question_answer

Examine the various stages of the growth of nationalism in Vietnam.

Answer:

The following were the various stages in the growth of Nationalism:

Nationalism in Indo-China developed in a colonial context.

Knitting together different communities into a nation became the goal of all countries under colonial domination.

The colonisation of Vietnam by the French brought the people of the country into conflict with the colonisers in all spheres of life. Nationalism in Vietnam emerged through the efforts of different sections of society to fight against the French rule and all they represented.

In 1887, they assumed control of Tonkin and Anaam by defeating the Chinese and formed Indo-China. In the following decades, the French consolidated their position Nationalist resistance began against French domination.

The 1911 Chinese revolution under Sun Yat-sen had great impact on Vietnamese nationalists.

Vietnamese students organised the Association for the Restoration of Vietnam, which aimed to set up a democratic republic in Vietnam.

Soon anti-imperialist movement came under new type of leadership.

In 1930, Ho Chi Minh brought together the nationalist groups and formed the Vietnamese Communist Party. Ho Chi Minh was inspired by European Communist Parties.

In 1940, Japan occupied Vietnam- Now the Vietnamese had to fight against Japanese as well as the French. The League of Independence or Victminh was able to drive the Japanese and recapture Hanoi in 1945. The Democratic Republic of Vietnam was proclaimed under Ho Chi Minh.

The French tried to regain control. After eight years of struggle the nationalists defeated the pappet rules Bao Dai and the French in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. This was followed by Geneva negotiations which divided the country into North and South Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh and the communists took power in the North and Bao Dai and Vietminh in the South.

US fear of spread of communism in Vietnam prompted them to intervene by supplying arms and troops to South Vietnam. A prolonged war followed and in 1975 Vietnam attained its freedom and emerged as united Vietnam. Vietnamese War is one of finest examples of nationalist struggle.