The collapse of French Indochina
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the resistance to French rule in Indochina and the consequences of France's defeats.
Key learning points
- A war to remove French control over Indochina began in 1946.
- The Viet Minh led resistance to the French.
- The Viet Minh support ideas of nationalism and communism.
- The Viet Minh defeated the French, despite significant US support for the French.
- Vietnam was divided into two states at the 1954 Geneva Conference.
Keywords
Colony - a country or territory controlled by another, more powerful, country
Exploitation - using someone or something unfairly, in a way that helps you but may cause harm to other people
Nationalism - the feeling of pride in your own country and belief that it should be free from the control of others
17th parallel - the border established between North and South Vietnam
Common misconception
The Viet Minh gained full control over Vietnam after defeating the French.
Vietnam was divided in two at the 1954 Geneva Conference, leaving the Viet Minh only in control of the north.
Teacher tip
Ask students why the USA's actions in 1956 may seem surprising. You may prompt students to consider the criticisms the US often made in its anti-Soviet propaganda.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why did President Truman authorise a roll back strategy after invading North Korea?
Q2.What triggered China's entry into the Korean War?
Q3.What is the term for an agreement to stop fighting that is made between two countries?
Q4.What was significant about the Korean War?
Q5.What helped to strengthen the Soviet Union's position in Asia after the Korean War?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What term means the feeling of pride in your own country and belief that it should be free from the control of others?
Q2.Why did Ho Chi Minh create the Viet Minh?
Q3.Why did many people in Indochina support the Viet Minh?
Q4.What percentage of France's costs in fighting the Viet Minh were covered by the US by 1954?
Q5.Why did France agree to withdraw support from Indochina?
Q6.What happened to Vietnam shortly after France's withdrawal in 1954?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The collapse of French Indochina, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The collapse of French Indochina, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Wider Depth Study - Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.