Conflict Theory in Vietnam
The history of Vietnam is one of great struggle and conflict. For centuries the vietnamese people have had no choice but to change their society by force in order to gain their own freedom and independence. Pivitol events in Vietnamese history such as the Battle of Bach Dang in 939 and the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 are examples of how the conflict theory brought change to Vietnamese society and culture.
For centuries Vietnam had been under Chinese rule. The Vietnamese people were an oppressed society and were exploited by the Chinese. Forced labour was brought upon the Vietnamese people, and there were many tyrannical Chinese governers along with constant demands of tribute for the Chinese rulers. There had been many revolts by the Vietnamese people but they had all been crushed by the Chinese. In 939 Vietnamese forces led by Ngo Qugen defeated the Chinese in the Battle of Bach Dang. The naval strategy used by the Vietnamese was innovative and effective. Wooden poles with sharp iron tips were placed into the river bed. During high tide the poles became invisible. It is then the Vietnamese lured the Chinese ships into the river. Eventually low tide came and the enemy ships were impaled and destroyed. This was how Vietnam changed their society, the only way they could, through conflict. The oppressed and impoverished people of Vietnam had no resources other than force to over throw the Chinese in order for them to gain independence.
Ngo Qugen pronounced himself kind after Chinese defeat. Peace in Vietnam was only temporary. After the death of king Ngo Qugen in 944 civil war broke out. Finally in 968 Dihn Bo Lihn tamed Vietnamese society and became king. Due to the recent civil unrest Vietnam had since become vassal state. Which is a state that provides military assistance to the dominant state (being China) when requested to do so, it sometimes includes paying tribute to said dominant state. Dihn Bo Lihn struck a deal with China through his diplomatic
For centuries Vietnam had been under Chinese rule. The Vietnamese people were an oppressed society and were exploited by the Chinese. Forced labour was brought upon the Vietnamese people, and there were many tyrannical Chinese governers along with constant demands of tribute for the Chinese rulers. There had been many revolts by the Vietnamese people but they had all been crushed by the Chinese. In 939 Vietnamese forces led by Ngo Qugen defeated the Chinese in the Battle of Bach Dang. The naval strategy used by the Vietnamese was innovative and effective. Wooden poles with sharp iron tips were placed into the river bed. During high tide the poles became invisible. It is then the Vietnamese lured the Chinese ships into the river. Eventually low tide came and the enemy ships were impaled and destroyed. This was how Vietnam changed their society, the only way they could, through conflict. The oppressed and impoverished people of Vietnam had no resources other than force to over throw the Chinese in order for them to gain independence.
Ngo Qugen pronounced himself kind after Chinese defeat. Peace in Vietnam was only temporary. After the death of king Ngo Qugen in 944 civil war broke out. Finally in 968 Dihn Bo Lihn tamed Vietnamese society and became king. Due to the recent civil unrest Vietnam had since become vassal state. Which is a state that provides military assistance to the dominant state (being China) when requested to do so, it sometimes includes paying tribute to said dominant state. Dihn Bo Lihn struck a deal with China through his diplomatic
Bibliography: Discovering Vietnam by Richard Balkwill, published by Zoe Books 2000 Enchantment of the World Vietnam by David K. Wright, published by Childrens Press 1989 Cultures of the World Vietnam by Marshal Cavendish, published by Benchmark Books 2004 Society and Culture Second Edition by Bernie Howitt and Robin Julian, published by Pearson Heinemann 2009 Countries of the World Vietnam by Amy Condra – Peters, published by Times Editions 2001