2. The Nationalist Movement In Indo-China

Syllabus

• Factors Leading to the growth of  Nationalism in Indo-China :
• French Colonialism in India-China.
• Phases of Struggle against the French.
• The ideas of Phan Chu Trinh, Phan Boi Chau, Ho Chi Minh.
• The Second World War and the liberation struggle.
• America and the Vietnam war.

TOPIC - 1

French Colonialism in Indo-China

Quick Review

Beginning of Colonialism in Vietnam


• Colonialism is a process of building and maintaining of colonies in one territory by people from another territory and exploiting it economically.
• Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos were referred to as Indo-China.
• Trade had flourished in old Vietnam and it was linked with the maritime silk route. Silk route refers to an interconnected network of trade routes that connects eastern southern and western Asia with the Mediterranean world, including North Africa and Europe.
• The French arrived in Vietnam in 1858 and consolidated their hold over the northern region by mid-1880. French Indo-china was formed in 1887.
• Writer and policy-maker, Paul Bernard believed that the prime motive behind acquiring colonies was to flourish business and make profits.
• Vietnamese economy was predominantly based on rice and rubber plantations owned by the French and elites in Vietnam. Indentured labour or labour based on the contract was used in these plantations from the mid-nineteenth century.
• The French colonisation and their growing dominance in the country created tremendous unrest in Vietnam and resulted in nationalist resistance. 

Know the Terms

• Rationalism: It means that people have full faith in Science and its reason. Customs and old traditions have no value. People only believed those things which could be tested.
• Individualism: In this case, an individual is supreme and the society looks about his welfare. A free atmosphere is provided to him so that he can show his best. Very minimum restriction is imposed on him.
• Partial Modernisation: It is a policy of introducing modernisation in some respects and preventing it in the other respect. If the modernisation proved dangerous for the ruler's economic exploitation, then they blocked or prevented this.
• Equality Before Law: It means all men are equal before the law. There is no discrimination between rich and poor, the same law is applicable to all irrespective of their caste religion and economic status.
• Liberalism: It means freedom in outlook and thinking. The society has to solve all the problems to make the life of everyone happy and prosperous.
• Napalm:  An organic compound used in fire bombs. The mixture burns slowly when it comes into contact with human body, it sticks and continues to burn.
• Humanism: It means faith in a human being. It also tells us that we must have confidence in ourselves. The man has the capacity to change society and make nature better according to his requirements.
• Indo-China: The term Indo-China is used to denote the region that consists of modern-day Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Southern part of Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand.

Know the Dates

• 1858: The French arrived in Vietnam.
• 1868: Scholar's revolt against French control.
• 1880: Vietnam becomes French Colony.
• 1887: Franco Indo-China was formed.
• 1903: Bubonic plague started in a Northern part of Hanoi.
• 1939: Hyun Phu So started Hao Hoa Movement.
• 1940: Japan occupied Vietnam.
• 1941: Vietminh was created.
• 1945: Full of Japan and Vietminh declared Vietnam as an independent nation
• 1946: The First Indo-China war began.
• 1953: The Firat Indo-China war came to an end.