Ho Chi Minh

The Rise of Ho Chi Minh Born Nguyen Sing Cung in 1890 Signs on a Merchant Ship at age of 19 and lives in the United States, the United Kingdom and then France Becomes Nguyen Ai Quoc (The Patriot) in France

Ho Organizes the Vietminh 30 Years of organizational work for Comintern – Communist International Intended to fight "by all available means, including armed force, for the overthrow of the international bourgeoisie and for the creation of an international Soviet republic Attends the 8th Plenum of Central Committee of Communist Party returns in 1941 to Vietnam and creates Vietminh Ho Chi Minh To France and Back Vo Nguyen Giap and Ho Chi Minh

Nguyen to Ho cho Minh In 1938, Ho served as an advisor to the Chinese Communist armed forces, which later forced China's government into exile on Taiwan. Around 1940, Nguyen Quốc began regularly using the name "Hồ Chí Minh", a Vietnamese name combining a common Vietnamese surname (Hồ, 胡) with a given name meaning "He Who has been enlightened" (from Sino-Vietnamese 志 明: Chí meaning 'will' (or spirit) and Minh meaning "bright")

Ho During World War II, when France fell to Germany, Japan occupied Vietnam from 1940 to 1945. Ho saw the Japanese invasion as a chance to build up a new nationalist force, one that appealed to all aspects of Vietnamese society. Therefore, in 1941, he founded the Viet Minh (the League for Vietnamese Independence). Americans opposed the Japanese in World War II, so Ho was able to convince U.S. leaders to secretly supply the Viet Minh with weapons to fight their new Japanese oppressors. However, he also sought out and received Soviet Union help as well.

Out with the French and Request for Help from the Americans Take control of Hanoi August 19 1945 Given Japan had surrendered to the Allies at the end of World War II, the Japanese forces in Indochina stepped aside and allowed nationalist groups to take over public buildings in most of the major cities. While the Japanese allowed the nationalist groups free run of the country, they kept former French officials imprisoned. Reads declaration of In-dependence Sept. 2nd 1945 “All men are created equal…certain inviolable rights…life, the right to be free and the right to happiness

Ho: Nationalist or Communist? Letter to Truman (Print Out) OSS reports on Ho – reports filed with the OSS touched on Ho's ambiguous allegiances and intents, and Thomas had had enough. He asked Ho point-blank: Was he a Communist? Ho replied: "Yes. But we can still be friends, can't we?“ Ho Will remain in control until 1969 When I was with Ho and Giap in the field, I had the impression that they would fight no matter how long it would take to achieve their independence….There was a fierce rage against the French among the Vietnamese. In contrast, Ho was kindly disposed toward the Americans, because he felt we were against colonialism. He told me privately that he would welcome one million American soldiers, but not one Frenchman.” Allison Kent Thomas

Activity: Examining and Responding to the Evidence First, we will the read the excerpt from the minutes of the 1951 meeting between President Truman and French Prime Minister Plevin and the Telegram to President Truman concerning the current status of events in Indochina. 1. You are President Harry S. Truman’s personal secretary. You will individually write a draft response to Ho Chi Minh’s 1946 telegram to the President, and then respond to the questions at the end of the document. Then we will discuss your answers 2. You will assume the role of a foreign policy advisor for President Truman. You will prepare an official response to the situation presented by Prime Minister Plevin. You will conclude the activity by completing the questions that follow this document.

Discussion Closing After all that we have reviewed about Ho Chi Minh. Evaluate what you think his identity really was? WHO WAS HE? A Patriot? A Politician? What do you think his perspective will be on the US entering a war with him? What are some things that might help him get ahead of the threat of the United States?