Lessons on great solidarity that made the victory of the August Revolution

Tran Quoc Tuan pointed out the fundamental reason for the victory of the Tran army and people in the 13th century in the three resistance wars against the Mongols was "the king and his subjects were of one mind, brothers were in harmony, and the country joined forces". Nguyen Trai once heard "The core of humaneness is to pacify the people" and came to a conclusion in the Proclamation of Victory: "Raising sticks as flags, people from all directions gathered. Drinking wine together, soldiers were of one mind as father and son". He concluded: The people carry the boat, the people capsize the boat. Only when the boat capsizes can we know the strength of the people is like water. During the Le Loi, Tran Hung Dao, and Quang Trung dynasties, in the battles, sometimes we won, sometimes we lost, but in the end we still won because our people were united and steadfast.

Since the Party was born, solidarity has been associated with organizational leadership.Indochina Democratic Front MovementThe years 1936 - 1939, besides the great advantages, also left valuable lessons about people's hearts and solidarity as Uncle Ho commented: "It teaches us that: Anything that is in line with the people's aspirations will be supported and enthusiastically fought for by the masses, and that is truly a mass movement. It also teaches us that: We must avoid subjectivity and narrow-mindedness at all costs". With the policy ofIndochina Anti-Imperialist National United Front, a new wind of solidarity was blown. The uprisings in Nam Ky, Bac Son, Do Luong showed that our people were determined to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors, even if we had to sacrifice, we had to break the chains and gain freedom and independence. But the great work had not been accomplished, and the reason, as Uncle Ho pointed out, was not because the empire was strong, but because the opportunity was not ripe and our people had not yet united in spirit.

On August 19, 1945, after a rally at the Opera House Square, the people of the capital occupied the Bac Bo Palace, the headquarters of the French puppet government in the North. Photo: Archive

At the 8th Central Conference (May 1941), our Party and Uncle Ho decided to "change strategy". To adapt to the new situation and to start from reality, the greatest reality since our people suffered from the double oppression of France and Japan was the urgent demands and aspirations of the people. Our Party considered that the immediate revolution of Vietnam was a national liberation revolution, only solving one urgent problem of gaining freedom and independence. At this time, the interests of the sections and classes must be placed under the interests of the liberation of the entire nation.

The 8th Central Conference brought new vitality and energy to the great national unity. To carry out the task of expelling the French and Japanese, restoring independence and freedom, Uncle Ho called on our people to unite, unite quickly, unite firmly. Emphasizing how to benefit the defeat of the French and Japanese, our Party determined that the essential thing was to have a method to awaken patriotism and national spirit in the Vietnamese people. The name of the Front must represent a powerful force that is easy to mobilize and can be implemented in the practical situation at that time, Uncle Ho decided to name that front asVietnam Independence Alliance, in shortViet MinhThe main slogan of Viet Minh is to unite the people, fight against Japan, fight against France, and regain independence.

Lessons derived from practice, closely following practice, drawing experience from practice; originating from the legitimate aspirations of the people, relying on the people, promoting the strength of solidarity of the entire people were applied by Uncle Ho when establishing, organizing and implementing the activities of the Party.Viet Minh Front. The one who determines the unity and strength ofViet MinhNot in form and theory, but the value and effectiveness are based on action, the core of which is national salvation. From there, national salvation organizations were established such as: National Salvation Workers, National Salvation Farmers, National Salvation Youth, National Salvation Women, National Salvation Soldiers, National Salvation Writers, National Salvation Teachers, National Salvation Elders, National Salvation Students, and National Salvation Children. The Party also advocated expanding the organization to other classes that may have some patriotism, hatred for the French and Japanese invaders, and are sincere in saving the country and the people, and want to liberate the nation, such as the inspectors, the foremen, the rich farmers, and the landlords. That could be the Viet Minh Fund Support Organization, or the National Salvation Rich.

Viet Minhannounced 10 policies that are both beneficial to the country and the people, with common points for the interests of all classes of people, and points to fight for the interests of each class. ThereforeViet Minhwas warmly welcomed by the people and developed very quickly and strongly. The Party also developed and helped progressive intellectuals establish the Vietnam Democratic Party to attract young intellectuals and Vietnamese civil servants.

Realizing the role and strength of solidarity, in the Announcement to the People (June 1941), Uncle Ho emphasized that only one thing is needed:National unity. He earnestly appealed: "Dear compatriots! National salvation is a common task. Every Vietnamese must shoulder part of the responsibility." End of the poemTen policies of Viet Minh(1941), Writer:"I advise everyone to remember the word "dong", /Unanimity, unity, unity, alliance".

In mid-August 1945, the armed forces and the masses were excited and full of uprising spirit. The Party held a national conference in Tan Trao, affirming that a good opportunity for our nation to gain independence had come and deciding on a program of action. The National Congress unanimously agreed on the Party's policy of launching a General Uprising, approving the Viet Minh Program.

When the once-in-a-millennium opportunity came, Ho Chi Minh called on the whole nation to join the Viet Minh and unite aroundVietnam National Liberation Committee, stand up and use our own strength to liberate ourselves. Millions of people across the country as one under the leadership of the Party rose up in unison from partial uprisings to nationwide uprisings. In just 15 days, with the solidarity of the entire people, both armed forces and political forces, in which the political forces of the masses played the main decisive role, creating great strength in the general uprising to achieve complete victory.

The strength of national solidarity in the glorious history of the country was promoted to create the victory of the August Revolution in 1945; becoming a valuable lesson to create victory in the resistance wars against invaders, building socialism; especially in 35 years of renovation, currently present in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Great national solidarity is a strategic line, a great lesson of the Vietnamese revolution. FromDear fellow countrymenof Nguyen Ai Quoc 80 years ago (June 1941) toAppeal to compatriots, comrades, soldiers nationwide and our compatriots abroadThe General Secretary's speech on the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic shows that the strength of national solidarity is always preserved and promoted. The whole country is united, working together, all for the beloved South, the focus is on beloved Ho Chi Minh City, with the spirit of "loving others as you love yourself", "the whole leaves cover the torn leaves". Under the leadership of the Party, the dynamic and creative management of the Government, the entire political system participating with the solidarity of the whole people, the support of international friends, we believe that the cause of "fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy" will definitely be victorious in the near future.