The Viet Minh was a nationalist and communist-led movement in Vietnam, founded in 1941. Its primary goal was to gain independence from French colonial rule. The organization played a crucial role in mobilizing the Vietnamese people against colonialism and later against Japanese occupation during World War II. After the war, the Viet Minh became the leading force in the struggle for Vietnam's independence, culminating in the First Indochina War against France. The movement was instrumental in the 1945 declaration of independence, which led to the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.