The Nghệ Tĩnh Soviet Uprising

The direct conditions for the outbreak of the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement.

(1) - The patriotic movement of the people of Nghe Tinh from the late 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century

A prime example of the Văn Thân - Cần Vương movement against the French in the late 19th century was the Hương Khê uprising led by Phan Đình Phùng, which lasted for more than 10 years (1885 – 1896) and operated across a vast area from Thanh Hoá to Quảng Bình.

In 1905, the Đông Du movement (Eastward Movement) erupted throughout Vietnam, initiated by the patriotic scholar Phan Bội Châu, from Đan Nhiệm village, Xuân Liễu commune, Nam Đàn district, Nghệ An province. Following Phan Bội Châu's call, many patriotic young people from Nghệ Tĩnh went abroad to Siam (Thailand) to participate in revolutionary activities. Notable examples include Father Đậu Quang Lĩnh – a devout Catholic who loved his country, and the scholar Đặng Thúc Hứa, who established the "Farming Camp" – a training center for patriotic youth. In 1908, the anti-tax movement broke out in Central Vietnam, and many participants were arrested and imprisoned by the French colonial authorities…

It can be seen that the patriotic movement of the people of Nghe Tinh during this period was continuous and strong, but lacking correct leadership, it was suppressed by the French colonialists in a bloody battle. Nevertheless, Nghe Tinh remained fertile ground for Marxism-Leninism to quickly take root and develop strongly later on.

The direct conditions for the outbreak of the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement.

(2) - The exploitative policies of the French colonialists and the emergence of the Nghe Tinh workforce

Upon entering Nghe Tinh, the French colonialists quickly colluded with the feudal officials of the Southern Dynasty to implement a policy of exploiting the people of Nghe Tinh through hundreds of taxes: salt tax, market tax, ferry tax, and especially the poll tax, which plunged the people into misery and hardship. The lives of landlords and peasants clearly showed a complete contrast, which was also the fundamental contradiction at that time.

From 1900 onwards, the French colonialists built a series of factories in the Ben Thuy area, such as the Vinh wood factory (1900), the match factory (1904), the Truong Thi railway repair factory (1908)... Women and children under 15 years old had to work 12-17 hours a day, yet they still did not have enough food or clothes.

Besides building factories, the French colonialists also actively seized land to establish plantations for tea, coffee, and rubber in western Nghe Tinh. These exploitative policies of the French colonialists created a large workforce in Nghe Tinh. By 1929, there were approximately 5,000 workers concentrated in Vinh – Ben Thuy and tens of thousands working in the plantations. This was the core and vanguard force of the later revolutionary movement.

The direct conditions for the outbreak of the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement.

(3) - The dissemination of Marxism-Leninism through the activities of leader Nguyen Ai Quoc and his outstanding students

On June 5, 1911, Nguyen Tat Thanh left Nha Rong Port to seek a way to save the country. In July 1920, Nguyen Ai Quoc found Lenin's thesis in the newspaper "Humanity". In December 1920, Nguyen Ai Quoc attended the Congress in Tours, where he voted in favor of the Third International and participated in the founding of the French Communist Party.

In late 1924, Nguyen Ai Quoc arrived in Guangzhou, China. There, building upon the foundation of the Tam Tam Society, in June 1925, he founded the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth League, whose prominent members included Ho Tung Mau, Le Hong Son, Le Hong Phong, and Truong Van Linh. At house number 13, Van Minh Street, Guangzhou, leader Nguyen Ai Quoc opened a class to teach theory to members of the Youth League. His lectures were printed in a book titled "The Revolutionary Path," which was later secretly smuggled back to Vietnam to disseminate Marxist-Leninist ideology. Many comrades were subsequently sent to study at the University of the East in the Soviet Union, such as Le Hong Phong, Ho Tung Mau, and Phung Chi Kien.

After being trained by Nguyen Ai Quoc, these comrades returned to Vietnam as the most outstanding communist fighters, the red seeds of the Vietnamese revolution. Many comrades from Nghe Tinh held important positions in the Party, such as: Comrade Tran Phu, from Duc Tho (Ha Tinh) - the first General Secretary of the Party in 1930-1931; Comrade Le Hong Phong, from Hung Nguyen (Nghe An), General Secretary of the Party from 1935-1936; Comrade Ha Huy Tap, General Secretary of the Party from 1936-1938; Comrade Nguyen Thi Minh Khai - Secretary of the Saigon-Chợ Lớn City Party Committee in 1937…

Through the skillful activities of leader Nguyen Ai Quoc and his outstanding disciples, Marxism-Leninism was widely disseminated throughout Vietnam in general and the Nghe Tinh region in particular. Therefore, from 1925 onwards, many progressive movements took place in Nghe Tinh, laying the foundation for the later formation of provincial party committees in the two provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh.

Mobilizing and establishing provincial Party committees in Nghe Tinh

Before February 3, 1930, while three communist organizations existed nationwide—the Indochinese Communist Party, the Annam Communist Party, and the Indochinese Communist League—Nghe Tinh also had three organizations: the Central Vietnam Regional Committee of the Indochinese Communist Party, the Indochinese Communist League, and a branch of the Youth organization. Of these, the Indochinese Communist Party played the most active and influential role, as its Manifesto put forward practical slogans such as: "Workers and peasants unite, the proletariat leads the way…".

Immediately after the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam in March 1930, the Central Vietnam Regional Committee was also established with Comrade Nguyen Phong Sac as its secretary.

In light of the provincial Party committee's resolution, the three Nghe Tinh Provincial Party Committees were successively established: the Vinh - Ben Thuy Provincial Party Committee was established in March 1930 at the house of Comrade Hoang Trong Tri in Hung Loc, with Comrade Le Mao as secretary.

In October 1930, the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee was established at the house of Comrade Nguyen Dinh Kinh in Thanh Chuong, with Comrade Nguyen Tiem as its secretary.

In September 1930, the Ha Tinh Provincial Party Committee was established at the house of Comrade Mai Kinh in Thach Ha, Ha Tinh, with Comrade Nguyen Chau as its secretary.

In a short period, Party organizations were consolidated from the provincial to the grassroots level. By the end of 1930, Nghe Tinh had 368 Party branches with thousands of members. Alongside the Party organization were mass organizations such as the Red Peasant Association, the Red Self-Defense Force, the Youth Union, and the Women's Union... These numbers represented a powerful vitality and a great hope that the Party brought to the people of Nghe Tinh. Under the leadership of the Party, the people of Nghe Tinh rose up in a momentous revolution.

Overview of the developments of the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement

Nghe Tinh is a land of outstanding people and rich history, with a strategic geographical location: bordered to the north by Thanh Hoa, to the south by Quang Binh, to the east by the East Sea, and to the west by the majestic Truong Son mountain range. Immediately after the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Central Committee of the Vietnam People's Army (the highest leadership body of the Party in the entire region) was established in Nghe Tinh in March 1930. Under the guidance of the Central Committee's resolution, the Party committees of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces were also established, leading the people in struggle and contributing to the strong outbreak of the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement.

The Nghe Tinh Soviet movement began with the struggle of workers and peasants in Vinh - Ben Thuy on May 1, 1930. On August 1, 1930, a massive peasant demonstration broke out in Can Loc. On August 30, 1930, the people of Nam Dan demonstrated, marking the beginning of a period of armed struggle.

The peak of the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement was marked by the armed struggle of the people in the districts of Thanh Chuong (September 1st), Can Loc, Thach Ha, Cam Xuyen on September 7th and 8th; Anh Son, Nghi Loc, Ky Anh on September 8th, 9th and 10th. On September 12th, 1930, a historic demonstration broke out in Thai Lao, Hung Nguyen. This struggle is an immortal song, praising the Soviet sons and daughters who sacrificed themselves for their homeland.

After September 12th, the revolutionary wave developed in Dien Chau, Yen Thanh, and Quynh Luu. From the lowlands, the movement spread to the mountainous regions. The struggle of the ethnic minorities in Mon Son - Con Cuong on August 9th, 1931, became a shining example in the highlands of Nghe Tinh.

Faced with the boundless power of the revolutionary masses, the local administration in the villages disintegrated, and the Red Peasant Association Executive Committees took control. In essence, this was a Soviet government. Vo Liet, Nguyet Bong (Thanh Chuong), Huu Biet (Nam Dan), Phu Viet (Thach Ha), Thinh Qua (Duc Tho)... are Red villages whose names still shine brightly in history.

The workers' and farmers' protest in Vinh - Ben Thuy

The Nghe Tinh Soviet Movement began with a demonstration of over 1,200 workers and peasants from Vinh - Ben Thuy on May 1, 1930, commemorating International Labor Day. Under the leadership of comrades Le Mao, Hoang Trong Tri, Nguyen Loi, and Nguyen Phuc, farmers from the suburbs of Hung Nguyen and Nghi Loc districts gathered at Trung village communal house in Hung Dung, then marched into Vinh city, joining factory workers in chanting slogans for wage increases, shorter working hours, reduced taxes, and tax deferrals. Faced with the fighting spirit of the masses, the French colonialists ordered their soldiers to fire on the demonstration, killing 7 people, wounding 18, and arresting 98.

The lamppost at the Ben Thuy intersection witnessed the sacrifice of Red Self-Defense Force member Tran Canh Binh, who bravely stood up to hoist the Party flag on May 1st.

The May Day struggle was of immense significance: "for the first time in the revolutionary history of our country, workers, peasants, and soldiers joined hands on the battlefield."

Artist Tran Van Lam designed and sketched the statue of the worker-peasant-soldier, symbolizing the spirit of national unity under the leadership of the Party. Today, the worker-peasant monument has been erected at Ben Thuy Crossroads, the site of the clash between our forces and the enemy on the morning of May 1, 1930.

The struggle of the people of Can Loc - Ha Tinh

From Nghe An, the movement spread to Ha Tinh. On August 1, 1930, under the direct leadership of comrades Nguyen Bat and Hoang Khoai Lac, more than 500 farmers from Can Loc, Ha Tinh, gathered at Truong Gio, Hong Loc, and marched to the district office to present demands for a reduction in taxes and a postponement of levies. They distributed leaflets and chanted slogans supporting the Soviet Union and Russia... Faced with the power of the masses, District Chief Tran Manh Dan had to go to Nghen Bridge to meet the protesters. Surrounded on all sides, he trembled with fear, bowed his head, accepted the people's demands, and promised to submit them to higher authorities for resolution.

Comrade Dang Chanh Ky's "Revolutionary Song" reflects the spirit and courageous struggle of the people of Nghe Tinh during the Soviet movement.

"Look, Ben Thuy is the first to rise up."

Then Thanh Chuong stepped up to follow suit.

Nam Dan, Nghi Loc, Hung Nguyen

"Brother Son, Ha Tinh, has once again risen up."

The victory of the people of Can Loc marked the end of the period of political struggle and the beginning of the period of armed struggle.

The period of armed struggle began with a demonstration by 3,000 farmers in Nam Dan, led by comrades Nguyen Sinh Dien and Dang Chanh Ky, forcing District Chief Le Khac Tuong to sign and seal a flag bearing the people's demands, with the pledge that: "From now on, the District Chief of Nam Dan must not harass the people anymore."

Protests and destruction of the district office in Thanh Chuong led to the establishment of the first Soviet-style government in Nghe Tinh.

The movement continued to grow strongly. On September 1, 1930, under the leadership of comrades Tran Huu Doanh, Nguyen Nhu Ky, and Nguyen Lam Yen, more than 20,000 people from five districts of Thanh Chuong crossed the Lam River to surround and destroy the district office, break into the prison, free political prisoners, and burn documents and records. District chief Phan Si Bang and his officials and soldiers abandoned the office and fled. The French newspaper Cong Luan reported: "The attack on the Thanh Chuong district office was carried out by organized revolutionary masses with discipline and military law..."

During this event, the Bich Hao self-defense force manufactured 14 bottle mines (smashed bottles mixed with gunpowder, placed in bamboo tubes and securely tied; when the enemy approached, the fuse was lit and the mines were thrown at the enemy. Although not fatal, they were highly lethal) to destroy enemy outposts and intimidate the enemy. They threw two mines at the Con Den outpost, injuring five soldiers.

After destroying the district headquarters, the masses dispersed to the villages and communes to punish the Vietnamese traitors and their cruel collaborators. The demonstration on September 1, 1930, marked the beginning of the establishment of the Nghe Tinh Soviet government.

From Nghe An, the movement spread to districts in Ha Tinh. On September 7th, 8th, and 9th, 1930, thousands of people from Can Loc, Thach Ha, and Cam Xuyen marched to the district headquarters to present their demands.

The historic Thai Lao - Hung Nguyen protest - the culmination of the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement.

On September 12, 1930, the historic Thai Lao – Hung Nguyen demonstration broke out under the leadership of Comrade Le Doan Suu, a provincial Party committee official. At 3 a.m., Comrade Nguyen Ngoc Ngoan sounded the drum signal from Xuan Hoa village communal house in Hung Long. 8,000 farmers from the two districts of Nam Dan and Hung Nguyen, armed with spears, sticks, and three-pronged pitchforks, marched to the Hung Nguyen district Party committee to protest. Terrified by the overwhelming momentum of the masses, the French colonialists bombed the demonstration twice, morning and afternoon, killing 217 people and injuring 125.

The enemy's newspaper, Cong Luan, reported: "If the planes hadn't dropped bombs 20 minutes earlier, the protesters would have taken over Vinh."

The blood of the Soviet soldiers who sacrificed their lives on September 12th contributed to glorifying the revolutionary flag of our Party. September 12th, 1930 will forever go down in the revolutionary history of our country as an immortal epic, and at the same time, a powerful indictment of the enemy's crimes.

The struggle of the ethnic minority people in Mon Son - Con Cuong

The movement spread from the lowlands to the mountainous districts. In April 1931, at the house of Comrade Vi Van Khang, the Mon Son Party Branch was established, consisting of 6 comrades with Comrade Vi Van Khang as Secretary. On August 9, 1931, the Party Branch led 300 ethnic minority people to a rally at the Con Chua banyan tree; they fought against landlords, confiscated rice and money, and distributed it to poor families.

Thus, in just over a year, the workers' and peasants' struggle movement in the two provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh reached its peak. The enemy's administration in the villages and communes collapsed. The Red Peasant Association Executive Committees, also known as the Village Peasants' Committees, took over the management of the communes and villages. Although it existed for a short time, from September 1930 to April/May 1931, the Soviet government brought many benefits to the people.