War in Vietnam (1959–1963)

The period 1959-1963 in the Vietnam War marks a significant escalation of the conflict, primarily characterized by the intensification of guerrilla warfare waged by the Viet Cong against the South Vietnamese government of Ngo Dinh Diem and the increasing involvement of the United States in a supporting role. While often viewed as a prelude to the larger-scale American involvement that would define the later years of the war, this timeframe was pivotal in shaping the course of the conflict.

Background:

Following the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was temporarily divided into North and South. Elections intended to unify the country were never held, leading to the establishment of two separate states: North Vietnam, a communist state under Ho Chi Minh, and South Vietnam, initially led by Emperor Bao Dai and later by Ngo Dinh Diem. Tensions between the two Vietnams remained high, fueled by political and ideological differences. The South Vietnamese government, supported by the United States, faced growing opposition from within, particularly from communist sympathizers and those dissatisfied with Diem's authoritarian rule.

Escalation of Conflict:

The year 1959 is generally accepted as the beginning of the Second Indochina War (or the Vietnam War, in a wider context) due to the official sanctioning by the North Vietnamese leadership to begin armed struggle in the South. The establishment of the National Liberation Front (NLF), also known as the Viet Cong, in 1960, provided a unified political and military organization for the insurgency. The Viet Cong, supplied and supported by North Vietnam, launched increasingly frequent and effective attacks against South Vietnamese military and government targets. These attacks involved guerrilla tactics, including ambushes, sabotage, and targeted assassinations.

U.S. Involvement:

During this period, the United States’ involvement remained primarily advisory and supportive, but steadily increased. President Dwight D. Eisenhower initially supported Diem with economic and military aid. Under President John F. Kennedy, this support expanded to include the deployment of Special Forces "advisors" to train and assist the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN). The number of American military personnel in Vietnam grew significantly, from several hundred in the late 1950s to over 16,000 by 1963. The U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) played a crucial role in equipping and training the ARVN. However, the effectiveness of this support was hampered by corruption and inefficiency within the South Vietnamese government and military.

Political Instability in South Vietnam:

The Diem regime faced growing internal opposition due to its authoritarianism, nepotism, and persecution of Buddhists, who formed a significant portion of the population. The Buddhist crisis of 1963, marked by public protests and self-immolations by Buddhist monks, further eroded Diem's legitimacy and created a climate of political instability. The United States, increasingly disillusioned with Diem's leadership, tacitly supported a military coup in November 1963, which resulted in Diem's assassination.

Consequences:

The assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem, while intended to stabilize South Vietnam, ultimately led to even greater political turmoil. A series of short-lived military juntas took power, further weakening the South Vietnamese government and creating a power vacuum that the Viet Cong exploited. The period from 1959 to 1963 laid the groundwork for the subsequent large-scale American intervention in the Vietnam War. The failure of the Diem regime and the growing strength of the Viet Cong convinced many in the U.S. government that a more direct military involvement was necessary to prevent the collapse of South Vietnam.