What was the significance of the battle of Dien Bien Phu?
1 Answer
Apart for the military implications it was a terrible psychological blow for the French.
Explanation:
I think that Dien Bien Phu was an eye opener for the French about the situation in Vietnam because they probably realized for the first time (not only in Vietnam but in France as well) that they weren't accepted as rulers anymore and that the people of Vietnam was ready to accept terrible sacrifices to get rid of them.
Before the battle the French authorities considered the Viet Minh as a bunch of bandits with no military dimension and absolutely no support from the population that instead "liked to be ruled" by the French.
These ideas were completely transformed by the battle: the Viet Minh were though and well-armed fighters able to accomplish the most daring and complex military maneuvers; they also had the support of the population that, in reality, resented and in many cases hated the French control and rules. The French couldn't possibly defeat the Viet Minh military or morally!
In France the battle showed to the public the reality of the situation (an army from a mighty nation defeated by an army of peasants!) giving a possible last blow to the idea of continuing in the colonialist frame of mind in Vietnam.
In my opinion the battle of Dien Bien Phu represented the writing on the wall for the French saying: "we do not want you here!"; it is sad to see the French retire to the South almost hoping to be left alone and not disturbed to try to continue in their colonialist "normal life" but knowing that it was an illusion destined to end soon.
