Ho Chi Minh was a Vietnamese nationalist leader who fiercely fought for Vietnam's independence from France. He became committed to communism after experiencing colonial exploitation in Vietnam and other countries. As the founder of the Indochinese Communist Party and Viet Minh, he led resistance against French and Japanese occupation. In 1945, he declared Vietnam's independence but was forced to continue fighting France to defend the Democratic Republic of Vietnam they had established. This led to the Indochina War from 1946 to 1954 in which Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh used guerrilla tactics against the French forces.

1. Ho Chi Minh – Profile Characteristics of Ho Chi Minh that made him a distinctive personality:Fierce commitment to Vietnamese Nationalism and the willingness to use force to achieve national independence.Believed that Vietnam should be communistInitially believed that the United States would support Vietnam’s independence.What led to these characteristics developing:Childhood experiences in Vietnam.Experiences while travelling and in Paris.His time spent as a Comintern agent.His experiences as the founder and leader of the Viet Minh.His experiences as the founder and leader of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam

2. Early Life in Vietnam – Birth of a NationalistBorn in Central Vietnam in 1890

3. The French had divided Vietnam into three provinces in 1887.

4. The French exploited the Vietnamese economically

5. Malaria, malnutrition and dysentry killed thousands of workers in mines and on rubber plantations.

6. 90% of Vietnamese were peasants.

7. Peasants had to cope with tax increases and high rents.

8. Ho Chi Minh’s father was a Mandarin (village official).