American Military History: Roles of Ho Chi Minh and Ngo Dinh Diem, Operation Rolling Thunder

Running head: AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY
American Military History
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2AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY
QUESTION 1
1. Briefly summarize the roles of both Ho Chi Minh and Ngo Dinh Diem in the Vietnamese
conflict. What was the background of each man? Explain why Ho was more successful than
Diem.
Your response should be at least 500 words in length.
Ho Chi Minh was the exponential figure behind the independence of Vietnam. The
French colony of Vietnam espoused freedom under the lone leadership of Ho Chi Minh. Ho Chi
Minh was a patriot who always wanted Vietnam to flourish by self-esteem. The unification of
Vietnam had a key role behind the eradication of the imperialist forces from South East Asia. As
a leader, Ho Chi Minh always led from the front and always put the national interests at first.
According to Halvorson (2016), the battle of Dein Bien Phu was an exquisite example of Ho’s
military skills. He was highly influenced by the American Independence war and the marshalling
spirit of the Americans inspired him to make the Declaration of Independence and frame the
Democratic Republican country of Vietnam. He travelled the world in search of a political
idealism that he could embrace. In 1919, Ho Chi Minh had arrived at the Versailles Conference
for upholding the causes of Vietnam. However, he or his views were not accepted and his hopes
of the liberation of Vietnam from the French had failed. Ho’s nationalism was proven again
when he joined the French Communist forces out if the perception that the Socialist leaders were
diverted worshippers of capitalism and colonialism. On the other hand, Werner (2015), is of the
opinion that he saw that the communists were ready to give active support for national liberation.
The Americans, although supportive of Ho Chi Minh in the beginning, began to withdraw

3AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY
support when they observed that the Communists were gaining grounds in the country. In 1930
Ho Chi Minh had taken active role in organizing the Indo-Chinese Communist party’s rule in
Vietnam. However, more than any political ideal, the liberation of his motherland was essential
for him. Hence, in the latter half of the 1940s, Ho Chi Minh attempted to form a combined front
by coalition of the Nationalist groups of Vietnam with the Communists to create the Viet Minh.
Since the 1950s, the Americans began to change sides. In order to prevent the penetration
of communism in the South East Asia, they supported the French. However, HO Chi Minh
gallantry and martyrdom helped Viet Minh to land the French. This was followed by the Geneva
Conference where it was decided that Vietnam was to be split till 1956. Allison (2016), is of the
opinion that America had introduced Ngo Dinh Diem, at that strategic period as a substantial
leader from South Vietnam to combat the combined forces of Viet Minh in North under the
leadership of Ho Chi Minh. The rise of Ngo Dinh Diem in South Vietnam as an anticommunist
face was the strategic planning of the US political personnel’s. However, Ngo Dinh Diem lacked
the pulse of the nationalists. His government in South Vietnam was strategically led by the US.
He received US aid as well expertise. However, Ngo Dinh Diem can also be given the stage as a
tragic hero who could never win acclaim favor of his countrymen owing to his allegiance
towards America. He was also a patriot who had substantial plans for modernization of South
Vietnam. However he lacked the spirit to unify North and South Vietnam.
Ngo Dinh Diem was fed with American ideals. This led him to commit the greatest
mistake of subsidizing a large section of the Buddhists which made him an intriguer in the eyes
of the nationalists. The Buddhists had approached Ngo with hope of a favor after being despised
by communist minded Viet Cong. However, he took an essential discriminatory policy towards
them. This major flaw combined with extremes American intervention in his governance and his