Into the Maelstrom : America and Vietnam , 1945 – 1956
Hồ Chí Minh , also known as Nguyễn Ái Quốc , and “ Uncle Hồ ” ( 19 May 1890 – 2 September 1969 ), served as Prime Minister of North Vietnam from 1945 to 1955 and President from 1945 to 1969 . Ideologically a Marxist – Leninist , Hồ served as Chairman and First Secretary of the Workers ’ Party of Vietnam . This photo has been used on the face of North Vietnamese currency since 1951 . 3
ers ? Or was it , as some argue , another proxy war between the United States and the Soviet Union . Todd Gitlen , a well-respected sociologist , believes that the Vietnam War caused a division in how America views itself , writing , “ America , whatever its rights and its wrongs , stands triumphant , it glorious destiny manifest . On the other , America knows defeat , even shame .” 4
Most historians agree that the Vietnam War began in the 1950s ; however , the struggle for control over Indochina had roots that reached back to the first century B . C . Over the succeeding years , many countries — the United States , France , China , the Soviet Union , Cambodia , Laos , Australia , Korea , and others became involved in one of the most protracted , most violent , and complex conflicts in modern history .
The early struggle began when the Han dynasty of China began a rule that would have China controlling Indochina for the better part of a thousand years . When the Tang dynasty collapsed in 907 AD Vietnam was able to gain and maintain its independence for over 900 years . This period of independence ended in the mid-1800s when Vietnam ’ s emperor , Tu Duc , agreed to cede the provinces of Bien Hoa , Gia Dinh , and Din Tuong to France . In 1887 , France imposed a colonial government system in Vietnam and began referring to the area as French Indochina . This system included Tonkin Annam , Cochin-China , and Cambodia , and eventually added Laos .
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