How Did France Gain Control In Vietnam?

4 Pages 955 Words

How did France gain control in Vietnam? Follow with: what led to US involvement in Vietnam?



The French influence in Vietnam first stated way back in 1627 when French missionaries first arrived. The French captured the Cochinchina providence in 1861 and settled what are the current nations of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. The French influence lasted until World War II, when it fell under Japanese rule for a short time.
After the defeat of Nazi Germany in WWII, World War II Allies including U.S., Britain, and Soviet Union, hold the Potsdam Conference in Germany to plan the post-war world. Vietnam was considered a minor item on the agenda. During the conference, representatives from France request the return of all French pre-war colonies in Southeast Asia (Indochina). Their request was granted. Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia would once again become French colonies following the removal of the Japanese.
While the Japanese ruled, Vietnamese citizens rebelled during that period of time. A new sense of nationalism became apparent between the Vietnamese. World War II ended up becoming the fuel needed for national movement, which was led by a man calling himself Ho Chi Mihn (proclaimed president of the new Republic). Ho Chi Mihn made these demands, relying on the support and aid he was receiving from two important sources: the Communist Chinese, and the American OSS Teams (later called the CIA).
In the year of 1945 the Japanese over took the French administration throughout Indochina; two days later, Bao Dai (who was the emperor since 1925) proclaims independence of Vietnam under Japanese guidance. Japanese colonization begins at this time.
Five months later Vietminh fight and overthrow Japanese. Between the turmoil Ho declares independent Democratic Republic of Vietnam. For the first and only time in modern history, Vietnam is united and free from foreign domination - for 2 weeks.
In the following weeks, British forces lan...