Explain any four major challenges faced by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
THE Democratic Republic of Vietnam was formed in September 1945. The new Republic faced a number of challenges :
- The French tried to regain control by using the emperor, Bao Dai. The Vietminh were forced to retreat to hills.
- After eight years of fighting, the French were defeated in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu.
- In the peace negotiations in Geneva followed the French defeat, the Vietnamese were persuaded to accept the division of the country.
- Vietnam was divided into North and South. Ho Chi Minh took power in the North, while Bao Dai took power in the South.
- This division set in motion a series of events that turned Vietnam into a battle field.
- The Bao Dai regime was soon overthrown by a coup led by Ngo Dinh Diem.
- Diem built a repressive and authoritarian government. Any one who opposed him called a communist and was jailed and killed.
- His dictatorial rule came to be opposed by a broad opposition united under the National Liberation Front [N.L.F.].
- With the help of the Ho Chi Minh, the N.L.F. fought for the unification of the country.
- US was worried about the rise of communism, it decided to intervene decisively, sending ’ troops and arms in Vietnam.