Vietnam 1945-1955

Question 1

Strength of the Viet Minh

Answer 1

• Popular leader Ho Chi Minh (80% wanted him to rule)
• Used guerilla warfare in Jungle = advantaged
• 2 million Vietnamese died because of French
• Ho Chi Minh was a war hero
• Jungle terrain, can’t use tanks.

Question 2

Dien Bien Phu 1954

Answer 2

• 1954, French-built a fortress at Dien Bien Phu
• Viet Minh won
• 40,000 Viet Minh
• French defeated in Indochina
• Viet Minh gets all of Vietnam north of the 17th parrallel.
• Failed to anticipate thousands of peasant volunteers

Question 3

Weaknesses of the French

Answer 3

• Viet Minh General Vo Nguyen Giap made the French weak + won over ordinary people.
• Giap commanded 250,000 soldiers in 1952
• French military was urban-based
• French underestimated Viet Minh