Two opinions held (i) Vietnamese traditions had to be strengthened to resist western domination. (ii) The second school felt that the Vietnamese had to learn from the West, while resisting its domination.
Phan Boi Chau (1867-1940) formed the ‘Revolution Society’ (Duy Tan Hoi) in 1903 with Prince Cuong De as the lead. He wrote a book, ‘History of the Loss of Vietnam’ under the influence of the Chinese reformer Liang Qichao (1873-1929). He believed that the French should be driven out first and then monarchy should be restored in Vietnam.
Phan Chu Trinh (1871-1926) differed strongly. He was totally opposed to monarchy and wanted to establish a democratic republic.
Other Ways of Becoming Modern: Japan and China
In the first decade of the twentieth century a ‘go east movement’ became popular.
Go East Movement: Some 300 Vietnamese students went to Japan in 1907-08 to acquire modern education. Their aim was to drive out the French and re-establish the Ngu Yen dynasty. They wanted Japanese help and established a Restoration Society in Tokyo. But after 1908, the Japanese closed the society, and sent many of them, including Phan Boi Chau to exile in China and Thailand.
Whe Sun Yat Sen overthrew monarchy in China in 1911, a new association – Association for Restoration of Vietnam was formed. Their objective was to have the Democratic Republic and a Constitutional Monarchy in Vietnam.
The anti-imperialist movement in Vietnam came under a new type of leadership.
