In “Imagined Communities,” Benedict Anderson raises a discussion on nationalism and the roots of its emergence in different cultural situations. Powerfully, Anderson states, “nationalism thinks in terms of historical destinies, while racism dreams of eternal contaminations, transmitted from the origins of time through an endless sequence of loathsome copulations: outside history,” relatable to the Vietnamese case of nationalism (Anderson, 148-9). The emergence of this patriotic sentiment can be attributed to ‘outside history,’ and the slow, but evident disintegration of a said cultural identity. ‘Outside history’ and the threatening presence of outside forces were all to easy to despise. With an obvious, discernible enemy, it was only natural for the Vietnamese to desire self-sufficiency, and to target the said enemy. For the French, ridding Vietnam of its cultural ties and identity was a key factor in their subjugation of the people themselves (Anderson, 126-7).
The French prioritized severing Vietnam’s historical and cultural ties with the Chinese in an attempt to smother any indigenous convocation and pride. The French also attempted to route out any ‘dangerous’ ideas and potential revolution through literature seeping into Vietnam from China. This was especially the case after the 1890s, when reformers Liang Ch’i-ch’ao and K’ang Yu-wei, and nationalists including Sun Yat-sen had published works geared toward solidarity and expulsion of foreign oppression. As a result, civil service exams which were highly Confucian in nature, were abolished. In lieu of a Confucian system, a French colonial education system was set up. This helped create a new generation of Vietnamese; those who would become French-speakers and writers, and ...
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... illustrate to his audience, the tyranny in colonialism and although many Vietnamese believed Hồ’s works to be radical, he was able to use his words to influence many Vietnamese to rise in unison against a common oppressor.
Vietnamese communists, in addition to Hồ, were staunch believers in their goal of attaining independence. They were adamant in opposing the French and any other force who worked against them, including the Americans. The communists abided by a common ideology, making it much easier for them to build a common identity, using universality and community as backdrops to their desire for independence. With conformity and individual sacrifices for the greater benefit of the nation in mind, the communists’ influence on the minds of the people was evident. They were able to reach out to those who were long forgotten by the South Vietnamese regime:
When Vietnamese revolutionary Ho Chi Minh and his political organization, the Vietminh, seized control of their independence from France United States Politicians saw it as another communist take over. When really Ho was more a nationalist than a communist. All Minh wanted was for the United States to recognize its independence from France and to send aid to help it reach its nationalistic goals. "Before the Cold War Ho and the Vietmin...
The Vietnam War: A Concise International History is a strong book that portrays a vivid picture of both sides of the war. By getting access to new information and using valid sources, Lawrence’s study deserves credibility. After reading this book, a new light and understanding of the Vietnam war exists.
Nationalism has been a potent force for change since the development of human civilization. However, opinion about the extent to which nationalism may be appropriately pursued is highly diverse, a factor that has led to immense tragedy and suffering in countless regions worldwide. While it is both appropriate and sometimes encouraged to take pride in being part of a nation, it is of the utmost importance that it is done without harming or subjugating people of another. Uniting a people by force and potentially eliminating or destroying those who may oppose it or not belong to it is unacceptable ethically, morally, and socially.
The story focuses on her great-grandfather, who was in disapproval of the French occupation of Vietnam, but still excelled at his job as a Mandarin under the puppet imperial court, fearing persecution of his family if he were to resign. In this section, the author also mentions more about the how the values of confusion had influenced the Vietnamese people in attempts to justify her great grandfather’s
The Indochina war caused a spark especially in terms of the cold war. Conflict between the super powers, Soviet Union and the United States, rose. Vietnam became a point of dispute throughout the world. Several countries wanted to stake a claim of some kind on Vietnam. The resemblance between Phuong’s uncaring nature and the domineering presence of the other character greatly resembles that which happened to Vietnam during the war. Pyle and fowler both want Phuong to be taken care of, but each in their own way. Much like France wants to maintain control over Vietnam and the United States want to make it democratic. The country was easily overtaken by the other powers of the world be its own naivety, lack of its own powerful free will, and reservations of opinion.
Throughout the years, humans have constructed many unique civilizations; all which follow a distinct social, economic, and political structure. Even so, there is one characteristic that prevails among these societies, the concept of nationalism. In short, nationalism refers to the feelings people have when identifying with their nation. This simple notion possesses the ability to divide or unite collective groups, and has played an important role in many historical events.
Bao Ninh's The Sorrow of War is a contrapuntal reading to American literature on the Vietnam War. But rather than stand in stark contrast to Tim O' Brien's The Things They Carried, The Sorrow of War is strangely similar, yet different at the same time. From a post-colonialist standpoint, one must take in account both works to get an accurate image of the war. The Sorrow of War is an excellent counterpoint because it is truthful. Tim O' Brien writes: ". . . you can tell a true war story by its absolute and uncompromising allegiance to obscenity and evil." (O' Brien, 42) Bao Ninh succeeds in this respect. And it was for this reason that the Vietnamese government initially banned The Sorrow of War. A thorough textual and historical examination of both the war and post-war experience of Vietnam reveals that its experience was similar to, if not worse than, that of America.
Nationalism has a long history although most scholarly research on Nationalism only began in the mid-twentieth century. Some scholars point to the French Revolution of 1789 as the birth of Nationalism. The French Revolution is seen...
He sees that it is the weaker party , which only has a personnel strength of approximately 50,000 personnel to fight against America and its allies with modern equipment and weaponry . In addition to strength in terms of personnel , the leader of Vietnam 's Ho Chi Minh communist movement also realize that military equipment and soldiers fighting capability is very limited . But in terms of mastery of the battlefield as well as the support of the community in the Vietnam war , it is a positive factor and excellence in the fight against the Americans .
The colonialism of which the Vietnamese suffered for over a century was partially caused by their own intolerance. French interest in Vietnam began in the 16th century, as the rest of Europe began an obsession with Asian goods, and Christian missionaries were looking to convert natives. In Vietnam, priests and traders found their work to be impossible, as V...
Herring begins his account with a summary of the First Indochina War. He reports that the Vietnamese resisted French imperialism as persistently as they had Chinese. French colonial policies had transformed the Vietnamese economic and social systems, giving rise to an urban middle class, however; the exploitation of the country and its people stimulated more radical revolutionary activity. Herring states that the revolution of 1945 was almost entirely the personal creation of the charismatic leader Ho Chi Minh. Minh is described as a frail and gentle man who radiated warmth and serenity, however; beneath this mild exterior existed a determined revolutionary who was willing to employ the most cold- blooded methods in the cause to which he dedicated his life. With the guidance of Minh, the Vietminh launched as a response to the favorable circumstances of World War II. By the spring of 1945, Minh mobilized a base of great support. When Japan surrendered in 1945, the Vietminh filled the vacuum. France and the Vietminh attempted to negotiate an agreement, but their goals were irreconcilable.
Nationalism has played a crucial role in world history over the past centuries. It continues to do so today. For many, nationalism is indelibly associated with some of the worst aspects of modern history, such as the destructive confidence of the Napoleon’s army and the murderous pride of Nazi Germany. Large numbers of people, descent in their hearts, have carried out unbelievable atrocities for no better reason than their nation required them to. Authoritarian and totalitarian regime have crushed dissent, eliminated opposition, and trampled on civil liberties in the name of the nation.
French colonization played a huge role in the spread of communism in Vietnam, due to poor treatment. I’m writing about this topic because as Americans we know communism is wrong. Yet, I feel that it’s important for people to know why the Vietnamese people were communist and how it came about. French colonization lead to many rebellions in Vietnam. Since the Vietnamese people were in such a bad state and wanted to be liberated they turned to communism. The Vietnamese rebellions used communism to unite the people and push forth their rebellion.
Before WWII, during the French rule in Vietnam, the French used the Vietnamese to their advantage. Many Vietnamese people were living under oppression by the French authorities. Some, seeking independence, fought back against the French. One of these revolutionaries was Ho Chi Minh. Although many democratic countries disliked his support for Communism, Ho was strongly passionate about liberating Vietnam. As a prime minster, a president, and a leader of Vietnam, Ho majorly contributed to the Vietnamese independence movement through 1941. While Ho Chi Minh is considered a tyrant by democratic countries such as France and the US, he stands a force for good in the founding of an independent Vietnam based on the ideals of freedom and communism.
“The existing nationalism literature is a conceptual labyrinth characterized by questionable instruments, lack of empirical data, and poor explanatory power”