corrupt+actions+(EW)

__Ngo Dinh Diem: The Opposite of Communism?__

During his reign of power Ngo Dinh Diem made some decisions that caused his generals to commit a coup. First he converted many rural villagers to strategic hamlets, villages that were stripped to become fortified safehouses. The villagers were moved into these hamlets which angered many who went through hardships to get their land. Diem was strictly Catholic which strayed him to rejecting Buddhism which was the dominant religion in Vietnam. In 1963 Diem banned the religious flags for Buddha's birthday. Many monks protested in the streets, but some went to extremes. One Buddhist monk poured gasoline over his robes and body and lit himself on fire while meditating. This led many to grow distasteful of Diem and doubt his authority. On November 1, 1963 Diem's generals turned on him and seized power, thus ending the tyranny of Ngo Dinh Diem.