The end of French colonial rule Flashcards
What was the area of countries controlled by France in Southeast Asia called?
French Indochina
When did Japan invade Vietnam?
During WW2
When did Vietnam declare itself an independent country?
1945, with Ho Chi Minh as President
When did France re-invade Vietnam?
1946, backing a non-communist government in the southern part of Vietnam
Who were the French supported by?
The US, who by 1954 had given France $3 billion to fight the Vietminh
Who were the Vietminh?
Communist-led organisation that fought against the Japanese and French in Indochina. Many members of the Vietminh later joined the Vietcong
When did communists take over China?
1949, when they then helped the Vietminh fight against the French
When was the First Indochina War?
1946-1954
What tactics did the Vietminh use against the French troops?
Guerrilla ‘Hit and Run’ tactics
How did the French retaliate against the tactics used by the Vietminh?
They attacked peasant villages, which led to an increase in support for the Vietminh
What major battle happened in spring of 1954?
Dien Bien Phu
What happened in Dien Bien Phu?
A battle when a small French air force base in Dien Bien Phu was surrounded by 50,000 Vietminh soldiers
How did the Vietminh defeat the French at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu?
They bombed the runway, and trapped the French troops, bombarding them with rockets and shells
When did the French surrender?
7th May 1954, due to them running out of supplies
What were the French survivors of the battle made to do?
Made to walk hundreds of kilometres to PoW Camps. Many died on the way
Why did the First Indochina war end?
The former French prime minister resigned, and so after a vote in parliament, the new PM withdrew France from Vietnam
When was the Geneva Agreement?
1954
List the 5 leaders who met at Geneva in 1954 for the Geneva Conference
Leaders representing all sides of the Vietnam conflict Britain China USSR US
What was the aim of the Geneva Conference?
To find a peaceful solution
Why were Western powers keen to delay elections?
They were worried about the high level of support for the communist leader, Ho Chi Minh
Give the 8 agreements that were made at the Geneva Conference of 1954
- Vietnam would be divided at the 17th Parallel
- Ho Chi Minh would rule North Vietnam
- Ngo Dinh Diem would rule South Vietnam
- The French would leave Vietnam
- The Vietminh would leave South Vietnam
- Vietnamese citizens could live in whichever part of Vietnam they chose
- A general election would be held before July 1956
- Laos and Cambodia would be independent countries
After the Geneva Agreement, what did both Ho Chi Minh and Ngo Dinh Diem want?
A united Vietnam, but both wanted to be in charge
Why was Ngo Dinh Diem chosen as the leader for South Vietnam?
He was anti-communist
The US believed it could control and influence him
How did Ngo DInh Diem create tension in South Vietnam, leading to the civil war?
- He pushed peasants off their land
- Gave key jobs to family and friends
- Punished by death anyone who opposed him
- Called an election in October 1955, a year earlier than agreed
What percentage of votes did Diem get in the 1955 elections?
98.2%
Why were the US worried after the election results of 1955?
It showed that he had made up the results
What were 2 groups who opposed Diem?
Buddhists
National Liberation Front (NLF)
Who were the NLF?
A political organisation in South Vietnam led by Ho Chi Minh. Initially they wanted to get rid of Catholic power in Vietnam, although it was quickly dominated by communists
How did the NLF try and get a united Vietnam?
They targeted officials in Diem’s government, murdering hundreds. Later they were encouraged by Ho Chi Minh to fight the ‘Army of the Republic of Vietnam’ (ARVN)
When did civil war break out?
1957
Who were the ARVN?
The South Vietnamese Army
What did the NLF become known as?
Vietcong
Who supported the Vietcong?
Peasants and Middle-Class professionals supported their nationalist aims
What were 5 tactics used by the Vietcong?
Wear the enemy down by using guerrilla tactics
Attacked in small groups of no more than 10 soldiers
Targeted small army patrols or government positions that were not guarded well
Did not wear a uniform, so blended in with civilians
Used the Ho Chi Minh trail to get supplies from North to South Vietnam
When was President Diem shot?
2nd November 1963
