1946 – War broke out and lasted for over 8 years

1. Chapter 4: The first Indochina War 1946-1854FQ: What made the Viet Minh the stronger force? GUERILLA WARFARE The typical Viet Minh style of war. • 1946 – War broke out and lasted for over 8 years • 19 December 1946, Viet Minh attacked Hanoi and general uprisings started the first Indochina war. • French controlled the urban centers and major roads, continuing old colonial policies

2. Chapter 4: The first Indochina War 1946-1854FQ: What made the Viet Minh the stronger force? The Elysee Agreement 1948 The French wanted to increase anti-communist feeling in Vietnam • Vietnam would be independent. • French would control the army, foreign affairs and finance. • Cochinchina would be a part of this new state. • Bao Dai would be Emperor, capital would be Saigon. • The agreement was supported by France, USA and Britain. So they signed an agreement with Emperor Bao Dai (The Elysee Agreement) Terms: Viet Minh Rise 1950-1954 • French public opinion turned against the war as the cost of war in men and money rose. • French enlisted Vietnamese and Cambodians in their fighting units called “yellowing”. Failed because the French didn’t trust them. • Communist victory in China in 1949 supported advice and military aid. • The guerilla tactics of the Viet Minh wore down the French strength and morale. • Corrupt government of Bao Dai failed to oppose the Viet Minh.

3. Chapter 5: Dien Bein Phu – 55 Days of HellFQ: Why did the Viet Minh win? The French Plan • Early 1945 the French launched a plan that they hoped would end the war. The plan was to entice the Viet Minh to attack the French camp and then destroy the Viet Minh forces. • The place they chose was Dien Bein Phu, a village situated in a valley close to the border of Vietnam and Laos. • Why did the French Plan fail? • Questions: (Copy and complete) • What was the terrain of Dien Bein Phu like? • Why was wet weather a problem? • How many troops did General Giap have in the mountains? • What preparations did the Viet Minh make? • Answers: • Dien Bien Phu was surrounded by mountains and thick jungle; it was 200 miles by air to the main French supply base at Hanoi. • It was difficult for the French to supply or evacuate their troops by air support, and difficult for tanks. • By January 1954, he had over 40,000 men based in the mountains surrounding the French force of 13,000 troops. • The Viet Minh had hauled large artillery into the mountains and were readying to fire on the French. In March they dug tunnels and trenches to gradually encircle the French strongholds.

4. Chapter 5: Dien Bein Phu – 55 Days of HellFQ: Why did the Viet Minh win? • 7 May forces captured the French command post; over 80% of French forces were killed or later died in prison camps. • Dien Bein Phu ended the first Indochina war and showed the difficulty of fighting the Vietnamese in their own country. • It was a defeat for Western Imperialism. • Questions/Activities: • What role did the Americans play in the French defeat? • Resource D (Questions 7, 8, 9 - p28)

5. Chapter 6: The Geneva ConferenceFQ: Did the Geneva agreement sow the seeds of war? Ceasefire Agreement • 21 July 1954 ceasefire agreement signed. Vietnam was divided into North and South – separated by the 17th parallel. • Viet Minh were to control the North. • State of Vietnam was to control the South. • All Viet Minh troops were to move from the South • Civilians allowed to move between North and South in 200 days. • Ceasefire agreement was intended to be MILITARYnotPOLITICAL. Emphasis was on ending the war rather than creating a political settlement for Vietnam. • Final declaration of the Conference stated that the partition was to be temporary until the election to unite the country (to be held in July 1956) – This was only a VERBAL AGREEMENT. Conference Participants • America • Britain • USSR • France • China • Cambodia • Laos • Democratic Republic of Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh’s DRV) • State Vietnam (Bao Dai’s government in the South) Proposals Given • DRV – Dividing all three countries of Indochina into Communist and non-communist zones. • USA – was opposed to any sort of compromise with the communists • USSR and China – were not prepared to back the Viet Minh’s claim to the whole of Vietnam. They didn’t want to face the threat of a united Vietnam. China agreed that the communist forces should be withdrawn from Laos and Cambodia in return for a ceasefire.

6. Chapter 6: The Geneva ConferenceFQ: Did the Geneva agreement sow the seeds of war? India Burma Thailand Cambodia Laos Sth Vietnam NORTH VIETNAM NORTH KOREA CHINA The American Attitude • America saw the partition as political • South Vietnam received support because it was non-communist. • Refused to allow elections to unite Vietnam as Ho Chi Minh would be elected in an overwhelming majority. • Adopted the notion of Two Vietnams – an artificial concept which allowed them to defend the division between North and South as if it were meant to be permanent. The Domino Theory. • The Domino theory was America’s concern of the threat of the spread of communism throughout South-East Asia

7. Chapter 6: The Geneva ConferenceFQ: Did the Geneva agreement sow the seeds of war? The End of an Era • Dien Bien Phu and the Geneva Conference signified the end of an era. • European domination of Asia ended. • French left Indochina • Dutch departed from East Indies • Britain lost India, Burma and Sri Lanka. • Communism emerged in China and North Vietnam Activities/Questions • Role Play – The Geneva Conference: • Divide into 4 groups: DRV (Democratic Republic of Vietnam), USA, USSR and China. • Research policies of designated countries in regards to IndochinaPresent to class – be convincing! • Time for reactions/rebuttals. • Draw up a list of common agreements. • Question:Who were the winners and losers at the Geneva Conference? – Justify your answer. • Review questions: B, C, D (p32)