Political Structure and Leadership
• Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) = 1-party Communist state led by Dang Lao Dong (LAO DONG Party).
• Ho Chi Minh (Pres. 1945–69) = seen as founding father.
• Politburo held real power; govt = centrally planned, aimed to unify Vietnam under communism.
• 1959 Constitution: citizens had to obey law, pay tax, defend nation; had rights (vote, free speech, gender equality, belief, work, study, etc).
• Lao Dong too small to run full civil service → local govt run by non-Communists under Party ‘CADRES’.
• Complaints that govt felt distant/inaccessible to ordinary ppl.
Repressive Measures
• LAND REFORM (1953–56): rich peasants/landlords denounced; some humiliated, others executed.
• ‘Re-education’ camps used vs opposition; many died in prison – claimed 500k+ deaths 1953–56.
• 1956: 20k peasants rebelled, 6k killed.
• 1967: ‘ANTI-PARTY AFFAIR’ → hundreds of cadres jailed for disagreeing w. war strategy.
• State controlled press, arts, radio, religion.
• Despite promised freedom of belief, Catholics taxed extra, seminaries/publications closed, missionaries expelled.
Economic Policies
• Agriculture: co-operatives began 1953; full COLLECTIVISATION by 1960.
• Five-Year Economic Plan (1958–60) failed targets, but rice x2, electricity/coal x3.
• Forced labour used to build roads, canals, schools.
• Factory workers x5 (1955–60), but still only 10% of workforce in industry in 1960; just 83k in modern factories out of 7.2m.
• ‘Patriotic EMULATION’ campaigns: workers urged to exceed targets, get rewards.
• Black market = v large → alcohol, peanuts, salt, soap, fertiliser, cakes, etc. Govt cldn't stop it; peasants often sold extra produce illegally.
Standard of Living
• V poor. Govt started easing food shortages by 1960, but still relied on aid from USSR & China.
Public Health & Social Infrastructure
• 1950s: free health care in rural areas via health posts & field hospitals.
• Sanitation = v bad; ppl drank, bathed & watered animals in same ponds.
• Govt ran hygiene campaigns: “Clean food…”, “Destroy rats…”.
• By 1959: only 2,313 doctors & 10k nurses for 16m ppl.
Women’s Rights & Roles
• Women = equal in law (marriage, divorce, property).
• Women = key in revolution & war effort; >50% of workforce incl army roles.
• The WOMEN’S UNION promoted literacy & politics.
• Women held 25% of local council/court roles; 11% in National Assembly.
Youth & Education
• Universal primary ed. → 1m 7–11s in 5k schools (1959).
• Only 15k 14–17s in 31 schools.
• Curriculum = Marxism, nationalism; frequent political meetings.
• Party members’ children taught in separate schools.
• Adults had classes after work.
• Hanoi Uni existed but weak; top students sent to USSR unis.
• 1,000 trained as TECHNICIANS in China (1960).
• Ho Chi Minh YOUNG PIONEERS Org. trained young in socialist values; youths used in labour schemes.
Work & Welfare
• Till 1960, army provided food/medicine.
• Govt rationing & job-based healthcare. Land Reform freed 150k homes.
• Campaigns vs gambling, greed, illegal alcohol, idleness, café culture.
• 1947 LABOUR CODE: banned child labour, set max hrs & min wage.
• 1957: law for injury/death benefits.
• The TONG LIEN DOAN Union (500k members) = only legal union; BUT role = educate workers in socialism, back emulation drives – ≠ represent workers.
The War
• War ruined most reforms:
◦ 2nd Five-Year Plan (1961–65) failed; economy militarised.
◦ Food shortages worsened – esp. rural families.
◦ Rationing: Urban ppl got 12kg rice/month, but meat cut from 0.5kg → 0.25kg (1963); many items ‘rationed’ but not actually available.
◦ Access to supplies partly based on Party loyalty.
◦ US bombing destroyed factories, schools, hospitals.
◦ Post-1960: local communities gave basic welfare; Party/wartime loyalty got priority.
◦ Crime ↑ esp. among peasants/youth.
◦ Many men died in war.
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