THE AUGUST REVOLUTION 1945 Who will rule Vietnam?

The Japanese occupation of Vietnam In 1940, Japan invaded Vietnam from China. The defeat of France by Germany had left the French colonial authorities vulnerable and without the prospect of assistance. Some French officials cooperated with the Japanese in governing Vietnam between 1940 and 1945.

The formation of the Viet Minh In May 1941, the Viet Minh was formed. It was a nationalist organisation created to struggle against both Japanese and French control of Vietnam. It was led by the Communist Ho Chi Minh (opposite), and engaged in guerilla warfare against the Japanese. However, there were no large-scale battles, as the Viet Minh were waiting for the right opportunity to seize power. Ho Chi Minh

Opportunity for the Viet Minh The Japanese in Vietnam were forced to surrender on 10 August 1945. The Viet Minh led a general uprising in August to seize control of rice stores to alleviate wide-spread starvation. These actions gained the Viet Minh much support among discontented peasants. A week after the Japanese surrender, Viet Minh forces under General Giap entered Hanoi and seized control from Japan’s puppet emperor Bao Dai.

Problems for the Viet Minh By the end of August, the Viet Minh controlled Vietnam. Ho proclaimed the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on 2 September 1945. However, the victorious Allies had agreed among themselves that Vietnam would be returned to French control. The Viet Minh forces raise their flag in Hanoi on 17 August 1945.

Problems for the Viet Minh When British forces occupied Vietnam with the intention of returning Vietnam to French control, violence erupted. By early 1946, the British crushed the Viet Minh in a vigorous anti-insurgent campaign. They handed over control to a Chinese Nationalist army (who were strongly anti-communist).

FRENCH OR CHINESE CONTROL? “It is better to sniff France’s dung for a while than to eat China’s all our lives.” Ho Chi Minh What do you think he meant by this?