Early Crisis in Vietnam and French Defeat at Dien Bien Phu Flashcards

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Before the Second World War, which country controlled Vietnam as a colony?

France controlled Vietnam as part of French Indochina.

Who was Ho Chi Minh and what group did he lead?

Ho Chi Minh was a Vietnamese communist leader. He led the Viet Minh.

What did the Viet Minh do in 1945 after Japan surrendered?

They took control in the north and declared Vietnam independent.

Why did war break out between France and the Viet Minh in 1946?

France tried to re-take Vietnam as a colony. The Viet Minh fought to keep independence.

Why did the USA give money and weapons to France in Vietnam?

The USA wanted to stop communism spreading in Asia, following its policy of containment.

What and where was Dien Bien Phu?

It was a French military base in a valley in north-west Vietnam, near Laos.

When did the battle of Dien Bien Phu take place?

It lasted from March to May 1954. The French surrendered in May 1954.

What was the French plan at Dien Bien Phu?

They planned to lure the Viet Minh into a big battle and use strong defences and air power to crush them.

How did General Giap and the Viet Minh defeat the French at Dien Bien Phu?

They put guns in the hills, dug trenches to surround the base, and used anti-aircraft guns to cut French supplies.

What happened to French rule in Vietnam after Dien Bien Phu?

France accepted defeat in Indochina and agreed to leave Vietnam.

What did the Geneva Agreement of 1954 decide about Vietnam?

Vietnam was split at the 17th parallel into North and South Vietnam, with elections promised for 1956.

Why was the early crisis in Vietnam important in the Cold War?

It showed a communist victory over a Western-backed power and led the USA to become more involved in Vietnam.