Describe the situation in North and South Vietnam from 1954 to 1964. Why was the USA forced to withdraw in the early 1970's?
             In North and South Vietnam between 1954 and 1964 there was a lot happening. For example Ngo Dinh Diem was selected as Prime Minister for South Vietnam, Diem attempted to get rid of communism in South Vietnam, the NLF was started, Diem was captured and killed, and there was fighting between South and North Vietnam.
             Firstly, after a controversial election held in South Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem emerged as the new Prime Minister of South Vietnam. Diem was a staunch anti-Communist from the south with strong links in America, which suited everyone - except for the communists – as it would stop the spread of Communism through out the pacific. Soon after the election Diem had members of his family promoted to key positions in the government, like Ngo Dinh Nhu his brother who started the Revolutionary Labour Party1.
             Secondly, From the moment Diem took power, he faced enormous difficulties. Students, intellectuals, Buddhists and others joined the Communists in opposition to Diem's rule. All across South Vietnam suspected communists were caught and either imprisoned or killed. By the end of 1958 there were 40000 political prisoners in South Vietnamese jails, and 12000 had been killed. In 1959, Diem passed a series of acts known as Law 10/59 that made it legal to hold someone in jail if they were a suspected Communist without bringing formal charges. Thousands were arrested. Diem even accused the Buddhists of harboring the Communists that were creating the political instability. This resulted in massive protests in Saigon, which led one Buddhist monk to set himself on fire in an act of defiance. And so the arrests continued and by the end of 1961 there were 150000 political prisoners2.
             Thirdly, On December 20, 1960, the Party' s new united front, the National Liberation Front (NLF), was born. Anyone could ...