Chapter 4- end of French colonial rule

• what were the stages of the first indochina war ?

  • Japan invaded Vietnam during WW2
  • Vietnam declare they are independent with Hochi Minh as leader
  • French invaded & took over capitalist area in the south
  • French had the USA's support
  • he Vietminh led by communist Ho chi Minh fought back
  • Communist China helped Vietminh with training & supplies
• what year was the first indochina war ?

  1946-1954
• describe the battle at Dien Bien Phu

  • French control of Hanoi pushed Vietminh into jungle
  • Vietminh used their guerilla tactics and French retaliated by attacking peasants
  • French air force base at Dien Bien Phu was surrounded by 50000 Vietminh soldiers
  • Vietminh bombed the airway and trapped the French
  • French surrendered
• when did the French surrender ?

  1954
• what was the Geneva agreement ?

  • Vietnam would be divided along the 17th parallel
  • Ho chi Minh rules north
  • Diem rules south
  • Laos & Cambodia are independent
• what did both leaders want ?

  a united Vietnam
• what was Diem ?

  anti-communist
• why did people dislike Diem ?

  • he pushed peasants of their land
  • punished people who opposed him
  • called an election earlier than agreed
• how were the results of the election biased ?

  • voting papers were red and green
  • Diems name was on the red as red was considered the colour of luck in vietnam
  • Diem claimed to win the vote
  • he made up the results
• why did the national liberal front (NLF) oppose Diem ?

  • it was a political organisation run by Ho chi minh
  • wanted to remove Catholic interference
  • wanted peasants to have land back
  • wanted to unite vietnam
  • targeted Diems government , murdering hundreds of them
• why & how did buddhists oppose Diem ?

  • felt victimised by Diem
  • went on hunger strikes
  • hel mass rallies
  • set fire to themselves (self-immolation)
• what did those against Diem do ?

  • moved into the jungle to form resistance groups
  • many joined the NLF
  • smuggled military equipment from the north
• what did those who supported Diem do ?

  • ARVN had money and weapons
  • USA supplied military aid
  • USA produced propaganda and campaigns against communism
• who were the Vietcong ?

  what the NLF became
• what were the Vietcong aims ?

  • government representing all society
  • United vietnam
  • more rights for peasants
• who supported the Vietcong ?

  • peasants & middle class professionals
  • less support in villages
• what were the Vietcong tactics ?

  • attack in small groups
  • don't wear uniform
  • used Ho chi minh trail