Free societies during the COLD WAR were modeled after the US system; very modestly. The US did not interfere with local ways of life. The REPUBLIC of South Vietnam was supposed to be a free democratic society, with free elections, schools, roads, and normal conveniences of everyday life. Similiar to South Korea of today, making cars, TV's, computers, etc. exporting and importing, etc. On 30 April 1975, when NORTH Vietnamese Army Tanks crashed thru the presidential Palace Gates, ending the war; South Vietnam ceased to exist.
Two: 1st Indochina War (French Indochina War) & 2nd Indochina War (America's Vietnam War).
Indochina.
The 1st Indochina War was to oust the French; the 2nd Indochina War was to oust the US. Both Indochina Wars involved the communists.
The Vietnam War
The Japanese were in Indochina...but they were surrendering to the allies...the French re-entered Vietnam (and Indochina) in 1945...the British were involved with Malaysia and those regions.
Indochina Indochina
Two: 1st Indochina War (French Indochina War) & 2nd Indochina War (America's Vietnam War).
The French had fought there from 1946 to 1954; 1st Indochina War or French Indochina War.
Vietnam
Vietnam and Cambodia
The 20th century Vietnam originated in 1954 as North & South VN; from the 1st Indochina War/aka French Indochina War. The Vietnam of the 21st century originated in 1975; from the 2nd Indochina War/aka American Vietnam War (or US Vietnam War).
Indochina.
It was the result of the 1st Indochina War, aka French Indochina War (1946-1954).
Indochina was never renamed Vietnam. The two terms refer to different things. Indochina was a French colony that included Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Each became independent under its own name. The only reason that France ruled them as a unity was that simply helped administration. The various ethnic groups, Kinh (Vietnam), Khmer (Cambodia), and Lao (Laos) never saw Indochina as a federation.However, the date when maps stopped identifying Dai Nam or Vietnam as independent and instead as part of Indochina was 1885. North Vietnam and South Vietnam returned with the dissolution of French indochina in 1954.
If someone said, "I was in Indochina", you would most likely reply, "what part?" Meaning Cambodia, or Laos, or South Vietnam, North Vietnam, etc. Vietnam is to Indochina as Texas is to America (or Texas is to the United States). Example: "What part of the US are you from?" Reply: "Texas"
French Indochina War or 1st Indochina War.
Vietnam