In the mid 1920’s Vietnam experienced two events which would forever shift the face of Vietnam politics. Imprisonment of Phan Bui Chau and the death of Phan Chu Trinh, both anti colonial Confucian, brought an end to the traditional anti-colonial movements. Communism rose out of a need to end French Imperial rule in Vietnam. A radical youth movement arose in the mid 1920’s after the end of the traditional anti colonial Confucian models had failed. The educated youth (Thanh Nien) attempted to fuse Marxist-Leninist ideologies with the goal of making Vietnam an independent state.
Many barriers were persistent through the twenty year rise to power of the communist party in Vietnam. The Thanh Nien dissolved due to conflicts in how the party should reach their goals. With no dominate communist party to follow the Communist International (Comintern), two parties emerged. The Annamese Communist Party and the Indochinese Communist Party vied to represent Vietnam. A conference, led by Ho Chi Minh, was held in 1930 to unite the two parties; with The Indochinese Communist Party emerging as the united party.
Early in the decade, a large uprising occurred in the Nghe-An and Ha-Tinh provinces. It would be called the Nghe-Tinh Soviet Movement. For several months the groups staged uprisings and workers strikes within the region. The movement was able to have early success due to the limited French presence in the region. The Nghe-Tinh Soviets began to bomb offices and depots of the French. This caused the French to retaliate with bombings and eventually troops arrived to kill the movement.
The communist movement suffered great hardship in the 1930’s. Uprisings occurred early in the decade, but were not organized enough to cause great harm to the establishment. The French quickly squelched the uprisings and threw thousands of communists in prison for their actions. The party had become too reliant on the goals of the Comintern and had abandoned the goals of an independent Vietnam. The party idea of a social revolution clouded their judgment and made them forget about independence. Without the main leaders and a direction to travel, the party was at an all time low.
It was at this time when Ho Chi Minh was ostracized from the party. The Comintern was unhappy with the way he was directing the Communist Party in Vietnam. From the early 1930's to 1940 he was not in Vietnam.
Ironically the party was revived by the Comintern’s seventh congress. A new “people’s front” policy was created in which people from all political parties unite against a particular enemy. In the Comintern’s case this meant fascism, but for Vietnam it could be translated to imperial oppressors. In the past the communist movement in Vietnam had excluded the non worker and peasant classes as part of the revolution. Ho Chi Minh, fresh upon his return to Vietnam, founded the Viet Minh. This new movement had the goal to liberate Vietnam of French and Japanese control. With this new policy the Vietnamese could turn their focus to ridding themselves of colonialism. This new policy was the catalyst that allowed the communist party to emerge once again and ultimately win independence.
The new nationalist policies coupled with the Second World War were factors that allowed the communist movement to succeed. Japan began occupation in 1940 greatly weakening the French stronghold on Indochina. The Vietnamese saw that the French gave up control as if it were nothing and began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The Viet Minh put out propaganda and trained the followers. As they organized the French power dwindled, culminating with the Japanese taking control of the country in March of 1945. They locked up all French officials and ended the French control. Unfortunately for Japan their control over Vietnam lasted only five months as they were forced to surrender to the allied forces. The Viet Minh were able to walk into to all public buildings and take control of the land while all the French officials remained in prison. This event is known as the August Revolution. In twenty years the communist movement had taken control of an “independent” country.
Although it can not be argued that the Communist Party liberated the country, there is controversy in their victory. Some scholars argue that the liberation was the result of nationalism. Starting in the early 1940's the party moved away from the idea of a class struggle. They began to appeal to a much wider audience in Vietnam. By pushing the idea of independence, the party was able to appeal to a larger audience. This audience was highly motivated for the new cause. Without a class struggle and a platform for independence, it can be argued that the victory was due to nationalism.
2 comments:
The writer provides a great argument for the Importance of two individuals as the main driving force behind the party. One might question however, the importance of Ho Chi Minh and why he is not mentioned as an important figure. Ho was thought of as a very important figure during this period and the history of Vietnam. He had a city named after him and during the Vietnam and American war the conduit for which the Communist supplies arms to each other was known as the “Ho Chi Minh Trial.” Or the writer could say these individuals are more important than Ho himself. Another aspect that could be focused on is some of the Confucius beliefs and the role of religion in Communism. One of the principle aspects in Communism is the absence of religion. The writer gives a plethora of excellent accounts of the rise of the Communist party in Vietnam. Perhaps a couple specific examples to solidify to backup an already stellar account of the importance of the Communist party as the main driving force for Vietnam’s independence.
This Context section is a very strong adaptation of how Communism became a force that would late lead to the Independence of a country. I would possibly elaborate more on the significance of the prison systems and the roles it played on the Communist movement(if you need any guidance on the situation refer to Colonial Bastille) I think it provides a detailed view of Communists highs and lows and how it was united again by oppressed scholars with a common goal. Also, it might be a good idea to briefly describe Phan Bui Chau and Phan Chu Trinh and discuss who they were and their roles within the movement. It seems necessary to include their background if you're going to mention their names. I would also look at each body paragraph and tie up lose ends, by that I mean where things could be explained with a brief example like what uprisings and what were the goals that lead to their hardships. Just mainly polish your paragraphs with breifly detailed examples,
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