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South Vietnamese Troubles |
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South Vietnamese Troubles The Diem Problem |
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The leader of South Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem did not hold elections as promised by the Geneva Accords. This upset a great number of South Vietnamese, who eventually formed a group known as the Vietcong, who fought Diem's government. They were supported by the Soviet Union, China, and North Vietnam. The U.S. continued to support Diem's government, which was strongly anti-communist. However, many Americans had mixed feelings about supporting Diem's government because of his oppressive policies. He limited freedom of press, incarcerated his political rivals, and restricted practice of religion. Many Vietnamese resented Diem's policies and as a result, Diem grew increasingly unpopular. Diem is Overthrown During his presidency, Diem had survived quite a few uprisings, however his generals began planning his removal from office. On November 1, 1963, Rebel troops surrounded Diem's office and forced his resignation. Eventually South Vietnamese nationalists executed Diem on his way out of town. The Kennedy administration hoped this new government would be able to rally public support of the war. |
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After Diem was killed, North Vietnam began sending troops across the seventeenth parallel. The Vietcong also increased their attacks after his death. The newly formed government desperately needed military aid from the U.S. in order to survive. Shortly, after Johnson became president, he began shopping more supplies to South Vietnam. He also increased naval operations along the Vietnam coast. On August 2, 1964, the U.S. warship, Maddox, was attacked by North Vietnamese gunboats in the Gulf of Tonkin. In response to these attacks, President Johnson felt he needed to take a strong position against the attacks of North Vietnam. He went to congress and asked for the authority to "take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the armed forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression." The U.S. House of Representatives approved Johnson's request, which became known as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. Essentially, Johnson was given a "blank check" to use whatever means necessary to save South Vietnam.
After Johnson was reelected president in November of 1964, he increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam. By the end of 1964, 23,500 American troops were stationed in Vietnam and more would be coming soon.
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