The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen 398 - Viet History Makers - Did President Ngô Đình Diệm Deserve to Die?
Dec 27, 2024
Kevin Pham, an Assistant Professor at the University of Amsterdam and author of "The Architects of Dignity," joins to explore the legacy of Ngô Đình Diệm, Vietnam's first president. They discuss Diệm's rise amid Cold War tensions and his complex relationship with Buddhism and nationalism. The conversation highlights personal and familial perspectives on his controversial leadership and the implications of his assassination. Pham provides nuanced insight into Diệm's impact on Vietnam's identity, governance, and the dynamics that fueled conflict.
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South Vietnam Is More Than A Puppet
- Recent scholarship treats the Republic of Vietnam as a serious, autonomous political project rather than a simple American puppet.
- Peer-reviewed works reveal South Vietnam had unique ideas and agendas separate from U.S. control.
Use Peer Review To Judge Sources
- Rely on peer-reviewed scholarship to navigate contested histories and bias.
- Trust works vetted by academic peers to get nuanced, well-sourced perspectives.
Limousine Anecdote And Its Pushback
- Edward Lansdale tells a story of Ngô Đình Diệm speeding through crowds with his limousine windows up, which made people groan.
- Edward Miller counters that Diệm actually met many people later that night and was more calculating than Lansdale portrayed.
