Class X

History

Questions & Answers

Chapter: The Nationalist Movement in Indo-China

Indo - China is a small peninsula in South-East Asia. It consists of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Q. 1. Describe the influence of China on Vietnam’s culture and life.

OR

The countries in Indo-China were inspired by Chinese culture. Do you agree? Give arguments in support of your answer.

Vietnam was under the shadow of Chinese empire.

(i)  Vietnam followed the Chinese system of government and Chinese culture.

(ii) Chinese language was the language of the educated Vietnamese people. They followed Chinese system of education.

(iii) Confucianism, a Chinese religion, had many followers in Vietnam.

(iv) Vietnam was connected to Maritime silk route that brought in goods and people.

Q2. Why did the French think colonies were necessary? Give two reasons

1. Colonies were considered essential to supple natural resources and other goods.2. French also thought that colonies were needed to bring the benefits of civilization

to the backward people.

Q3. What did the ‘Civilizing mission’ of the colonizers mean?

A French colonization in Vietnam was not only based on economic exploitation but was also driven by the idea of civilizing mission.

The French felt that colonizers has a noble aspect too. According to them, it is a way of bringing civilization to the backward people of the world. It is the duty of the superior races to educate and civilize the people of Asia and Africa. That is what the ‘civilizing mission’ means.

Q4 Why did the French develop infrastructure in Vietnam?

A (i) To help transport goods for trade.

(ii) To move military garrisons

(iii) To control the entire region

(iv) French business interests were also pressing the government of Vietnam to develop the infrastructure further

Q5. What economic impact did the French have on the economy of Vietnam?

Ans-

1. French build canals and drained lands in Mekong Delta to increase cultivation.2. Vast systems of irrigation works were built which increased rice production and

exports of rice too.3. France took up infrastructure projects like building rails to transport goods.

Construction of trans-Indo_China rail network to connect the northern and southern parts of Vietnam and China started.

Q6. Explain the following: The French began building canals and draining Lands in the Mekong delta in Vietnam.

OR

With what objective did the French build canals and drained lands in Mekong Delta of Vietnam?

A. The French did this with some specific aims in mind. They did so to increase cultivation in the area especially the cultivation of rice so that they could sell this commodity in the international market and earn profit. The French company was a

trading company and the French rulers had motives to enrich themselves and their country at the cost of their colonies.

Q7. Why did writers like Paul Bernard believe in developing the economy of the Colonies?

OR

Industrialization alone is the key to creation of more jobs. Do you agree? Give arguments for your answer.

A Paul Bernard believed in developing the economy for the following reasons:

(i) It would increase the profit opportunities of the colonizers.

(ii) If the economy was developed, the standard of the people would improve and as a result they would buy more goods.

(iii) The market would naturally expand which meant more business for the French businessmen.

Q8. List the factors as identified by Paul Bernard that were barriers to the economic Growth of Vietnam.

1. High population levels2. Low agricultural productivity3. Indebtness among farmers.

Q9. On which factors was the economy of Vietnam based on?

A (i) Primarily based on rice cultivation

(ii) Secondly on rubber cultivation owned by the French and the Vietnamese rich people.

Q10. Why did education become a dilemma for the French Colonizers? OR

Why were the French citizens living in Vietnam opposed to Educational reforms in Vietnam?

A. Dilemma is a confused state of mind. The dilemma of education was whether to educate the Vietnamese or not.

(i) On one hand they wanted to educate the Vietnamese to get good local Labour force. They thought it to be their duty to educate them even if it meant destroying their culture.

(ii) On the other hand they feared that the educated Vietnamese would question colonial domination.

(iii) French feared that they might lose their jobs to educated Veitnamese.

Q11. Why did the French citizens in Vietnam oppose the expansion of education in

Vietnam?A. The French citizen in Vietnam, known as colons, feared that if the Vietnamese were educated, they would lose their jobs as teachers, shopkeepers, policemen etc.

Q. 12. Mention the steps taken by the French to dismantle Chinese influence on Vietnam.

Ans.1. They established French school for the Vietnamese. They wanted to replace Chinese language in school either by French or by Vietnamese.2. Some policy makers emphasized the use of French language as the medium of instruction. They felt that through this the Vietnamese would learn about French culture and civilization.3. In 1907, Tonkin Free School was set up to provide western style education to spread French culture.4. In religion the French introduced Christianity in Vietnam and gave challenge to Confucianism, the Chinese religion followed by many Vietnamese.

Q13. Describe the change in the schooling that was brought in by the French in Vietnam.

(i) School textbooks glorified and justified French rule.(ii) Vietnamese were shown as backward, primitive and capable of only manual

work and not intellectual work.

(iii) School children were told that only French could ensure peace in Vietnam.

(iv) French was taught in higher classes and the ones who learnt French were rewarded French citizenship.

(v) Education was limited to only the rich people in Vietnam.

(vi) Western style education was imparted which included classes in Science , hygiene and French.

(vii) The schools encouraged adoption of western style such as having short hair cut.

(viii) Deliberate Failing policy was introduced in the schools.

Q14. Only one-third of the students in Vietnam would pass the school leaving examinations. Why?

A. The French authorities were in a dilemma as regards the imparting of French Education to the Vietnamese. They felt that if the Vietnamese were educated in French they would steal the chances of the French citizens residing in Vietnam in getting jobs. So the French followed a deliberate policy of failing the students in the final years so that they could not qualify for better jobs.

Q. 15.  Describe the ideas behind the Tonkin Free School. To what extent was it a typical example of colonial ideas in Vietnam?

Ans. 

It was started in 1907 to provide western education. The school’s approach was that to be modern it was not enough to learn science

and have western ideas but the Vietnamese also had to look modern

Science, hygiene and French were taught along with the other subjects.

The school encouraged students to adopt western style of living. Students had to cut their hair short.

Q. 16.  How was education used as a weapon by the Vietnamese to fight against the colonialism? OR

How did the teachers and the students revolt against the French system of education?

Ans. 1. Vietnamese teachers and students did not blindly follow the curriculum framed by the French. Sometimes there was open opposition and at other times, there was silence resistance. number of teachers in the lower classes quietly modified the text and criticized what was stated.2. When a Vietnamese girl was terminated over the issue of front seat in Saigon Native Girls school, the whole school protested, and forced the authorities to take her back. It was a victory for the education class.3. Students were inspired by patriotic feelings. By the 1920s students were forming various political parties like Party of Young Annan and published a journal called Annanese Student.

4. schools became an important place for political and cultural battles.The educated class wanted to use education as a mean to fight against the colonial rule.

Q17 Which incident in a school of Vietnam created much bad blood in Vietnamese students?

A . An incident in Saigon Native Girls School in 1926, created much bad blood in Vietnam. It so happened that a Vietnamese girl sitting on one of the front seats was asked to vacate her seat for a local French student. When she refused to do so, the Principal expelled her from the school. When the angry students protested, they too were expelled, leading to a further spread of the agitation and the protests. Seeing the situation getting out of control, the school authorities forced the school to take back the students.

Q18. Give an example to show that racial discrimination was practised even in the area of health and hygiene.

The French followed racial discrimination in the area of health and hygiene also

1. The French part of Hanoi that they built was a beautiful clean city with wide avenues and well laid out sewer system. These large systems symbolized modernity.

2. While the native part where the local Vietnamese lived was not provided with any modern facilities. The waste from the old city drained into the river and were overflown into the streets during heavy rains.

Q. 19.  “Rats were most common in the modern, newly built areas of Hanoi.” Explain.

Or

Why was newly built Hanoi infested with rats?

Ans.The French part of Hanoi was beautiful and clean while the Native Quarter lacked modern facilities of health and hygiene. The refuse and filth from the old city drained straight into the river, which overflowed during heavy rain. The large sewers used in modern Hanoi became the ideal breeding ground for rats.The rats began to enter the well-cared for French homes through the sewage pipes.

Q. 7.  Why and how were the Vietnamese used in the rat hunt in 1902-03?

OR

How do the actions of rat catchers tell us that the colonialism was fought in everyday life? OR

Why were the French forced to scrap the programme were bounty for killed rats?

Ans. In 1903, the modern part of Hanoi was struck with bubonic plague. To prevent this, a rat hunt started.

1. The French used Vietnamese workers for this and paid them for each rat they killed.

2. Since the dirty work was to be done only by the Vietnamese, they began collective bargaining.

3. Another innovative method they took was they clipped only the tail of the rat to show as proof of killing and released the rat. So the process could be repeated.

4. Some people began to raise rats to make money.

5. Failing miserably in preventing the menace, the French had to scrap the whole programme.

Q20 What was the role of Religious groups in the development of Anti-National feelings on Vietnam?

How did the French suppress the movement inspired by Huynh Phu So? (only point 4 as answer)

A Religion always plays an important part over the cultural and social life of the people. The colonial powers try to use it in strengthening their controls over their colonies.

1. In Vietnam, French tried to force their religion on the local people so bluntly that it created resistance and led to anti-imperialist feelings against the French imperialists.

2. Most of the Vietnamese were the followers of Buddhism and Confucianism but when the French authorities tried to convert the Vietnamese to their own religion forcibly, it created a strong feeling against them.

3. There was an open revolt against them in 1868, known as the Scholars Revolt. In this revolt, about 1000 Catholics were killed.

4. Another such movement known as Hoa Hao was started by Huynh Puh So. The French declared him mad and called him Mad Bonze and put him in mental asylum and sent many of his followers to concentration camps and exiled him to Laos. But still they could not curb the tide of Nationalism.

Q 21  What is referred as Scholars Revolt?

Ans.  1. It was a movement which was led by officials at the imperial court in 1868.2. The revolt was against the spread of Catholicism and French power in Vietnam.3. More than 1000 catholics were killed in the revolt.4. The French crushed the movement, but this uprising served to inspire other patriots to rise up against them.

Q.22.  Explain the two different visions in opposing foreign domination in Vietnam.

Ans. 

1. Some intellectuals felt that Vietnamese tradition have to be strengthened to resist the domination of the west, while the others felt that Vietnam had to learn from the west even while opposing foreign domination. The differing visions led to complex debates.

2. The first vision was supported by Confucian scholars and revolutionists like Phan Boi Chau who formed the revolutionary society. He resisted French domination

3. Phan Chu Trinh beleieved in the second vision. He was hostile to the monarchy and was opposed to the idea of resisting the French. His desire was to establish a democratic republic. He was influenced by western democratic ideals and said that Vietnamese should learn from the west.

Q 23 Explain the political ideas of Phan Chu Trinh. How were his ideas different from Phan Boi Chau?

OR

Draw a contrast between the teachings of Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh.

Ans. 

Phan Chu Trinh and Phan Boi Chau were both great nationalists of Vietnam but they were of different approach to Vietnamese nationalism.

Phan Chu Trinh was intensely hostile to monarchy and was opposed to the idea of resisting the French. He did not want complete rejection of French domination. His desire was to establish a democratic republic. He was inspired by the French revolutionary ideals of the liberty and equality. whereas

Phan Boi Chau wanted complete rejection of French domination. He was not in favour of learning from the west. He felt that Vietnamese tradition have to be strengthened to oppose the domination of the west

Q.24 What was GO East movemrnt? Explain the reasons for the popularity of ‘Go East Movement’.

Ans. 

1. In the first decade of 20th century ‘Go East Movement’ became popular. In 1907-08, some 300 Vietnamese students went to Japan to acquire modern education. Their primary objective was to drive out the French from Vietnam, overthrow the puppet emperor and reestablish the Nyuyen dynasty that had been removed by the French.

2. Japan had resisted colonization by European power and had a victory over Russia in 1907 so the Vietnamese were inspired from them.

3. They appealed the Japanese to help them in driving away the French.

4. They established a branch of Restoration society in Tokyo. But Japanese ministry of interior clamped down the movement in 1908 and main leaders were deported.

Q 25. How did China and Japan influence the Vietnamese in modernization?

Japan: Go East Movement started (refer to previous question)

China: Inspired the Vietnamese nationalists.

In China, the monarchy was overthrown and republic was set up in 1911 by the help of people.

This inspired Vietnamese students and they organised the Association for the Restoration of Vietnam. Vietnamese wanted democratic republic in Vietnam.

Q26 Who was Sun-Yat-Sen? When was monarchy overthrown in China?

A Sun-Yat-Sen was a great nationalist of China who became instrumental in establishing a republic in China in 1911. The Chinese Revolution of 1911 overthrew the monarchy in China in 1911.

Q 27. How did the Great Depression of 1930 impact Vietnam?

In Vietnam:

1. The prices of rubber and rice fell.

2. This led to increase in rural debt

3. Unemploymnet and rural uprisings increased in places like Ha Tinh and Ngne An.

Q28. How did the people of Vietnam fight against the French Imperialists? (all points)

OR

Briefly describe the events from 1930 to 1945 that led to the creation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. (answer- only points 1-7)

1. When Indo-China became the part of French Colonial Empire, they exploited Vietnamese fully. They used to get rubber, coal and rice from her. The masses suffered heavy taxation and the wages for the labourers were very low.

2. Ho Chi Minh organized the Communist party and assumed the leadership of the freedom movement in Indo-China.

3. France however recklessly crushed the rebellion of 1930 AD

4. In 1940, Japan occupied Vietnam because they wanted to control south eat Asia. So Vietnamese had to fight against both Japan and French.

5. Vietminh (League for independence of Vietnam) was formed to fight aginst Japan

6. Ho Chi Minh recaptured Hanoi and declared the independence of Indo-China and named it as Vietnam.

7. Demmocartic Republic of Vietnam was formed and Ho Chi Minh became the first President of Republic of Vietnam.

8. The French were defeated by Vietnamese after 8 years of fighting at Dien Bien Phu.

9. A peace negotiation was held in Geneva after the deafeat of French. This divided Vietnam into two parts- North and South Vietnam

Q29 What were the causes for the defeat of the French forces in the battle of Dien Bien Phu?

A. (i) The valley where the French garrisons were located was flooded in the monsoons that made it impossible for the French forces and tanks to move.

(ii) The whole area was covered with bushes and jungles making it difficult for the French Air Force to trace the anti-aircraft guns hidden in the bushes and the jungles.

Q30 What were the Viet Minh? In which year was the Democratic Republic of Vietnam founded?

A Viet Minh was the League for the Independence of Vietnam, who fought against the Japanese occupation in 1940.With the help of the Viet Minh, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was founded in 1945.

Q31 Which provinces of Vietnam were called the “Electrical Fuses of Vietnam”?

A The provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh were the ones called the “Electrical Fuses ofVietnam” because they were the poorest among the provinces and had an old radical tradition.

Q 32. Describe the Political structure of North and South Vietnam.

In North Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh and his communist government took power while the ,puppet emperor of France, Bao Dai was given power in South Vietnam.

In south the Bao Dai regime was soon overthrown by Ngo Dinh Diem whose government was very repressive and authoritarian. National Liberation Front was formed in South Vietnam to oppose his dictatorial rule.

Q33 . Why did US enter into a war with Vietnam?

OR

Why did the USA feel scared at the unification of Vietnam?

• The US policy planners feared that the victory of the Ho Chi Minh government would start a domino effect and many communist government would come into existence.

• US had advantage over Vietnam in terms of technology and medical supplies so they decided to enter into a war.

But they underestimated the power of a small country like Vietnam to fight the most technologically advanced country, USA.

Q. 34 The phase of struggle with the US was brutal. HOW?

OR

‘The war between Vietnam and US was very brutal and not appreciated even by the people of US.’ Elaborate

• USA Used heavy weapons and bombs-B52s

• Chemical weapons such as Napalm and Agent Orange were used which proved to be very dangerous.

• Even the people of US did not support the war. The poor sections of US society were forced to be part of the war while the rich were allowed to continue with their education.

• Even US media played an important role in both criticizing and supporting the war- movie like Green Berets supported war and Apocalypse Now critised war

Q35. What do you mean by the Ho Chi Minh Trail?

A

1. The HO Chi Minh was an immense network of footpaths and roads which moved through Laos and Cambodia.

2. The trail was used to transport men and material during the course of Vietnamese war.

3. It had support bases and hospitals all the way.

4. The supplies were transported thrpugh porters who were mainly women. These porters carries many kilos on their back.

Q.36.  What is the significance of Vietnamese Trail? How were supplies transported?

Ans. The Vietnamese trail was an immense network of footpaths and roads which moved through Laos and Cambodia. The trail was used to transport men and material during the course of Vietnamese war. It had support bases and hospitals all the way.

Importance/significance:

1.The story of the Ho Chi Minh trail is one way of understanding the nature of the war that the Vietnamese fought against the United States.

2. It symbolizes how the Vietnamese used their limited resources against the biggest military power of USA.

3. The trail was used by about 20,000 North Vietnamese troops who came to the south each month using this trail.

4. The trail was many times bombed by USA but was rebuilt quickly by Vietnamese. This shows the intensity of Nationalism in Viertnam.

Q.37.   Evaluate the role of Vietnamese women during 1960s war period and after the war in peace time.

OR

Discuss the position of women in Vietnam with special reference to their role in the struggle for freedom

Ans. 1. When casualties in the war increased after 1960, women in large numbers joined the war and fought selflessly and continued and resistance movement.

2. They helped in nursing the wounded, constructing underground rooms and tunnels for hiding. Along the Ho Chi Minh Trail young volunteers guarded at key points.

3. They built six airstrips, neutralized tens of thousands of bombs, transported cargo, weapons and food. 

4. Women militia shot down planes. For instance Nguyen Thi Xuan was reported to have shot down a jet with just twenty bullets.

5. They were young, brave and dedicated. They were not only warriors but worked with dedication in other fields also. They carried rifle in one hand and hammer in the other.

Q.38 How was the US Vietnam war brought to an end?

1. People within US and across the world questioned US involvement in the war and considered it as a greatest threat to peace. People questioned the government policies

2. This strengthened the moves to negotiate an end to the war by sighning a peace settlement in Paris in Jan 1974.

3. This settlement ended US war with Vietnam but fighting between Saigon regime and National Liberation Front continued which finally ended on 30 April 1975 with the victory of National Liberation Front and unification of Vietnam.

Q39. Give a brief description of the life and achievements of Ho Chi Minh.

A He was probably born in a small town in Central Vietnam. He completed his studies in French Schools and got a job on a French liner operating between Saigon and Marseilles. He was soon drawn towards Communism and became a member of Commintern. He had a chance to meet great Russian Communist Leaders including Lenin. He spent about 30 years abroad in Europe, China and Thailand, etc. He returned to Vietnam in May 1941. In 1943, he became the President of the Vietnam Democratic Republic. He died on September 1969. He is regarded as the maker of modern Vietnam.

Q 40. Explain how schools in Vietnam became an important place for political and cultural battles.

The schools in Vietnam became an important place for political and cultural battles as:1. In schools, the French tried to change the values and perceptions of Vietnamese

and destroy their culture..2. French battled with the beliefs of Vietnamese and made them believe that they

were inferior to the French.3. Many Vietnam people started feeling that the Vietnamese were losing control

over their own identity and are developing a master slave mentality.

Q41. The US Vietnam war has been called as the First Television war. Why?

The war was called as the first television war because:1. Battle scenes were shown on the daily news programmes.2. Vietnam was visited by many actors and writers who praised the heroic defense

of the country.3. There were movies made in support and defense of the war. Like, movie Green

Berets supported the war while Apocalypse Now reflected the moral confusion that the war had caused in US.

Q42. The war has been termed said as ‘the greatest threat to peace, to national self determination and to the international cooperation’ Why?

Because:1. Thousand of US soldiers lost their lives.2. Countless Vietnamese civilians were killed and villages destroyed.3. The war between US and Vietnam was very brutal. Many heavy weapons and

tanks were used. 4. Most powerful bomb of the time- B 52 and chemical weapons were used which

brought massive destruction.