The+French-Indochina+War

In the mid 1800's, France claimed Indochina as it's colony after defeating the Chinese. However, the Vietnemese did not just give up, but instead fought a guerrilla war. The French would eventually win and colonize Indochina. Later on in the 1920's, a man named Ho Chi Minh, turned to the communists for help in fighting against the French. This Indochinese Communist group began leading revolts against the French. In response, the French sent many Vietnemese protesters to jail and Ho Chi Minh was forced to leave the country. In 1940, German troops attacked France and occupied most of Northern France. Then the Japanese had their allies from Germany force French troops out of Indochina. After that, the Japanese were able to conqer Indochina for themselves. In 1941, Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam and he and a few other nationalists formed the Viet Minh. This group was formed to fight for the independence of Vietnam. They were eventually able to force the Japanese out of the region in 1945. The Vietnemese believed that independence would follow, but the French wanted to regain its resource rich colony.
 * Colinization of Indochina**

The Vietnemese Nationalist and the Communists joined together and attacked the invading French troops. The French were able to gain control of most of the major cities in Vietnam. In order to keep the French in the cities and prevent them from gaining any more territory, the Viet Minh used a guerilla warfare technique. Guerilla warfare was a hit and run strategy used during war. During this fighting, the United States were supporting the French troops because they feared that if the Viet Minh won, then communism would spread throughout Asia and eventually to America. As the fighting continued the people of France began to wonder if all the lives and money lost was worth it to regain their colony. In Dien Bien Phu, the French suffered a major military loss and surrendered to Ho Chi Minh. The Viet Minh won by sending artillery into the surrounding hill which the French did not bother to defend because they had thought it would be impossible to get troops there.
 * The French-Indochina War**

After the Viet Minh defeated France, a conference was held to discuss what would happen to Vietnam. They decided to divide Vietnam in to North and South. In North Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh was allowed to govern a communist nation while South Vietnam was governed by the French and the United States. They set up a non communist government. They left a man named Ngo Dinh Diem in charge. Diem, however, ruled the South as a dictator. A group of communist guerrilla soldiers began to fight agains Ngo Dinh Diem. They called themselves the Vietcong. In 1963, a group of South Vietnemese generals had Diem assassinated. But after Diem was gone it looked like North Veitnam would soon take over. In August of 1964, the United States sent troops over to fight in Vietnam. They wanted to prevent the spread of communism because North Vietnam was rapidly gaining power and support. One disadvantage that the US faced was that they were in an unkown territory and they were fighting a guerrilla war which didn't make it easier. In the late 1960's, people in the US began to oppose the war and did not see much of a reason for their troops to be over in Vietnam anymore. Under the pressure from the people, President Nixon began to withdraw troops in 1969. By 1973, the last US troops were being withdrawn.
 * Vietnam is Partitioned**
 * The Vietnam War**

After their victory, North Vietnam took over the South and set up camps where they taught people the communist way. Beacause of this, over 1.5 million people left South Vietnam. Most died while trying to escape. The ones who survived often left to Southeast Asia. Communists still control Vietnam, but they do allow more foreign involvement.
 * Effects of the War**