The nationalist movement in Indo-China started almost at the same time when the French succeeded in establishing their domination. Frequent plots for the overthrow of the foreign rule, were prepared but the French put down these plots with heartless severity.
The liberal policy followed by Paul Doumer (Governor-General from 1897-1902) and” Albert Sarrant (Governor-General from 1911-17) gave a further impetus to nationalism in Indo-China.
The writings of the French scholars like Montesquieu and Rousseau also exercised profound influence on the people of Indo-China and contributed to the strengthening of the nationalist movement.
Further impetus to the nationalist movement was provided by the victory of Japan, an Asiatic country over Russia, a western country. But it was the First World War which brought the people of Indo-China in direct contact with the western country. During the war over 100,000 Indo-Chinese troops were sent by the French
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Government to take part in the war and they got an opportunity to experience the democratic system.
In the meanwhile, the French continued to exploit the territories of Indo-China. They obtained rubber, coal and rice from these lands. They carried on the government in an oppressive manner without bothering about the interests of the people.
They local people engaged by the French Government were paid minimum wages and the general public was subjected to a heavy dose of taxation. This was naturally irritating to the people and they were keen to get rid of the foreign rule.
However, it was only in the post-World War I period that the nationalist movement grew very strong in Indo-China. During the war, France had made very generous promises to the people to win their sup- port and to maintain peace in the country. At the end of war, France refused to redeem these promises.
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This naturally injured the feelings of the people of Indo-China and provided an impetus to the growth of sub- versive activities. The Indo-Chinese elite which was greatly stirred by the doctrine of self-determination proclaimed by the Allies during the war were greatly disappointed with the French policy of denying political and economic responsibilities to the local people.
A demand for reforms was made by various political parties like Tongkgnese Party and the Constitutionalist Party. However, the government turned down the demand for reforms. This gave a serious setback to the moderates and the extremists succeeded in stealing the limelight.