1939 Cochinchinese parliamentary election explained

Colonial Council elections were held in French Cochinchina on 16 April 1939.^[1]

Electoral system

The 24 members of the consisted of ten members elected by French citizens, ten by Vietnamese who were classed as French subjects, two by the Chamber of Commerce and two by the Chamber of Agriculture.^[2]

Results

Amongst the Vietnamese electorate, three Trotskyist candidates Tạ Thu Thâu, Trần Văn Thạch and Phan Văn Hùm received around 80% of the vote;^[3] the pro-French received 15% and Stalinists candidates 1%.^[4]

Aftermath

The defeat of the Stalinism led to the Indochinese Communist Party splitting, with continuing to lead the official faction of the party and heading a breakaway.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Justin Corfield (2014) Historical Dictionary of Ho Chi Minh City, Anthem Press, pxxi
2. Paul H. Kratoska (2001) South East Asia, Colonial History: High imperialism (1890s-1930s), Taylor & Francis, p311
3. Peter M Dunn (1985) The First Vietnam War, C. Hurst & Co. Publishers, p8
4. Allen Myers (2004) The Vietnamese Revolution and Its Leadership, Resistance Books, p32
5. Frank N Trager (1959) Marxism in Southeast Asia: A Study of Four Countries, Volume 7, Stanford University Press, p143