How did the export economy under French rule affect Vietnam?

The export economy under French rule significantly transformed Vietnam's agriculture, leading to economic dependency and social inequality.

Under French colonial rule, Vietnam's economy was primarily structured around the export of raw materials, particularly rice and rubber. This was a significant shift from the traditional subsistence farming, as the French introduced a capitalist mode of production. The French established large plantations, particularly in the Mekong Delta, which became the 'rice bowl' of the colony. This led to a significant increase in rice production, making Vietnam the third largest exporter of rice globally by the 1930s.

However, this economic transformation had profound social and economic implications. The focus on export crops led to the displacement of small-scale farmers, who were forced to become wage labourers on the plantations or migrate to urban areas in search of work. This resulted in a significant increase in landlessness and rural poverty. Moreover, the profits from the export economy were largely repatriated to France, leading to economic dependency and underdevelopment. The French also imposed high taxes on the Vietnamese, further exacerbating economic hardship.

The export economy also led to significant environmental degradation. The intensive cultivation of rice and rubber led to soil exhaustion and deforestation, threatening the long-term sustainability of Vietnam's agriculture. Moreover, the reliance on a few export crops made the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in international market prices.

In addition, the export economy reinforced social inequality. The French and their Vietnamese collaborators controlled the plantations and reaped the profits, while the majority of the Vietnamese population laboured under harsh conditions for low wages. This economic exploitation fuelled resentment against the French, contributing to the rise of nationalist movements.

In conclusion, the export economy under French rule had a profound impact on Vietnam. It transformed the country's agriculture and led to economic dependency, social inequality, and environmental degradation.