The war in Vietnam was a battle in which many major figures around the world played a part. One of the significant figures that played a huge role in the Vietnam War from 1954-1963 was Ngo Dinh Diem. The United States wanted to spread democracy into the eastern world, and as a result, the United States saw Diem as a perfect candidate to lead the South Vietnam into democracy after the French had been defeated. Diem was "natural for the part"" (Young 44). He was an "ascetic bachelor from a large, ambitious Catholic family with a long history of government service under the French"" (Young 44). He was selected because he had reliable credentials as a nationalist and was an anti-Communist. Diem was "the only Vietnamese politician who would absolutely never enter into contact with the Vietminh under any circumstances"" (Young 49). However with Diem in power in Southern Vietnam along with his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu, numerous policies were created which resulted in many unnecessary deaths and events. Some of these events and policies that occurred and was created during the rise and fall of the regime of Diem included the Battle of Ap Bac, Buddhist Crisis, land reform measures and political repression. .
The rise of Diem occurred shortly after 1954. In 1954, after the French conceded defeat, the leaders of the Viet Minh believed that Vietnam would gain full independence. However, a treaty, known as the Geneva Accords was signed. This treaty temporarily spit the country into a northern and southern sector. France would ultimately administer the southern zone while the Communist would administer the northern zone. In addition, the southern zone remained under the control of Bao Dai, whose government was heavily supported by the United States. Diem was then installed as prime minister under Bao Dai through United States' insistence. However, in Articles 16,17,18, and 19 of the Geneva agreement, remilitarization was barred; "there were to be no troop reinforcements, no augmentation of weapons, no military bases, and no foreign military alliances on the part of the administration of either zone " (Young 41).
