Impact of French Colonialism on Social Classes in Vietnam

This essay examines the profound social and class distinctions in Vietnam resulting from French colonialism, particularly focusing on shifts in economic and social structures, gender roles, and class dynamics. It highlights the exploitation of Vietnamese women under French rule, comparing their social status to that of Dalits in India. The paper also contrasts pre- and post-colonial Vietnam, noting the limited educational opportunities for women and the propagation of colonial ideologies. Accounts from colonial travelers reveal the extent of class-based derogation, drawing parallels with the treatment of untouchables in India. The essay concludes by questioning whether modernization effectively ensures equality for women in Vietnam, referencing the changing relationships between men and women and men's contribution to household work.

Running head: FRENCH COLONIALISM EFFECTS ON VIETNAM’S SOCIETY
FRENCH COLONIALISM EFFECTS ON VIETNAM’S SOCIETY
Name of the student
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FRENCH COLONIALISM EFFECTS ON VIETNAM’S SOCIETY
Introduction
The present paper discusses the social and class distinctions in Vietnam especially due to
the French colonialism. The paper chiefly highlights the shift in economic, social and class
structures in pre and post-colonial Vietnam in terms of gender roles. The paper will compare the
Vietnamese situation with that of Indian situation concerning the Dalit Revolution.
The Chinese had occupied Vietnam during the first century and ruled until the 10th
century. The French had colonized Vietnam during the mid-19th century by conquering its
Southern and Northern regions. The French named the colony as the Federation of IndoChina
until 1954. The Vietnamese women were the “most exploited group” in the views of the colonial
scholars (Mahorder.s3.amazonaws.com 2018). A major part of this distinction was due to the
economic exploitation carried out by the French colonial rulers during the 20th century. The
monopolization of opium and tobacco textiles, doubling of rice lands and control of two-thirds
part of the total land led to disastrous results. As Harris (1998) notes, the women who worked as
workers in the textile mills, plantations and “other forms of economic production, had to return
home to begin their second shift that is taking care of the children, the husband the household
works”.
In terms of social status, Vietnamese women had enjoyed an elevated status owing to
French colonialism owing to increasing number of girls receiving education opportunities
(Lessard 2007). The French occupation of Burma also presents a better picture of the ways in
which French colonialism has influenced the status of women in both the countries ("Men &
Women In Colonial Burma" 2018). However, the number was marginally low as compared to
the men. In the 1930s, out of the 90 million Vietnamese populations, 4615 children went to

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FRENCH COLONIALISM EFFECTS ON VIETNAM’S SOCIETY
secondary schools in which only 359 were girls (Marr 1981). Many although argue that the
French used education as a propaganda to spread colonial ideology of male domination. The
social status of women in Vietnam can be compared to the dalits in India (YouTube.com 2018).
The Indian dalits had long since faced oppression from the upper elite class and the government.
One important thing to note in the revolution of the dalits is that women have had the least
participation, which is similar to the case of Vietnamese women. The French colonialism has
been influential in shaping the present Vietnamese society with changing dynamics of men and
women relationships. Men have now realized the importance of contributing to the household
works (Earl 2014).
The distinctions amongst men and women in the Vietnamese society in terms of class
could be easily discerned if one looks at the accounts of colonial travelers (Rudd 2000). The
account of an elite French female traveler of the poor Vietnamese women shows the extent to
which they were derogated based on their lifestyle (Eisen-Bergman l979). The French traveler,
who happens to be a woman, refers to these women as “creatures”
(Mahorder.s3.amazonaws.com 2018). The elite Vietnamese themselves have been critical of the
poor classes, treating them as mere commodities or objects for use. This class distinction could
be compared with the Indian context concerning the so-called “untouchables” (YouTube.com
2018). The dalits are not allowed to pursue higher education, fight elections, enter religious
places of worship and even drink water from the wells used by the upper classes.
Conclusion

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FRENCH COLONIALISM EFFECTS ON VIETNAM’S SOCIETY
The above discussion brings forth the reasons, status and implications of the social,
economic and class distinctions concerning Vietnamese men and women. The comparison of
Vietnamese situation to other countries raises an important question:
Is the so-called modernization or urbanization effective in ensuring equality for women in
Vietnam?

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FRENCH COLONIALISM EFFECTS ON VIETNAM’S SOCIETY
References:
"Men & Women In Colonial Burma" 2018. Mahorder.S3.Amazonaws.Com.
http://mahorder.s3.amazonaws.com/15127-41sd1-(4).mp4
Earl, Catherine. Vietnam’s new middle classes: Gender, career, city. Nias Press, 2014.
Eisen-Bergman, A. l979. Extracts from: Women and revolution in Vietnam. London: Zed.
Harris, Jack D. "Incorporating men into Vietnamese gender studies." Vietnam Social Sciences 67
(1998): 52-65.
Lessard, Micheline. "The Colony Writ Small: Vietnamese Women and Political Activism in
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YouTube.com. 2018. "India's Dalit Revolution - 101 East". Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdGY9UX1Gr8