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First Indo-China War

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What Happened During the First Indo-China War?

The first Indo-China war was held between 1946 - 1954. The French Indo-China War and the Vietnam war were other names of the first Indo-China war. The war broke out on November 23, 1946. After the conclusion of world war ii, the end of China was started by French people to acquire three major places. Namely - Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. From the middle of the 19th century, Vietnam was mostly under the control of the French government. But from 1946, the scenario changed, and the French government also opposed independence. Ho Chi Minh had declared war. 


Who won the Indo-China war?

Now it is clear how the first Indo-China war started and by home. But the question is who won the Indo-China war and how was it done? Let's get into the details of the first Indo-China war to understand more interesting facts. 


Role of Cambodia

From 1863, Cambodia was under the acquisition of the French government. But after 1953, it got independence with the support of Prince Norodom Sihanouk. He believed in the principle of neutrality. He explained the same thing to both South Vietnam and the Cambodian people and created neutrality. This helps to get the support of South Vietnam people to help the Cambodian communists. Both the people had destroyed communist sanctuaries around the Cambodia Vietnam border. But the next threat faced by Cambodian people is red Khmers. After the continuous civil war for five years, Cambodia has become a threat-free locality.


Role of Laos

Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia were known as the First Indo-China war combatants. These three combatants played a major role in achieving the victory of Vietnam and the successful completion of the first Indo-China war. Like Cambodia, Laos was also under the control of the French government. It got independence partially through step by step during the entire period of the first Indo-China war. 


That is from 1946 to 1954. Prince Souvanna Phouma formed Laotian communists with the coalition government. In 1975, the South Vietnamese had failed, so the laws took the support of the North Vietnamese and gained complete independence from the French government. 


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Hence all the instances had depicted that the French had been defeated in the first Indo-China war. This is the exact answer for who won the Indo-China War. To elaborate on this, let's find out a few reasons why the French government was defeated in the First Indo-China War.


Reasons of the French Defeated in the First Indo-China War

The major reason for the French to get defeated in the first Indo-China war is the underestimation of opponents capability and the threats at borders. The Vietnam government implemented various strategies and combined them with the army forces. So, they used their mental and physical abilities to run the war and to fight against the opponent. Fighting with proper skill and knowledge always gives the victory and shows the ability to the opponent. 


Americans learned several lessons from the French War. This one plays a major role in teaching the rules, Asics, tactics that can be used in any kind of award. Because this war is like between two equals and it mentions how the mistakes had been overcome and rectified spontaneously. Also, the first Indo-China war combatants played a predominant role at every step of the war. 


Geneva Conference

On July 21, 1954, the conference was made to divide the country into two zones for a temporary purpose. North Vietnam is treated as communist, whereas South Vietnam is pro-Western. In 1954, to keep up the negotiations between France and Vietnam, both countries had chosen a venue, Geneva. There, representatives from both countries were assembled for a meeting to discuss the negotiations from each country. 


This meeting is known as the Geneva conference. According to Geneva, both countries promised to accept an election to elect a national government for United Vietnam. Though many countries opposed the proposal, it implemented transparent elections, and these were to be monitored by the local committee authorities. But unfortunately, the elections also failed. 



These are the few interesting facts about the first Indo-China war, and the combatants were also a few notable aspects while discussing the Indo-China war. Another two wars were also held thereafter. 

FAQs on First Indo-China War

1. What are the main elements of the First Indo-China War?

From the First Indo-China War, a few elements need to be discussed for sure. Because they had played a predominant role on the battlefield. They are - 

  • Division of Vietnam

  • Communist Vietnam ( North )

  • Non-communist Vietnam ( South )

  • Independence of Cambodia

  • Independence of Laos

  • Casualties

  • War crimes

  • Capabilities of both opponents

  • Mistakes of both countries.

These are the key elements that give a clear idea about the First Indo-China War. But the unfortunate thing is that within three years, the second Indo-China war started. 

2. What is the death count of US soldiers in the First Indo-China War?

The approximate death count of US soldiers in the first Indo-China war is around fifty thousand people. It is clear from the below-mentioned statistics. In Laos, 728 were recorded. And in Cambodia, the figure is 523. Fortunately, China has recorded just 10. But in North Vietnam and South Vietnam, 1,120 and 55,661 respectively. Also, 178 deaths were recorded in Thailand. And these records were considered only from us. All these records, many other casualties were recorded by the French government. We may have lost millions of people during the entire period of War.

3. Who lost the Vietnam War?

The first Indo-China war was held continuously for eight years. With several tactics, massive funds and soldiers of the US, Vietnam won the war and gained the victory. With the overconfidence and underestimation of opponents capability, France had lost the Indo-China war. The Geneva conference and division of Vietnam had shown a great impact on the Indo-China war. But Vietnam didn't enjoy its victory in the long run. Within three years, the second Indo-China war started. And the third Indo-China war also happened, and massive casualties were recorded. Treating others with respect and proving proper independence and status can avoid all these wars and unrecoverable loss of manpower and money power.