The lasting value of the October Revolution in Russia

(Baonghean) - It has been 100 years since the cannons roared from the Aurora Battleship, opening the October Revolution in Russia. Until now, this revolution still retains its historical and practical value, and is a guiding light for progressive humanity to continue walking under the great ideas that the revolution opened up.

Great thinking

The October Revolution of 1917 in Russia was a great historical event, leaving an indelible mark, deciding the direction of human development and having immortal vitality. It opened a new era: the era of transition from capitalism to socialism on a worldwide scale, the era of liberation of working people and oppressed nations.

As Ho Chi Minh remarked: “Like the brilliant sun, the Russian October Revolution illuminated the five continents, awakening millions of oppressed and exploited people on earth. In human history, there has never been a revolution with such great and profound significance.”

The Russian October Revolution was the rising sun, dispelling the darkness. For the Eastern and Vietnamese revolutionaries, the influence of the October Revolution and Marxism-Leninism was like drinking water to a thirsty traveler who had been waiting for a long time.

Armed sailors and soldiers swarmed the Winter Palace in October 1917. Photo: Sputnik

From the Russian October Revolution, Nguyen Ai Quoc found the torch to light the way for the Vietnamese revolution. Marxism-Leninism, the miraculous handbook for his nation's revolution, and the success of the August Revolution was a vivid realization that encouraged the entire Vietnamese nation and awakened our people to have complete faith in the path that the nation's history had chosen: the path of proletarian revolution.

With the victory of the August Revolution in 1945, “for the first time in the revolutionary history of colonial and semi-colonial peoples, a party only 15 years old successfully led the revolution and took power nationwide”. Thereby, the August Revolution in Vietnam can be considered one of the important events in world history since the October Revolution in Russia.

Applying the lessons of the Russian October Revolution in protecting the fruits of the revolution, our Party led the people to the resounding victory of Dien Bien Phu, the victory over French colonialism and finally the Great Spring Victory of 1975, ending 21 years of resistance against the invading American imperialists. This victory opened a new era in the history of Vietnam - the era of independence, freedom and building socialism nationwide.

All these achievements are thanks to Marxism-Leninism, the light of the October Revolution, the Communist Party of Vietnam and the great President Ho Chi Minh who led our nation on the right path that the new era has created. In addition, the Soviet-Vietnamese solidarity and friendship also contributed to helping the Vietnamese revolutionary boat overcome the storm.

Born from the October Revolution, the Soviet government led by Lenin immediately issued a series of decrees responding to the burning demands of all classes of people: the “Decree on Peace” called on the warring countries to cease fire and negotiate; the “Land Decree” declared the abolition of landlord land ownership, transferring it to public ownership; the “Declaration on the Rights of Nations” recognized the right to freedom and equal development of all nations. Equal rights for men and women were also announced...

At that time, there was no ideology as clear and progressive as that. Until now, those values ​​still hold true for progressive humanity in the world.

The Great October Socialist Revolution in Russia opened a new civilization in the history of human civilization - socialist civilization, a civilization that turned the ideals of scientific socialism - the ideals of true humanism into reality.

The ideals of the October Revolution encouraged the spirit of fighting and making boundless sacrifices for the Great Patriotic War. The Manifesto of the October Revolution was thoroughly implemented, leading the Soviet Union to great achievements, becoming an international superpower; a pillar and stronghold of world revolution and peace, and also the most decisive force in destroying fascism and saving humanity from the disaster of destruction. Those achievements and contributions have always been remembered by progressive humanity to this day.

Priceless lessons

26 years ago, on the cold winter night of December 25, 1991, the red hammer and sickle flag from the top of the Kremlin tower in Moscow, after having flown there for 74 years, had to be lowered, replaced by the tricolor flag. The Soviet Union collapsed, socialism as an institution bid farewell to its homeland of VI Lenin, and unfortunately, it no longer exists in 8 Eastern European countries.

In that context, many people, intentionally or unintentionally, have underestimated the significance of the October Revolution - the great revolution that gave birth to Soviet Russia and then the great Soviet Union. However, at present, the collapse and disintegration of the Soviet Union has left valuable and expensive lessons for the world revolution. For Vietnam, one of the valuable lessons is the lesson of Party building and rectification to maintain and promote the great achievements of the August Revolution of 1945.

In the process of Party building and rectification, the Vietnamese people are trusting and hoping for the Party's drastic and strong steps in the process of fighting "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" as well as in the journey of fighting corruption when many high-ranking Party members have been disciplined and many major corruption cases have been brought to light.

Lessons from the October Revolution in Russia, from the collapse of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe always remind each party member to constantly cultivate and improve their revolutionary qualities and mettle; Party organizations at all levels must always be aware of their responsibility to the country, to the people and to themselves to build a strong organization. The Party must always improve its responsibility, leadership capacity, self-resistance capacity, promote the fight against internal degradation, degradation in each party member, and build a strong ruling party...

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the success of the Russian October Revolution, in a globalized world full of unpredictable changes, once again the light of the new civilization - the socialist civilization with the profound and thorough humanitarian spirit of the first socialist revolution continues to light up our belief in the noble goals of the cause we are carrying out and building; Making our country a country of rich people, strong nation, fair, democratic, civilized society, all in the name of humanity, for the benefit of humanity.

The spirit and historical lessons of the October Revolution will live forever in human society and in the cause of innovation in Vietnam.

Associate Professor, Dr., Senior Lecturer Nguyen Cong Khanh

(Faculty of History - Vinh University)