INDEPENDENCE IN INDIA AND VIETNAM © 2011 Clairmont Press

NATIONALISM Defined: loyalty to a group that one shares a common history, culture, and/or religion.Defined: loyalty to a group that one shares a common history, culture, and/or religion. An intense desire to be a nation ruled by the people who share a national pride in the region that they live.An intense desire to be a nation ruled by the people who share a national pride in the region that they live. Nationalism was the primary factor in the moves by India and Vietnam to overthrow European rule.Nationalism was the primary factor in the moves by India and Vietnam to overthrow European rule. India was a British colonyIndia was a British colony Vietnam was a French colony (French Indochina)Vietnam was a French colony (French Indochina)

India Before World War I, the British grip on India was very tight.Before World War I, the British grip on India was very tight. After the disasters of World War I, in which many Indians would fight for Britain and lose their lives, promises for a move to self govern were broken by the British.After the disasters of World War I, in which many Indians would fight for Britain and lose their lives, promises for a move to self govern were broken by the British. From agriculture took a major hit in India leading to famines and an epidemic and civil unrest.From agriculture took a major hit in India leading to famines and an epidemic and civil unrest. The Indian-British relationship was faltering.The Indian-British relationship was faltering. Mohandas Ghandi led the cry for independence with the Satyagraha Movement.Mohandas Ghandi led the cry for independence with the Satyagraha Movement. The Amritsar massacre in 1919 ignited nationalist furor around India.The Amritsar massacre in 1919 ignited nationalist furor around India. Ghandi led a movement of civil disobedience and peace to overthrow British rule.Ghandi led a movement of civil disobedience and peace to overthrow British rule. The Indians would refuse to obey unjust laws and hurt the British economically, refusing to import textiles from Britain.The Indians would refuse to obey unjust laws and hurt the British economically, refusing to import textiles from Britain. In 1935, the British gave in and passed the Government of India Act; this made India a self-governed dominion, not unlike Canada.In 1935, the British gave in and passed the Government of India Act; this made India a self-governed dominion, not unlike Canada. India would not gain full independence until August 15, 1947 when Britain withdrew from India.India would not gain full independence until August 15, 1947 when Britain withdrew from India.

Mohandas Ghandi Born in 1869Born in 1869 Studied and practiced lawStudied and practiced law His time in South Africa opened his eyes to the racial segregation and unfair practices of British rule.His time in South Africa opened his eyes to the racial segregation and unfair practices of British rule. Believed in equality and justiceBelieved in equality and justice He taught to take the moral high ground and use peaceful civil disobedience to overthrow British RuleHe taught to take the moral high ground and use peaceful civil disobedience to overthrow British Rule His movement was called the Satyagraha (Force of Truth) Movement.His movement was called the Satyagraha (Force of Truth) Movement. His followers called him “Mahatma” or “Great Soul.”His followers called him “Mahatma” or “Great Soul.”

Vietnam Vietnam was controlled by France in the early 1900s.Vietnam was controlled by France in the early 1900s. The region was known as French Indochina.The region was known as French Indochina. Nationalism was a major factor in the region. The people felt separate among groups in the region of Asia.Nationalism was a major factor in the region. The people felt separate among groups in the region of Asia. The people directed their nationalist energy at the French colonialists.The people directed their nationalist energy at the French colonialists. Ho Chi Minh, a young man, led protests against French rule.Ho Chi Minh, a young man, led protests against French rule. He felt that Communism was the best way to lead the protest. He was forced to leave the country under penalty of death.He felt that Communism was the best way to lead the protest. He was forced to leave the country under penalty of death.

Vietnam After World War II, Ho Chi Minh would lead a revolt for a new group called the Vietminh League. He led the fight against France for nine years.After World War II, Ho Chi Minh would lead a revolt for a new group called the Vietminh League. He led the fight against France for nine years. In 1954, the French surrendered control of the country to Ho Chi Minh.In 1954, the French surrendered control of the country to Ho Chi Minh. At the Geneva Conference in Switzerland, 1954, the United States became alarmed at the spread of Communism into Indochina. The United States used its influence to divide the country into two parts, North (Communist) and South (Capitalist).At the Geneva Conference in Switzerland, 1954, the United States became alarmed at the spread of Communism into Indochina. The United States used its influence to divide the country into two parts, North (Communist) and South (Capitalist). The United States entered the Vietnam War after the country was divided; U.S. forces would remain in the country until 1975 when they withdrew.The United States entered the Vietnam War after the country was divided; U.S. forces would remain in the country until 1975 when they withdrew. The Communists took over the rest of Vietnam but at a cost of thousands of lives.The Communists took over the rest of Vietnam but at a cost of thousands of lives. U.S. troops rely on helicopters during a search and destroy mission in South Vietnam in 1966.

Ho Chi Minh Born 1890Born 1890 Vietnamese Communist RevolutionaryVietnamese Communist Revolutionary Led the revolt against French Colonial ruleLed the revolt against French Colonial rule Later led the Vietcong against the United States during the Vietnam War until his death in 1969Later led the Vietcong against the United States during the Vietnam War until his death in 1969 The capital of South Vietnam would be renamed Ho Chi Minh City from Saigon after the North Vietnamese took control.The capital of South Vietnam would be renamed Ho Chi Minh City from Saigon after the North Vietnamese took control.