1963 South Vietnamese coup d'état facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 1963 South Vietnamese coup d'état
Part of the Buddhist crisis of the Vietnam War
President Diệm of South Vietnam, deposed in a coup
Date 1–2 November 1963 Location Saigon, South Vietnam 10°47′06″N 106°42′09″E / 10.7850°N 106.7025°E / 10.7850; 106.7025 (Cộng Hòa barracks) Result Coup successful Military Revolutionary Council takes power; political prisoners released Ngô Đình Diệm and Nhu arrested and assassinated, Lê Quang Tung and Hồ Tấn Quyền summarily executed Ngô Đình Cẩn arrested; tried and executed in May 1964 The Republic of Vietnam seriously weakened and becomes heavily dependent on the United States
Belligerents
ARVN rebels RVNMD rebels RVNAD rebels RVNAF rebels	Republic of Vietnam ARVN loyalists Presidential Guard ARVN Special Forces
Commanders and leaders
Trần Văn Đôn Dương Văn Minh Nguyễn Cao Kỳ Lê Văn Kim Tôn Thất Đính Nguyễn Hữu Có Đỗ Mậu Trần Thiện Khiêm Phạm Ngọc Thảo (spy of North Vietnam) Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. Lucien Conein Phan Khắc Sửu Trần Văn Hương	Ngô Đình Diệm  Ngô Đình Nhu  Ngô Đình Cẩn  Lê Quang Tung  Hồ Tấn Quyền  Huỳnh Văn Cao
Strength
Two battalions of the 5th Division Two marine battalions Two airborne battalions Miscellaneous trainee units and air force aircraft	~150 men of the Presidential Guard ARVN Special Forces
Casualties and losses
9 dead 46 wounded	5 dead 44 wounded
Civilians: 20 dead, 146 wounded

In November 1963, President Ngô Đình Diệm and the Personalist Labor Revolutionary Party of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) were deposed by a group of CIA-backed Army of the Republic of Vietnam officers who disagreed with Diệm's policies. In South Vietnam, the coup was referred to as Cách mạng 1-11-63 ("1 November 1963 Revolution").

Background

At that time, Diệm was the president of South Vietnam. He had been in power since 1955 and was supported by the United States because they believed he could help stop the spread of communism from North Vietnam. However, many people in South Vietnam were unhappy with Diệm's leadership. He was known for oppressive rule and often ignored the needs of the Buddhist majority in the country, leading to protests and unrest.

The Coup

On November 1, 1963, a group of South Vietnamese army officers, led by General Dương Văn Minh, decided to take action against Diệm. They believed that Diệm's government was failing and that a change was necessary. The coup was planned carefully, and when it began, it went smoothly. Many of Diệm's loyal supporters were caught off guard, and the coup leaders quickly took control of the government.

By the next day, Diệm and his brother, who was also a key advisor, were captured. They were both killed shortly after their arrest. This event marked a dramatic shift in South Vietnam's political landscape.

Reactions

The coup received mixed reactions both in Vietnam and around the world. Some people hoped that the new leaders would bring about positive changes, especially for the Buddhist community. However, others were concerned that this change would lead to more chaos and violence.

The United States, which had been involved in supporting Diệm, was aware of the coup plans but did not intervene to stop it. This decision was controversial and has been debated by historians ever since.

Assessment

The 1963 coup in South Vietnam was a pivotal moment in the Vietnam War, leading to a series of further conflicts and changes in leadership. It highlighted the struggles within the country and the complex involvement of foreign powers like the United States. This event is an important part of history that shows how political changes can have far-reaching effects on a nation and its people.

Images for kids

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  Diệm's brother Ngô Đình Nhu (right), shaking hands with then US Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1961

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  St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where the Ngô brothers were arrested.

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  Lucien Conein, the CIA's contact with the ARVN generals

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  Thiệu (pictured) and Minh blamed one another for the assassinations.