Final answer:
The French colonization of Vietnam facilitated the economic exploitation of the country's natural resources, such as rubber, tea, coffee, coal, and rare minerals through plantation and mining activities. The battle of Dien Bien Phu was a pivotal event leading to the French withdrawal from Vietnam in 1954, which ended their colonial rule and resulted in the division of Vietnam.
Step-by-step explanation:
French Economic Exploitation of Vietnam's Resources
The French began their colonization of Vietnam in 1858, creating a dynamic where they could exploit Vietnam's natural resources. By forcing control over southern provinces initially and eventually establishing protectorates over the rest of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, they ensured access to a variety of resources. The economic exploitation was facilitated by the French ownership of plantations, where cash crops such as rubber, tea, and coffee were cultivated. In addition to agriculture, the French capitalized on Vietnam's rich mineral resources, including coal and rare minerals.
The battle of Dien Bien Phu was a significant turning point, leading to the ousting of the French from Vietnam post-WWII. The French, attempting to reestablish control over Vietnam after Japanese occupation during the war, faced fierce resistance from the Vietminh, ultimately leading to their defeat in 1954. This loss marked the collapse of French colonial rule over Indochina and the division of Vietnam into a communist north and a non-communist south.