French imperialism
Indochine Francais, French domination of Vietnam and other countries in Asia, lasted over 60 years. Similarly to how the Europeans were claiming to “civilize” the Native Americans during their takeover of North America, the French felt the call to colonize Vietnam. However the French were significantly harsher than their similarly minded European neighbors, eliminating Vietnam’s national authority, even banning the use of the name “Vietnam”. They ruthlessly taxed the people of Vietnam, revealing their “call of colonization” was really an attempt to gain Vietnam’s resources.
Vietnam was divided into three regions; Tonkin (the North), Annam (central Vietnam), and Cochinchina (southern Vietnam). Vietnam’s capital was constantly moved between the 3 regions under French rule. However, the French empire in Asia was cut short when nationalist protests and uprisings in their government grew stronger and stronger. Led by influential nationalist Ho Chi Minh, a four-month long siege occurred, forcing French powers to pull out of Vietnam. Once the siege was victorious, Ho Chi Minh then established the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, which was built on principles of communism.
The French would not give up their empire that easily though, and Minh recognized that. The Vietnamese government persistently attempted to achieve America’s support in their battle with France, but because of their contract against any sort of Communism signed during the Cold War, the US was unable to help. Eventually France gave up on Vietnam and pulled out, as North (communist) and South (anti-communist) Vietnam split. South Vietnam, with America’s support, was able to have leader elections, however their leader was so useless they ended up killing him soon after. The split between North and South caused intense conflict in the country, as guerilla warfare from the North was sent down to the Southern regions. Concerned with the possibility of Communist takeover, the United States sent troops to help. This internal and civil tension within the Vietnam nation aided in the aggravation that resulted in the Vietnam War.
Vietnam was divided into three regions; Tonkin (the North), Annam (central Vietnam), and Cochinchina (southern Vietnam). Vietnam’s capital was constantly moved between the 3 regions under French rule. However, the French empire in Asia was cut short when nationalist protests and uprisings in their government grew stronger and stronger. Led by influential nationalist Ho Chi Minh, a four-month long siege occurred, forcing French powers to pull out of Vietnam. Once the siege was victorious, Ho Chi Minh then established the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, which was built on principles of communism.
The French would not give up their empire that easily though, and Minh recognized that. The Vietnamese government persistently attempted to achieve America’s support in their battle with France, but because of their contract against any sort of Communism signed during the Cold War, the US was unable to help. Eventually France gave up on Vietnam and pulled out, as North (communist) and South (anti-communist) Vietnam split. South Vietnam, with America’s support, was able to have leader elections, however their leader was so useless they ended up killing him soon after. The split between North and South caused intense conflict in the country, as guerilla warfare from the North was sent down to the Southern regions. Concerned with the possibility of Communist takeover, the United States sent troops to help. This internal and civil tension within the Vietnam nation aided in the aggravation that resulted in the Vietnam War.