President Diem was the first president of South Vietnam after the Geneva Conference when Vietnam split into Northern and Southern territories. The United States initially supported him in his anti-communism attempts at bringing together North and South Vietnam. Diem was chosen because the United States knew he was vehemently anti-communism, yet once in office he led the country as an oppressive leader only allowing his political party, with the incorrect label of a 'republic'. In addition, Diem was a Roman Catholic, which caused much controversy among Vietnams Buddhist majority. This caused protest around the country and upset several of the native Vietnamese. Diem verbally and physically persecuted against many Buddhist Monks, which led to the ultimate protest; several monks publicly immolated themselves. Images and videos of monks publicly immolating themselves arose around the world. This not only caused extreme turmoil within Vietnam, but brought pressure and controversy to the United States, and president John F. Kennedy. The United States was no longer sure how it could provide economic and military aid to a country that clearly violated the human rights of its people. At a religious protest on November 2nd, 1963 - Diem had lost the United States support, and was assassinated along with his brother.
To the right is the powerful image captured by Malcolm Browne, a PBS reporter on the Vietnam War from the United States. Malcolm Browne was a witness of Thich Quang Duc killing himself - the first Buddhist Monk to self-immolate.