preview

Essay about Conflict Theory in Vietnam

Good Essays

The history of Vietnam is one of great struggle and conflict. For centuries the vietnamese people have had no choice but to change their society by force in order to gain their own freedom and independence. Pivitol events in Vietnamese history such as the Battle of Bach Dang in 939 and the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 are examples of how the conflict theory brought change to Vietnamese society and culture.

For centuries Vietnam had been under Chinese rule. The Vietnamese people were an oppressed society and were exploited by the Chinese. Forced labour was brought upon the Vietnamese people, and there were many tyrannical Chinese governers along with constant demands of tribute for the Chinese rulers. There had been many revolts by …show more content…

Vietnam was a soveriegn nation until 18th century.
This dramatic change which occurred in less than 25 years is all due to the conflict theory. Without the Battle of Bach Dang it is possible that Vietnam could still be under Chinese rule and the people would continue to be exploited.

The French colonized Vietnam in two phases. The first occuring between 1859-1862 by occupying Saigon and surrounding areas in Mekong. In 1883 they annexed the Hanoi and Tonkin regions.
In the early years of French rule, French administrators planned to change Vietnam socially, politically and economically. No respect was given to the Vietnamese people or their culture. Court officials ( called manderines ) were forced to report to colonial officials instead of the king, diminishing much of the kings power and role in society. High costs of colonial administrators caused the French to put high taxes on salt, opium, alcohol and land. Forced labour was also re introduced. French rule had left the Vietnamese people and their culture impoverished and very much opressed. By 1940 half of Vietnamese's population was landless. This is was one of the many crippling effects of French colonial rule in Vietnam.
Although there had been many uprisings, protests and guerrilla groups formed to attempt to over throw the French, none were successful, and all attempts were crushed by the French military.
In the early 20th Century many more national groups formed.

Get Access