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Period: to
1956
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Ordinance Number 6
Allowed for the imprisonment of communists and other people that were "dangerous to national defense and common security." This gave the Diem government unchecked power to deal with the opposition. <ahref='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_in_the_Vietnam_War' >1956 in the Vietnam War</a>
<ahref='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_in_the_Vietnam_War' >1956 in the Vietnam War</a> -
Military Advisory Assistance Group
Salvage about $1 billion in military equipment left behind by french military. This is significant because it gave us more equipment to make are military stronger. <ahref='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_in_the_Vietnam_War' >1956 in the Vietnam War</a> -
Religion vs Political Activities
The Diem government signed an agreement with Cao Dai leaders which permitted Cao Dai members to continue practicing their religion but prevented political activity. This is significant because it shows the suppression of a certain religious group's voice due to their beliefs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_in_the_Vietnam_War -
Diem Dominates Election
South Vietnam held elections for the National Constituent Assembly. Diem's candidates won 90 out of the 123 available seats. This is significant because it allowed Diem to gain political power. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_in_the_Vietnam_War -
Senator John F. Kennedy Supports South Vietnam
Senator John F. Kennedy gave a keynote speech at a conference of the American Friends of Vietnam, describing South Vietnam as "the cornerstone of the Free World in Southeast Asia." This is significant because Kennedy aligned himself with South Vietnam. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_in_the_Vietnam_War -
Vice President Richard Nixon Partners with South Vietnam
Nixon delivered a letter from President Eisenhower to Diem stating that the US looked forward to many years of partnership. This is significant because it shows who our nation sides with. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_in_the_Vietnam_War -
Ordinance Number 47
The Diem government employed Ordinance Number 47, prohibiting any aid toward communist organizations. This is significant because it establishes the government as anti-communist and relates it to the US policy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_in_the_Vietnam_War -
New Constitution for Diem Government
Diem created a new constitution for his government, granting him emergency powers any time he wished and even temporarily prohibiting freedom of speech. This is significant because it establishes Diem as more of a dictator. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_in_the_Vietnam_War -
Discrimination against foreigners
Diem employed an executive order that barred foreigners (including Chinese) from 11 business types, and demanded foreign names to be changed to Vietnameze names. This is significant because it establishes the Diem government as inclusive and closed-minded. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_in_the_Vietnam_War -
Persecution of Intellectuals
Ho Chi Minh's government banned "subversive" publications and cracked down on intellectuals in North Vietnam. This is significant because it shows that Diem wanted to rule as a dictator and keep his people uneducated so that they would not be as likely to rebel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_in_the_Vietnam_War
