French In Vietnam

French Presence in Vietnam

Social Impact

The French introduced some benefits to Vietnamese society, notably in education. French missionaries and officials established primary schools teaching in both French and Vietnamese, and the University of Hanoi, opened in 1902, became a key center for learning. Some Vietnamese students even received scholarships to study in France. However, these educational opportunities mostly benefited city dwellers, leaving rural peasant children without access to education. The curriculum emphasized French cultural superiority, reinforcing colonial dominance. Urban landscapes also changed drastically, with many ancient local structures being demolished under colonial rule.

Political Impact

French colonial rule in Vietnam lacked a clear, consistent strategy, focusing mainly on maintaining control and promoting French economic interests. With over 20 governors ruling from 1900 to 1945, each brought their own policies, often resulting in mismanagement, corruption, and abuse of power. This decentralized governance allowed officials to exercise excessive control, often prioritizing personal gain over fair administration.

Economic Impact

Economically, the French aimed to profit from Vietnam, shifting its economy from subsistence agriculture to a system favoring land ownership, increased production for export, and low wages. This transformation forced millions of Vietnamese to work under French control, with vast lands converted into plantations. Labor shortages were addressed by recruiting or coercing Vietnamese farmers, with the main exports being rice and rubber. Additionally, the French imposed a heavy taxation system, further burdening the Vietnamese people.

Dutch Colonial Era

During the Dutch colonial period, the Dutch East India Company tightly controlled spice production in Indonesia, exploiting local communities as laborers to meet production quotas. Failure to comply often resulted in severe punishments, including torture. Some Indonesian communities resisted, notably on Java, which wasn't fully controlled by the Dutch until 1830. The Dutch settlers viewed Indonesians as inferior, often employing foreign workers to manage Indonesian laborers.

The Dutch East India Company, despite its profits in Europe, spent extensively on maintaining control over Indonesia, leading to its bankruptcy in 1800. Subsequently, the Dutch government took over, implementing the cultivation system to profit from Indonesian resources. This system required villagers to dedicate a portion of their land or labor to government production, focusing on cash crops for European markets. This emphasis on cash crops led to famine and disease due to a lack of affordable food.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Dutch undertook significant infrastructure projects to improve transportation and the economy in Indonesia. These projects included port renovations, road and railroad construction, irrigation, and water system improvements. While some projects benefited the local population and later aided the country's post-independence economic growth, the primary focus remained on enhancing Dutch economic gains from the colony.