Activity 1 - The impact of colonial rule

  1. Review - Examine Slides 1-8 of the Lesson Presentation and make notes on how French colonial rule made some form of conflict inevitable.
  2. Research - In pairs research the impact of Chinese influence and rule on Vietnamese society. 
  3. Analysis - Examine Sources A and B by Ho Chi Minh on this worksheet then answer the following questions:
    1. Source A - Speech on the founding of the Communist Party of Indochina in 1930
      1. At which groups in society is Ho Chi Minh aiming this statement? Why would it appeal to them?
      2. How does Ho Chi Minh interpret the events and aftermath of the First World War?
      3. Which aspects of his policies can be seen as nationalist and which can be seen as Communist?
    2. Source B - Speech on the founding of the Viet Minh in 1941
      1. At which groups is Ho aiming this speech? How is this different from the speech that you read in Source A? Why do you think this is?
      2. How is the language different to the speech in Source A?
      3. Is the emphasis on nationalism or Communism? Why do you think that this is?

Activity 2 - Did the Allies worsen things?

  1. Examine - Review Slides 9-11 of the Lesson Presentation and make notes on how the actions of the French, British and Americans made conflict more likely. 
  2. Watch - Watch this documentary on the relationship between the Vietminh, French and the Americans. As you watch, answer the following questions:
    1. What was the French attitude towards Vietnam?
    2. Why did the Americans decide to ‘make use’ of Ho Chi Minh during the war?
    3. How did Ho help the Americans?
    4. What aid did the Americans give to Ho and Giap?
    5. What seems to have been the attitude of the Americans towards Ho?
    6. What was the attitude of Ho and Giap towards the Americans?
    7. What did Ho want from the Americans after the Second World War?
    8. Why did Truman agree to support French in their claim to Vietnam?
    9. What triggered the war between the French and the Viet Minh?
  3. Analysis - Examine Sources C and D on this worksheet then answer the question that follow:
    1. Source C - Ho Chi Minh, Declaration of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, 1945
      1. What is notably missing from this speech?
      2. What arguments does he give as to why the Vietnamese should have independence?
      3. Why do you think Ho Chi Minh quotes from the American and French Declarations?
    2. Source D - Telegram from Ho Chi Minh to President Truman, February 28th 1946
      1. Why does Ho Chi Minh mention the Atlantic Charter and San Francisco Charter?
      2. What is the tone of this telegram?
  4. Discuss - Why do you think President Truman chose to support the French over the Vietminh?

Activity 3 - What triggered the war?

  1. Examine - Explore Slides 12-14 of the Lesson Presentation and make notes on the final triggers for the Indochina War. 
  2. Research - Conduct some brief research and investigate the Haiphong Massacre in more detail. Who do you think is to blame for causing this incident?
  3. Write - What caused the Indochina War? Write an extended paragraph outlining your perspective on the causation of the Indochina War. Be sure to discuss what you think we the main preconditions, catalysts, and triggers.

Further Reading

OBLIGATORY READING
  1. Hays, J. (2013). FRENCH INDOCHINA WAR (1946-54) | Facts and Details. Factsanddetails.com
RECOMMENDED READING
  1. ​Windrow, M. (1998). Osprey Men-at-Arms: The French Indochina War 1946-54, pp. 3-6
SUPPLEMENTAL READING
  1. Goscha, C. (2011). Historical Dictionary of the Indochina War (1945-1954): An International and Interdisciplinary Approach, pp. 8-20
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