Dien Bien Phu Domino Effect

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu (March 13, 1954 thru May 7, 1954) was the last confrontation of the 1st Indochina War (1946-1954); and in remembrance, the 1st Indochina War started when the French returned to Vietnam after WWII. At that time, the French fought to reclaim their plantations (rice, rubber, salt) and pharmaceuticals enterprises; which had previously been abandoned (so to speak); when their protective element was re-assigned to Europe. The French were caught in a cross-fire; moreover, knew if China went Communist as they did (after their Revolution with Japan); all of Southeast Asia would (domino effect) follow suit. The domino effect of colonialism from the 1600’s was capitalism, and the follow up to it was (red) communism. The

After much digging, the artillery was positioned in tunnels and caves, and with work the Viet Minh were able to make their weapons resistant to counter-battery fire. Nonetheless, the Viet Minh forces restricted the resupplying of the French garrison with heavy bombardment of the airstrip, and later with troop penetration into the camps interior. As, the battle grew worse Charles Piroth, an artillery commander for the French committed suicide; because he was unable to organize any type of retaliatory fire against the heavily concealed Viet Minh guns. Dien Bien Phu was finally overrun when tenacious ground fighting along with siege techniques (a matrix of trenches); isolated the garrison into attackable zones. Alongside, their impervious artillery, Giap and his infantrymen at last succeeded in seizing the fortress. The defeat ended both the 1st Indochina War and colonialism in Vietnam; although, not the self-governing attitude of the U.S.; whose interest in South Vietnam lead to the signing of the Geneva Accords. The Geneva Accords ended the French presence in Vietnam and divided the country at the 17th parallel. Above and north of the 17th parallel became communist with Ho Chi Minh their leader, and below that parallel and south remained under