Nguyen Van Thieu vs Sun Kewang

Nguyen Van Thieu was elected president of South Vietnam in a US-supervised election, with Nguyen Cao Ky as vice president. The election was marred by fraud and limited participation, but it provided a veneer of legitimacy for the military-dominated government during the Vietnam War.

North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched the Tet Offensive, a massive surprise attack on cities and military bases across South Vietnam. Thieu's government survived the assault, but the offensive exposed the vulnerability of the regime and shifted US public opinion against the war.

Thieu reluctantly signed the Paris Peace Accords, which called for a ceasefire and US withdrawal from Vietnam. The agreement allowed North Vietnamese troops to remain in the South, and Thieu's government was left to fight alone, leading to its eventual collapse.

As North Vietnamese forces advanced on Saigon, Nguyen Van Thieu resigned the presidency and fled to Taiwan. His departure marked the end of South Vietnam, which surrendered unconditionally days later, leading to the reunification of Vietnam under communist rule.

Sun Kewang joined the peasant rebellion led by Zhang Xianzhong. He became one of Zhang's adopted sons and a leading general in the Xiying army that fought against the Ming.

After Zhang Xianzhong's death, Sun Kewang took command of the Xiying army. He led the remnants into Guizhou and Yunnan, establishing a base and allying with the Southern Ming.

Sun Kewang formally allied with the Yongli Emperor, offering military support in exchange for official recognition. This alliance temporarily strengthened the Southern Ming against the Qing.

Sun Kewang attempted to usurp the Yongli Emperor's authority and seize control of the Southern Ming court. He plotted to depose the emperor, leading to a split with Li Dingguo and internal conflict.

Sun Kewang's forces were defeated by Li Dingguo in a civil war within the Southern Ming. He fled to the Qing and surrendered, ending his role in the resistance.

After his defeat, Sun Kewang surrendered to the Qing dynasty. He was given a rank and later died in obscurity, remembered as a traitor to the Ming cause.