In “Imagined Communities”, Benedict Anderson raises a discussion on nationalism and the roots of its emergence in different cultural situations. Anderson emphatically states that "nationalism thinks in terms of historical destinies, while racism dreams of eternal contaminations, transmitted from the beginning of time through an endless sequence of loathsome copulations: outside of history", in link with the Vietnamese case of nationalism (Anderson, 148). -9). The emergence of this patriotic feeling can be attributed to the “outside of history” and the slow but evident disintegration of such cultural identity. “Outside history” and the threatening presence of outside forces were all too easy to dismiss. Faced with an obvious and discernible enemy, it was only natural that the Vietnamese would desire self-sufficiency and target said enemy. For the French, ridding Vietnam of its cultural ties and identity was a key factor in their subjugation of the people themselves (Anderson, 126-7). The French prioritized severing Vietnam's historical and cultural ties with the Chinese in an effort to stifle anything indigenous. summons and pride. The French also attempted to ward off any “dangerous” ideas and potential revolutions through literature infiltrating Vietnam from China. This was particularly the case after the 1890s, when reformers Liang Ch'i-ch'ao and K'ang Yu-wei, as well as nationalists including Sun Yat-sen, published works focusing on solidarity and expulsion of foreign oppression. As a result, civil service examinations, which were highly Confucian in nature, were abolished. Instead of a Confucian system, a French colonial educational system was established. This helped create a new generation of Vietnamese; those who would become French speakers and writers, and ...... middle of paper ...... illustrate to his audience the tyranny of colonialism and although many Vietnamese thought Hồ's works were radical, he was able to using his words to inspire many Vietnamese to stand up in unison against a common oppressor. The Vietnamese communists, in addition to Hồ, strongly believed in their goal of achieving independence. They were categorically opposed to the French and any other forces working against them, including the Americans. Communists adhered to a common ideology, which made it much easier for them to construct a common identity, using universality and community as the backdrop to their desire for independence. With conformity and individual sacrifice in mind for the greater benefit of the nation, the influence of the communists on the minds of the people was evident. They were able to reach out to those who had long been forgotten by the South Vietnamese regime.: