French colonialism in INDOCHINA
France took control of French
Indochina following its victory over china in the Sino-French war. This
imperialism was driven because of the demand in natural resources, raw
materials, and cheap labor. “French colonialism in Vietnam lasted more than six
decades” (Alpha History). The conflict known as the First Indochina War erupted
in 1949-1950, and the French, attempting to retain their holdings authorized
different treaties that included Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia as independent,
self-governing states within the French Union.
South Vietnam signed a military and economic aid treaty with the United
States leading to the arrival of U.S. troops and the formation of the U.S.
Military Assistance Command. U.S. had many political and military involvement
which all contributes to the takeover of the weaker country, French Indochina. After
French troops colonized Vietnam, and established a firm control, the period of colonization
was successions of fierce rebellions, revolts, and wars. Vietnamese soldiers
started the colony’s largest uprisings among the population.