USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In the European summer of 1940 Germany rapidly defeated the French Third Republic, and colonial administration of French Indochina (modern-day Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia) passed to the French State (Vichy France).

Detailed explanation-2: -Over a period of more than 350 years the French gradually extended their control over Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. As early as the 16th century European missionaries were welcomed in Indochina for their technical skills and connections to European suppliers of modern weapons and western merchandise.

Detailed explanation-3: -In 1940, the French controlled 23 million Vietnamese with 12, 000 French soldiers, about 40, 000 Vietnamese soldiers, and the Sûreté, a powerful police force. At that time, the U.S. had little interest in Vietnam or French Indochina as a whole.

Detailed explanation-4: -And here’s where World War II changed Vietnam forever. In 1940, the German army sliced through France like butter. Germany’s ally, Japan, eventually invaded Vietnam and replaced the French as colonial masters. Vietnam was now a Japanese colony, and that put it squarely in the crosshairs of US foreign policy after 1941.