COCHINCHINA UNDER FRENCH COLONIAL RULE (1862–1939)

Abstract

This article examines the colonial administration of Cochinchina under French rule between 1862 and 1939, with a focus on its political, economic, social, and cultural transformations. The primary objective is to reconstruct a comprehensive picture of colonial governance and to assess its long-term implications for Vietnam’s modern history. Methodologically, the study combines the historical method—reconstructing causes, processes, and outcomes—with the logical method, which identifies structural patterns and underlying dynamics of colonial rule. Comparative analysis, statistical data, and critical evaluation of diverse sources further ensure scholarly rigor. The findings indicate that, politically, the French imposed a regime of direct rule through the Governor of Cochinchina, restructuring administrative divisions to enforce the principle of “divide and rule” and sever ties with the Huế court. Economically, Cochinchina was transformed into a colonial production zone serving the metropole. The first and second colonial exploitation programs (1897 and 1918) consolidated a semi-feudal colonial economy, centered on rice cultivation and export, deeply dependent on France. Socially, new classes emerged, including a nascent bourgeoisie, an urban petty bourgeoisie, and an expanding working class, while tenant farmers faced growing impoverishment. In cultural and educational spheres, French policies combined deliberate obscurantism with selective Westernization, fostering the rise of urban culture, vernacular press, and a new intelligentsia. This study contributes to Vietnamese historiography by systematizing scattered sources, reaffirming the exploitative nature of French colonialism, and highlighting the multifaceted transformation of Cochinchina. It also provides valuable reference material for teaching and further research on colonial Vietnam and the uneven process of modernization under foreign domination.

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