Ngo Dinh Diem rose to power unjustly through manipulation and United States aid. His actions helped to perpetuate American involvement in Vietnam and promote servile insurrection in Southern Vietnam. His brutal policies were the cause of many unnecessary deaths. He proved time and time again that his tactical and governmental strength was minimal, if not non-existent. All in all, Diem did little to help his country, if any, and much to promote the division that had already tormented the citizens of Vietnam for over a century.
Ngo Dinh Diem was born into an aristocratic catholic family in 1901. His father was a member of the imperial court at Hue in Quang Binh Province. Ngo Dinh Diem attended his Father's Private School, and later went on to the French Catholic Schools at Hue. Although he vehemently opposed the French, he also harbored a strong dislike for the communist led national independence movement. For a time he considered attending a seminary and becoming a priest, as did his older brother, Ngo Dinh Thuc. Eventually, however, he decided to study law at the School of Law and Public Administration in Ha Noi. Here he excelled at his studies and graduated at the top of his class (Tucker 81).
After graduation Diem went on to serve as a provincial governor under the administration of Emperor Bao Dai, where he quickly gained popularity through land reforms, empty promises, and his endeavor to " secure justice for all-(Tucker 81). In 1929 Diem helped to crush a communist uprising, making him even more hateful of the communists. In 1933 Bao Dai promoted Diem to the position of minister of the interior of Annam. Diem, however, felt he had no power in this position, and soon resigned. In the fall of 1945, Ngo Dinh Diem was kidnapped and imprisoned by the Viet Minh. During his imprisonment Diem became with Malaria, he survived with no long term injuries only to learn his brother, Ngo Dinh Khoi, had been murdered by the Viet Minh during his sickness.
