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First Indochina war

Chapter 10: North Vietnam 1950-1964 FQ: Why was the DRV able to wage a total war?. First Indochina war By 1960 the DRV, a nation devastated by the first Indochina war had been transformed into communist state. Political and economic changes :

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First Indochina war

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  1. Chapter 10: North Vietnam 1950-1964FQ: Why was the DRV able to wage a total war? First Indochina war • By 1960 the DRV, a nation devastated by the first Indochina war had been transformed into communist state. Political and economic changes: • Election of Jan 1946, significant efforts were directed at increasing food production, reducing rents, and redistributing land confiscated from the departing French colonists. • Massive education project also launched amongst peasants – to overcome illiteracy and make them more politically educated. • Restructuring of the Vietnamese Communist movement. • 1950 Lao Dang (Vietnam worker’s party) formed, greatly increasing public involvement in political activity. NVA/Viet Minh at the end of the war: • Had an independent state with politically educated and supported population. • Had a reformed agricultural system. • Had a basis for building industry.

  2. Chapter 10: North Vietnam 1950-1964FQ: Why was the DRV able to wage a total war? Agricultural reform Landlords: • 1950s land seized off landlords and redistributed amongst peasants – this gave people good reason to support Ho Chi Minh and his revolution. • 1955 (after the war) land distribution continued – anyone owning a certain amount of land could be tried and executed as a landlord (approx 50,000 executed by the end of 1956) Collectivism: • Govt tried to force farmers into collectives and a peasant revolt erupted but was quickly suppressed. • 1960 Ho tried again, calling the groups ‘co-operatives’. 95% of all peasants collectivized. Women’s roles • Traditionally held underprivileged status, now indispensable economic producers. • Worked in building, road-making and repair.

  3. Chapter 10: North Vietnam 1950-1964FQ: Why was the DRV able to wage a total war? Leaders • President Ho Chi Minh – inspiration for revolution (even after his death in 1969) • Prime Minister Pham Van Dong – Ho’s “Best pupil”. The second in command and responsible for day to day decision making. • Le Duan – Leader of the Lao Dong. The shrewd behind-the-scenes mastermind. Was a Viet Minh organiser in the South, and in the 1960s organised the National Liberation Front (NLF). The principle source of contact between the Viet Cong and the communist govt of North Vietnam. • Truong Chinh – leading policy maker. • Vo Nguyen Giap – military commander and minister of defense. North Vietnamese Army • Political influence – Soldier’s political ideas considered as important as their guns. Political officials attached to every army unit. • Unity – reunification of Vietnam the goal but differences existed between Nth and Sth. NVA soldiers not always welcomed by Southern peasants or even by the Viet Cong. • Activities • Resource question C (pg51) • Review activities: A,B,C.

  4. Chapter 11: Total War, AmericanWarFQ: How and why did the Americans escalate the war? • The fall of Diem led to political instability in Sth Vietnam • Viet Cong took advantage of this time to increase its strength in the North. President Johnson • After Kennedy was assassinated, Lyndon Johnson took over as president. • He saw the situation as: “communist Vietnam was carrying out acts of aggression, the United States had to stop this aggression and use force if necessary” • South Vietnam was seen as being pivotal to America’s world-wide anti-communist campaign. • Diem’s programme was crumbling rapidly and the North Vietnam Arm (NVA) continued to grow in strength and sophistication, offering increasing support for the South. • President Johnson came to the conclusion that only direct American intervention could prevent a communist takeover in Sth Vietnam. • Johhnson promised Ho Chi Minh American aid in return for the North Vietnamese ceasing their assistance of the South. The offer was declined. • The Tonkin Golf incident (August 1964) then provided the Americans with the excuse they needed to invade the North. (see handout)

  5. Chapter 11: Total War, AmericanWarFQ: How and why did the Americans escalate the war? Impact on South Vietnam (much was negative influence) • Corruption in politics – Narcotics trade, land and gold deals, American Black market thrived. • Bombing forced people to move – South Vietnamese society was torn apart. • Refugees, disease, prostitution became common. • Americanisation of cities – luxuries of America (clothes, cola) Deadlock • By the end of 1967 troops from Sth Korea, Thailand, Australia and NZ were supporting the US in Vietnam • Nearly half a million American troops in Vietnam • Bombing in the Nth had killed many but the Nth Vietnamese continued to resist. • Guerilla tactics took a toll on US forces. • American tactics were loosing support throughout the Sth. Activities • Resource questions A, C, D • Review Activities: C, F, G, H • In pairs, research and prepare radio or television reports on: (choose 1) • Johnson’s Tonkin Golf decision • America at war • At war with the Viet Cong • A view of the war from Hanoi

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