THE 1 ST INDOCHINA WAR 1946 1954 The

THE 1 ST INDOCHINA WAR: 1946 -1954 “The hour for national salvation has struck! We must sacrifice even our last drop of blood to safeguard our country. ” – HCM

War • 23 November 1946 – French bombard Haiphong to prevent arrival of Vietnamese arms, 6000 die – Revenge and Counter Revenge • 19 December 1946 – Viet Minh attack Hanoi, uprisings – All out war = BEGINNING OF FIRST INDOCHINA WAR

Summary Diagram (p. 20 Wood) Viet Minh Control countryside French First Indochina War 1946 -1954 Control cites and roads Ambush Forts, Counter Attack Aid from China, USSR Aid from USA, Britain

Return of ‘The Night Club Emperor’ Bao Dai • France turns to Bao Dai (Emperor in exile since 1946) • Elysee Agreement 1948 – Vietnam independent but France controls army, foreign affairs, finance – Capital: Saigon – Emperor: Bao Dai • Creates two governments – DRV recognised by USSR, China – Bao Dai’s recognised by USA, Britain, France

Fighting Continues • French public turn against the ‘dirty war’ • 1949 Communists success in China gives Ho a powerful northern ally • France now confronting ‘great red wave of Asian communism’ • Mao’s influence – Land confiscated from landowners and given to peasants – Giap’s military strategy changed to mobile warfare – ICP reborn as the Lao Dong (Workers’ Party) • 1950 s China more concerned with Korea • French troops include: Vietnamese, Cambodians, Laotians, French Foreign Legion • 1952 ‘jaunissement’ or ‘yellowing’ – strengthening Vietnamese troops • Unpopular war in France • 74000 deaths

To Fight or Not To Fight? • US feel obliged to halt spreading virus of ‘imperialistic communism’ • 1950 Truman promises aid ($150 million) • 1952 Eisenhower increased aid, by end 1954 US had spent $2. 5 billion • US now paying 80% war costs