Question

Describe the 'Scholar's Revolt' of 1868 against the spread of Christianity in Vietnam.

Answer 1

The French made their presence felt in Vietnam by converting people to Christianity. By the middle of the eighteenth century almost 30000 people were converted. The Vietnamese people realised that conversion too was a means to establishing colonial authority in Vietnam. Thus started a movement to oppose this French policy. Scholars Revolt in 1868 was a movement against French control and the spread of Christianity. This revolt was led by officials at the Imperial Court angered by the spread of Christianity and the French power. They led a general uprising in Ngu An and Ha Tien provinces where over a thousand Catholics were killed. The movement was however, crushed but it did inspire the people.