to promote fashion, including the ao dai, Vietnam's national costume.
In the late 1950s, the North Vietnamese began to encourage communists in South Vietnam to revolt. The Vietcong launched a campaign of assassination and terrorist attacks in 1957. The first large unit military action was in September 1959. This was the beginning of the Vietnam War.
When Vietnam's Buddhist majority protested Diem's pro-Catholic policies, U.S. President John F. Kennedy decided to support a coup against Diem. In November 1963, South Vietnamese generals with the help of Moderate Republican U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., assassinated Diem and his brother, Ngo Diem Nhu.[1] This is another example of the Deep State being willing to go out of their way to attack those who uphold biblical values.
References
See also