Conflict in Indochina – Draft Essay
Assess the importance of nationalism to the Vietnamese up to 1965. A clear desire for nationalism and self-nationalism in Vietnam was evident as early as the 15th century, when historian Nguyen Trai stated “although we have been at times strong, and at times weak, we have always been Vietnamese and this will never change.” The importance and significance of nationalism and establishing a sense of self-determination was of vital concernment to the Vietnamese, in both the North and South of the country. The Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North) and the Republic of Vietnam (South) were both driving forces in the ambition of self-determination and their established sense of nationalism regardless of the …show more content…

Regardless, it was undeniable that the French has just suffered a humiliating defeat. The use of guerrilla warfare tactics were deemed extremely effective for the Vietminh and was a contributing factor as to why they were victorious. The employment of hit and run attacks and hidden tunnels were critical in the war and this form of guerrilla warfare was highlighted in Stanley Karnow’s book, Vietnam, “yet for all their brutality, Vietminh terrorism was usually selective.” This statement effectively expresses the planned yet unexpected raid by the Vietminh on the French base. The battle at Dien Bien Phu and inadvertently the utilisation of guerrilla warfare tactics by the Vietminh are successful contributors to the rise of nationalism and self-determination up until 1965. The victory was important in regards to colonial oppression and inspired the North Vietnamese to continue the war against America who the North also saw as colonial oppressors looking to control the South Vietnam government instead of the initial assistance they provided. Ho Chi Minh provided extreme resistance from foreign rule during his presidency of Vietnam from 1945 to 1969. The renowned and historic expulsion of the French and later on the American threat during his reign had drastic implications and significance of Vietnamese history. The Vietminh leader was