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The Democratic Republic of Vietnam was recognised by Stalin and Mao in 1950.

Cold War: Vietnam 1945-1965 - French Participation Up To 1954

Vietnam’s struggle against French rule shaped early Cold War tensions. This quiz explores empire, nationalism, and superpower involvement in South East Asia.

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Fascinating Fact:

During the war, Japan occupied Vietnam. After Japan’s defeat in 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnamese independence.

In GCSE History, this topic examines how French colonial rule in Vietnam weakened after 1945. You will study Vietnamese nationalism, guerrilla warfare, and growing Cold War interest from the superpowers.

Key Terms

Viet Minh: A nationalist movement led by Ho Chi Minh that fought for Vietnamese independence from Japanese and French control.
Domino theory: The idea that if one country fell to communism, nearby countries might follow, like a row of falling dominoes.
Dien Bien Phu: A French military base in northern Vietnam where the French were decisively defeated by Viet Minh forces in 1954.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

Why did France try to re-establish control in Vietnam after 1945?

After 1945, France wanted to restore its empire in Indochina and regain prestige after the war. French leaders also feared that leaving Vietnam would encourage independence movements elsewhere.

How did the United States become involved in the French war in Vietnam?

The United States gave money, weapons, and supplies to support France. American leaders believed helping France would limit the spread of communism in Asia during the early Cold War.

What was the importance of Dien Bien Phu in 1954?

The defeat at Dien Bien Phu ended French hopes of keeping control in Vietnam. It led to the Geneva Accords, which divided Vietnam and opened the way for deeper Cold War involvement.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

In 1945 the Japanese briefly installed a puppet ruler in Vietnam before handing over to the returning French. Who was this puppet?

Norodom Sihanouk

Bao Dai

Ngo Dinh Diem

Madame Nhu

There were plenty of ambitious Vietnamese keen to fill the power vacuum emerging in Vietnam. However the Japanese soon had to give way to the French

2 .

Ho Chi Minh was determined to establish an independent republic in Vietnam on Communist lines. What was the name of the guerrilla force that he created, and which operated mainly in the north?

Viet Minh

Viet Cong

Pathet Lao

Khmer Rouge

Ho was determined to use his irregular forces to drive the French out of Vietnam

3 .

Which line of latitude was chosen in 1945 as an initial boundary between North and South Vietnam?

The 17th Parallel

The 38th Parallel

The 16th Parallel

The 22nd Parallel

If Vietnam was to be divided, then an East-West line roughly half way seemed a reasonable boundary

4 .

Which French general arrived to take command in Vietnam in October 1945, having commanded Free French armoured forces in the liberation of France?

Leclerc

De Gaulle

Koenig

Gamelin

The French military were keen to avenge the defeat of 1940 with victory in the colonial war In Vietnam

5 .

By 1946 military command under Ho Chi Minh's overall leadership was held by a strategic genius - who was he?

Thich Tri Quanh

Nguyen Cao Ky

Nguyen Giap

Big Minh

North Vietnamese Communist forces operated as regular infantry divisions rather than as guerrillas. This same commander masterminded their operations against the Americans, ensuring their departure from Vietnam in 1973

6 .

In 1950 both the Soviet Union (under Stalin) and China (under Mao) recognised Ho's part of Vietnam. What name was given to this?

The Republic of Vietnam

The People's Republic of Vietnam

The Democratic Republic of Vietnam

The Popular Republic of Vietnam

Ho attached great importance to support from comradely Communist states, which provided not only recognition, but also arms and equipment

7 .

In January 1951 a new French commander arrived in Vietnam, only to leave at the end of the year, as he struggled with cancer. Who was he?

Weygand

De Lattre de Tassigny

Foch

Darlan

The French military were still determined to recover France's pre-war colonies

8 .

The French military command changed again in November 1951. Which general, later imprisoned with three colleagues for their attempted coup against De Gaulle over Algeria in the 1960s, replaced him in Vietnam?

Jouhaud

Zeller

Salan

Challe

There was no shortage of general officers in the high command of the Fourth Republic's army who were happy to take command in Vietnam - to salvage the French army's reputation

9 .

In March 1954 French forces suffered a shattering defeat at their substantial base in North Vietnam. Where was this?

Dien Bien Phu

Da Nang

Nha Trang

Cam Ranh

Political support in Paris was running out, and bad weather made it impossible either to leave or to reinforce this vast air and army base under sustained Communist attack

10 .

Between May and July 1954 peace talks among the various interested parties in the Vietnam campaign met in a European city to try to reach a final agreement, to which all sides could sign up. Which was this city?

Paris

London

Rome

Geneva

It was widely believed that negotiations of this kind were best conducted well away from the actual fighting

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - The Cold War and Vietnam

Author: Edward Towne