August Revolution and lessons on seizing opportunity

The 1945 August Revolution, which seized power and returned it to the people, is vivid evidence of the wise and ingenious leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnam’s General Uprising of August 1945 is an ideal model for other enslaved nations in the world to follow. It took place in about two weeks and overturned the rule of colonialism and smashed the yoke of a thousand years of feudalism to establish the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Victory through preparation and solidarity

The 1945 General Uprising required long-term preparation which Communist Party of Vietnam was founded and directly led the struggle for the national independence began since the process sped up when World War II broke out, with President Ho Chi Minh returning to Vietnam to directly lead the Vietnamese revolution. In 1941, the Party Central Committee set out the primary task of national liberation.

Associate Professor Pham Xanh of the University of Social Sciences and Humanity at the National University Hanoi said “The August Revolution took advantage of the surrender of the Japanese fascists to the Allies, which brought an end to the war in the Pacific. The Indochinese Communist Party was the only party to make the most of this opportunity, turning it into a condition for the success of the August Revolution. The Communist Party of Vietnam kept track of, strictly followed, and successfully took advantage of this opportunity.”

Opportunity boomed for twenty days, beginning when the Japanese Emperor announced Japan’s surrender on August 13, 1945 and ended when the Allies disarmed the Japanese army in Vietnam on September 5, 1945.

In response to the appeal of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, more than 20 million Vietnamese people rose up to seize power.

Historian Duong Trung Quoc said “The uprising broke out in Hanoi and within one week spread to Hue, Saigon, and other locales nationwide. This reflected the nation’s will to stay united, the readiness of the armed forces, and the ingenious leadership of the Party, Uncle Ho, and of the Viet Minh Front, despite difficulties with transportation, information, and communication.”

Lessons learned during peace time

The lessons learned from the August Revolution about seizing opportunity remain unchanged during the period of national construction and integration nowadays.

Associate Professor Nguyen Van Nhat of the Academy of Social Sciences, said “Vietnam is implementing a policy of international integration, so it should be prepared for all circumstances. Good preparation will make our integration smoother. This is the practical spirit of the August Revolution. Second, we should make full use of international support for our national construction and defense but at the same time we must firmly safeguard the independence, self-reliance, and territorial integrity of the Fatherland. We should combine the national strength and the strength of the era to develop Vietnam quickly and sustainably.”

Vietnam’s major achievements over the past 71 years, especially during the 30 years of the renewal process, have their origins in the great victory of the 1945 August Revolution and the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

The most valuable lesson of the August Revolution is to assert the resolute and creative leadership of the Party, to uphold patriotism, and the strength of great national unity in seizing opportunities to gain victory.

This will be the lodestar for national construction and defense for the present period.