Image via Wikipedia
In November and December 1946 fighting broke out in Haiphong and Hanoi between the Vietminh and the French. This signaled the vanishing point for any chance of a peaceful solution in Indochina. With the onset of the First Indochina War millions who had previously been on the fence were suddenly forced to take a side– the vast majority lined-up against the French…. MORE>>
Image via Wikipedia
By the end of Giap’s hugely successful attacks along RC4 in 1950 the French were in disarray and fearing for their safety and colony. They were making plans to evacuate as many colonists as possible from North Vietnam… MORE>>
Image via Wikipedia
the French theory of colonial exploitation held that the colonies should enrich the mother country, but all Paul Doumer could do was to bring self-sufficiency. He could raise enough through his taxes to support the cost of the huge bureaucracy and that was about it. The French talked about their civilizing mission, but in fact the result for the peasant was social dislocation and impoverishment. The French did build up the economic infrastructure—railroads, bridges and the like—but by and large it benefited only the wealthy and the French themselves… More>>
Image via Wikipedia
The most painful Vietnam War numbers of all… More>>
Posted in Asia, History, US Military, Vietnam, War
Tagged Conflicts and Wars, History, Military, Twentieth Century, United States, Veterans, Vietnam, Vietnam War
BBC In Our Time The Guardian Talking Points Memo The Intercept France24 Media Matters For America Currently Reading Recently Read
Parallel Narratives 