Questions :
Which one of the following was an impact of the Great Depression of 1930s on Vietnam? [AI 2011]
Answer: Japan defeated and occupied Vietnam
Additional Information
The Great Depression of the 1930s had a significant impact on Vietnam, which was under French colonial rule at the time. As a largely agrarian economy integrated into the global market, Vietnam was deeply affected by the economic downturn. Here are the key impacts:
1. Decline in Agricultural Exports
- Vietnam's economy was heavily reliant on the export of rice and rubber, which were critical cash crops.
- Global demand for these exports plummeted during the Depression, leading to a sharp decline in prices and revenues.
- Farmers and plantation workers faced severe economic hardships due to reduced income and high debts.
2. Increased Taxation and Exploitation
- To counter declining revenues, the French colonial administration increased taxes on the Vietnamese population, further worsening their economic conditions.
- Peasants and workers were subjected to greater exploitation on plantations, as colonial authorities tried to maintain output despite the economic crisis.
3. Worsening Poverty and Famine
- Many farmers, unable to pay taxes or repay loans, lost their land, pushing them into poverty.
- Food shortages and famine became more widespread due to a combination of low agricultural productivity and the prioritization of exports over domestic needs.
4. Rise in Anti-Colonial Sentiment
- The economic crisis intensified resentment against French colonial rule, as the Vietnamese population bore the brunt of the Depression.
- Discontent with rising poverty, exploitation, and inequality fueled nationalist movements and anti-colonial resistance.
- Groups like the Indochinese Communist Party (founded by Ho Chi Minh in 1930) gained traction, advocating for workers’ and peasants’ rights and the end of French rule.
5. Labor Strikes and Protests
- The economic hardships led to widespread strikes and protests by workers, particularly in industrial and plantation sectors.
- These strikes were often brutally suppressed by the colonial authorities, further alienating the Vietnamese population.
6. Increased Influence of Communism
- The global Depression demonstrated the vulnerabilities of capitalist economies, which inspired many Vietnamese to turn to communist ideologies.
- The Indochinese Communist Party emerged as a significant political force, mobilizing peasants and workers against colonial oppression and the economic injustices of the Depression.
Long-Term Impact
- The Great Depression deepened economic inequalities in Vietnam and exposed the exploitative nature of French colonial policies.
- It played a crucial role in strengthening nationalist and communist movements, which would later become key players in the struggle for Vietnam’s independence.
CBSE / NCERT / SAT/ UPSC
You Can Translate It In Your Language :-Bookmark Our website : Click HERE
Mock Test Click Here
Maddhamik Previous Year Solution Click Here
If you like this content, please CLICK any of the Ads In This Page.