What this lesson teaches
I can judge how colonial rule changed politics, the economy and society in Southeast Asia after 1870, and who gained or lost.
Syllabus K330, Extension of European Control in Southeast Asia, Learning Outcomes. Evaluate the impact of European influence on Southeast Asia after 1870.
Make a guess
Vietnamese opponents of French rule all wanted to end it. Do you think they agreed on how to do it?
- No, some chose armed revolt, others help from abroad or reform.
- Yes, they joined together in armed revolt from 1885 onwards.
- No, because they disagreed about whether French rule should end.
Show the answer
No, some chose armed revolt, others help from abroad or reform.
Can Vuong fought for the emperor, Phan Boi Chau sought support in Japan, and Phan Chau Trinh pressed for education and reform.
Vietnamese opponents of French rule agreed on the goal but chose different methods: armed revolt, help from abroad, or reform.
Can Vuong means Aid the King. From 1885, Emperor Ham Nghi called for armed resistance against France. This gave fighters a leader and a cause to rally around. Later activists tried other routes instead of repeating the same strategy.
Phan Boi Chau looked for support abroad, including in Japan. He wanted to train followers and gather resources to fight French rule. Phan Chau Trinh focused on schools, skills and reform. He believed a better educated people could claim their rights. Both valued education, but they had different priorities.
The French watched activists closely and punished them. Working with the French on one issue did not mean accepting French rule forever. And not all opponents chose to fight. To explain a response, link what people wanted to the method they chose.
- Can Vuong, 1885
- Armed resistance in support of Emperor Ham Nghi.
- Phan Boi Chau
- Sought help abroad, including Japan.
- Phan Chau Trinh
- Pushed for schools and reform.
Worked example: Compare the two Phan leaders
How did Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chau Trinh hope to bring change?
- Phan Boi Chau: build strength abroad and prepare to oppose French rule.
- Phan Chau Trinh: educate people and reform society at home.
- Same goal of change, different routes.
Watch out for this
Only armed resistance counts as a response to French rule.
Education, reform and building support abroad were also ways to resist.
Check your understanding
What was Phan Chau Trinh's main approach?
- Seeking help from Japan to train Vietnamese fighters abroad.
- Schools, skills and reform to help Vietnamese claim their rights.
- Armed revolt to restore Emperor Ham Nghi to power.
Show the answer
Schools, skills and reform to help Vietnamese claim their rights.
Yes. He focused on education and reform at home.
Check your understanding
How did Phan Chau Trinh's approach differ from Phan Boi Chau's?
- Trinh stressed education and reform inside Vietnam; Chau sought help abroad to overthrow French rule.
- Both wanted to keep French rule but win more Vietnamese seats in the colonial councils.
- Trinh wanted to restore the emperor by armed revolt; Chau wanted schools.
Show the answer
Trinh stressed education and reform inside Vietnam; Chau sought help abroad to overthrow French rule.
Both valued education, but they chose different routes to change.