First Indochina War 1946 - 1954

Nov. 1, 1946 - Paris, France - World War II became a trigger for Vietnam seeking independence from France as well as to oppose Japanese occupation. In 1941 a Vietnamese socialist activist HO CHI MINH founds Viet Minh - a national liberation movement which conquers Hanoi in what became known as the August Revolution. HO CHI MINH declares Vietnam to be independent, naming the country the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) but fails to be recognized. French forces entered Vietnam and fighting quickly broke out between French and Viet Minh forces. By 1949, when the French reinstalled Bao Dai as figurehead, the two sides had fought to a standstill. The fighting between the French and Viet Minh came to be called the First Indochina War. PICTURED: Negotiations between GEORGES BIDAULT and HO CHI MINH

Restrictions Only for United Kingdom

Activist Bidault Broke Conquers Declares Entered Fails Figurehead Fought Founds Hanoi Indochina Minh Naming Negotiations Oppose Quickly Recognized Reinstalled Seeking Standstill Trigger Viet Vietnamese

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