Studying the context of prior history including the experiences of participants of those events may be of great value for understanding the motivation behind the actions of these people. It is also valuable as this provides a ground for learning important historical lessons. To make a thorough research a student of history may find most helpful sources in the library and interlibrary loan; and on-line sources including databases of articles, history associations, and Humanities Net. Researching such sources, one may find the deepest reasons and the most detailed description of any particular historical event. The example form the history of Vietnam and American intervention into it along with the French Indochina War will illustrate how particularly the student of history may benefit from the researches on the background of events form the course of history.
American Intervention in Southeast Asia, and the Second Indo-China War or as it is also called Vietnam War can be addressed as one of the most resonant events in Asian region in the twenties century. The events of those days and their reasons are closely connected to the history of France in previous period of nineteenth century along with the political situation which has occurred in the United States during earlier period. In addition, the events which took place in Vietnam are also connected with the redistribution of power in the region after the World War II.
Discussing the origins of American intervention in Southeast Asia, it should be first of all, stated that it is rather ambiguous and is connected to the situation which occurred in the region after the World War II. After a row of events, when Vietnam changed hands from France and Japan, to China and its associates, in 1954, under the pressure of numerous political and economical reasons, France the main colonizer of Vietnam left the country (Schultz 1999). Another growing power in the region was China supported by the other communist players and Russia, in particular. With such political reshuffle in the region, there should be the other country of capitalistic world, the one supporting democratic values, to enter the region.
The United States became such country, and landed Vietnam’s shores in 1954 to 1955 (Schultz 1999). This decision of the United States will be commented as very unwise and actually catastrophic for numerous young American warriors who lost their lives in this country. Till nowadays, the discussion on the reasons of such decision by the United States is open and can be addressed as rather hot one. Numerous historians and political analytics argue that the area of American interests in the region is rather weakly defined, and, thus, the intervention can be evaluated as lacking common sense. In this example from the history of the United States, it can be seen that studies on any particular event from the history of a certain country are closely connected to deep analysis of its background.
Addressing the situation which occurred in Vietnam as French colony, it becomes evident that war could hardly be avoided. Despite their loud declarations on the basic rights and freedoms of humans, French politicians played very unfairly in Vietnam. They engrossed local values, enforces people to become sort of slaves and exhausted Vietnamese economical resources. All these laid to a row of protests and patriotic movement within the country (Halsall 1997). However, French colonizers were adamant to the petitions of Vietnamese leaders. All the remonstrates were imprisoned or even executed for their open position opposing French colonizers.
Such sad situation in Vietnam was getting even worse with the duration of time, and when it reached its pick, the war began. Of course, the actions of French colonizers were not the only reasons for the beginning of The French Indochina War. The other set of such reasons are connected to the weakening positions of French colonizers in the region. They were no longer able to control the situation and thus the other strong politically and economically countries entered the struggle for dominion in the region. Thus, it can be seen that the situation badly needed some changes. In view of the above mentioned illustration from the history of French colonization in Vietnam, it can be evident how important it is to address historical background of a particular event in order to understand its reasons, and the lessons which are to be derived from these events.
Concluding on all the information related above, it becomes evident that the studies of any particular historical events can be more beneficial in case they are accomplished taking into consideration the period of previous times. Such addressing to the past is rather helpful for understanding the motivation behind the actions of certain political figures and countries in general. In addition, studying historical background of events which are under consideration by a student of history is beneficial for developing logical way of thinking along with learning important lessons from the past in order to avoid such mistakes in the future.
References
Halsall, P. (1997). Fordham Internet Modern History Sourcebook. Web.
Schultz, H. (1999). The Asian Connection: Road to Vietnam. Web.