L'opinion française et la guerre d'Indochine (1945-1954). Sondages et témoignages

Abstract

French public opinion and the Indochina War. Poils and testimonies, Alain Ruscio. Unkike the Algerian war, the Indochina war did not really mobilize French public opinion ; the fact is well known. But only a study of opinion poils provides accurate data on the real scope of this relative indifférence, and an explanation of why advocates and opponents of the conflict never succeeded in getling massive approval. As the military commitment lasted and got bogged down, the army and the nation diverged, in the absence of any real motivation for the common man to approve a war whose stakes were not obvious.