Imperialism in French Indochina I French Expansion France

Imperialism in French Indochina

I. French Expansion France gains control of Cochin China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Mekong River B. The French envision an Empire in Southeast Asia that will rival the British Empire A.

French Indochina

II. Early Nationalist Response A. Tradition of nationalist resistance in Vietnam B. Peasant’s lives were seriously disrupted by French taxes, political control, and education C. Resistance from 1862 – 1900 was decentralized and largely ineffective

III. Resistance Movements A. The Vietnamese Nationalist Party was founded in Hanoi in 1927 B. Ho Chi Minh becomes the leader of the communists (born in 1890) C. 1930 Yen Bay Revolt: organized by the Nationalist Party and Communists, stopped by the French

IV. World War II A. Japanese occupy Indochina B. 1941 – Formation of the Viet Minh – led by Ho Chi Minh C. Viet Minh engage in small scale guerilla operations against the French and Japanese D. 1945 – Viet Minh seize Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh proclaims the Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh

V. First Indochina War (1946 -1954) A. French are determined to keep Vietnam (economic interests and fear of the loss of empire) B. Viet Minh wage a guerilla war C. French surrender May 7, 1954 D. Geneva Agreement July 7, 1954: Temporarily divides Vietnam at the 17 th Latitude line (Communist North, Democratic South)

VI. Second Indochina War (Vietnam War 1960 - 1975) A. U. S. opposes Geneva Agreement and supports South Vietnam B. The U. S. fights against communist forces under Ho Chi Minh C. U. S. forces withdraw from Vietnam without victory D. Vietnam becomes comunist