Final answer:
The Vietminh, led by H_o Chi Minh, aimed to secure Vietnam's independence from France. Inspired by self-determination principles, they fought until their notable victory at Dien Bien Phu led to French withdrawal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary goal of the Vietminh was to secure Vietnam's independence from France. Led by H_o Chi Minh, the Vietminh was a nationalist group that engaged in a struggle against French colonial forces between 1946 and 1954. The movement was inspired by the principles of self-determination and heavily influenced by Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points. Despite the use of brutal tactics, H_o Chi Minh was revered by many as a freedom fighter, dedicating his life to Vietnamese independence, not just from French colonialism but also from Japanese occupation during World War II.
On September 2, 1945, H_o Chi Minh declared Vietnam an independent nation, citing grievances against French colonialists and leveraging the universal desire for self-governance. The Vietminh's resistance led to a significant victory at the Dien Bien Phu valley, which ultimately forced the French to surrender and withdraw, thereby ending colonial rule in that region. However, this led to Vietnam being divided between a communist north and a non-communist south, setting the stage for further conflict.