Sylabbus Notes on Conflict in Indochina

Indochina is a region made up of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos•By 1893, France had complete control over Indochina•20th century – Indochina conflict was a struggle for national self-determination (independence from Foreign Rule) in Asia against colonialism.

•1954 – Vietnam was freed from French colonialism however had to continue to fight until 1975 to unify the country completely•Events in Indochina after 1954 created a number of major global political changes that took place after WWIINationalism in Indochina•Vietnamese had a fierce sense of nationalism as they fought to oppose Chinese imperialism in 938, 1257, in the 1280s, in 1406 and 1788•Vietnamese resented outsiders and admired the military heroes and hence developed a distinctive military style called guerilla warfareImportance of the conflict to the USA•Vietnam war had a major impact on 20th century national history of USA and was one of defining events of the Cold War•Cost and trauma of VN War produced a “crisis of confidence” in USA•Even though the US had vast economic resources and energetic troops, they could not manage the Vietnam War as those who fought for and supported the NVA and the Viet Cong refused to give up the struggle and hence the Vietnam conflict was excessively long and draining.

Jacob Van Staaveren: Interdiction in Southern Laos...

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•VN War ended the political career of President Lyndon Johnson and caused the resignation of Nixon.

Historical BackgroundIndochina and China•Indochina resisted the foreign empires from China.

•VN used the guerilla warfare as their traditional tactic in their struggle against invading empires•However, Chinese cultural influences were left in Vietnam. Chinese form of writing, Chinese Buddhism and the Confucian style of gov’t admin all left their mark in Indochina•Vietnam rec’d independence in 1400s when Prince Le Loc led a revolt against Chinese of the Minh DynastyIndochina and the French•1612 – French catholic missionaries (people whom spread the idea of church)...