INDOCHINESE NATIONALISM

1. INDOCHINESE NATIONALISM JAPANESE OCCUPATION

2. French officials in Saigon were concerned about three events prior to World War II: • Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 • Hilter’s rise to power in 1933 • Japan’s occupation of southern China in 1937 • World War II became a reality and France surrendered to Germany in 1940 • French administrators including those in Indochina were in a political vacuum. This was favoured by Ho Chi Minh who was hoping for a sign of French weakness in Vietnam

3. In May 1941 Ho Chi Minh founded the Viet Minh in Vietnam – a new revolutionary movement incorporating members of the Indochinese Communist Party • Ho established the Viet Minh’s headquarters in a remote region of Tonkin, Viet Bac – almost impenetrable mountain area surrounded by dense jungles. Here he created two guerrilla bases • In 1941 Ho proclaimed Vietnam’s Army of National Salvation the military arm of the Viet Minh

4. Vietnam’s Army of National Salvation • Objective – to gain nationwide popular support via armed propaganda – this reminded people that only active resistance against Japanese would result in independence • Armed propaganda teams entered villages and gained the trust of people by volunteering to work for their food. They then issued pamphlets, cartoons, posters, pictures and slogans. Songs and drama focused on the struggle of the Vietnamese people

5. Communist principles were purposely ignored as they meant little to illiterate farmers. Instead, patriotism, nationalism and independence were stressed. • Small village self-defence units and guerilla cells were created that linked one hamlet to another • All information about French and Japanese was considered vital intelligence

6. POPULAR SUPPORT FOR VIET MINH • This was not a problem because of dedication of propaganda workers and French collaboration with the Japanese • Between 1941-45 millions of tonnes of rubber, coffee, tea, coal and rice were shipped from Vietnam to Japan • Japanese Occupation Army also confiscated Vietnamese property causing further food shortages and higher prices for Vietnamese people

7. SUCCESS OF HO’S ARMY OF NATIONAL SALVATION • By December 1944 the army was still small (1500-2000 barefoot troops armed with pitchforks and guns stolen from the French) • Propaganda teams had 50000 to 75000 supporters throughout Tonkin linked by common password (doanket – unity) • On 22 December 1944 the People’s Army was born and represented every walk of Vietnamese society

8. People’s Army • This force changed its name many times to confuse the French and later the Americans • Original full-time soldiers were organised into four battalions: • The Wise Tortoise • The Gentle Unicorn • The Rising Phoenix • The Noble Dragon

9. END OF WWII / JAPAN TAKES CONTROL • In March 1945 Japan seized full control of Vietnam • This suited the Viet Minh who wanted an end to French power • Over the next 6 months Ho moved his propaganda teams into central and southern Vietnam – the teams created 500 guerrilla cells from Hanoi to Saigon

10. In June 1945 Ho met representatives of America’s Office of Strategic Services (OSS) who had heard about Ho’s guerrillas. The OSS agreed to train the Viet Minh and provide them with guns in return for intelligence about the Japanese army – the Deer Missions • After the Deer Missions the Viet Minh had an army of about 5000 men and women but it also had village militia and guerrilla cells in excess of 200 000