Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945. Vietnams independence came about after the French and Japanese exploited the country. Ho Chi Minh said that the first two lines of his address were verbatim a copy of America’s Declaration of Independence of 1776.2
Ho’s address declaring Vietnam as independent includes a call for the world to pay for its services during World War 2 by supporting this independence.
What was the’service’ rendered by Vietnam during this conflict? Ho claimed that Vietnam’s people made so many sacrifices during World War Two. During the war, France exploited Vietnam and Japan fought France. Vietnam was caught in between and suffered horribly. In utter poverty. Malaria, starvation and other causes of death were threatening many. Ho felt Vietnam deserved international support for its independence because of all the injustices it had endured and the sacrifices made by its people. Ho also refers to the long-term struggles Vietnam has faced, he says, “Nevertheless, over the past eighty-years, the French Imperialists, abusing Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, violated and oppressed their fellow citizens.” They have been acting against the ideals and values of justice and humanity.” (Ho Chi Minh 1945)
Ho says Vietnam’s Independence is Consistent with the Philosophical Principles that the Allies claimed as being paramount during World War 2 Ho’s statement was a reference to certain principles. Does he refer to instances when these principles have been reaffirmed?
Ho refers to the founding principles of the constitutions of the United States as well as France. These are freedom, liberty, and equality. In the United States Declaration, he said: “All of humanity is equal at birth. Everyone has the right to live and be happy. Ho said that France had violated their own beliefs when it “abused the standard of liberty, equality, and fraternity” of the Vietnamese people.
Ho refers to San Francisco and Tehran during his speech. He said: “We believe that the Allied nations who, in Tehran and San Francisco, have recognized the principles and equality between nations at the self-determination conference, will not reject the independence for Vietnam.”
Ho mentions French crimes during their occupation in Vietnam. As you read the crimes, which ones did you find to be most serious and justified?
Vietnamese independence? The French committed many horrendous crimes against Vietnamese citizens. Ho spoke about his people’s crimes for more than a half of the speech.
Ho said “They’ve built more schools than prisons.” This was one of his most important statements. Ho Chi Minh stated, “They mercilessly killed our patriotics; they drowned our revolts in rivers and blood.” Vietnam’s people were denied the chance to gain knowledge, an education, and a voice in politics. Vietnams people lived in poverty and were famined because of the French’s exploitation of its resources.
Ho was a man who wanted Vietnam’s independence. He talked passionately about freedom, equality and the right to liberty for everyone. He also wanted Vietnamians to have these same rights. Ho Chi Minh said, “The Vietnamese people will mobilize their mental and physical strength to sacrifice their life and property to safeguard their freedom and independence.” (Ho Chi Minh 1945). The Vietnamese people would no longer be pushed back or exploited. Ho informed the world of Vietnam’s declaration of independence on this day and pledged to do all he could to protect it.
