Vietnam War: The End of French Rule in Vietnam

Question 1

What happened in Vietnam after it became a French colony?

Answer 1

Vietnam, in Asia, had once been a French colony. After WW2 a communist group called the Vietminh
fought against the French for independence.

Question 2

What happened in North Vietnam?

Answer 2

The Vietminh was led by Ho Chi Minh and its support was strongest in the north. They were backed by the Soviet Union and China (which were both also communist).

Question 3

What happened in South Vietnam?

Answer 3

In the south, the French (desperate to keep hold of Vietnam) put former emperor Bao Dai in charge. They wanted a democratic country and were backed by the anti-communist USA.

Question 4

What happened at The Battle of Dien Bien Phu (1954)?

Answer 4

1. The French built an airstrip at Dien Bien Phu to lure the Vietminh into battle, brought in 15,000 troops and waited for an attack.
2. They had no idea that they were surrounded by 50,000 Vietminh with anti-aircraft guns and other artillery, which they had spent months getting up into the mountains.
3. The Vietminh also had 50,000 troops in reserve and about 200,000 civilian workers.
4. The fighting at Dien Bien Phu lasted 5 days. On 7 May 1954, the French surrendered.

Question 5

Why did The Battle of Dien Bien Phu (1954) happen?

Answer 5

On 13 March 1954, a battle began between Vietnamese and French troops at Dien Bien Phu. There were two main reasons for the battle:

• Vietnam was a French colony. France lost control of Vietnam when Japan occupied ti during the Second World War. When the war ended, France wanted to regain control of its colony.

• The Vietnamese Vietminh, led by Ho Chi Minh, wanted Vietnamese independence.

Then, When Japan surrendered in August 1945, Ho Chi Minh announced that Vietnam was now the Democratic
Republic of Vietnam - an independent country free from French colonial rule.

Question 6

Why the Vietminh won at Dien Bien Phu?

Answer 6

1.Local conditions - The Vietminh understood the country:

• they saw the French had built a trap for themselves
• they saw access to the mountains as possible.

2. Local support - The Vietminh had local support. Villagers:

• helped dig five new roads to move supplies
• helped move supplies
• spied on the French.

3. China’s help - China supplied the Vietminh with:

• weapons and ammunition
• 20,000 bikes to move supplies
• help in planning
• some troops.

4. Vietminh commitment - The Vietminh army:

• worked day and night to build roads and move supplies
• were fighting for independence from French rule.

5. French problems:

• Underestimated support for the Vietminh
• Didn’t expect the Vietminh to be so well armed
• Supply planes were shot down by Vietminh anti-aircraft guns
• The troops lacked commitment; many were German, not French troops defending their colony.