Empire of Vietnam facts for kids
The Empire of Vietnam (called Đế quốc Việt Nam in Vietnamese) was a country that existed for a very short time in 1945, right at the end of World War II. It was set up by Japan and was largely controlled by them, meaning it was a "puppet state". This means it looked like an independent country, but another country (Japan) was really pulling the strings. Its capital city was Huế.
Contents
What Was the Empire of Vietnam?
The Empire of Vietnam was a country that lasted only a few months in 1945. It was created by Japan during World War II. Japan had taken control of many parts of Asia, including Vietnam. Before this, Vietnam was part of French Indochina, controlled by France.
How It Started
In 1940, during World War II, Japan moved into Vietnam. They allowed the French to stay in charge for a while. But by March 1945, as the war was turning against Japan, they decided to take full control. Japan removed the French government in Vietnam. They then announced that Vietnam was now an independent empire. This was done to get more support from the Vietnamese people.
Who Was in Charge?
The Japanese put Emperor Bảo Đại in charge of this new empire. He had been the emperor under French rule. However, he had to follow Japan's advice. A new government was formed, led by a prime minister named Trần Trọng Kim. This government tried to make some changes and improvements for Vietnam. They wanted to create a new national identity.
The Government's Goals
The government of the Empire of Vietnam had several goals. They wanted to:
- Create a new national army.
- Improve education.
- Deal with a terrible famine (a time when many people didn't have enough food).
- Try to unite different parts of Vietnam.
Why It Ended So Quickly
The Empire of Vietnam did not last long. It was formed on 17 March 1945 and ended on 30 August 1945.
- In August 1945, Japan lost World War II.
- This meant Japan could no longer control Vietnam.
- Soon after, Ho Chi Minh and his independence movement, the Viet Minh, took over.
- Emperor Bảo Đại gave up his power.
- This led to the creation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
The Empire of Vietnam was a brief moment in history. It showed how countries tried to gain independence during World War II. It also showed the influence of powerful nations like Japan.
Images for kids
-
Announcement of the independence of the Empire of Vietnam, reported on Sài Gòn newspaper.
-
Mr Trần Trọng Kim as new prime minister of Empire of Vietnam. Photograph by Domei.
-
The proclamation of Daiviet National Socialist Party in 1945.
-
Yuitsu Tsuchihashi served as adviser of the Vietnamese Imperial Army.
-
Trotskyist League demonstration in Saigon, 21 August 1945.
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Imperio de Vietnam para niños
