Charles Rigault de Genouilly
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Charles Rigault de Genouilly (Born April 12, 1807 in Rochefort, died May 4, 1873, in Barcelona) was a French Navy admiral of the 19th century who started the French conquest of Vietnam.
Charles Rigault de Genouilly attacked Vietnam under the orders of Napoleon III. His stated mission was to stop the persecution of Catholic missionaries in the country and assure the unimpended propagation of the faith.[1] Rigault de Genouilly, with 14 French gunships, 3,000 men and 300 Filipino troops provided by the Spanish, attacked the port of Danang in 1858, causing significant damages, and occupying the city. After a few months, Rigault had to leave the city due to supply issues and illnesses.[2]
De Genouilly decided to sail south and captured the poorly defended city of Saigon in 1859. De Genouilly was critized for his actions and was replaced by Admiral Page in November 1859, with instructions to obtain a treaty protecting the Catholic faith in Vietnam, but not to try to obtain territorial gains.[3]
Charles Rigault de Genouilly returned to France and became Minister of the Navy from 20 January 1867 to 4 September 1870. He also became Minister of War on August 13, 1869, succeeding to Adolphe Niel. He only held the position for a few days until August 21, 1869, soon to be replaced by Edmond Le Bœuf.
| Preceded by Adolphe Niel |
Minister of War 13 August 1869–21 August 1869 |
Succeeded by Edmond Le Bœuf |
[edit] References
- Encyclopedia Britannica Online [1]
- Tucker, Spencer C (1999) Vietnam University Press of Kentucky ISBN 0813109663
