How Does the Battle of Bach Dang Relate to Vietnamese Nationalism? 3 Best Sources By: David Sharick, Laura Whalen, Mary Montgomery, and Patty Costello

Source 1 Link to Video: ^^ “China vs Vietnam: Ancient Naval Battle At Bach Dang River - The Defeat Of The Chinese Navy in 938 AD” "China vs Vietnam: Ancient Naval Battle At Bach Dang River - The Defeat Of The Chinese Navy in 938 AD." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 18 Sept

Source 2 1. Q: What makes a Vietnamese person a nationalist? A: “The Vietnamese had been suppressed by foreign invaders for centuries and this sense of recognition as an independent people led to the growth of their own national identity.” 2. Q: What, in your opinion, drove the Vietnamese to rebel against China? How does this relate to Vietnamese nationalism? A: “The Vietnamese were driven by a sense of independence. Being suppressed by the Southern Han dynasty the Vietnamese had a burning sense for liberation.” 3. Q: In your opinion, what is the significance of the battle plan laid out by Ngo Quyen? A: “Ngo Quyen became a great hero for Vietnam with his military strategy. Knowing that his Vietnamese forces were no match for the Southern Han Ngo Quyen utilized the resources that were available to him. Employing the pole and tide tactic was brilliant. By calculating the tidal river to work in the favor of his Vietnamese fighters was a military strategy of pure genius.” 4. Q: What do you think the outcome of the Battle of Bach Dang would have been had Ngo Quyen never come up with his brilliant strategy to defeat the Chinese? Would the Chinese still control Vietnam today? A: “If Ngo Quyen had not employed the brilliant pole and tide tactic the number of Vietnamese soldiers lost would have been incalculable and would have led to the defeat of the Vietnamese fighters. Being out numbed with the number of soldiers a loss in this battle would have been a setback that would not have been able to be overcome by the Vietnamese. I don’t believe that the Chinese would still control Vietnam today. Chinese dynasties were cyclical as a result of the Mandate of Heaven. Because of internal struggles within China they proved to be incapable of holding territories outside of China. As powerful families fought for power and control domestically their foreign policy initiatives would have faltered and thus making it more difficult to hold onto colonies like Vietnam.” 5. Q: How do you think the outcome of the battle of Bach Dang affected Vietnamese nationalism? A: “The Vietnamese victory at Bach Dang was of monumental significance for the small nation as it ended 1000 years of Chinese domination and ushered in an age of independence for Vietnam. This victory expelled the Chinese from Vietnam and solidified their position to be recognized as an independent nation free from the control of a foreign oppressor.” 6. Q: How did the relationship between China and Vietnam change after the battle of Bach Dang, even years later? A: “The relationship between China and Vietnam continued to be contentious following the battle of Bach Dang as future dynasty’s would continue to seek revenge for the defeat of the Southern Han forces and the bitter loss they had incurred. The Song Dynasty would attack in 981 and the Yuan Dynasty in 1288.” Interview with Brett Sidle, AP History teacher at Detroit Country Day Upper School by Laura Whalen

Source 3  tml "The Battle of Bach Dang (938)." The End of Chinese Domination. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept tml Images from Army Museum in Hanoi.