effects, for example, addiction increased and criminal groups became involved in the trade, as well as prostitution. The economic development was increased by the mining of coal, lead and zinc in Tonkin and growing plantations such as growing rubber, tea and coffee for export, Also rice production was increased for export and infrastructure was expanded, for example, roads, railways, bridges and port facilities. By the early 20th century, Indochina continued to be very profitable for France until the beginning of World War Two. For example, in 1939, trade exports earned 3.5 million francs, and imports earned 2.5 billion francs. However the people of Indochina stayed poor under increasing taxes and demands from money lenders. The economy remained agrarian. Peasants still made up between 85 and 90 percent of the population. Also the village communities were weakened with village notables having to hand over authority to French-trained officials. Their land fell into the hands of mandarins. Village communal life was disrupted as their people moved to cities. Peasants grew to resent the growing wealth of the landlords as they suffered increases in rents and taxes, which encouraged resistance to French imperialism. By the 1920s, nationalist parties began to demand reform and independence. Ho Chi Minh was one of people who criticized other nationalist groups for not being in tune with the needs of the Vietnamese peasants and workers.
             Ho Chi Minh was born in a small village in Central Vietnam in 1890. His father, Nguyen Sinh Huy was a teacher employed by the French. He had a reputation for being extremely intelligent but his unwillingness to learn the French language resulted in the loss of his job. To survive, Nguyen Sinh Huy was forced to travel throughout Vietnam, offering his services to the peasants. This usually involved writing letters and providing medical care.. As a nationalist, Nguyen taught his children to resist the rule of the...