Decolinization and
Escalation in Vietnam
10 November 2004 (Lecture
#32)
o
In
post-WWII Asia, Japanese surrendered, leaving a power vacuum
o
US
fills some voids, setting up democratic nations
o
French
not willing to give up colonies – resorts to brutality to avoid another
embarrassing loss
o
Likes
US Constitution, etc. but turns to communism after WWI when the French reassert
their authority
o
Supported
by US OSS (pre-CIA agents)
o
After
WWII, Ho Chi Minh becomes pres.: US officers are with him, US planes fly over,
he quotes the Constitution
o
French
want the colony so they invade (US supports because they see the French as
greater allies vs. communism)
o
Forces
Ho Chi Minh to communism
o
Use
violence and intimidation to terrorize to overthrow the local government
o
Government’s
inability to protect people and their random oppression turned people to
communism
Conclusions