Studying Vietnam and Prior History

Suzette Anderson
January 7, 2012
The Week 1 Topic
Professor Carl Garrigus

It is both necessary and helpful to the study the context of prior history because it reveals who we are in relation to other people, cultures, and countries. They study of history can make up one’s whole being and how they live in a day-to-day basis. History can influence the way a person can process information, view other races and cultures, and even speak. There is an old saying “ If we don’t know where we come from, then we don’t know where we going”. Studying history helps us makes certain decisions and lets us understand the causes of certain issues of today. There were many situations and events in history that led to wars. To name a few: freedom of religion, civil unrest, unfair trade, terrorism, different cultures, and race and last but not least independence. Fighting for independence is one of the main reasons why there is history.
There are many great leaders and participants in history that will be remembered forever. They all stood strong for what they believe, whether it for respect, honor, trade, goods, and especially independence. In addition, many leaders, revolutionists and soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their countries’ independence, such as, the Vietnamese leader named Ho Chi Minh. According to Moss (2009), Ho Chi Minh led the Viet Minh Independence movement from 1941 onward, establishing the communist-governed Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945 and defeating the French Union in 1954. He was a highly visible figurehead and an inspiration for Vietnamese fighting to the death for his cause, a united Vietnam, until his death. The people of Vietnam recognize his actions and determination to fight for independence that the capital of South Vietnam was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in his honor.
Running head: The Week 1 Topic
There was a great deal of experiences that this historic leader endured. He had to deal with the Japanese and French fighting to rule Vietnam and being pushed out of power so the French can rule Vietnam. As defined in Wikipedia (2006), in 1946 the French returns to Vietnam in attempt to regain control of the area. By 1949 the French had driven Ho Chi Minh out of Hanoi and had placed an ineffectual ruler in charge so that the French remained in control. The French lacked respect for the Vietnam leader and treated him as if he was of insignificance. Ho Chi Minh had great honor and stood strong for his country and still fought for independence for his country until victory.
History is a subject that should never be taken for granted. It gives of the foundation to understand current events and the future. There are many resources that would be helpful to anyone that is studying history. Learning history can be flexible according to one’s learning style and lifestyle habits. Some people are visual learners; A&E and the history channel may be effective learning resource for them. Another activity to learn history is to visit a historical park or a museum to examine the different historical artifacts, statues and artwork. There are also books, articles, journals, encyclopedias and of course .The internet which is a great resource in learning history. The Internet is the world on our fingertips to explore history from the beginning of time the current events.
Students do not realize how important prior history is until they study the subject in school, as a requirement. Students should take more initiative to learn history because it gives us a baseline on life and a direction for the future.

References
Moss, G. D., (2009). Vietnam: an american ordeal (6th ed.). Prentice Hall.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. (2006). Retrieved from http://vietnamwar3.tripod.com/id3.html. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Containment&oldid=55216344.

References: Moss, G. D., (2009). Vietnam: an american ordeal (6th ed.). Prentice Hall. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. (2006). Retrieved from http://vietnamwar3.tripod.com/id3.html. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Containment&oldid=55216344.