French Indochina
French Indochina was a colonial federation of territories in Southeast Asia that were under French rule from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. This area encompassed:
History
The colonization of Indochina began with the French taking control of Saigon in 1859. Here are key historical events:
- 1862-1867: Treaty of Saigon - France gained control over Cochinchina.
- 1884-1885: Sino-French War - Resulted in China recognizing French sovereignty over Annam and Tonkin.
- 1887: Establishment of French Indochina as a formal union.
- 1893: French expansion into Laos after a conflict with Siam.
- 1907: Siam ceded more territories to French Indochina.
- 1940-1945: During World War II, Japan occupied French Indochina, although the Vichy French government maintained a nominal administration.
- 1945: Japan's surrender led to a power vacuum, which was filled by various nationalist movements including the Viet Minh in Vietnam.
- 1946-1954: The First Indochina War between French forces and the Viet Minh, culminating in the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.
Administration
French Indochina was administered through a complex system:
- Each region had its own governor.
- A Governor-General in Hanoi oversaw the entire union.
- The administration was divided into:
- The Governorate of Cochinchina.
- The Protectorates of Annam, Tonkin, Cambodia, and Laos.
Economy and Society
French economic policies focused on:
- Exploitation of natural resources like rice, rubber, coal, and tin.
- Development of infrastructure for trade, including railways and ports.
- Implementation of the Colonial Policy which often led to economic disparity and social stratification.
End of French Indochina
The dissolution of French Indochina came about through:
- The 1954 Geneva Accords, which led to the division of Vietnam and the independence of Cambodia and Laos.
- Continued struggle for independence in Vietnam, culminating in the fall of Saigon in 1975 and the unification of Vietnam.
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