Conflict in Vietnam pre-1963 Essay Example

explicitly mentioning granting independence. However, source D does indicate a willingness to gradually guide Vietnam towards independence, showcasing their intention to lead the country towards autonomy incrementally.

3)Source AAccording to this source, the Vietnamese people strongly disliked the French and referred to them as "invaders". This sentiment was shared by people of all social statuses, including children, who resented the idea of someone coming into their country and taking control. The Vietnamese people's animosity towards the French dates back to the beginning. To counter the French, they employed guerilla warfare tactics, disguising themselves as civilians in order to blend in and hide in vegetated areas.The reason behind this accountThe author of this source is a French historian who is recounting this historical event. It is possible that he is presenting this information to defend his country against any negative remarks.

While writing this, the Americans were engaged in warfare with the Vietnamese and were losing due to guerilla tactics. The implication being that the battle would not be easy and they might suffer a similar fate as the French. Source B depicts a picture suggesting that the relationship between the French and Vietnamese was not as bad because some Vietnamese individuals had joined the French army. However, it is unclear if this is true or merely propaganda, as seen during World War 1 when Vietnamese people served in the French army. This picture could be portraying positive relations intentionally to disprove accusations against them. Source C states that the French had a deep affection for Vietnam, referring to their love as "profound" and claiming Vietnam as part of France indefinitely, indicating a sense of belonging.

The reason for saying thisThis source was written by a French army officer who was stationed at Vietnam. He is stating this because he is not only an army officer but also fighting for the country, providing a reason for why the French are fighting for Vietnam, which he believes in. During 1945, the French were fighting against Ho Chi Minh and the Vietminh.Source D states that Vietnam is important to the French due to its abundance of raw materials "indo-China was a storehouse of raw materials". It explains that they desired it for financial and economic reasons. However, it also mentions that they had no intention of keeping control forever and planned to grant it independence eventually, comparing it to preparing a child for adulthood in a parent-child relationship.The reason for saying thisThis source was written by a French merchant and colonist who was present in Vietnam before and after World War Two.

In the source, it is mentioned that the reason for wanting Vietnam was its abundance of raw materials. The mention of parent and childhood relation is intended to portray the French in a positive light, as if they were treating the Vietnamese people well and considering them equal. When he says that they would have eventually left Vietnam, he is revising the history of the French and implying that they would have voluntarily withdrawn. In Source E, the text highlights the unequal relationship between the French and Vietnamese, with the French dominating completely. Thousands of French people were sent to colonies in search of employment opportunities, even those with limited education. This caused distress among the Vietnamese people as they were

unable to find jobs for themselves.

The source was written by Ton That Thien, a Vietnamese man who worked as a wartime interpreter for the OSS (Office Strategic Services) during World War Two. As an interpreter, Ton That Thien likely had proficiency in multiple languages such as Vietnamese, French, and English. Having personally experienced the French rule, he understood the challenges of living in that time period. He may have faced discrimination from educated French individuals who denied him jobs due to his Vietnamese background. Source E provides useful insights into how the French treated the Vietnamese, with Ton That Thien emphasizing that they sent uneducated individuals to find jobs, thereby preventing the Vietnamese from securing employment. Ton That Thien's disapproval of the French is evident in his tone and description of how they mistreated and humiliated the Vietnamese.

Both Ton That Thien and Ho Chi Minh were highly intelligent individuals who held a deep-seated resentment for the French. As per Source E, Ton That Thien's membership in the OSS could have played a role in shaping his unfavorable view of the French, given America's disdain towards imperialistic nations like France. This suggests that he might have been prejudiced against the French under the influence of American sentiments. However, it is crucial to remember that he cannot be solely blamed for this.

Source F offers significant insights into how Americans viewed Ho Chi Minh. It underscores his exceptional skills and courage, especially demonstrated by his daring act of saving an American pilot stranded in the jungles and leading him across 300 miles of Japanese-dominated territories. This act clearly shows his steadfast resolve to drive Japan out of Vietnam.

Furthermore, as per Source F, it was evident that Ho Chi Minh struck fear into the hearts of the French due to their instant categorization of him as a communist. They cautioned Americans against any interaction with Vietnamese individuals out of concern that such association could obstruct their potential recovery over control on Vietnam.

After World War Two, America advocated for the independence of all countries, and France understood that if this were the case, they could not regain control of Vietnam. Source F highlights a problem with this source, as it is written by Charles Fenn who may be biased against the French, given that he was spying on them as a member of the OSS. Furthermore, Fenn's mention of Ho Chi Minh as being "pro-ally" and "just the man for the job" suggests that the US favored Ho Chi Minh and may not have supported the French or their stance on staying away from the native population. On the other hand, Source G provides useful points about the French's fear of Ho Chi Minh and his popularity among the people. However, we must be cautious with this source as it is written by Rene Defourneaux, who was an OSS intelligence officer and may have criticisms towards the French. Defourneaux's statement that the French considered Ho Chi Minh a "very dangerous man" may reflect his own perspective rather than an official French perspective.

Source H, written by Frankie Tan, a Chinese American, relays the words of Ho Chi Minh regarding the French's atrocious acts against the Vietnamese people, such as chaining and decapitating them. The tone of Tan's account suggests his clear anguish over these killings,

indicating a strained and negative relationship between the French and the Vietnamese. Furthermore, Tan highlights how Ho Chi Minh often emphasized President Roosevelt's advocacy for every country's freedom, expressing his desire for Vietnam to embrace the American way of life that prioritizes liberty. Despite its merits, Source H may be biased since Tan possibly held a favorable view of Ho Chi Minh and harbored animosity towards the French.So, he had the option to support Ho Chi Minh after hearing about the true nature of the French from him. The General's statement "Son you don't understand the big picture!" implies that there is a deeper meaning behind it. To comprehend this, I will examine some of the sources and analyze why America stopped assisting Vietnam in the war. Based on source F, it indicates that America and Ho Chi Minh had a friendly relationship and collaborated to remove the Japanese from Vietnam.

The idea of a partnership between America and Vietnam unsettled the French because they comprehended the potential outcomes, specifically an alliance formation. The French categorically advised both parties not to engage with the local populace, indicating their interest in keeping them separate. They were apprehensive that if a friendship formed between America and Vietnam, it would hinder their return to Vietnam since America championed freedom and self-rule for all countries. After encountering Ho Chi Minh, the Americans identified him as a pro-ally, hence wouldn't back France's efforts to regain control over Vietnam post-war. These facts are confirmed by Source I which refers to Ho Chi Minh's rapport with the US and American involvement in training Viet Minh in guerrilla warfare tactics. Major Al Thomas, who

authored Source I, voiced his apprehension about Viet Minh's communist tendencies but recognized their relationship with America through his comment: "we trained these guys good." If they had been adversaries, there wouldn't have been any such provision of training from America.

Source J contains a firm directive from President Roosevelt stating unequivocally that France must not be allowed to regain authority over Vietnam, asserting "not to return Indo-China to the French under any circumstances, period!". This suggests that the US stood with Vietminh and assured Vietnam's sovereignty following World War II since reoccupation by France would be out of question. Now I will endeavour to explain, based on my understanding, why American support for Vietnam ceased after 1945.

From Source K we learn that Major Al Thomas is bewildered about why the United States stopped aiding the Vietnamese during wartime upon his comeback. Various reasons can explain this shift. Firstly, World War II ended marking defeat for Germany and Japan. However, a fresh conflict surfaced - the Cold War - which featured Western resistance against Communism unlike earlier wars. The Soviet Union had seized power in Eastern Europe and seemed intent on propagating its Communist beliefs across numerous nations.

America had recently experienced significant changes, including the installment of a new President, Truman, who had a strong aversion to Communism and its spread. The problem arose when Vietnam also became Communist, creating a conflicting situation as America had just fought alongside them and now considered them enemies. To address this, a meeting was held in Potsdam where three leaders gathered: Truman, Stalin (Russian leader), and Atlee (British Prime Minister). Tensions were high during this meeting due to concerns

about future outcomes and the leaders' lack of friendly relations. Truman's dislike for Communism made it perplexing as to why America would assist Ho, who was a Communist. However, their assistance could be attributed to their previous friendship.

After World War II, Ho Chi Minh expressed his sadness at the departure of the Americans, with whom he had described having good relations as "American friends." Despite working together to defeat the opposition during the war, Ho Chi Minh foresaw that their departure would make relations between them more difficult. He believed that although the war was over, there was no joy for his country like there was for Britain and America. What Ho Chi Minh truly wanted was freedom for his country, but he knew that they would have to continue fighting, particularly against the French who sought to regain control of Indo-China. Ho Chi Minh eagerly anticipated the day when he could once again greet his American friends, whether it be in Indo-China or the USA. Previous sources have often highlighted the friendship between America and Ho Chi Minh during their joint fight in World War II. Now, I will examine these sources and use my own knowledge to determine if Americans would agree that there was indeed a friendship between America and Ho Chi Minh.

I agree that there were positive relations between the US and Vietminh. On one hand, it is evident that the Americans and Ho Chi Minh had a strong friendship. This can be observed through various sources, such as in source F where their collaboration during World War II is highlighted. It is mentioned that Ho Chi Minh was "pro-ally," as

stated by an American intelligence officer. This implies that there were no issues between them, as allies are typically friends. Despite Ho's Communist beliefs, the Americans were also working with Russia, who were also Communist, and encouraged people to not worry about Communism because they were allies. Furthermore, the Americans viewed Ho Chi Minh as a capable leader, referring to him as the "sort of man to do the job." This indicates that they valued his skills and believed he could be of assistance to them. Thus, based on source F, it is evident that there were positive relations between Ho and the Americans.

Source I provides further evidence of the friendly relationship between the Americans and Vietminh. It states that the Americans were training the Vietminh in guerrilla warfare, a significant step that would only be taken if they were friends or had a good relationship. Otherwise, they would not provide training to potential enemies. An American Major named Al Thomas even praises the Vietminh's skills, stating that "they were very good." His positive remarks suggest that he genuinely liked them and had a good opinion of their abilities.

The content presented in source J indicates a strong bond of friendship between the two parties involved. President Roosevelt's order, which expresses a strict directive to not allow the French to regain control of Indo-China under any circumstance, emphasizes America's refusal to comply. President Roosevelt's stance can be seen as anti-French, as he is determined to prevent them from reclaiming Vietnam. This decision stems from his desire to grant Vietnam freedom following World War II. This evidence suggests that America and Ho Chi Minh share a

friendship, as President Roosevelt's concern for Vietnam implies a connection between the two. By refusing entry to the French, America displays its care for their fate, further indicating their amicable relationship.
Upon Major Al Thomas' return to the United States from Vietnam, he is taken aback to learn that the Americans have ceased their war-time policy of aiding the Vietnamese. This revelation serves as clear evidence of his friendship with Ho Chi Minh, as he was not only assisting him personally but also supporting Vietnam as a whole. However, Major Al Thomas seeks an explanation for America's decision to halt their assistance to Vietnam. In contrast, I disagree with the notion that there were good relations between the United States and Vietminh. Conversely, I believe that Americans would dispute the existence of a strong friendship between themselves and Ho Chi Minh.

The Americans expressed concern in source I about the Vietminh being Communist, as seen in their worry that this organization had leftist leanings. Additionally, they were apprehensive about their effectiveness in guerrilla warfare, having been trained by the Americans. Major Al Thomas, speaking in 1995, acknowledges America's worries about the Communist nature of the Vietminh. However, he is revising history by suggesting that they did not care about their Communist affiliation. In reality, their main concern was winning the war. Ultimately, Major Al Thomas does not attach much significance to whether the Vietminh were Communist or not, as it pertains to past events.

Source K sheds light on the dissolution of the bond between Ho and America, signifying a shift in U.S. policy. In its early stages, America pledged support to Vietnam during their war, but

this promise was ultimately withdrawn due to the emergence of the Cold War. The second gathering at Potsdam united these powerful nations with an aim to execute decisions established during the first Yalta meeting. This era coincided with President Roosevelt's death and Truman's rise to power, who harbored a strong anti-Communist sentiment. By then, Stalin had already obtained control over Eastern Europe based on agreements made during their inaugural tripartite discussion. Winston Churchill coined "iron curtain" in his 1946 speech as a metaphor for the separation between capitalist and communist ideologies—no physical barrier existed here. With communism being essentially at odds with Cold War efforts, it stunted any progression towards better relations between US and Ho; instead exacerbating them given that Western allies were against communism's proliferation—and since Vietnam identified as a communist nation—it was inevitably going to be an opponent in this worldwide dispute.

The narrative underscores the apprehensions of America regarding their standing in the Pacific zone due to "Communist ascendancy in South East Asia." They were anxious as any aggression from these nations could be devastating for both America and its western partners. Keeping dominion over Southeast Asian raw materials was vital for American security interests. Nevertheless, if affiliations with these nations turned sour, America would lose touch with essential resources such as rubber, tin, and petroleum.

The US National Council's Source M from 1952 encompasses heads of all US military branches including the Army, Marines, and OSS. At this juncture, seven years had passed since the inception of the Cold War; milestone events like Yalta and Potsdam meetings were already behind them. With China succumbing to Communist rule in 1949, it further

amplified America's anxieties as they acknowledged China's clout in Southeast Asia and dreaded Communism spilling over into neighboring countries.

The Americans referred to the belief that China's embrace of Communism would lead to the spread of Communism to other countries as the domino theory. They believed that China could exert its influence to gradually make all countries embrace Communism. Following World War Two, communism seemed poised to take over the world. However, President Truman delivered a speech promising to safeguard countries from communism. This established America as the world's protector against the spread of Communism. In 1949, twelve Western nations signed a treaty and formed NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) to collectively defend one another against Communist aggression. Meanwhile, in 1948/49, West Berlin became isolated from Western allies, as they had developed a capitalist society while Stalin enforced Communism in East Berlin. The allure of Western life and freedom attracted the inhabitants of East Berlin, which did not sit well with Stalin. As a result, he imposed a blockade.

The Western allies devised a plan to airlift food into West Berlin and provide sustenance to its people while facing opposition from Stalin. Despite his efforts, Stalin ultimately gave up on May 12th, 1949, and ended the blockade. Simultaneously, an arms race commenced between America and Russia, the two superpowers at the time. They competed to create the most powerful weapon, with Russia surpassing America's atomic bomb and subsequently developing an even more devastating weapon. Both countries successfully created hydrogen bombs. Additionally, a major objective for both nations was to send a man into space, which Russia achieved before America.

Tensions existed between Ho and the US due to

their conflicting views on Communism. Post World War II, the United States took a stand against Communism, an ideology that Vietnam adhered to, inhibiting any possibility of forming strong ties with the Asian nation. Distrust permeated their relationship, negating any potential for meaningful connection. Nonetheless, upon examining various agreements it becomes evident that there were times when Ho and the US had a positive rapport. Following the war, America was opposed to France reclaiming control over Vietnam and favored its independence instead. The US backed Ho because they were allies at some point in time. Multiple sources have portrayed Ho in good light showing empathy towards his and his country's tribulations. Primarily American leaders who never personally interacted with Ho such as presidents or military officials maintained unfavorable opinions about him. These differences led to escalating tensions which eventually made America halt their aid to Vietnam during wartime and wage a battle against Communism.