(a) What was meant by the 'civilizing mission' of the colonizers: The
European countries acquired colonies in the East Asian countries to
exploit their natural resources. Like other European countries the French
also propagated that it was their mission to bring the benefits of
civilization to backward people. They posed that they were driven by the
idea of the civilizing mission. Like the British in India, the French claimed
they were bringing modern civilization to Vietnam. They considered that
it was their duty to bring modern ideas into their colonies even at the
cost of destroying the local culture, beliefs, etc.
(b) Huynh Phu So: Huynh Phu So was the founder of a nationalist
movement called Hoa Hao. He performed miracles and helped the poor.
His criticism against useless expenditure had a wide appeal. He also
opposed the sale of child brides, gambling and the use of alcohol and
opium. The French tried to suppress the movement inspired by Huynh
Phu So. They declared him mad, called him the Mad Bonze, and put him
in a mental asylum. But the doctor, who had to prove him mad, became
his follower. Finally, he was exiled to Laos and many of his followers
were sent to concentration camps.
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