Ho Chi Minh's declaration of Vietnam's independence in 1945 was a milestone in what was a centuries-long struggle against foreign control. In its history, Vietnam spent 1,000 years under Chinese control and vehemently resisted this control. Uprisings and rebellions against China eventually led to Vietnam's independence in the 10th century. In the 13th century the Vietnamese repelled 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 guerrilla methods that would later be employed against both the French and the United States. It is therefore evident from this brief history of Vietnam that its people were willing to fight fiercely for their independence and freedom from external control. The rest of Vietnamese history shows that external control was repeatedly imposed only to be met with rebellions and uprisings that antagonized the controlling nation into submission or withdrawal. This would also be true for the French who experienced communist-backed revolts in 1930. This uprising ended with the imprisonment of 10,000 dissidents and the bombing of the demonstrators by the French. However, the advent of World War II saw Japan take control over Vietnam. The charismatic Ho Chi Minh took advantage of this period of confusion and lack of control by the French to tap into the deep desire for independence rooted in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. Ho Chi Minh organized 5,000 soldiers and, with the help of the US Office of Strategic Services and supported by people's discontent with the hardships imposed by both Japan and France which caused a severe famine, took control of the Vietnamese. .middle of paper...xon couldn't afford it at this stage of the game. Ultimately both 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 to Northern attacks. Although the peace agreement succeeded in getting American troops out of Vietnam and out of POW homes, this would be its only success. Johnson's goal of supporting South Vietnam without the use of American troops also failed, and the buildup and war ended up costing Johnson his presidency, just as Watergate and the failed peace policy cost Nixon his . BIBLIOGRAPHY Beam, Chris. Final exam; The war in Vietnam. 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.