Origin of Vietnam War

Indochina

The region under French colonial rule, encompassing modern-day Vietnam, where control was established from 1862 to 1904.

Conditions of French Colonial Rule

Included Western education and healthcare, resource exploitation, heavy local taxes, and exclusive trade control of key goods.

Vichy France

The government aligned with Germany after France's defeat in WWII, which affected the administration of French Indochina.

Viet Minh

The League for the Independence of Vietnam, a nationalist movement aspiring for independence from colonial rule.

Leadership of Viet Minh

Led by Ho Chi Minh, it included both non-communist and communist groups aiming for Vietnam's self-rule.

Support for Viet Minh

Received aid from the United States, USSR, and Guomindang government in China to resist Japanese invasion.

Post-WWII Conditions in Vietnam

Harsh rule under both French and Japanese led to the emergence of various resistance groups.

Resource exploitation

The practice of extracting and utilizing local resources for the benefit of the colonial power.

Heavy local taxes

Taxation imposed on local populations during colonial rule, contributing to economic hardship.

Exclusive control over trades

The monopolization by the colonial government over the trade of essential commodities like salt, opium, rice, and alcohol.