1963

• Diem was declared as too unpopular by Kennedy

• US government supported a plot to overthrow Diem

1. Troops surrounded Diem’s palace in Saigon

2. Diem appealed to the US Ambassador for help - none came

3. Diem was arrested and shot

• Diem’s corrupt government had greatly increased support for the VC

• VC fighters/supporters increased

• Governments that followed Diem were short-lived - there was even another coup d’état

Coup d’état - violent overthrow of a leader