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| Aug. 16 |
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| A new constitution was adopted in South Vietnam. Premier Khanh was elected president, invested with nearly dictatorial powers. Riots by students and Buddhists (Aug. 19) led the government to withdraw the constitution (Aug. 25). Khanh then joined Gen. Duong Van Minh and Gen. Trân Thieu Khiem in the Committee of Unification (Aug. 27). But on Sept. 3, Khanh resumed the premiership, dissolved the triumvirate, and restored Minh as chief of state. | 1 |
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| Sept. 13 |
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| A military coup failed against Khanh. | 2 |
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| Sept. 26 |
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| The High National Council of civilians began to draft a new constitution. It provided (Oct. 20) for civilian rule, with the cabinet responsible to the assembly. | 3 |
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| Nov. 4 |
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| Trân Van Huong succeeded Khanh as premier; Khanh remained as commander in chief of the army. The new arrangements were supported by U.S. ambassador Maxwell Taylor but led to much Buddhist protest and army intrigue. | 4 |
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| Dec. 11 |
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| Vastly increased U.S. aid was announced. Its purpose was “to restrain the mounting infiltration of men and equipment by the Hanoi regime” for the NLF. By the next year there were 75,000 U.S. troops in South Vietnam. | 5 |
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| Dec. 19 |
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| A military coup, associated with Khanh, overthrew the High National Council and canceled certain provisions of the constitution. The Armed Forces Council now took control, despite the disapproval of the U.S. authorities and their demand for a return to civilian government. | 6 |
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