Nationalism of the sort spread by the Free School Movement was squelched by the French as soon as it became a threat. After 1908, overt opposition in Vietnam was minimal. In 1927, a Nationalist Party was formed in Vietnam but this was repressed and many of its members moved to South China. Generally speaking, conditions were strictly controlled within Vietnam, and the radical and outspoken opponents to colonization were those who had left the country to be educated in France. They were able to travel and study, discussing the future of Vietnam and methods through which they could overthrow the colonial government.
In 1941, after 30 years of exile, Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam and started a Communist party that became know as the Viet Minh. On the day of the Japanese surrender, the Viet Minh made a deal with the Japanese. They allowed the Japanese soldiers to leave peacefully, and the Japanese gave their arms to the Vietnamese before the return of the French. In August 1945, the Viet Minh launched a revolution which brought them to power. Emperor Bao Dai abdicated on August 25, 1945. On September 2, Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the independence of Vietnam and the creation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Bao Dai handed over to the Viet Minh the sword and seal which were the traditional symbols of power.