The Saber and Scroll
Ngo Dinh Diem ( 3 January 1901 – 2 November , 1963 ) served as the South Vietnamese President from 1955 until his assignation . 5
During World War II , Japan occupied Vietnam but left the French government in place , even though they had little or no authority . The Japanese did not believe they had enough resources for a total occupation , so by leaving the French government in place , Japan was able to develop Vietnam as a client state . It was the Japanese occupation of Vietnam that first attracted the attention of the United States . Even though the United States and Japan were not at war at this time , the United States actively attempted to thwart any Japanese expansion in Asia that would disrupt the importation of raw rubber and tin . Southeast Asia was also a producer of petroleum products as well as other commodities . During this time of Japanese occupation , the Americans worked with Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh
to get information regarding the movements and numbers of Japanese troops . While there was no formal alliance , Ho Chi Minh believed that his aid might help sway Washington to support his fight for Vietnamese independence . 6
Following their defeat in 1945 , Japan abandoned Indochina , giving rise to a period where there were no foreign governments involved in the running of the country . This opened the door for two competing forces to struggle for control . Because the Japanese did not totally disband the French colonial government , in March 1945 , the French took total control of the country and installed Emperor Bao Dai as a puppet leader . This vacuum also provided an opening for Ho Chi Minh and his revolutionary movement which was dedicated to ending all colonial control over
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