The Indochina region was ruled by many small kingdoms. These kingdoms were often fighting amongst eachother. The leaders would also isolate themselves reading poety and wasteing money on tombs instead of persuing modern technology.
Early French Action in Indochina
A local ruler named Nguyen Anh asked for French help in conquering all of what is now Vietnam in exchange for a port for the French. The French agreed and Nguyen got his lands. However, his treatment of French missionaries would soon put him at odds with the French.
French Justification For War
At first Christian missionaries were welcomed in Vietnam, the early missionaries were succesfull. They converted thousands each and things were peaceful. However local goverments soon started mistreating and expelling missionaries. This gave the French the excuess the needed to invade the region.
Early French Conquest
In the 1840's and 50's the Vietemease goverment was weak due to tribal risings, smallpox, and a broken economy. This gave France its' chance to strike. In 1857 with 14 ships the French attacked and captured the ports of Saigon and Danang harbour. In the peace treaty the French were given three regions of Vietnam. The Vietnamease could not stand up to the modern weapons of the French.
Reasons for Staying
The Indochina region was a resource rich area. It contained rare metals, coal, rice, and rubber. The booming French economy needed these materials. So France was eager to keep this colony to feed the market back home. The French bulit roads, canals, bridges, and harbours to make the export of goods easier. They cared very little for the economy of Indochina, only their own profits.
Countinued Conquest
From this point till 1853, France went about conquering all of Indochina; they oftened used the persecution of Christians as their justification. They had little trouble in the matter, their technology was far more advanced and the kingdoms could never unify to build an army great enough to overwhelm the smaller French forces.
Cementing French Power
With complete control of the land, the French set up puppet emperors to 'rule' the different areas of Vietnam, Laos, and others. All postions of power were fillied by French politicans. With this they could control the regions people and resources however they wanted.
The Hireling Shepherd
This is a painting by William Holman Hunt, a leading British Pre-Raphaelite.
Ophelia
Ophelia is a painting by British artist Sir John Everett Millais, completed between 1851 and 1852. It depicts Ophelia, a character from Hamlet, singing before she drowns in a river in Denmark. [more]
The Music Lesson
The Music Lesson or Lady at the Virginals with a Gentleman by Jan Vermeer, is a painting of young female pupil receiving the titular music lesson. [more]
