Cách mạng tháng Tám năm 1945

Historical Context and the Global Environment

The August Revolution of $1945$ occurred as World War II was entering its final stage. The history of Vietnam was significantly impacted by these global events between $1939$ and $1945$. Specifically, during the Potsdam Conference held from July to August $1945$, the Allied powers made a decision that directly concerned Vietnam. It was decided that the troops of the Chinese Nationalists (Trung Hoa Dan Quoc) would enter Northern Vietnam to disarm the Japanese forces north of the $16^{th}$ parallel. Meanwhile, British forces were assigned to disarm Japanese forces south of the $16^{th}$ parallel. In this context, "disarming" meant seizing the weapons and military equipment from the Japanese fascists who had been occupying the country.

While this appeared to be a military procedure, it presented a significant challenge for the Vietnamese revolution. Both the Chinese Nationalists and the British forces represented imperialist interests. They did not intend to support the revolutionary development of a colony; rather, their presence posed a major obstacle and a potential threat to the movement. However, the situation shifted dramatically on August $15$, $1945$, when the Japanese Empire surrendered unconditionally to the Allied forces, marking the end of World War II. In Vietnam, the relationship between occupiers had been complex since $1940$ when Japan first invaded Indochina. Initially, the French colonialists compromised with the Japanese to maintain their administrative machinery and continue exploiting the populace. Ho Chi Minh noted in the Declaration of Independence that the French colonialists sold the country to Japan twice: the first time in $1940$ and the second time in March $1945$ when Japan conducted a coup to overthrow the French to gain exclusive control over Indochina. Following that coup on March $9$, $1945$, France was no longer the direct enemy, and the Japanese fascists became the primary target for the Vietnamese people.

Internal Conditions and the Ripened Opportunity

By August $1945$, internal conditions reached a state commonly described as a "once-in-a-thousand-year opportunity." The Japanese military in Vietnam was demoralized and in a state of disintegration following their defeat on the global stage. Although they still held weapons and had not yet surrendered to the local revolutionary forces, their spirit was broken. Simultaneously, the puppet government established by Japan in March $1945$ was in a state of extreme panic and confusion after losing its protector. On the side of the revolution, the Communist Party had prepared for $15$ years, from $1930$ to $1945$, gaining extensive experience in leading the masses and organizing struggles. The revolutionary forces of the people had been built, trained, and tested through practical combat.

The confluence of these objective and subjective factors created a "ripened" opportunity for the revolution. This window of time was very narrow, existing primarily between Japan's surrender and the arrival of the Chinese Nationalist and British troops (roughly from mid-August to August $28$, $1945$). During this critical time, Ho Chi Minh was severely ill at Tan Trao, Tuyen Quang. Despite his physical weakness, he instructed General Vo Nguyen Giap with absolute determination: "The favorable opportunity has arrived; no matter how much sacrifice is required, even if we have to burn down the entire Truong Son range, we must resolutely win national independence." This statement underscored the urgency of seizing power before the Allied forces could establish themselves in the country.

The Strategic Decisions of the Communist Party

The Party acted with extreme speed to capitalize on the historical moment. On August $13$, $1945$, as soon as news of the Japanese surrender reached them, the National Uprising Committee was established. Military Order No. $1$ was officially issued, signaling the start of the General Uprising. From August $14$ to August $15$, the National Party Conference convened to approve the plan for leading the uprising and to draft domestic and foreign policies for the future state of Vietnam. This proactive planning ensured the revolution would have a clear direction immediately following victory.

From August $16$ to August $17$, the National Congress (also known as the Tan Trao People's Congress) was held. This was a gathering of $60$ delegates representing different social classes, ethnic groups, and localities. The Congress expressed the unified will of the people by endorsing the Party's policy for a General Uprising. During this assembly, the $10$ main policies of the Viet Minh Front (founded by Ho Chi Minh in $1941$) were adopted. These policies represented the aspirations of the people and served as the foundation for the new government. The Congress also elected the National Liberation Committee of Vietnam, with Ho Chi Minh as its Chairman, which would later be reorganized into the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Progression of the General Uprising

The revolution followed a trajectory from partial uprisings in specific localities to a General Uprising across the entire nation. Localities with favorable conditions rose up first without waiting for a universal signal, as the opportunity ripened at different speeds in different areas. On August $14$ and $15$, power was seized at the commune and district levels in several provinces in the Red River Delta. On August $16$, liberation forces led by Vo Nguyen Giap liberated Thai Nguyen town. By August $18$, four provinces—Bac Giang, Hai Duong, Ha Tinh, and Quang Nam—had successfully seized power at the provincial level, becoming the earliest provinces in the country to do so.

The momentum continued in major urban centers, which served as the political and economic hubs of the enemy. On August $19$, the uprising was victorious in Hanoi, sending a shockwave throughout the country. On August $23$, power was seized in Hue, followed by Saigon on August $25$. The success in these three major cities was decisive for the overall victory of the General Uprising. By August $28$, the final two provinces, Dong Nai Thuong and Ha Tien, gained power, marking the total victory of the revolution nationwide. On August $30$, $1945$, King Bao Dai abdicated at the Ngo Mon Gate in Hue, officially ending the monarchical system that had existed for thousands of years. While the monarchical institution collapsed, vestiges in the form of socioeconomic structures like the landlord class remained, as the Party had temporarily set aside land reform to prioritize national liberation.

The Founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and Significance

On September $2$, $1945$, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was officially established. This new state was characterized by the principle that the people are the masters of the country, a status never before achieved in Vietnamese history. The General Uprising, which occurred in just $15$ days, was notable for being rapid, relatively peaceful, and involving minimal bloodshed due to the Party's skillful diplomatic and strategic maneuvering. The primary objective cause of victory was the Allied victory over fascism, while the subjective causes included the correct and creative leadership of the Party, the patriotic tradition and unity of the people, and the long-term preparation spanning $15$ years.

The August Revolution serves as a major turning point in Vietnamese history. It ended nearly a century of French and Japanese colonial rule and abolished the thousand-year-old monarchy. It elevated the Communist Party of Indochina to the position of a ruling party and transformed the Vietnamese people from colonial subjects into masters of their own destiny. Globally, the revolution contributed to the victory against fascism and weakened the imperialist system. It served as a source of inspiration for national liberation movements worldwide, particularly in neighboring countries like Laos and Cambodia. Key lessons learned include the necessity of strong Party leadership, the strength of the Great National Unity block, the importance of creating and seizing historical opportunities, and the effective combination of national strength with the trends of the era.