1947-50 in the Vietnam War

1947–50 in the Vietnam War focuses on events influencing the eventual decision for military intervention by the United States in the First Indochina War. In 1947, France still ruled Indochina as a colonial power, conceding little real political power to Vietnamese nationalists. French Indochina was divided into five protectorates: Cambodia, Laos, Tonkin, Annam, and Cochinchina. The latter three made up Vietnam.

In 1946 a civil war had broken out between the French forces in Vietnam and the Viet Minh insurgents, led by Ho Chi Minh who had declared independence and the creation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The objective of the Viet Minh and other Vietnamese nationalists was full independence from France and unification of the three French protectorates. The Viet Minh was dominated by communists.

Initially the United States had little interest in Vietnam and was equivocal about supporting France, but in 1950, due to an intensification of the Cold War and a fear that communism would prevail in Vietnam, the U.S. began providing financial and military support to French forces. Paralleling the U.S. aid program, Communist China also began in 1950 to supply arms, equipment, and training to the Viet Minh. Vietnam played an increasingly important role in the worldwide competition between the communist world, headed by the Soviet Union, and the "Free World" led by the United States. The French suffered severe military defeats in late 1950 which resulted in American military aid being increased to prevent victory by the Viet Minh.

The article titled First Indochina War describes the war between the Viet Minh and the French in more detail. This article is preceded by 1940–46 in the Vietnam War and followed by 1951–53 in the Vietnam War.

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