Diem, an authentic nationalist, ran the south with brutal and ruthless tyranny. Diem was expected by America to rule South Vietnam as an inspired 20th Century leader and because so did not gain much support by the local people. In attempt to satisfy everyone, being Americas and Vietnam’s values and expectations, Diem achieved very little. Socially he spread dissatisfaction among the general population by only focusing and favouring the minority group of Christians. He repressed other religions making them gain permission to practise which bred discontent by the alienated non catholic groups causing major public protests of self-immolation (suicide, setting themselves on fire) especially amongst the Buddhists to bring international attention to their plight. Diem obsessed with personal power neglected to care for his people only focusing on the wealthy which also happened to be the Christians. Peasants began to suffer and support opposition which ultimately led him to have no support from his nation which started to severely affect politically and economically his rulings of the south.
Economically due to new land reforms Diem was very unpopular among the peasants, making them pay for land. To satisfy the brewing fear of communism Agrovilles were constructed to forcibly remove peasants from their villages so as to isolate them from contact with communists. The agrovilles were located on low quality land growing more discontent because agricultural output was less causing economically Vietnam to fall. Diem, preoccupied with power and struggles of opposition did not bother so much with the reconstruction and industrialisation of the South, economic advancement generally only came to those who were catholic and corruption was widely spread causing the south to become increasingly dependant on international aid.
Politically Diem was very nepotistic, (giving positions of power to your immediate family) a move to keep all power with in close reach and resulted in a lot of corruption within the system. Diem had no support of his country and the United States whom was funding him soon became very unimpressed with Diems action of repression against other religions. Opposing political groups began to rise such as Binh Xuyen, Hoa Hao and Cao Dai which were soon crushed because of a newly launched campaign, To Cong Campaign, which was used to denounce communists. People that went against this were arrested, tortured and imprisoned.
Diem had many flaws in leading South Vietnam. He achieved very little economically as he constrained all efforts of industrial and economic advancement due to his personal obsessiveness to please all and minority preference to the Catholics and wealthy. Diem had a great dislike toward criticism, was totally stubborn and had very little public support. He relied on his immediate family for strength and turned a blind eye to many corrupt activities that his family members implemented. Insensitive to the majority population of Buddhists, Diem to keep control introduced fear and censorship all round, enemies were severely crushed yet the conduct of the Army was poorly trained and led. Due to his leading the South became increasingly dependant on international aid and Diem’s overall regime of leadership was based on corruption and a general spreading of discontentment which in the end led to resistance from the majority population. Ultimatley Diem promised much, delivered little and raised fear.
