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Viet Minh

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The Viet Minh (abbreviated from Viet Nam Doc Lap Dong Minh, "League for the Independence of Vietnam") was formed in 1941 to seek independence for Vietnam from France. The league was led by Nguyen Tat Thanh - better known as Ho Chi Minh.

During World War II, Japan occupied French-held regions in Asia. As well as fighting the French, the Viet Minh started a campaign against the Japanese. Due to their opposition to the Japanese, the Viet Minh received funding from the Americans and the Chinese. When Japan surrendered in August 1945, the Viet Minh tried to take control of the country and declared independence from France. The declaration of independence was followed by nearly ten years of war against France.

The French surrendered in 1954 following the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. Shortly thereafter, Vietnam was divided into North Vietnam and South Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh was appointed Prime Minister of North Vietnam, which became a communist state.

Guerillas in South Vietnam (including many ex-Viet Minh) who opposed the anti-communist regime there united to form the National Front for the Liberation of Vietnam, called Viet Cong by the Americans and South Vietnamese.

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