Vichy France
The French ruled over Vietnam remotely, using it for resources and practicing the European-esque imperialism. This continued until 1940, when Nazi Germany invaded France. France lost power in the home country, as well as most of their puppet countries. Initially the French had to give in to Japanese demands of minimal troop insertion, allowing the Japanese 6,000 troops on the northern border. The Japanese quickly reneged on this offer, and fully invaded a day later. This allowed the Japanese, who had been vying for control of Vietnam (more specifically as a strategic point against China), to move in. This meant that the original French puppet government in France was ousted, and the Vichy Government installed.
However, the Japanese, realizing that they couldn't completely occupy Vietnam, let the French (who were now a German puppet) do the grunt work as they reaped the benefits. This allowed the Japanese to create their own skewed version of imperialism, operating out of Tokyo. They were granted the status "most-favored nation", giving them increased exchange potential by lowering prices to a bare minimum. This unwise move would prove to be one of the main reasons of Vietnam's sense of nationalism. |
Jean Decoux
Jean Decoux was the French governor-general of Vietnam appointed by the Vichy government on September 22, 1940. He was a puppet of Nazi Germany who had to help the Japanese. He allowed over 30,000 Japanese soldiers to be stationed in Vietnam and let the Japanese army and navy use Vietnamese airports and ports. He continued oppressive actions against the Vietnamese people as he took rice and other supplies from the peasants to help the Japanese war effort.
Jean Decoux and the Vichy French government ruling Vietnam were eventually overthrown by the Japanese in March of 1945 as World War II was ending. This involved jailing all the French officials. The Japanese feared that the French would revolt against them as defeat approached.
Jean Decoux and the Vichy French government ruling Vietnam were eventually overthrown by the Japanese in March of 1945 as World War II was ending. This involved jailing all the French officials. The Japanese feared that the French would revolt against them as defeat approached.