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Decolonisation of Vietnam - Coggle Diagram
Decolonisation of Vietnam
Part A: Development of Nationalism in Vietnam
Growth of Vietnamese anti-colonial sentiments due to impact of French rule on Vietnam
(a) the oppressive rule of the French
Even though improvements were made to the infrastructure of Vietnam, such as the construction of railways, the majority of the Vietnamese suffered under French colonial rule.
▪ Traditional rulers lost power
▪ Poor peasants lost their land as a result of indebtedness and land alienation.
▪ Western education was only available to the wealthy elites.
The Vietnamese grew increasingly unhappy due to the sufferings endured under French colonial rule 🡪 The majority of the Vietnamese did not benefit from French colonial rule and this led to the early beginnings of Vietnamese anti-colonialism and nationalism.
French education made the people conscious of the weakness and tyranny of French rule. They also learnt about the concepts of liberty, fraternity and equality from the French Revolution in 1789 and were familiar with the writings of Rousseau, Montesquieu and Voltaire
(b) the inspiration derived from the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)
Japan’s victory in the 1905 Russo-Japanese War also inspired nationalists.
Japan's war with Russia in 1904 inspired the Vietnamese in their opposition to Western rule: It was the first time, in the history of Asia, that an Asian country (Japan) was able to defeat a Western power (Russia).
A number of Vietnamese nationalists went to Japan to obtain technical help and training.
Vietnamese Nationalism before WW2
● Stage 1: Beginning of Vietnamese Nationalism (1912-1917)
● Stage 2: Moderate Nationalism (1917-1926)
● Stage 3: Revolutionary Nationalism (1927-1939)
● Stage 4: Nationalism during the Japanese Occupation (1941-19
PART B: IMPACT OF WW2 ON FRANCE & THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION
Impact of WW2 on France:
● The outbreak of World War II in Europe forced France to focus its attention, manpower and military capabilities on defending itself against invasion from Italy and Germany in 1940.
● On 22 June 1940, France signed a peace treaty with Germany after the French surrendered, establishing the French Vichy government.
●The French Vichy government had to collaborate with the German forces, which influenced government decisions and policies relating to France and its colonies, including Vietnam.
● Over in Asia, Japan's growing ambitions and its war with China had led to its search for resources in Southeast Asia.
● With Vietnam's close proximity to China, and being an ally of Germany, Japan started to make its demands on the Vichy French administration in Vietnam to allow Japanese troops to be stationed there.
o Had no choice but to give in to these demands, and grant Japan greater access to raw materials and resources in Vietnam.
o Had to recognise Japanese economic and strategic interests in Vietnam.
Impact of the Japanese Occupation on Vietnam
Exposed weakness of the French colonial government
As Japan took control of Vietnam, it exposed the weaknesses of French colonial rule and supported nationalist leaders such as Ho Chi Minh 🡪 emboldened the Vietnamese in their resistance against French re-occupation of Vietnam after the defeat of Japan.
●A key turning point: Japanese Occupation further encouraged the development of nationalism in Vietnam and accelerated Vietnam's path towards independence.
o E.g. Japanese were granted free access to the roads, railways and ports in Vietnam.
o E.g. goods meant for export were sold at low prices to Japan
▪ During the Japanese occupation of Vietnam, the French colonial administration continued its operations but worked for the Japanese to administer the country and facilitated Japanese exploitation of Vietnamese resources.
The French colonial government was perceived by the Vietnamese to be under the control and influence of an Asian country, and collaborating with the occupying forces to further exploit the Vietnamese.
▪ The French colonial government was perceived to be weak as it was seen to be cooperating with the Japanese occupying forces.
These humiliating concessions led to the Vietnamese losing fear and respect for the French.
▪ September 1940: Gave Japan the right to use 3 airfields in Tonkin, to station 6000 troops there, and to send no more than 25000 troops through Vietnam as a transit point.
▪ August 1940: acknowledged Japanese rights and interests in Southeast Asia
▪ June 1940: granted Japan control over the northern border between China and Vietnam
The French colonial government signed a series of agreements which granted the Japanese favourable economic and military concessions that allowed the Japanese to secure a strong foothold in Vietnam.
The French failure to resist the Japanese Occupation exposed its weaknesses in controlling and defending Vietnam.
Exposed weakness of the French colonial government
Impact of the Japanese Occupation on Vietnam
Encouraged the development of Vietnamese nationalism
Before JO
▪ Vietnamese anti-colonial and nationalist sentiments already existed but the Vietnamese were divided and did not share a set of common goals.
▪ French colonial government clamped down on anti-colonial activities, thus making it difficult for the nationalist leaders to rally the Vietnamese against French colonial rule.
During JO
▪ Prominent nationalist leaders like Ho Chi Minh were allowed to return to Vietnam to rally the people together against French colonial rule.
▪ The Japanese and the French authorities did not persecute the moderate Vietnamese nationalists. Instead, some of them were given the opportunity to participate in the administration of the country.
▪ The communist-inclined nationalists were treated differently: Attempts were made to crush their movement and influence.
▪ Ho Chi Minh reappeared on the scene to set up the League for the Independence of Vietnam or Viet Minh in May 1941:
o The organisation was initially formed to seek Vietnamese independence from French colonial rule but shifted its focus towards resisting Japanese occupation.
▪The experience of oppression under two different foreign powers (France and Japan) made the Vietnamese even more determined to resist colonial rule and secure their independence.
▪ Such sentiments meant that Ho Chi Minh was able to gain supporters upon his return to Vietnam.
▪ Consequently, the communist-inclined nationalists became even more aggressive than ever.
▪ They intensified their demand for complete independence and the expulsion of the French and the Japanese.
circumstances of World War II also enabled the Viet Minh to gain support from foreign countries to resist the Japanese Occupation.
▪ The USA and China temporarily provided support to the Viet Minh to fight against their common enemy — Japan (a temporary arrangement).
▪ Such support included military arms and equipment that allowed the Viet Minh to build up a small army.
▪ This was a crucial development that allowed the Viet Minh to launch a military struggle against the French after World War II.
Power vacuum + Vietnamese declaration of independence in 1945
● Towards the end of the Japanese Occupation, when defeat was imminent, the Japanese sought to prevent the colonial powers from regaining control over their colonies.
o The Japanese overthrew the French colonial administration and arrested the French officials based in Vietnam.
o In 1945, Japanese-French co-operation ended. The French had allied themselves with Britain and the United States to fight the Japanese.
o The Japanese then played upon the feelings of the Vietnamese nationalists to end French rule in Vietnam.
o The Japanese restored Bao Dai as Emperor of Vietnam and established a puppet government of Japan 🡪 Bao Dai was unable to rule Vietnam effectively.
● When the Japanese surrendered, there was a power vacuum.
● This created a window of opportunity for Ho Chi Minh to lead the Vietnamese in the August Revolution and formally declare independence.
After the surrender of the Japanese, the Vietnamese nationalist groups attempted to obtain power in Vietnam through organising demonstrations and uprisings before the French reestablished control.
From 16 August 1945, Vietnamese nationalists began to organise themselves and planned for a revolution.
Rallies and demonstrations were held to win the support of the Vietnamese.
The National Committee for the Liberation of Vietnam was set up to plan for a new government.
On 19 August 1945, Ho Chi Minh led the Viet Minh in a rebellion against French colonial rule in Vietnam.
The Viet Minh and their supporters participated in widespread demonstrations against the French colonial administration.
Even though the Japanese had surrendered, the French administrators remained imprisoned and could not regain control of Vietnam immediately.
The Vietnamese nationalists were thus able to take over control of public buildings in various cities throughout Vietnam.
After establishing power in Hanoi, the Viet Minh moved on to do so in other parts of Vietnam.
On 25 August 1945, the Viet Minh reached Hue, where Bao Dai's power was based 🡪 Bao Dai abdicated and transferred power to the Viet Minh.
● On 2 September 1945, Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
This was a major victory for the Viet Minh and the people of Vietnam, as they had finally gained freedom from both French colonial rule and Japanese occupation.
● However, in 1946, the French returned to Vietnam and the First Indochina War (Vietnamese fought against French re-occupation after the end of WW2) between the Vietnamese communists and the French colonial forces began.
French re-occupation of Vietnam
Post-war arrangements-
● It was agreed at the Potsdam Conference held from July to August 1945 that the Japanese troops in Vietnam would be disarmed.
● Re-occupation of Vietnam would be modelled upon what was done in Korea 🡪 Vietnam would be divided into two zones of occupation.
North Vietnam: occupied by Nationalist China in the hope that the region would not fall under communist influence
South Vietnam: entrusted to Britain.
Subsequently, Vietnam would be returned to the status of a French colony.
Weakened French position
● World War II had taken a huge toll on the French, in terms of loss of lives, destruction of buildings and economic devastation 🡪 greatly weakened the French, and their ability to re-establish control over Vietnam.
● France's priority was to repair their economy and deal with the devastation at home.
● It also sought to regain control of its colonies.
● France had to rely on economic and military support from the Allied Powers in order to carry out its aim of re-occupying Vietnam.
Allied support for French re-occupation
● France appealed to both Britain and the USA to provide economic support and military aid in its campaign to re-establish French colonial rule in Vietnam.
● Britain was actively involved in helping to re-establish the authority of the European colonial powers in Southeast Asia 🡪 It believed that the restoration of French control over Vietnam would boost the post-war economic recovery of France.
● On 13 September 1945, after the Japanese surrendered and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was declared, British forces arrived in Saigon, South Vietnam to help facilitate French re-occupation.
● The USA initially did not provide much support for French re-occupation.
The USA supported the Viet Minh against the Japanese Occupation and was committed to the Atlantic Charter.
American President, Franklin D. Roosevelt opposed the restoration of French colonial rule over Vietnam. Instead, Roosevelt pushed for the establishment of a trusteeship arrangement(A dependent country, administered by another country under the supervision of UN, or administration of the territory by a country or countries so commissioned by the UN) as agreed in the Atlantic Charter.
● Roosevelt died in April 1945 and was succeeded by Harry Truman, who was less concerned with the ideals of self-determination and independence of colonies, and more concerned with maintaining good relations with Britain and France to bring about economic recovery in Europe.
● Thus, Truman rejected Ho Chi Minh's calls for the USA to recognise the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
PART D: VIETNAM'S FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE
Vietnamese resistance
● Despite the unfavourable post-war arrangements, Ho Chi Minh attempted to push for Vietnamese independence to be recognised, and continued to resist French attempts at re-occupation.
● In March 1946, Ho Chi Minh allowed the French troops to return to Hanoi temporarily, in exchange for French recognition of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam as a free state within the French Union.
● Ho Chi Minh continued to negotiate for full independence and unification of Vietnam at the Fontainebleau Talks in July 1946.
● The talks failed as the French were unwilling to grant the Vietnamese any political concessions or promises of independence.
Vietnam'es fight for independence
The First Indochina War (1946-1954) 8 years!!
The First Indochina War broke out when the British and French forces re-occupied South Vietnam in 1946.
Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap led the Vietnamese in resisting French re-occupation and asserting their right to independence.
The war against the French lasted eight years until the Vietnamese secured their victory over the French in 1954.
Reason for Victory 1: Vietnamese Strengths
● The strengths of the Viet Minh gave them the advantage over the French forces during the war.
● As the majority of the Vietnamese had suffered under French colonial rule, and the people were also angry with the French for collaborating with the Japanese during the Japanese Occupation, Ho Chi Minh was able to garner mass support to fight the French.
● The use of sound military strategies, and support provided by the Chinese Communist Party helped the Viet Minh to defeat the French forces.
Reason for Victory 1a: Strong support base
● When the British and French forces re-occupied Saigon in South Vietnam, the Viet Minh fled to North Vietnam and established their headquarters in the mountainous region of Viet Bac.
● In North Vietnam, the Viet Minh started to implement reforms that would help improve the lives of the Vietnamese.
● They confiscated land from the landlords and re-distributed the land to the villagers.
● There were also education campaigns to increase literacy among Vietnamese villagers.
● The actions taken by the Viet Minh won the hearts and minds of the villagers, and gained their support and gratitude.
● These villagers thus became an important support base for the Viet Minh and provided supplies, intelligence reports, and manpower to fight the French.
Reason for Victory 1b: Effective military strategies
● Giap knew that his forces would not be able to win large-scale battles against the French forces, as the latter outnumbered the Viet Minh forces and were better equipped.
● Under the leadership of General Giap, the Viet Minh made effective tactical and strategic decisions in the war against the French forces, e.g. the use of guerrilla warfare.
o Carrying out 'hit-and-run' tactics, sabotage, and camouflage 🡪 hide in the jungle and draw the French forces to them rather than engage in battle in the open fields.
o To conceal themselves from the French forces, the Viet Minh dug a network of tunnels and underground shelters so that their soldiers could take refuge from the fighting above ground.
o The tunnels were furnished with facilities such as meeting rooms, dining areas, water wells, storage areas, ammunition rooms and sleeping chambers .
🡪 Viet Minh forces could therefore strategise their next move in the safety of the tunnels and hide underground for long periods of time. The biggest tunnel system built by the Viet Minh stretched for more than 300 kilometres and is located in the Cu Chi district near Saigon
Reason for Victory 2a: Poor military planning and leadership
● A major weakness of the French forces was poor military planning and leadership.
● The French forces were not trained in guerrilla warfare, and were unable to develop effective counter-insurgency tactics against the guerrilla tactics of the Viet Minh.
●This was an important factor that led to the defeat of the French because the Viet Minh's guerrilla attacks resulted in massive casualties for the French forces.
● In addition, the French military commanders made fundamental errors such as the decision to engage in a battle against the Viet Minh forces in Dien Bien Phu, a remote area far away from the French headquarters in Hanoi.
● The remote location of the battle meant that the French were unable to sustain the fighting, as it took a longer time to send reinforcements when they suffered heavy casualties in the battle.
● As the fighting turned more violent, it became increasingly difficult for the French to send further reinforcements to the area.
● This error led to a significant military defeat for the French, which would ultimately signal the end of the First Indochina War.
Reason for Victory 2b: Unpopular political ally
●Apart from the military effort in fighting against the Viet Minh, the French also attempted to establish an alternative government for the State of Vietnam.
●The French hoped that this would rally the anti-communist political groups and strengthen French position in Vietnam.
● The French approached Bao Dai to be the Head of State for the State of Vietnam.
● They also helped to establish a military force known as the Vietnamese National Army (VNA) to support Bao Dai's government.
● However, Bao Dai was not a very charismatic leader and his reputation and political standing amongst the Vietnamese were undermined by years of collaboration with the French.
● Bao Dai's government was also made up of people with dubious reputations. Some of them were known to be involved in corruption and other crimes.
● The French thus failed to set up a strong government with adequate support from the Vietnamese that could challenge the communist government led by Ho Chi Minh.
PART E: RELINQUISHMENT OF FRENCH CONTROL OVER VIETNAM
The Geneva Accords
● By mid-1954, negotiations began as the French realised that they were losing the war against the Vietnamese.
● A conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss ways to unify Vietnam and restore peace.
● The conference was attended by representatives from the Soviet Union, the USA, France, the United Kingdom, the People's Republic of China and the Vietnamese governments.
● Terms of the Geneva Accords:
o Vietnam was to be an independent country.
o Vietnam was to be temporarily divided at the 17th parallel: North Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh and South Vietnam under the ex-Emperor Bao Dai.
o The forces of the two parties were to withdraw to their respective sides of the provisional military demarcation line.
o National elections were to be held in 1956 to reunify Vietnam.
● The partition of Vietnam was the most contested term:
o The Viet Minh had already gained control of more than half of Vietnam, but was under pressure from the Soviet Union and China to accept the partition of Vietnam in order to ease mounting international tensions.
o The USA was also unhappy with the Accords because it effectively recognised communist control of North Vietnam, and the Americans were worried that the communists would win at the national elections to be held in 1956.
●Nonetheless, the Accords marked the end of French rule in Vietnam with the end of the First Indochina War.
● In 1956, North Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh became a communist country. Ho Chi Minh ruled North Vietnam until 1969.