Ho Chi Minh's declaration of independence of Vietnam in 1945 was a milestone in what was a century-old struggle against foreign control. Throughout its history, Vietnam spent 1,000 years under Chinese control and vehemently resisted this control. Revolts and rebellions against China ultimately led to Vietnamese independence in the 10th century. In the 13th century, the Vietnamese repulsed Kublai Khan three times under the leadership of Dao. Tran Hung Dao not only led the Vietnamese people in repelling Kublai Khan, but he did so by pioneering the methods of guerrilla warfare that would later be employed against the French and the United States. It is therefore clear from this brief history of Vietnam that its people were prepared to fight fiercely for their independence and freedom from outside control. The rest of Vietnamese history repeatedly shows that outside control was exercised only to be met with rebellions and revolts that antagonized the controlling nation into submission or withdrawal. This would also be true for the French who, in 1930, experienced communist-backed revolts. This revolt ended with both the imprisonment of 10,000 dissidents and the bombing of demonstrators by the French. However, with the advent of World War II, Japan took control of Vietnam. The charismatic Ho Chi Minh took advantage of this period of confusion and lack of control on the part of the French to tap into the desire for independence deeply rooted in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. Ho Chi Minh organized 5,000 troops and, with the help of the US Office of Strategic Services and supported by the people's discontent with the hardships imposed by Japan and France which resulted in severe famine, took control of the Vietnam..... .middle of paper......xon could ill afford at this stage of the game. Ultimately, Nixon and Johnson failed to achieve their goals, both domestically and abroad. Nixon's goal of a peaceful and honorable withdrawal was lost with the fall of the South Vietnamese government following attacks from the North. Although the peace agreement succeeded in getting American troops out of Vietnam and the homes of prisoners of war, this would be its only success. Johnson's goal of supporting South Vietnam without the employment of American troops also failed and the buildup and war would eventually cost Johnson his presidency in the name of Watergate and the failure of the peace policy cost Nixon his own.BIBLIOGRAPHYBeam, Chris. Final exam; The Vietnam War. http://https://edge.apus.edu/portal/site/233301/page/abb796ff-ba2f-445e-82da-c1d4e7312fc7 (accessed November 29, 2013). Herring, George C. America's Longest War. New York: McGraw Hill, 2002.