State of Vietnam
Encyclopedia
The State of Vietnam was a state that claimed authority over all of Vietnam
during the First Indochina War
, and replaced the Provisional Central Government of Vietnam (1948–1949). The provisional government was a brief transitional administration between colonial Cochinchina
and an independent state. The state was created in 1949 and was internationally recognized in 1950, although its main power was in the south, whereas the Democratic Republic of Vietnam dominated the north. Former emperor Bảo Đại
was chief of state (Quốc Trưởng). Ngô Đình Diệm
was appointed prime minister in 1954. Diệm ousted Bảo Đại the following year and became president of the Republic of Vietnam.
of Tonkin
(North Vietnam), the Tonkinese capital, Hanoi
, and the main traffic axis returned under French control. The derouted Việt Minh
partisans were forced to retreat into the jungle and prepared to pursue the war using guerrilla warfare
.
In order to reduce Việt Minh leader Hồ Chí Minh
's influence over the Vietnamese population, the French authorities in Indochina supported the return to power of the emperor (last ruler of the Nguyễn Dynasty), Bảo Đại. The latter had been forced to abdicate by the Việt Minh back on August 25, 1945 after the fall of the short-lived Empire of Vietnam
, puppet state
of the Empire of Japan
.
On June 5, 1948, the Halong Bay Agreements (Accords de la baie d’Along) allowed the creation of a unified State of Vietnam replacing the Tonkin (North Vietnam), Annam (Middle Vietnam) and the Republic of Cochinchina (South Vietnam) associated to France within the French Union
then including the neighboring Kingdom of Laos
and Kingdom of Cambodia.
Since the Halong Bay Agreements resulted in many aspects — excluding the referendum
— in the enforcement of the March 6, 1946 Indochinese Independence Convention signed by Communist
Hồ Chí Minh's Democratic Republic of Vietnam and High Commissioner of France in Indochina
Admiral Thierry d'Argenlieu, representative of Felix Gouin
's Provisional French Republic
led by the French Section of the Workers' International (SFIO), some regarded the State of Vietnam as a puppet state of the French Fourth Republic
.
within the French Union
.
Bảo Đại fought against communist leader Hồ Chí Minh for legitimacy as the legitimate government of the entire Vietnam through the struggle between the Vietnamese National Army
and the Việt Minh during the First Indochina War
.
The State of Vietnam found support in the French Fourth Republic
and the United States (1950–1954) while Hồ Chí Minh was backed by the People's Republic of China
(since 1950), and to a lesser extent by the Soviet Union.
After the Geneva Conference
of 1954, as well as becoming fully independent with its departure from the French Union, the State of Vietnam became territorially confined to those lands of Vietnam south of the 17th parallel
, and as such became commonly known as South Vietnam
.
The massive migration of anti-Communist north Vietnamese, essentially Roman Catholic people, was proceeded during the French-American Operation Passage to Freedom
in summer 1954.
, then President of the Republic of Cochin China, became President of the Provisional Central Government of Vietnam (Thủ tướng lâm thời) following the merging of the government of Cochin China and Vietnam in what is sometimes referred as "Pre-Vietnam".
On October 26, 1955, the Republic of Vietnam was established and Ngô Đình Diệm became the first President of the Republic.
determined the future regime
of the country.
Following the referendum's results the State of Vietnam ceased to exist on October 26, 1955 and was replaced by the Republic of Vietnam - widely known as South Vietnam
- whose reformed army, under American "protection", pursued the struggle against communism, the Việt Cộng replaced the Viet Minh
, in the Vietnam War
.
in Paris, Bảo Đại was able to create a National Army
for defense purpose.
It fought under the State of Vietnam's banner and leadership and was commanded by General Nguyen Van Hinh
.
. Notes were issued and managed by the "Issue Institute of the States of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam" (Institut d’Emission des Etats du Cambodge, du Laos et du Viêt-Nam).
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
during the First Indochina War
First Indochina War
The First Indochina War was fought in French Indochina from December 19, 1946, until August 1, 1954, between the French Union's French Far East...
, and replaced the Provisional Central Government of Vietnam (1948–1949). The provisional government was a brief transitional administration between colonial Cochinchina
Cochinchina
Cochinchina is a region encompassing the southern third of Vietnam whose principal city is Saigon. It was a French colony from 1862 to 1954. The later state of South Vietnam was created in 1954 by combining Cochinchina with southern Annam. In Vietnamese, the region is called Nam Bộ...
and an independent state. The state was created in 1949 and was internationally recognized in 1950, although its main power was in the south, whereas the Democratic Republic of Vietnam dominated the north. Former emperor Bảo Đại
Bảo Đài
Bảo Đài is a commune and village in Lục Nam District, Bac Giang Province, in northeastern Vietnam.-References:...
was chief of state (Quốc Trưởng). Ngô Đình Diệm
Ngo Dinh Diem
Ngô Đình Diệm was the first president of South Vietnam . In the wake of the French withdrawal from Indochina as a result of the 1954 Geneva Accords, Diệm led the effort to create the Republic of Vietnam. Accruing considerable U.S. support due to his staunch anti-Communism, he achieved victory in a...
was appointed prime minister in 1954. Diệm ousted Bảo Đại the following year and became president of the Republic of Vietnam.
Unification of Vietnam (1947-1948)
By February 1947, following the pacificationPeace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
of Tonkin
Tonkin
Tonkin , also spelled Tongkin, Tonquin or Tongking, is the northernmost part of Vietnam, south of China's Yunnan and Guangxi Provinces, east of northern Laos, and west of the Gulf of Tonkin. Locally, it is known as Bắc Kỳ, meaning "Northern Region"...
(North Vietnam), the Tonkinese capital, Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
, and the main traffic axis returned under French control. The derouted Việt Minh
Viet Minh
Việt Minh was a national independence coalition formed at Pac Bo on May 19, 1941. The Việt Minh initially formed to seek independence for Vietnam from the French Empire. When the Japanese occupation began, the Việt Minh opposed Japan with support from the United States and the Republic of China...
partisans were forced to retreat into the jungle and prepared to pursue the war using guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
.
In order to reduce Việt Minh leader Hồ Chí Minh
Ho Chi Minh
Hồ Chí Minh , born Nguyễn Sinh Cung and also known as Nguyễn Ái Quốc, was a Vietnamese Marxist-Leninist revolutionary leader who was prime minister and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam...
's influence over the Vietnamese population, the French authorities in Indochina supported the return to power of the emperor (last ruler of the Nguyễn Dynasty), Bảo Đại. The latter had been forced to abdicate by the Việt Minh back on August 25, 1945 after the fall of the short-lived Empire of Vietnam
Empire of Vietnam
The Empire of Vietnam was a short-lived puppet state of Imperial Japan governing the whole of Vietnam between March 11 and August 23, 1945.-History:...
, puppet state
Puppet state
A puppet state is a nominal sovereign of a state who is de facto controlled by a foreign power. The term refers to a government controlled by the government of another country like a puppeteer controls the strings of a marionette...
of the Empire of Japan
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
.
On June 5, 1948, the Halong Bay Agreements (Accords de la baie d’Along) allowed the creation of a unified State of Vietnam replacing the Tonkin (North Vietnam), Annam (Middle Vietnam) and the Republic of Cochinchina (South Vietnam) associated to France within the French Union
French Union
The French Union was a political entity created by the French Fourth Republic to replace the old French colonial system, the "French Empire" and to abolish its "indigenous" status.-History:...
then including the neighboring Kingdom of Laos
Kingdom of Laos
The Kingdom of Laos was a sovereign state from 1953 until December 1975, when Pathet Lao overthrew the government and created the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Given self-rule in 1949 as part of a federation with the rest of French Indochina, the 1953 Franco-Lao Treaty finally established a...
and Kingdom of Cambodia.
Since the Halong Bay Agreements resulted in many aspects — excluding the referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
— in the enforcement of the March 6, 1946 Indochinese Independence Convention signed by Communist
Communist Party of Vietnam
The Communist Party of Vietnam , formally established in 1930, is the governing party of the nation of Vietnam. It is today the only legal political party in that country. Describing itself as Marxist-Leninist, the CPV is the directing component of a broader group of organizations known as the...
Hồ Chí Minh's Democratic Republic of Vietnam and High Commissioner of France in Indochina
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
Admiral Thierry d'Argenlieu, representative of Felix Gouin
Félix Gouin
Félix Gouin was a French Socialist politician, member of the French Section of the Workers' International .-Personal life:Félix Gouin was born in Peypin, Bouches-du-Rhône, the son of school teachers...
's Provisional French Republic
Provisional Government of the French Republic
The Provisional Government of the French Republic was an interim government which governed France from 1944 to 1946, following the fall of Vichy France and prior to the Fourth French Republic....
led by the French Section of the Workers' International (SFIO), some regarded the State of Vietnam as a puppet state of the French Fourth Republic
French Fourth Republic
The French Fourth Republic was the republican government of France between 1946 and 1958, governed by the fourth republican constitution. It was in many ways a revival of the Third Republic, which was in place before World War II, and suffered many of the same problems...
.
French Union (1949-1954)
From 1949 to 1954, following the June 14, 1949 declaration of independence, the State of Vietnam had partial autonomy from France as an associated stateAssociated state
An associated state is the minor partner in a formal, free relationship between a political territory with a degree of statehood and a nation, for which no other specific term, such as protectorate, is adopted...
within the French Union
French Union
The French Union was a political entity created by the French Fourth Republic to replace the old French colonial system, the "French Empire" and to abolish its "indigenous" status.-History:...
.
Bảo Đại fought against communist leader Hồ Chí Minh for legitimacy as the legitimate government of the entire Vietnam through the struggle between the Vietnamese National Army
Vietnamese National Army
On March 8, 1949, after the Elysee accords, the State of Vietnam was recognized by France as an independent country ruled by Vietnamese Emperor Bảo Đại. The Vietnamese National Army or Vietnam National Army was the State of Vietnam's military force created shortly after that. It was commanded by...
and the Việt Minh during the First Indochina War
First Indochina War
The First Indochina War was fought in French Indochina from December 19, 1946, until August 1, 1954, between the French Union's French Far East...
.
The State of Vietnam found support in the French Fourth Republic
French Fourth Republic
The French Fourth Republic was the republican government of France between 1946 and 1958, governed by the fourth republican constitution. It was in many ways a revival of the Third Republic, which was in place before World War II, and suffered many of the same problems...
and the United States (1950–1954) while Hồ Chí Minh was backed by the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
(since 1950), and to a lesser extent by the Soviet Union.
Partition (1954-1955)
Geneva Conference (1954)
The Geneva Conference was a conference which took place in Geneva, Switzerland, whose purpose was to attempt to find a way to unify Korea and discuss the possibility of restoring peace in Indochina...
of 1954, as well as becoming fully independent with its departure from the French Union, the State of Vietnam became territorially confined to those lands of Vietnam south of the 17th parallel
Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone
The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone was established as a dividing line between North and South Vietnam as a result of the First Indochina War.During the Second Indochina War , it became important as the battleground demarcation separating North Vietnamese territory from South Vietnamese territory.-...
, and as such became commonly known as South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
.
The massive migration of anti-Communist north Vietnamese, essentially Roman Catholic people, was proceeded during the French-American Operation Passage to Freedom
Operation Passage to Freedom
Operation Passage to Freedom was the term used by the United States Navy to describe its transportation in 1954–55 of 310,000 Vietnamese civilians, soldiers and non-Vietnamese members of the French Army from communist North Vietnam to South Vietnam...
in summer 1954.
Provisional Central Government of Vietnam (1948-1949)
On May 27, 1948, Nguyễn Văn XuânNguyen Van Xuan
Nguyễn Văn Xuân was President of the Provisional Central Government of Vietnam from 1948 to 1949 during the end of French rule in Vietnam.-First Indochina War:...
, then President of the Republic of Cochin China, became President of the Provisional Central Government of Vietnam (Thủ tướng lâm thời) following the merging of the government of Cochin China and Vietnam in what is sometimes referred as "Pre-Vietnam".
State of Vietnam (1949-1955)
On June 14, 1949, Bảo Đại was appointed Chief of State (Quoc Truong) of the State of Vietnam; he was concurrently Prime Minister for a short while (Kiêm nhiệm Thủ tướng).On October 26, 1955, the Republic of Vietnam was established and Ngô Đình Diệm became the first President of the Republic.
Leaders (1948–1955)
| Name | Took office | Left office | Title | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nguyễn Văn Xuân Nguyen Van Xuan Nguyễn Văn Xuân was President of the Provisional Central Government of Vietnam from 1948 to 1949 during the end of French rule in Vietnam.-First Indochina War:... |
May 27, 1948 | July 14, 1949 | President of the Provisional Central Government of Vietnam | |
| 1 | Bảo Đại Bảo Đài Bảo Đài is a commune and village in Lục Nam District, Bac Giang Province, in northeastern Vietnam.-References:... |
July 14, 1949 | January 21, 1950 | Prime Minister; remained Chief of State throughout the State of Vietnam |
| 2 | Nguyễn Phan Long Nguyen Phan Long Nguyễn Phan Long served as Prime Minister of the State of Vietnam in January 1950. He was dismissed in May 1950 by the Emperor Bao Dai under pressure from the French colonial authorities, who resented his pro-American and nationalist attitude.... |
January 21, 1950 | April 27, 1950 | Prime Minister |
| 3 | Trần Văn Hữu Tran Van Huu Trần Văn Hữu served as Prime Minister of the State of Vietnam from 1950 to 1952.... |
May 6, 1950 | June 3, 1952 | Prime Minister |
| 4 | Nguyễn Văn Tâm Nguyen Van Tam Nguyễn Văn Tâm served as Minister in the Nguyễn Dynasty. His son is General Nguyễn Văn Hinh, the Chief of Staff of the Vietnamese National Army... |
June 23, 1952 | December 7, 1953 | Prime Minister |
| 5 | Bửu Lộc | January 11, 1954 | June 16, 1954 | Prime Minister |
| 6 | Ngô Đình Diệm Ngo Dinh Diem Ngô Đình Diệm was the first president of South Vietnam . In the wake of the French withdrawal from Indochina as a result of the 1954 Geneva Accords, Diệm led the effort to create the Republic of Vietnam. Accruing considerable U.S. support due to his staunch anti-Communism, he achieved victory in a... |
June 16, 1954 | October 26, 1955 | Prime Minister |
1955 referendum, Republic of Vietnam
The State of Vietnam referendum of 1955State of Vietnam referendum, 1955
The State of Vietnam referendum of 1955 determined the future form of government of the State of Vietnam, the nation that was to become the Republic of Vietnam . It was contested by Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm, who proposed a republic, and former emperor Bảo Đại...
determined the future regime
Regime
The word regime refers to a set of conditions, most often of a political nature.-Politics:...
of the country.
Following the referendum's results the State of Vietnam ceased to exist on October 26, 1955 and was replaced by the Republic of Vietnam - widely known as South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
- whose reformed army, under American "protection", pursued the struggle against communism, the Việt Cộng replaced the Viet Minh
Viet Minh
Việt Minh was a national independence coalition formed at Pac Bo on May 19, 1941. The Việt Minh initially formed to seek independence for Vietnam from the French Empire. When the Japanese occupation began, the Việt Minh opposed Japan with support from the United States and the Republic of China...
, in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Vietnamese National Army (1949-1955)
Following the signing of the 1949 Elysee AccordsElysee Accords
The Élysée Accords were an agreement made in 1949 which would give Vietnam greater independence from France. The agreement was intended to increase U.S. support for France’s actions in Indochina as well as to convince ex-emperor Bảo Đại that France would give Vietnam greater independence...
in Paris, Bảo Đại was able to create a National Army
Vietnamese National Army
On March 8, 1949, after the Elysee accords, the State of Vietnam was recognized by France as an independent country ruled by Vietnamese Emperor Bảo Đại. The Vietnamese National Army or Vietnam National Army was the State of Vietnam's military force created shortly after that. It was commanded by...
for defense purpose.
It fought under the State of Vietnam's banner and leadership and was commanded by General Nguyen Van Hinh
Nguyen Van Hinh
Nguyễn Văn Hinh , was appointed the Vietnamese National Army Chief of Staff by Emperor Bảo Đại. On November 8, 1954, after the First Indochina War he left South Vietnam in exile for France....
.
Currency
The currency used within the French Union was the French Indochinese piastreFrench Indochinese piastre
The piastre de commerce was the currency of French Indochina between 1885 and 1952. It was subdivided into 100 cent, each of 5 sapeque.-History:...
. Notes were issued and managed by the "Issue Institute of the States of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam" (Institut d’Emission des Etats du Cambodge, du Laos et du Viêt-Nam).
See also
- First Indochina WarFirst Indochina WarThe First Indochina War was fought in French Indochina from December 19, 1946, until August 1, 1954, between the French Union's French Far East...
- French Indochinese piastreFrench Indochinese piastreThe piastre de commerce was the currency of French Indochina between 1885 and 1952. It was subdivided into 100 cent, each of 5 sapeque.-History:...
- Vietnamese National ArmyVietnamese National ArmyOn March 8, 1949, after the Elysee accords, the State of Vietnam was recognized by France as an independent country ruled by Vietnamese Emperor Bảo Đại. The Vietnamese National Army or Vietnam National Army was the State of Vietnam's military force created shortly after that. It was commanded by...
- Colonization of CochinchinaColonization of CochinchinaThe French conquest of Cochinchina – which was the European name for the southern part of Vietnam – occurred in two phases between 1858 and 1867.-Historical background:...