The August Revolution
In August 1945, the Japanese left Vietnam as defeat was imminent in WWII. With no government of any power in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh capitalized on the situation by starting a national uprising to ensure Vietnamese independence. At the time, northern Vietnam was controlled by the Chinese and southern Vietnam was controlled by the British commonwealth who placed the French puppet government back in control. With the support of the Vietnamese citizens due to the leadership of the Viet Minh during the great famine, the Viet Minh and Ho Chi Minh began to strategically attack the Chinese at major cities including Hanoi and the major port of Hai Phong. With brute force, the support of the citizens, a bit of tactics, and small amount of luck, the Viet Minh were able to gain control of Northern Vietnam, defeating the Chinese and gaining control in late August 1945. With the control of the north, the Viet Minh, and Ho Chi Minh in particular, devised a constitution including basic principles of the United States constitution. This constitution resulted in a growth of support in the Viet Minh and nationalistic values as they oppose the colonial powers of the past. In September 1945 the Viet Minh declared Vietnamese independence, resulting in a large growth of support from the citizens as they finally defeated opposing colonial rule and became independent. However, the French puppet government was still in control in the south and as the Viet Minh began to negotiate with the French, ultimately tensions began to grow and the Viet Minh really sought to take control of southern Vietnam in the future.
Vietnamese Nationalism
- With the loss of Japanese control as they withdrew from Vietnam, it allowed the Viet Minh to build up support and influence within the Vietnamese citizens as they lead and promoted nationalistic values within the population.
- With the creation of a loosely democratic constitution, nationalism grew within the citizens of Vietnam as they finally declared independence and had a set of rights that each and every one of them were entitled to. With this sense of freedom given to the citizens by the Viet Minh, support of the Viet Minh grew in strength dramatically.
- With the success of the Viet Minh in declaring Vietnam independent and overthrowing the chines, an increase of nationalism occurred as the citizens of Vietnam realized they had hope at becoming independent.