How Did French Colonialism Influence The Viet Minh

French Colonialism greatly influenced the Viet Minh to seek Change. The Viet Minh wanted independence for Vietnam. Their attempts were made to achieve independence in 1945 with the battle of Cao Bang which then grew to the battle of DBP. These actions had significant consequences such as enormous loss of life, French Surrender and the independence for North Vietnam
French Colonialism influenced the VM to seek independence for their nation. Colonialism is the ‘Outworking’ desire of a nation to rule themselves. The French had controlled Vietnam since 1859. Under their control the indigenous Vietnamese had little power. In fact, by 1887, France had wiped out Vietnam as part of the Indochina union. This experience encouraged the formation
In August 1945 Japan surrended and their control of Indochina was ended. The only question whether where the French would return or if another power like the Indochinese would come and take over them again. On the 10th of August HCM called for a general uprising, allowing Giap and his 700,000 Viet Minh troops to enter Hanoi on the 17th of August and take control Vietnam. Unfortunately for HCM the Chinese Nationalists (Non Communist) were planning to come to Vietnam. The VM arranged a friendly reception for Gracey (British General) for when he arrived in Saigon on the 13th of September 1945. Gracey would not work with the VM so they organised boycotts and demonstrations to show that where important. Gracey was not happy about this and tried to stop them. By 1946 both the VM and the French had built up their armies of 100,000 and
The French had come to Dien Bien Phu using the “hedgehog” concept. Supplied by air, the soldiers would allow the French troops to block the VM’s supplies, compelling them to fall back. In Dien Bien Phu however it was the French that were pushed back. After the first day of continuous shelling by the VM, the French had defeat snuffed out. Because the French runway was heavily bombed they had no way of getting supplies to their troops and where therefore struggled to hold the determined VM. The VM were so determined to win this battle that 40000 – 50000 walked through the bush and along the HCM trial carrying their artillery via the trusty Bicycle. During the battle the French were confined to an area of only a few hundred sq m. After 55 days of fighting the VM had 7900 killed and 1500 wounded while the French had 2000 killed and 5600 wounded along with 6500 taken prisoner. On the 7th of May 1954 at 5:34 pm the VM overtook Dien Bien Phu and raised the Vietnamese flag. This last battle showed the major humiliation that it had been for the French to enter Vietnam. They had gained nothing and lost a lot for their 7 ½ year battle with 243000 wounded and 95000 dead. For HCM and Giap this was a huge success and an inspiration for the tragic the years to come with the Americans in