S1 • E5 Oct 23, 1980 45m
Episode Five, covering Bhuddist complaints of government corruption leading to riots, five monks self-immolate in protest. Henry Cabot Lodge arrives as ambassador to try and restore unity with Washington. Discussions happen between Washington and the Souths military that the US would not stand in the way of a coup. The CIA comes to Vietnam to try to pressure for governmental reforms without influencing any coup. Eventually Washington sends a message approving a coup the generals request confirmation that the US would still support Vietnam if a coup happened, the answer came back "Yes" The Souths generals throw a coup to remove Diem and then assassinate him after he surrenders. The US recognizes the new government. Three weeks later, JFK is assassinated in Dallas and LBJ takes over the presidency.
