Vietnam

Vietnam - Paper 1 Johnathan Booy and Alex Jun


 * Summary**

The Indochinese Union was established in 1887 thereby including Vietnam in the French Empire. Most of the people in Vietnam were poor, and as a result the 1930s included major protests. The French smothered these protests, inflating support for the Vietnamese Communist Party. Ho Chi Minh was the founder of this party, the goal of which was to unite Vietnam through communist rule. After Frances loss in 1940, it was ruled by the Vichy Government, and as such they collaborated with the Japanese to crush uprisings in Vietnam. The Communist movement was now only barely present in the South, and therefore Ho Chi Minh started 'the League for the Independence of Vietnam' or otherwise named 'Vietminh' in the North. Until 1945, when the Japanese were defeated, Vietminh was fairly complacent; nevertheless, at this point Ho Chi Minh took the opportunity of seizing power while the Japanese were weak and the French absent. Most of the primary towns were usurped, including Hanoi and Saigon, and Minh was declared their president. After the war, British troops moved in with the goal of restoring French rule. They, along with remaining Japanese troops, suppressed Vietminh. Approximately 50, 000 French Troops moved in to take control, which appalled the American who had promised to liberate the Indo-Chinese. France originally recognized the Vietnamese Republic, as long as they remained with the French Union. Independence was eventually demanded by Ho Chi Minh, but was rejected by the French. The French fired upon Haiphong, and thousands of Civilians were killed, opening hostilities that would continue for eight years until the French were defeated in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu. Northern Vietnam's independence under Ho Chi Minh was recognized in the Geneva Agreements, but the Canadians, Indians and Poles, now controlled Vietnam south of the 17th parallel. The goal was for an election to take place in July 1956, and the whole of Vietnam to be united. Nonetheless, with the fears of the Cold War, America would not allow Vietnam to unite under a communist government. As such the anti-communist Ngo Dinh Diem declared himself president of the Vietnam Republic in 1955, with American support. In return, Ho Chi Minh was now backed by the USSR and China, introducing industrialization and collectivization of agriculture. As Ngo Dinh Diem's popularity fell, the communists received more support from the people. In 1969 Ho Chi Minh died, and in 1976 the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was established in Hanoi. After decades (more than 30 years) of fighting, millions of people were homeless, and large parts of Northern Vietnam had been devastated by American bombing. They moved economic policies, to the south, eliminating capitalism and collectivizing farm land, which sparked uprising. Cooperation was not given by all, and many officials were unwilling ore unmotivated. Therefore, the process failed. There was controversy over whether pure communist policies should be followed, or whether elements of capitalism should be included. Floods and droughts impoverished the country in the 1970’s and many people fled the country. Vietnam sought a close trading relationship with Cambodia whose leader, Pol Pt, refused and continued border raids. Vietnam thus invaded Cambodia in 1978, replacing the Khmer Rouge government with a pro-Vietnamese government. A guerrilla war was started by the abolished government, and 200, 000 troops were sent by the Vietnamese. Because Pol Pot was receiving support from the Chinese, they launched an invasion of Northern Vietnam in 1979. The Chinese withdrew after three weeks, believing that they had put Vietnam in its place. An embargo was placed on trade with Vietnam by, the USA, Japan and most western European states, almost completely isolating Vietnam.

//These questions are within the contexts of international relations concerning Vietnam during the second half of the 20th Century. The accompanying sources can be found here.//
 * Questions:**

1. a) According to President Eisenhower in Source A, who is/are responsible for the "grave threat", which added to the “strains and fatigues of the long struggle to achieve and strengthen independence”? //[2 marks]//

b) In Source A, what kind of actions is President Eisenhower implying to take, in case of any communist struggle or threat to Vietnam? //[3 marks]//

2. Compare the views that are expressed in Source A and Source B with regards to Vietnamese Independence. The origins of the two sources should be considered. //[6 marks]//

3. What are the values and limitations of Source A and Source E, brought about by their origin and purpose that affect their usefulness when studying International Relations in Vietnam? //[6 Marks]//

4. Based on the sources and your own knowledge, to what extent was the Vietnam War "necessary"? Do you agree with Source C? Explain. //[8 marks]//