Vietnam War Joint
Crisis Committee –
South
Model United Nations at UC Davis
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Letter From the Head Chair
Esteemed delegates,
Welcome to Davis Model United Nations Conference XIV! My name is Oriel Gomez,
and I have the pleasure of being your Head Chair for this Vietnam War- South Joint Crisis
Committee. I am a third year Political Science: Public Service major, although my interests for
mathematics have also steered me to pursue a minor in Statistics. I have participated in Model
United Nations (MUN) since my freshman year of college and it has been a nothing less than a
wonderful experience. MUN has allowed me to Aside from my involvement in MUN, I do enjoy
catching up on the numerous amounts of T.V. shows and movies I have accumulated on my
Netflix queue and playing tennis.
In this committee, you will expect lively, fast-paced, and advanced debate. While I hope
you all have the utmost fun simulating history during the Vietnam War, I also expect you to
come to committee prepared with a deep understanding of the historical context of this time and
the ramifications the Vietnam War had on the region and the rest of the world. However, do not
feel the need to reenact history. Rather, feel free to rewrite history to suit your ideas.
See you in Davis!
Best Regards,
Oriel Gomez
Head Chair, Vietnam War Joint Crisis Committee – North, DMUNC XIV
[email protected]
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Letter From the Crisis Director
Hello Delegates,
Welcome to the Vietnam War- South Joint Crisis Committee. My name is Josue Israel Ramirez
Ortega, and I have the distinct honor and privilege of serving as your Crisis Director. I am studying
History, Economics, and German. This is final year and final Committee that I shall ever act as crisis
director for, so I promise you that I shall make every effort to make this the best committee you will ever
participate in. I appreciate that you have taken the time to be part of Model United Nations and hope that
you continue on becoming the very best delegates that you can be. That being said, this Committee will
delve into causes, responses, and effects of the Vietnam War.
The Vietnam War is seen as one of the most important wars towards the end of the 20th century,
both for the United States and for Vietnam. At its heart it was a proxy war between the United States and
the USSR, and to a small extent China. During the Cold War, this war set the stage as to whether Vietnam
would end up as a capitalist country and a close ally of the United States or a communist country and a
close ally of the USSR. I hope that through this committee you are able to better understand the effects
and brutality of the Vietnam War. In this Crisis Committee you will have to outthink and outmaneuver
both the NVA and some of your supposed allies in Committee, take power, and take the fight to the
North. I wish you the very best and that you enjoy yourselves.
All the best,
Josue Israel Ramirez Ortega
Crisis Director, Vietnam War Joint Crisis Committee-South, DMUNC XIV
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About the Committee
The Vietnam War, fought from 1954 to 1973, is the protracted conflict that pitted the
communist government of North Vietnam and its allies against South Vietnam and its most
principal ally, the United States. It is a time of great conflict and change here in Vietnam.
Vietnam has been partitioned into two different states, the North and South. The South and it’s
allies like the United States envision a Vietnam that is free from communism—they do not want
to see the establishment of a communist government. The United States does not want to see
Domino Theory come to fruition. In the meantime, the world is in the middle of a Cold War
between its principal actors the United States and the Soviet Union.
For purposes of this crisis, the committee of the Government of South Vietnam will
convene in July 1954, the Geneva accords have just been signed by the respective parties and
this committee is tasked with creating a new future for the state of Vietnam. Given the nature of
this committee and the current situation in Vietnam, the presence of delegates will range from
government officials such as ministers from different government sectors to military generals in
order to give their respective opinions on how to tackle the current situation present in Vietnam.
The structure of this committee will be a perpetuated moderated caucus with a standard speaking
time of 90 seconds in order to keep up with the fast-paced nature of this committee Lastly, fight
the communist North! Together we can ensure that Vietnam does not fall to communism. The
future of Vietnam, the true Vietnam, is in your hands!
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Historical Background
The Arrival of the French
French missionaries, traders, and diplomats descended upon Vietnam around the early
19th century. In 1857 Napoleon III established La Commission de la Cochinchine, a committee to
establish French policy in Vietnam (McLeod 42). The commission saw a prominent interest in
Vietnam because the French would be able establish commercial bases in Asia. At first, Vietnam
was not the target of colonial desires by other European powers; this greatly incentivized the
French to establish their operations in Asia. The motives for French conquest and consolidation
of Vietnam were merely economical. The Industrial Revolutions, which resulted in great
economic success for Western nations, prompted the French to search for goods, raw materials
and markets in order to keep the factories running and essentially strengthen the French economy
(Lawrence 23). Emperor Napoleon III hoped that colonies in Asia would provide an entrance
into southern China and it would provide an area for economic exploitations. Another reason for
conquest was merely for the political benefits that a European government would gain from their
imperialistic endeavors; this reason was extremely important since Napoleon III planned on
creating an overseas empire that “as a manifestation of his imperial legitimacy and his ability to
advance … French interests in competition with other European powers” (McLeod 43)
Under the Nguyen dynasty, the final dynasty in Vietnam, the rulers perceived the
influence of missionaries as a huge threat. Missionaries ultimately succeeded in converting seven
percent of the population (Lawrence 22). The people that missionaries converted to Catholicism
were usually those that resided in villages. In these villages missionaries not only introduced
their customs, but they also established schools as well. The Nguyen rulers felt disdain towards
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the missionaries because of the belief that they promoted anti-Confucianist beliefs; there were
assumptions that the villages fostered thoughts of rebellion as well and assisting other militant
groups in the country [“Nguyen Dynasty”]. Under the Nguyen leadership, many missionaries
were being persecuted, hindering the imperial ambitions of French emperor Napoleon III. The
fact that missionaries were being persecuted was not sufficient enough to prompt French
intervention in Vietnam. In order to engage in an expedition into Vietnam, imperial aspirations
and commercial opportunities were also necessary (McLeod 43). In the end, all that was needed
for French intervention into Vietnam was the opposition to the persecuted missionaries by the
Hue court.
When the news that a Spanish missionary was captured and soon after publicly executed
south of Hanoi came out, a Franco-Spanish expedition was soon underway. The news of the
captured missionary prompted the French attack on the port of Da Nang on September 1858
under the direction of Admiral Rigault de Genouilly (“Nguyen Dynasty”). The French forces,
mostly colonial troops, included thirteen French warships, carrying 2500 troops; the Spanish
forces from the Philippines included one warship and 450 colonial troops (McLeod 43). The port
of Da Nang was chosen partly due to its accessibility by sea and due to its proximity to the
imperial city of Hue. The Hue, led by King Tu Duc, was unable to fight against the French.
However, Admiral Genouilly attempted to pursue beyond Hue, but was unable to move forward
due to how shallow the rivers were—it did not permit the ships to continue their planned assault
(McLeod 43). The expedition, however, made little progress due to widespread cholera and
typhus at Da Nang, thus the French were forced to abandon the expedition. However, Rigault de
Genouilly and French forces instead decided to set sail south and shift their attacks to the city of
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Saigon, an important trade center and where a majority of rice was grown, which the Hue
depended on.
By 1861, France occupied the city of Saigon effortlessly (“Vietnam History”). The
French soon pushed inward and then captured the provinces of Bien Hoa and Dinh Truong. The
French also captured the province of Gia Dinh, this proved to be successful because the French
were systematically targeting Vietnamese fishing ports and commercial transports. Genouilly’s
strategy to move southward and execute their attacks was successful because the French
significantly reduced the flow of rice. The French attack on the Vietnamese did not lead to
immediate colonial gains, but rather a treaty affirming the rights of Vietnamese Catholics. In
June 1862, with the possibility of food shortages, starvation, and a possible French invasion, the
Nguyen rulers sought to negotiate a peace settlement, which became the Treaty of Saigon
(“Conquest”). The provisions of the Treaty of Saigon stipulated that Tu Duc would cede control
of Saigon and Vietnam’s three southernmost provinces, Bien Hoa, Gia Dinh, and Dinh Truong to
France; these territories would soon form the French colony of Cochinchina. France would also
be given authority over Poulo Condore, an island off the southern coast, as well as be given full
access to the ports of Da Nang and Hue. In addition, French vessels were given unrestrained
access to the Mekong River, which provided access to Cochinchina and Cambodia. Under the
treaty, Catholics priests and missionaries would also have full access to Vietnam, and be
protected further persecutions or restrictions.
By 1862, the colony of Cochinchina was established which included the areas
surrounding Saigon and the Mekong Delta (“Conquest”). This was France’s first colony in
Vietnam, but it proved to be one of their greatest assets because Saigon was an epicenter of rice
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and rubber plantations, resources which the French exploited through trade and exports and
would reap the economic benefits and profits of. When the French administratively divided the
country, it was divided into three parts. The North was Tonkin, the South was Cochinchina, and
Annam was Central Vietnam. Cochinchina would be the only colony in Vietnam and it was
governed by a Lieutenant Governor in Saigon. Annam and Tonkin would be known as
protectorates as opposed to a colony like Cochinchina.
French colonial policy intensified during the Pacification Period which lasted from 1859
to 1897 (“Vietnam History”). Lasting almost three decades, the policy of pacification was a
French attempt to gain control of Vietnamese rebel groups and the Chinese, who decided they
would also attempt to annex Vietnam. The slow advance of military forces was followed by
civilian administration. The new colonial government moved the capitol to Hanoi and the goal of
“modernizing” Vietnam was implemented by Governor-General Paul Doumer. Vietnam was
modernized through the improvements in infrastructure such as building a network of roads,
railroads, and highway. Aside from the improvements to infrastructure, Doumer implemented
heavy taxes, and introduced a centralized government. These improvements were made as a way
for the French to maximize profits, it was not intended to benefit the Vietnamese. Doumer also
contended that Hanoi had the authority over the protectorates of Annam, Tonkin, and the colony
of Cochinchina. By 1893, French eventually gained control over all of Vietnam, in addition to
Laos and Cambodia (“Vietnam History”). These regions soon made up the region called French
Indochina.
Resistance to French Colonialism
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In the 1920s, several revolutionary groups organized in the struggle against French
colonialism (Long 11). On February 3, 1930 at a meeting in Kowloon in China, communist
parties in Vietnam joined forces to become the Vietnamese Communist Party (Long 11). The
meeting, lead by Nguyen Ai Quoc, later to be known as President Ho Chi Minh, not only
adopted a political program, and strategies, but also developed numerous strategies for the
development of mass organizations. These organizations included the Communist Youth League,
the Women’s Association for Liberation, the Red Relief Society, the Self Defense Militia and the
Anti-Imperialist League . The political program of the party focused on resisting colonialist
ideals. Subsequently, the party changed its name to the Indochinese Communist Party
(ICP). .The ICP exerted its leadership particularly to workers and peasants during 1930-31 and
then made the transition to rural areas to more urban areas (Long 12) .The success of the ICP
depended on Vietnamese exiles, but its successes in the country depended on the relationships
made with those who resisted colonialism.From 1930 to 1931, the ICP organized massive
peasant demonstrations and workers strikes; in the southern part of country demonstrations broke
out in fourteen provinces which lasted over a year in spite of French efforts to repress them.
(Long 12). The provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh were sites in which French administrative
power was targeted and seized by demonstrations of workers and peasants. The French
eventually regained control of the provinces through the deployment of divisions of soldiers and
airplanes in addition to the use of pacification methods such as crop destruction and starvation.
WWII and the Rise of the Viet Minh
On May 10, 1940 Hitler attacked France and later fell to the Germans (Long 13). The
Japanese advanced into Indochina through arming the followers of the Hoa Hao religion, a form
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of Buddhism founded by Huynh Phu So and that spread all over the Mekong River Delta. On
September 22, 1940 Japanese attacked the city of Lang Son as well as deployed 6,000 troops in
Do Son (Long 13). After engagements near the Vietnam-China border, the French, under
Governor General Jean Decoux, surrendered Indochina to the Japanese. A puppet government
was soon established in Vichy. With the defeat of France and the creation of the Vichy
government, Japan is a new force that would take control of Vietnam for a number of years. The
French, however, signed an agreement with the Japanese that would recognize French
sovereignty over Vietnam. However, a shift of leadership after thirty-nine months occurred and
control of Vietnam would soon resume under French control. The Japanese would soon depart
from Vietnam.
During the years of Japanese control, Ho Chi Minh would return to Vietnam and take
leadership of the revolutionary force. In 1941, the eighth plenary session of the Party Central
Committee convened in Pac Bao in the Cao Bang province (Long 13). The premise of their
meeting was to formulate a solution to liberate Vietnam from Franco-Japanese control. At the
same time in this meeting, Ho Chi Minh proposed the name change to their organization’s title to
the the Vietnam Independence League, or to shorten it, the Viet Minh as they would be
historically recognized. The Viet Minh spent years gathering and recruiting people from all
social classes as well as political and religious groups to join them in the fight for independence.
The Viet Minh located their operations in Annam and Tonkin. While organizing themselves,
they also focused their energies on creating infrastructure and expanding their guerilla bases in
the region. However, during the war, the French and the Japanese would stop at nothing to
hinder their movement. For example, in a policy of rice collection, Resident of Chauvet of
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Tonkin expressed the policy as a way to of cutting off food and supplies in hopes that it would
cause hunger and starvation among the population and crush their revolutionary spirits. As a
result of this policy, the famine that ensued killed about two million people
As the end of the war approached, the Viet Minh went on the offensive. On August 13,
1945 the Viet Minh’s Insurrection Committee issued an order to send their armed forces to
launch an insurrection across all enemy borders (Long 14). Guerilla forces targeted
administrative centers of of almost every village, district and province and established their
revolutionary power over most of them almost immediately. The Viet Minh then targeted the
cities of Hanoi, Hue and Saigon and were victorious in capturing those cities without any
bloodshed. From August 14 to 25, the Viet Minh captured and liberated fifty-nine provinces
across the country—this was the first time that the administration in the country was in the hands
of the people, this historic event is known as the August Revolution (Long 14).
First Indochina War (December 1946- August 1954)
Conflict arose following the defeat of Japan in 1945 in World War II and the power
struggle that followed their withdrawal. Since the Japanese withdrew from Vietnam, the French
took advantage of this situation in order to regain control of the country. However, the Viet
Minh, a guerilla-type revolutionary group, formed in response to the tyrannical rule and political
and social implementations at the hands of the French and the Japanese. The Viet Minh seized
the opportunity to declare Vietnamese independence on September 2, 1945 (Long 14). Ho Chi
Minh, the recently elected leader of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Vietnam (DRV),
currently known as North Vietnam, was their leader. Upon the declaration of Vietnam by Ho Chi
Minh, the new leaders were worried about intervention by Allied Nation such as the United
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States and Great Britain because they believed it would lead to a French re-conquest of Vietnam.
They believed this to be true because Vietnam was the first country to be free of colonialism and
established as a socialist anti-imperialist nation after WWII—therefore, it was only logical that
these events would come to fruition.
Armed by American weapons and supported by British troops, the French focused its
energies on preserving the fortune that is within Indochina. By late 1946, 50,000 French troops
were in Vietnam and the French eventually regained control of Saigon. In November, French
naval vessels targeted the northern port city of Haiphong, which resulted in large civilian
casualties. In response, 30,000 Viet Minh under General Vo Nguyen Giap, the General of the
Vietnam People’s Army, attacked French positions in Haiphong and Hanoi, but these attacks
were repelled by French forces (“First Indochina”). It took a week to clear out all of the forces
from Haiphong. As a result, the Viet Minh were forced to engage in guerilla warfare. By midDecember, the two sides were openly at war.
In late January of 1947, the French seized control of most of the capitals in northern and
central Vietnam (“First Indochina War”). Meanwhile in April, the Viet Minh lost any chance of
forming an alliance with the religious groups by executing Huynh Phu So, the leader fo the Hoa
Hao religion (“First Indochina War”). As a result the Hoa Hao and the Cao Dai formed an
alliance with the French instead. Since the Viet Minh were concerned with building up their
armed forces, they did not utilize their front force units and instead focused on building up their
guerilla forces. By late 1947, the French inflicted serious damage to the Viet Minh and took
control of the Viet Bac region. By 1948, the Viet Minh increased the troops by more than 25,000
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and through their guerilla efforts they were able to regain control of some of the Viet Bac region
(“First Indochina War”).
In 1949, the Bao Dai met with French President Vicnent Auriol and after the exchanging
of letters they would finally come to an agreement, the Elysée accords (Hammer 234). The
Elysée accords would enable Vietnam to be an autonomous state within the French Union; this
made it clear that Vietnam woud be able to become and independent state and therefore it would
not jeopardize France’s presence in Indochina. After the Elysée accords of 1949, France
established the State of Vietnam, otherwise known as South Vietnam, as an associated statehood
in response to the growing influence of the Viet Minh (“ARVN”). The state was under the
leadership of Bao Dai due to his previous cooperation with the French. The United States
recognized the State of Vietnam in February 1950, but this action was counterbalanced a few
days later with the recognition of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) by the People’s
Republic of China. After the signing of the Elysee accords in March 1949, Vietnam’s armed
forces, the National Army of Vietnam (NAV), were now sufficiently armed to fight alongside
French armed forces against the Viet Minh (“ARVN”). The NAV was under the direction of
French-trained personnel or under the army’s chief of staff, General Nguyen Van Hinh.
Vietnamese forces soon assembled up to sixty battalions in 1952, however they did not play a
significant role in the First Indochina War (“First Indochina War”).
In French occupied areas, forces were met by Viet Minh guerrilla warfare. Self defense
forces were forming in the countryside, and in time these Viet Minh resistance camps soon
appeared everywhere. French economic and strategic hubs were constantly being attacked. The
war spread soon spread to cities such as Hanoi, Saigon, Hue, and Haiphong, cities the French
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assumed to be secure. The situation in Indochina escalated and the French were in need of aid
and military assistance. In 1950, U.S. president Harry Truman established the Military
Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) in Saigon to provide support (“AVRN”). However, the role
of the MAAG was not a significant one. They would be providing logistical support to the
French. They would not take part in the military training, that role was still reserved for the
French Expeditionary Corps. The only role that the United States played in the early years of the
French Indochina war was to ensure that supplies arrive at their destination.
The fall of 1950 marked a great victory for the Vietnamese, this created doubts about the
fighting in Vietnam (Long 17). Eventually, Martial law was soon declared in Hanoi. In addition,
the French received orders that called for their evacuation out of the country. Political parties in
Paris called for the evacuation of Vietnam so that the French could reinforce their presence in
their colonies in North Africa, others political parties however called for further reinforcements
as well as more American intervention. In December, Jean de Lattre de Tassigny was sent to
Indochina as high commissioner and commander in chief to try to change the course of events of
the war (Long 17). Lattre’s strategy included obtaining more American military aid, specifically
aircraft, increasing French reinforcements, reorganizing the national army, strengthening the
defense in the Red River Delta region, and intensifying pacification throughout the country
(Long 17). After many successful efforts by Lattre, he was then met with military defeats one
after the other and was eventually replaced with General Salan in 1952 (Long 18). Salan
immediately declared total war against the Vietnamese by ordering operations that followed
massive airstrikes. Counterattacks by Viet Minh guerrilla forces and regional armies caused
heavy losses for the French and led to the liberation of many regions of the country. As the war
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escalated in 1953, General Salan was replaced by Henry Navarre, an army officer to command
French forces in Indochina (Long 18). He then instituted the Navarre Plan, which aimed to
completely annihilate Vietnamese forces and completely pacify the country within eighteen
months.
The increased importance of Indochina prompted the United States to increase their
shipment of aid and military supplies to the French in the hopes that the added pressure on the
French would ensure their victory. In The pressure on the French to end the war moved them to
be open to negotiations with the Viet Minh; the United States however were not open to the idea
of negotiations. Thus, the Navarre plan was adopted and American intervention in the war
heavily increased. The aid from the United States accounted for about 80 percent of
expenditures, while airlifts for supplies were sent by France, Japan, and the Philippines (Long
18). Among that, the United States also sent military advisors, two aircraft carriers of the
Seventh Fleet were sent to the Gulf of Tonkin, and two-hundred and fifty American pilots were
sent to take part of the fighting (Long 19).
In February 1954, Viet Minh forces surrounded Bien Dien Phu and on March 15, they
launched their attacks on the French. The French relocated their forces towards Bien Dien Phu
since many defending the Red River Delta. The Viet Minh, cut off air access which the French
depended on to get supplies and eventually descended on their position. Through the use of
trenches and and tunnels dug through the countryside, the Viet Minh were able to move and
relocate their artillery without the possibility of being discovered. At the same time, President
Eisenhower wrote to Churchill that France must grant unequivocal independence to Vietnam “so
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that America’s entry into Indochina would not have the taint of colonialism” (Long 19). After
fifty-five days of combat, on May 7, 1954 General de Castries, the field commander at Bien Dien
Phu surrendered (Long 19). In the end, French forces had been severely weakened throughout
the country by the Viet Minh. The casualties of the war cost the lives of approximately 25,000
Vietnamese and the lives of more than 1,5000 French troops (“Formative”). In turn, the First
Indochina war over.
The Conference at Geneva
In 1954, amid growing tensions in Vietnam and the situation in Korea, the international
community convened in Geneva in the hopes of coming to a solution to these situations. The key
negotiators in attendance included France, the People’s Republic of China, the United States, the
United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. Other attendants of the conference included the
Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV), the associated State of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Western nations had different perspectives on the issues just as their communist counterparts did.
The French hoped to still retain some sort of influence, at least in the South.
While the United States and France made plans of their own, they were met with
disappointment because their other Western allies were not on the same page as them. The
United Kingdom, along with the Soviet Union embraced their roles at the conference by
becoming co-chairs. As the talks progressed, China and the Soviet Union were open to France’s
suggestion of dividing the Vietnam temporarily, with the DRV governing the Northern side and
Bao Dai’s government governing the Southern side. Both countries were open to the idea
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because they realized that a confrontational approach may lead the United States to intervene
directly in Vietnam—that may escalate into a much bigger conflict.
The United States used their influence as leverage to plead for their own ideas. However,
the United States’ problem at the moment was how to install a puppet regime in the South. This
was solved through violating the Geneva Accords and in having Ngo Dinh Diem as the leader of
South Vietnam. Installing Diem as the leader of South Vietnam would give the United States an
opportunity to intervene in Vietnam. The United States was interested in appointing Diem
because he was Catholic and for his anti-communist ideology. The United States wholeheartedly
opposed the ideas of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) because policy makers were
wary about possible communist expansions in Asia.
Results of the Conference
The negotiations at the conference at Geneva resulted in the signing of the Geneva
Accords signed by the delegates of the conference on July 21, 1954 (“Geneva”). The agreement
stipulated several changes such as granting Vietnam the authority to become an independent
state, in addition Cambodia and Laos would also be granted their independence. The country was
to be partitioned along the 17th parallel, in addition, both sides are given three hundred days to
withdraw their troops in order to ensure that there are not any troops on within three miles of
either side (“Geneva”). An important component of the agreement was that free elections would
be held in 1956 under international supervision under the International Control Commission in
order to determine possible unification of the country. There would also be a two-year
transitional period in which military personnel would return to their respective places, and during
this period the North and South agree to not join any military alliances with other nations.
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South Vietnam was disappointed and refused to accept the outcomes of the Geneva
Accords because the partitioning of the country into temporary Northern and Southern states
would only be pending the renewal of further conflict in the country. The South Vietnamese
could not believe that they were overlooked when this decision was made. Unfortunately, they
could do no less than only protest the decisions made by the other delegates. Therefore, their
protest was efficient because when the French bypassed Bao Dai’s government, it only made the
stipulations of the accords possible; however, that meant that they were not legally bounded to
these decision—in the SVN’s eyes, it was merely just a suggestion. Therefore, it was a
possibility for the South to not honor the decisions of the agreement. Hence, why the South was
not a signatory to the Accords.
Vested Interests of the United States
The United States was unhappy with the results of the Geneva accords; therefore they did
not sign the agreement. However, they pledged to still abide by it. The United States saw that the
results of the Geneva conference created a danger to their vested interests in the Far East.
President Eisenhower was displeased with the results of the Geneva Accords. Eisenhower
asserted that the loss of North Vietnam to communism would eventually inspire the creation of
multiple communist regimes in adjoining countries within the Far East. This was known as the
Domino Theory—if a country falls to communism it is only a matter of time until the others fall
to communism. He asserted that if the communists captured Indochina, it would only be a matter
of time until they seize Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. For ideological reasons, Eisenhower
called for the containment of communism. By 1954, in hopes of preventing the spread of
communism into other states, Eisenhower called for the creation of an organization to coordinate
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collective action against communist aggression, this committee was known as the South-East
Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) (Lawrence 64). The members of the SEATO included
countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and
the only three Asian nations that joined—Thailand, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
South Vietnam
The Geneva Accords were, in theory, to only provide a temporary transitional state for
the North and South; but both sides essentially developed their own individual identities.
Following the signing of the Geneva Accords in July, the politics of South Vietnam became
extremely fractured. While partitioning the country was an extremely divisive issue in the South,
many supporters of Bao Dai, the current leader of South Vietnam, believed that the partition and
withdrawal of troops was necessary, whereas supporters of Ngo Dinh Diem believed that a
strong military presence should remain an essential component of the state’s strategy to unify
Vietnam under Southern control. In 1954, Ngo Dinh Diem became the prime minister of South
Vietnam under Bao Dai. In 1955, Diem won a referendum election in which he would take
charge of the country and thus Bao Dai was abdicated from his position. However, Diem’s rise to
leadership faced numerous challenges from his political opponents. Political tensions rose in the
South as a result of the referendum in. However, Ngo Dinh Diem would be supported by the
United States to create a non-communist state in Vietnam. After the Geneva accords were
signed, the United States would send advisors to assist Diem in creating a government that would
be able to resist the communists in the North. Alongside the United States, the South was not a
member who signed the Geneva Accords, thus the possibility of violating the stipulations of the
treaty was very likely to happen.
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As Diem assumed responsibility over South Vietnam, he had to fix the numerous
problems the South was currently facing. South Vietnam was bankrupt and without any effective
government in place. By late 1955, the South was left without any resources; the French departed
Vietnam with their military resources, thus the army was dismantled (“South Vietnam”). Also,
there was no police force present and no bureaucracy as well. Diem was faced with the challenge
of creating a new government in the South. Diem relied on the assistance of his family and
support from the United States. Ngo Dinh Diem would be supported by the United States to
create a non-communist state in Vietnam. After the signing of the Geneva Accords, the United
States sent advisors to assist Diem in creating a government that would be able to resist the
communists in the North. Diem also appointed his family members to governmental positions.
His brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, oversaw the creation of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam
(ARVN) in 1955 (“AVRN”). Nhu not only managed the ARVN, but he also created and oversaw
his own private armies and his anti-communist death squads. Ngo Dinh Nhu attempted to
legitimize Diem’s regime through the formation of the Can Lao, a southern Vietnamese party
that would hopefully rival that of Ho Chi Minh’s Lao Dong. Unfortunately, the Can Lao failed to
evolve into a popular movement. Membership of the Can Lao was only open to the supporters of
Diem’s regime exclusively to those from the middle and upper classes—this party proved to only
be a political tool to support Diem.
Questions to Consider
1. What measures should be taken to unify Vietnam under Southern control?
2. How can we prevent and contain the spread of Communist forces into other nations?
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3. Would the Geneva Accords be enough to sustain both sides of Vietnam from falling into
chaos? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the agreement that can make instability so
eminent?
4. How can we prevent the growth of communist sympathizers within South Vietnam?
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Character Descriptions
Ngo Dinh Nu:
Ngo Dinh Nhu was not only the brother of President Ngo Dinh Diem, but he was also the chief
political advisor. Towards the end of the French Indochina war, Nhu worked alongside the CIA
in order to lobby for Diem to take control of Vietnam. Nhu received his education in France
where he trained as an archivist. Returning to Vietnam during WWII, he worked in the National
Library in Hanoi and then Da Lat. When Ngo Dinh Diem was appointed president of the Council
of Ministers in the State of Vietnam in July 1954, Nhu joined him by assisting him in
constructing the Vietnamese state. Nhu was responsible for introducing personalism as a guide
for Vietnam’s social and political development. Personalism essentially became the state
ideology of the State of Vietnam. Nhu believed that personalism could be used as a means to
mobilize the population and to modernize South Vietnam. Nhu also held authority over the Army
of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) as well as the secret forces and private death squads.
Bao Dai
Dai was the last emperor of Vietnam from 1926 to 1945. Following Japanese intervention in
Vietnam, Dai was installed as the head of state but was then abdicated as the Viet Minh
succeeded in forcing out the Japanese. However, in March 1949, Bao Dai signed the Elysee
accords that established the State of Vietnam with him as the head of state. Following the signing
of the accords, many government officials and strong nationalists such as Ngo Dinh Diem
refused government positions as well as attempted to undermine his leadership. Following Bien
Dien Phu, Dai convinced Diem to become the Prime Minister. Following Diem’s appointment as
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Prime Minister, Dai was removed from his position as head of state by Ngo Dinh Diem in a
referendum election.
Nguyen Van Thieu
Thieu first joined the Viet Minh from 1945 to 1946, however he soon left because he disagreed
because they communist sympathizers. Thieu then joined the National Army in 1948. Fighting
alongside the French against the Viet Minh from, he quickly rose through the ranks in the South
Vietnamese Army. In 1954, Thieu was put as the head of the Vietnamese Military Academy.
Duong Van Minh
The French trained Duong Van Minh early in his military career. In 1955, He rose to prominence
as Ngo Dinh Diem's top military officer in the Republic of Vietnam. An outspoken man Minh
later came to power with the backing of various other Generals and brought about the 1963
Military Uprising. Diem was assassinated and Minh was put into power however this new
government was largely ineffective and were quickly removed by another Military coup in
1971.
Nguyen Khanh
Khanh as well as various other Vietnamese Generals received military education from the French
and from the United States regarded as an intelligent and patient field commander. Khanh was a
loyal General under the United States backed President Diem however after the coup he was not
given a seat in the new council of Generals. On Jan, 30, 1964 Khanh took control of the
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government with a peaceful coup. However Khanh’s reign lasted only one year and 1965 he was
removed from power.
Nguyen Cao Ky
Early in his military career Cao Ky was a member in the French forces that opposed the
liberation of Vietnam. Later on he joined the South Vietnamese Air Force. Cao Ky was known as
a rabid anti-communist and because of this favored very highly by the United States. Soon after
the overthrow of President Diem, Cao Ky was named the Commander of the Airforce and was
quickly able to come to command a force of 10,000 airmen. In 1965 Cao Ky led a coup and
unseated then leader Phan Huy Quat however soon after an agreement was reached in which
Major General Nguyen Van Thieu would run for President and Cao Ky as Vice President
however soon after Cao Ky was forced to return to the Air Force because of his criticism of
Thieu.
Vu Van Mau
Born and Raised in Hanoi, Mau earned a Doctorate of Law degree from the University of Paris.
He moved to Saigon after the partition of 1954 he later became Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs under South Vietnam's President, Ngo Dinh Diem. Mau was a Buddhist politician and
advocated for non-violence and was part of a South Vietnamese Pacifist party, for the most part
he advocated for peace and co-operation with the Vietnamese Communist.
Nguyen Chanh Thi
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With a reputation as an aggressive field commander and an intelligent politician, Chanh Thi was
involved in multiple coups in Vietnam during his time as a General. he was a highly popular
General as he was one of the few Buddhist Generals. Chanh Thi Oversaw the I Corps in the
northern regions of South Vietnam but was seen by the United States as soft on Communism and
when Cao Ky fired him the move was supported. However days after his removal 90 percent of
Da Nang closed down in protest and it seemed that a civil war could erupt a week later Chanh
Thi was allowed to return to Vietnam. Largely described as being disloyal, jumping over to
whatever side was most likely to win. Chanh Thi was known to align himself with whomever
seemed most likely to gain victory.
Ngo Dinh Can
Brother of Diem and was a central leader early in his rule, he was given control of central
Vietnam from Phan Thiết to the 17th parallel, which Can ruled with brutal authority. Can kept
control of the people with a combination of private armies and the use of secret police, he
quickly gained a reputation as one of the most oppressive leaders of the Southern Regime. For
the most part Can was seen as an effective counter to the Communist Viet Cong, however
communist opposition was seen as weak in the central region. During his rule Can vigorously
promoted Catholicism and led to the banning of the Buddhist Flag in 1963.
Ngo Dinh Thuc
Another Member of the Ngo Family in Vietnam, Thuc was the Roman Catholic Bishop of Hue,
Vietnam. Seen as a spiritual leader of the Catholics, Thuc held some sway in the government
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ruled by his brother Deim, however his contempt for Buddhist created great unrest during the
Ngo control of the government of South Vietnam.
Nguyen Viet Thanh
Lieutenant General of the ARVN South Vietnamese Army, Thanh was considered a very capable
and respectable leader of men. During his time as commander of the 707th Light Infantry
battalion of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and then as leader of the IV Corps at Can Tho.
He was a very devout Buddhist and one the least corruptible men and commanders in the
Vietnamese Army.
Phan Huy Quat
Early in his life Quat studied medicine before entering politics, he attended school in Lycee
Pellerin and so he was a qualified doctor. Later on in life he was Appointed Minister of
Education by Bao Dai and then on the 22, January of 1950 he was appointed Minister of Defense
after which he was removed and later remade minister of defense in 1953 for a short time in
1960 he also served as Prime Minister of Vietnam. Soon after he was removed from power by
Diem, but after the removal of Diem he was appointed Foreign Minister by Major General
Nguyễn Khánh. Throughout his time as a Minister Quat greatly believed that the government
should be democratic and work for the people, he often criticized Diem and then later Major
General Nguyễn Khánh for their own self-serving attitudes in Government.
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Phan Khac Suu
Early on in his Career Suu was often seen as a political reformer that believed in getting rid of
France and of bettering the lives of the people. He was one of the founding members of the
Vietnam National Independence party in Saigon and later on served as Minister of Agriculture.
Under Diem, Suu served as the Minister and Chief of Agriculture and Land reform, however Suu
quickly realized the lack of actual Democracy and betterment of the people and saw Diem as a
Dictator. He along with other fellow Ministers and political leaders signed the Manifesto
Caravalle which declared grievances that needed to be addressed for the people and criticized the
Government of Diem. Soon after he was tried for being a traitor and for a time Exiled but later
returned.
Nguyen Xuan Oanh
Oanh was an intelligent Economist that began his studies in Lycee Albert and then later received
his Doctorate in Economics from Harvard later teaching Economics in Hatrford before working
for the international Monetary Fund and then returning to Vietnam. During his return in 1963, he
was an Economic Advisor and then later on through Nguyen Khan, Director of the National
Bank and later served as Deputy Prime Minister for the U.S Backed government in Southern
Vietnam.
Tran Van Huong
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A Vietnamese Politician that served various times as Prime Minister and as President of South
Vietnam, he was highly critical of Diem and of the people that created a bloody coup to oust
him. During Diems rule Huong was jailed for signing the Caravalle Manifesto criticizing the
Government and Diems Dictator like rule. Under Suu, Huong was appointed Prime Minister,
during his tenure he attempted to increase efforts against the communist by passing measures
that increased the size of the military and that accepted weapons and aid from the United States.
Nguyen Van Tam
Tam served as the Prime Minister of the State of Vietnam from 1952 to 1953. Obtaining French
nationality in 1927, he was awarded several awards from the French government such as the
commander of the Legion of Honor. He received the Nickname the “Tiger of Cai Lay” for his
efforts in Nam Ky uprising in 1940 fighting against communist resistance groups in the Cai Lay
region of the Mekong Delta. After the creation of the State of Vietnam, Tam served as the
minister of the interior under Tran Van Huu and after November 1951, he served as governor of
Tonkin. In 1952 he succeeded Huu as prime minister.
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