NR449 – Case Study: Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese Independence

Case Study: Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese IndependenceWas Ho Chi Minh a Communist? To many Americans he was. But to many Vietnamesehe was a nationalist hero, and to even a few Americans he was that as well, plus afriend, and ally and a comrade in arms during World War 2. It may be hard to paint Howith any color other than gray, and now, nearly 50 years after his death and 40 yearsafter the end of the American war in Vietnam, even that color has faded with time. Whatwe do have are his words.The link below will take you the speech Ho Chi Minh gave on September 2, 1945, inwhich he proclaimed Vietnam’s independence, and its arrival on the world stage. Yourassignment will be to read the speech and provide answers to the following questions:http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5139/Complete your Case Study in a Word document, approximately 300-400 words inlength.Questions for exploration:1.Ho’s speech proclaiming Vietnam’s independence contains a demand that thefree world support that independence in part as payment for services rendered duringWorld War 2. What ‘service’ did Vietnam render during that conflict?2.Ho claims that Vietnam’s independence is consistent with the philosophicalprinciples which the Allies claimed were paramount during World War 2. Whatprinciples was Ho referring to, and does he make references to occasions where thoseprinciples were reasserted?3.In the speech, Ho mentions crimes committed by the French during theiroccupation of Vietnam. Which crimes, as you read them, were in your opinion mostsevere and justified Vietnamese independence?