GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE & IGCSE History
- The struggle against France for independence, 1945 to 54
The struggle against France for independence, 1945 to 54
🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.
Vietnam had been a French colony. After the Second World War, the Vietminh fought a long war to drive the French out.
The Vietminh
Ho Chi Minh led the Vietminh, a communist-led independence movement, which fought the Japanese occupiers in the Second World War.
In 1945 Ho declared Vietnam independent. France tried to retake control, and war began in 1946.
In 1945 Ho declared Vietnam independent. France tried to retake control, and war began in 1946.
The war, 1946 to 54
The Vietminh, led militarily by General Giap, used guerrilla tactics, avoiding big battles and winning peasant support.
After 1949, communist China supplied weapons. The USA paid much of France's war costs.
After 1949, communist China supplied weapons. The USA paid much of France's war costs.
Dien Bien Phu, 1954
The French built a fortified base at Dien Bien Phu to draw the Vietminh into battle.
Giap's troops dragged artillery up the surrounding hills and besieged the base.
The French surrendered in May 1954. At the Geneva Conference France agreed to leave Vietnam.
Giap's troops dragged artillery up the surrounding hills and besieged the base.
The French surrendered in May 1954. At the Geneva Conference France agreed to leave Vietnam.
Why did the French lose at Dien Bien Phu?
- The base was in a valley surrounded by hills.
- Giap's troops hauled artillery onto the hills.
- They pounded the base and cut off supplies until it surrendered.
Answer: The Vietminh surrounded the base with artillery on the hills and cut it off.
Ho Chi Minh's Vietminh declared independence in 1945 and fought France from 1946. General Giap used guerrilla tactics, helped by China after 1949; the USA funded France. The French defeat at Dien Bien Phu (May 1954) led to the Geneva Conference.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.