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STUDY BUDDY

Ho Chi Minh 1890- 1969

Background
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Family and education in Vietnam

Family Background:

Ho Chi Minh was born on the 19th of May 1890 into a revolutionary family and region which
instilled the nationalistic sentiments that would prevail during his tenure.
The area of Nghe An in Annam was renowned for its revolutionaries, with Phan Boi Chau
also coming from the same area.
Hos father was a scholar who worked as a district magistrate and advocated Anti-French
views.
According to Archer, Hos mother died when he was only eleven years old in a French
prison yet other accounts reveal that she simply died in childbirth.
Despite conflicting accounts, there is no doubt that the fate of his mother would have
certainly contributed to his anti-colonial stance as he experienced first-hand the detrimental
repercussions of French colonisation.
Likewise, the effects of French colonisation on his village, including patriots perishing while
working as corves in French labour camps as well as his fathers job dismissal in 1910 due to
criticisms of the French, resulted in Ho developing a special awareness of suffering, soon
to become evident in his concern about the misfortune of his compatriots (Archer).
Revolutionary deeds were also exposed to Ho by those who were influential in his childhood,
including his brother and sister who were imprisoned for stealing arms and ammunition
from the French.

Hos family background clearly established his anti-colonial stance from a young age.

Education

Sowed the seeds of nationalism which was so profound and effective during his leadership.
Education was both informal and formal.
As a child, Ho was taught the rich Vietnamese history particularly their resistance against the
Chinese through the informal education provided by his mothers Ca-do, or folk songs.
These teachings certainly contributed to his strong anti-colonial stance, supported by his
father and his scholar friends who taught Ho the importance of understanding the enemy in
order to defeat them.
Formally, education was of a high standard.
Yet, the development of Hos nationalism in the form of protests (distributing banned books
and taking part in peasant protests (Jennings), resulted in his expulsion from his Franco-
Vietnamese school.

Education clearly fostered his nationalistic sentiments.

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Western influences and travels

There is no doubt that Hos travels were extremely important, particularly because they
bolstered his nationalism while introducing him to communism, with both ideals providing
the foundation for his success.

Dr Sun Yat Sens revolutionary league that successfully ousted dynastic Chinese rule and
implemented a republic nation inspired Ho to travel as he learnt that the power of the
people can prevail over unpopular rule, fomenting his desire to gain international support
from western democracies to achieve his national goals.
As a youth, Ho witnessed the failures of local insurrections which taught him that one
must seek answers from the very nations that had subjugated a vast part of the globe and
so he embarked on his travels (Brocheaux)
Travels also exposed him to the impact of imperialism on a broader scale with Tunisia and
Morocco also suffering under French rule hardens anti-colonialist stance.
During his travels, Ho read widely, familiarising himself with Marx, Tolstoy and Lenin who all
extolled idealism as a means of achieving goals.
Ho also published prolific information aimed at garnering the support from non-Vietnamese
people.
Most importantly, Hos travels educated Ho about the inequities that existed on a broader,
international scale.
Charles Fenn asserts that it was no longer just the disparity between French master and
native slave, as there was more in common between the French worker and the
Vietnamese worker than there as between the French worker and French capitalist.
Archer opines that Hos experiences overseas provided him with a far more comprehensive
education than any might have obtained within the walls of a university.
In 1923, Ho was invited to Moscow by the Comintern where he further developed his
understanding about communist ideology and how it was a means towards an unchanging
end- the destruction of the colonial system in his homeland (Archer).
1924- Ho was a speaker at the 5th Comintern Congress won him support of Leon Trotsky
which reveals the significance of his travels.

Sample questions:
Individuals are products of their backgrounds. How accurate is this statement in relation to the
personality you have studied? (15)
Describe the personal background and the historical context of the personality you have studied (10)
(2008)
Outline the main features of the background and rise to prominence of the twentieth-century
personality you have studied (10) (2006)

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Rise to prominence
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Formation of the Indochinese Communist Party and experiences in China

Hos rise to prominence begins as a Comintern agent in China from 1920, whereby he created
several organisations all based upon anti-colonial sentiments. Some include the Indochinese
Nationalist Party in February 1925, Vietnamese Revolutionary Youth League in June 1925 and the
Society of Oppressed People in Asia in July 1925.
But in 1927, the new Chinese leader Chian Kai-Shek began persecuting communists so Ho escaped
from China on the 5th of May.
June 1928- returned to Asia and became aware of three communist parties in Indochina.
He disbanded all three of them to form the most important organisation in 1930 of the Indochinese
Communist Party (ICP).

The ICP aimed at training cadres to infiltrate Vietnam and gain popular support that would
assist in seizing power.
Other aims include: overthrowing French colonialism, independence, the establishment of a
government of workers, peasants and soldiers, nationalisation of banks, universal education,
equality of the sexes, restoring freedom of speech, press and assembly and ending unjust
taxes and initiating an 8 hour working day.
Yet, Hos peasant revolt in 1930 in Nghe Tinh which led to around 50% of communists in fail
or executed was indicative of the strength of the French and the lack of support he had.

This failure assisted Ho in understanding the importance of a mass uprising in instigating change. His
strategy of indoctrinating the masses would eventually prevail, however Ho would have to wait for a
better opportunity to present itself, as reduced manpower, strong French presence and an uncertain
ally in China halted his rise to prominence.

World War II provided the circumstances for Ho to continue his rise to prominence, with the
French now weakened as they were forced to transfer troops from Vietnam to Europe.
WWII would create conditions favourable to revolution in Asia (Cantwell)
February 1941 marked the relocation of Ho and compatriots Giap and Phan Van Dong from
China to Tonkin, now allowing Ho to cultivate support from within Vietnam for the first time
in thirty years.

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Development of Viet Minh and propaganda units

Rise to prominence was further facilitated by his development of a united front called the Viet
Minh.

The Viet Minh propagated nationalist views, ultimately appealing to all patriots,
irrespective of class.
Ho was now dedicated to politically preparing the populace for revolution, aiding his rise
to power as the bulk of the population was now committed to Ho and his vision.
The Vietnamese army of national liberation, the military branch of the Viet Minh, was
then created.
This formed influential cadres that infiltrated villages to spread propaganda; a
continuation of Hos earlier work implemented on a broader scale
The cult image of Uncle Ho began to circulate assisting Ho in rising to prominence by
promoting him as the one who would free the people from colonialist restrains.
Uncle would tell us the history of the worlds people who had lived through many
wars and revolutions. He foretold that within four or five years we would be a very
favourable time for a revolution (Giap about Ho)
According to Archer, the primary goal was political education of the masses,
organising them solidly and secretly for the day when all would rise as one to throw
off all foreign oppressors.

The effects of WWII also aided Ho, as unemployment, hyperinflation and food shortages resulted in
widespread famine further providing Ho with more fuel to use against both the Japanese and the
French.
The profound results of this popular support was the formation of the Liberation Army, consisting of
around 2000 propaganda team members and armed troops.

Resistance to Japanese Occupation

The occupation of 1945 also provided Ho with the opportunity to operate with greater ease, as the
French were imprisoned and local insurrections began to trouble the Japanese.
Through effective diplomacy, Hos rise to prominence was further assisted the relationship he
cultivated with the OSS in resisting Japanese occupation.
Ho received weapons, medicine and radios from the US, who were committed to Japans defeat.
Hos prowess in procuring American support won him more praise from the Viet Minh cadres, as he
was now seen as the undisputed leader of the Viet Minh, elected its president.
However, it was in the aftermath of WWII following Japans surrender in 1945 that culminated Hos
rise to prominence, with his declaration of independence of the democratic republic of Vietnam in
1945 marking Hos inauguration as president of the newly founded nation.
Ho was the most popular national figure in the nation, the Viet Minh the most respected party
(Archer).

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Sample questions:
Describe the rise to prominence of the personality you have studied (10)
Provide a detailed description of THREE significant events in the life of the personality you have
studied (10) (2011)

Significance and Evaluation

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Role in the First Indochinese War

One key role Ho had was as a diplomat; dealing with post war issues and attempting to negotiate
independence.

Despite working with the OSS during WWII, in the post war world, the USA remained too
preoccupied with the cold war and thus refused to recognise Hos DRV.
At Potsdam in July 1945, the allies were confident that the Japanese would be defeated,
agreed that they would be disarmed in Vietnam as follows: a Chinese army led by General Lu
Han would disarm the Japanese in the North, the Anglo-Indian army led by general Douglas
Gracey would disarm the Japanese in the south.
This posed problems for Hos DRV: in the north, the Chinese embarked on a looting
campaign and since they were anti-communist, Ho feared that they would destroy the Viet
Minh and General Graceys men were sympathetic to the French and allowed them to regain
their hold.

More problematic was the impeding famine that claimed about 1 million people between 1945-6
(Charles Fenn).

Immediately after proclaiming independence, Ho set to work on practical matters. The

most urgent task was to offset the devastating effects of the famine. Plans were made for
intensive cultivation; quick growing crops were sown. Fast days and rationing were
introduced. The use of grain for liquor distillation was banned. Hoarding was made subject
to severe penalties (Charles Fenn).
Ho made a personal plea to the people to alleviate the effects of the famine asking them to
go without food for the sake of the rest of the populace, claiming that he himself is also
doing the same. This reveals Hos role in leading by example.
Ho believed that the Chinese were the more formidable enemy and therefore the Franco-
Viet Minh accords were signed on the 6th of March based on the following terms: The French
would guarantee the departure of the Chinese, Hos DRV was limited to Tonkin and Annam
and Cochinchinas status would be determined by referendum.
Ho was heavily criticise for collaborating with the French yet Ho defended himself by
claiming it is better to sniff French dung in the short term rather than eat Chinese
excrement for the rest of our lives.
This is evidence of Ho compromising his ideals in the short term to achieve his long term
aims.

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Fenn maintains that Ho was probably right in his decision to side with the French.
The French violated the Franco-Viet Minh accords and proclaimed the independent of the
republic of Cochinchina, a Francophile state.
A collegial party leadership was then adopted, revealing how Ho did not impose a dictatorial
leadership and operated with the subordinates respecting his leadership and trusting him.
Ho then began waging the First Indochinese War against the French.

Hos key roles during the First Indochinese war include rallying people to the cause and
procuring foreign aid.

His role in rallying the people: our resistance war will be long and painful but whatever
the sacrifices, however long the struggle, we shall fight to the end until Vietnam is fully
independent and unified.
Leaving Giap to operate tactically, Ho directed overall operationsone might suppose
that since his policy of trying to come to terms had failed (negotiate), Hos leadership
would now be shaken. Yet he continued to direct his countrys affairs with even greater
prestigeat a time of national peril, Vietnam responded to Ho as he was able to make the
people feel he was one of them (Charles Fenn).
while Ho patterned their overall strategy on the teachings of Marx and Lenin, Giap
modelled their military tactics after those of Mao Zedongleaving military strategy more
and more in Giaps hands, Ho concentrated on the political aspects of the struggle
(Archer)
Ho chi Minh lived on rice and wild vegetables in a bamboo and thatch hut reveals his role
in leading by example and the sacrifices he made.
During all this period, Ho wrote directives to his people which inspired them. This reveals his
vital role in inciting nationalistic fervour amongst the people.

as to the results of this dedication, here are our goals; everyone will eat his fill and be adequately
clothed. Everyone will know how to read and write. All our soldiers will have the proper
subsistence and enough arms. The nation will become entirely independent and unifiedin order
to achieve these ends, I ask that everyone dedicate himself. The old to encourage the young to
help us vigorously in our work. The children to outdo each other both in school work and helping
their elders (Ho, 11 June 1948).

In October 1949 in China, the Chinese communist party defeated Chiang Kai-Sheks
nationalist forces and came to power. Ho took advantage and travelled to China and then to
Moscow in 1950. Both nations promised political recognition and aid reveals his
important role as a diplomat.
The Chinese sent equipment, advisors and training teams. By September 1950, 20 000
troops had been trained and armed in china.
Policies began to become more radical with the Chinese influence.
Ho refused and pacified them with a compromise. He created a new Lao Dong (Workers)
Party that took its Marxism from the old ICP, but its nationalism from the Viet Minh
(Archer).
although the Viet Minh held nothing materially except the countryside, they also had the
greatest weapon of all time: a leader with the fixed belief that he would win (Fenn).

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Hos leadership established a cause worth fighting for peoples support victory
This reveals his crucial role in the First Indochinese war.
Ho the diplomat accepts Genevas decisions

At the Geneva conference it was decided that Vietnam would be split at the 17th parallel.
Despite being victorious on the battlefield against the French, Ho was forced to accept this
decision that negated victory.
Ho did this to prevent immediate direct US intervention.
Not only was Ho the guiding light when it came to compromise and knowing when to
negotiate, he was to practise the Lenin principles of focusing on one adversary at a
timeHo strove to create the moment most favourable to strike or to negotiate
(Jennings).

Hence, Ho Chi Minhs role is of outmost importance as popular support and foreign aid were
essential for victory. However, his role alone does not explain success during the war; credit needs
to be given to Giap as well. The French are also responsible for their own demise.

The Second Indochina War

Hos role was mostly ceremonial:

He presents the nation as its figurehead.

He provides inspiration for his troops, event after his death they fight in his name.
He plays a diplomatic role trying to avert the Second Indochinese role.
He encouraged anti-war sentiments on the US home front through his criticism of the US.
He has a role in supporting the NLF.
He procures foreign aid to strengthen the Norths economy in preparation for war
establishes the foundation for war.

Role and impact as a revolutionary and war leader

Simply, his role can be defined by his

1. Determination (single-minded, uncompromising, stubborn) and his idealism which attracts
others.
Ho symbolised the awakening of Vietnams national determination to become free and
independent (Sainteny).
Through propaganda and his writings, Ho cultivated the support of the populace, promoting his
revolutionary, passionate and nationalist stance inspired by a single goal: independence for his
country (Karnow).
Ho justified the sacrifice and suffering of the people, accentuated through his Declaration of
Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam speech that extolled the Vietnamese people,

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animated by the same common resolve, determined to fight to the death against all attempts at
aggression.
2. Charisma and selflessness- liked by others
His demeanour and lifestyle were always humble, as supported by Bui Tin who observed he lived
very simply and honestlywithout affectation.
He personified the nation, living in humble quarters and received the same modest US$10 per
month salary as all Lao Dong senior staff.
Genuinely involved in the peoples struggle and committed to its day-to-day problems, as supported
by Lacouture who describe Uncle in front of his little brush-hut where he sleepsnot far from the
soldierstyping the order of the day for troops...clothed in a scruffy lumber-jacket.
Personal sacrifices: promoting the image that he never married nor had children, as his dedication
was to his seventeen million children (Ho).
Collegial leadership and the notion that Ho didnt actually hold any leadership position after 1960,
persevering for the benefit of Vietnam reveals his role as a leader.

3. Opportunistic nature-takes advantage of situations.
Took advantage of World War II
Took advantage of the effect of WWII.
Took advantage of the US presence in Vietnam to procure goods.
Took advantage of the aftermath (power vacuum) of WWII (declared independence)

4. Willingness to accept violence and sacrifice to achieve his aims (sometime extremist).
Also emphasised the importance of sacrifice:
The US can kill ten of our men for every one we kill of yours. But even at those odds, you will lose
and we will win (Ho).
Revolutions are characterised by ruthlessness, terror, purges and war and Ho did ascribe to this.
While Ho did repudiate the Agricultural Tribunals that became a purge of wealthy landlords and
peasants, it was only after his home town of Nghe An staged an uprising that culminated in 6000
dead that Ho opposed the campaign.
However, Duiker also recognises that Ho did exhibit pragmatic qualities evident in his desire to
initiate peace negotiations before resorting to war.

Evaluation; for example nationalist or communist?

Duiker: Ho viewed communism as a means to reach a nationalist end.

Duiker: in his final testament, Ho reaffirmed the dual importance of nationalism and
socialism.

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Fall acknowledges that Hos communism was enhanced by his ability to remain identified
with the Vietnamese national objectives.
it was patriotism, not communism that inspired me (Ho Chi Minh).

Sample questions:
Assess the contribution of the personality you have studied to their period of national and/or
international history (15) (2011)
People are swept along by events. Some individuals use events to advantage How accurate is this
statement in relation to the personality you have studied? (15) (2010)
History is about winners. How accurate is this statement in relation to the personality you have
studied? (15) (2008)
Events shape people more than people shape events. How accurate is this statement in relation to
the personality you have studied? (15)(2007)
To what extent does history present us with a balanced interpretation of this personality? (15)
(2006)
Those who are inspired by an ideal rather than self-interest make the biggest impact on history. To
what extent does the study of Ho Chi Minh support this view? (15)