The August Revolution (or August General Uprising) stands as one of the most significant events in Vietnam’s history, marking the nation's triumph in reclaiming sovereignty and laying the foundation for the Democratic Republic of Vietnam—the precursor to today's Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This revolution not only ended centuries of absolute monarchy but also heralded a new chapter in Vietnam’s journey toward independence.
Today, August 19, 2024, marks the 79th anniversary of this monumental event. Let’s take a moment to revisit 5 interesting facts about this extraordinary revolution and its enduring impact on Vietnamese history.
1. Ho Chi Minh foresaw the moment Vietnam would gain independence
Ho Chi Minh, or Uncle Ho, accurately predicted the timing of Vietnam’s independence years before it happened. This foresight was not a matter of chance but the result of careful observation and analysis of global events. In his 1941 collection of poems titled Vietnamese History, Uncle Ho summarized the situation in eight concise verses:
“Bây giờ Pháp mất nước rồi,
Không đủ sức, không đủ người trị ta.
Giặc Nhật Bản thì mới qua,
Cái nền thống trị chưa ra mối mành.
Lại cùng Tàu, Mỹ, Hà, Anh
Khắp nơi có cuộc chiến tranh rầy rà
Ấy là nhịp tốt cho ta,
Nổi lên khôi phục nước nhà tổ tông”.
This poem reflects his understanding of the shifting political landscape. The reference to "Pháp mất nước rồi” (France losing its country) points to the fall of the French government to Nazi Germany in 1940, so France agreed to let the Japanese army land in Northern Vietnam, “giặc Nhật Bản thì mới qua” (the Japanese invaders had just come).
As global powers like China, the US, and the UK became embroiled in World War II, the time was ripe for Vietnam to assert its independence. Ho Chi Minh strategically mobilized the nation, founding the Vietnam Independence League (abbreviated as the Viet Minh) in 1941, which would eventually lead to the uprising that regained Vietnam’s freedom.
Moreover, at the end of the poem collection, Ho Chi Minh explicitly noted "1945 - Vietnam's independence," underscoring that his prediction was not merely prophetic but rooted in strategic planning and a keen reading of the global situation.
2. Vietnamese took power from the Japanese, not the French
Contrary to popular belief, the August Revolution did not primarily signify the defeat of French colonialism; instead, it marked Vietnam’s victory over the Japanese occupation. By 1945, the two colonial powers, France and Japan, had effectively neutralized each other. On March 9, 1945, Japan staged a coup, toppling the French administration and assuming full control of Indochina.
In response, the Communist Party of Vietnam issued the directive "Japan and France shoot each other, and our actions"—capitalizing on the discord between the occupying forces. Under Japanese rule, Indochina’s economy, including Vietnam suffered, with a devastating famine pushing millions to the brink of survival. This desperate situation fueled the Viet Minh’s efforts to unite the people in the fight for independence.
As the Axis powers crumbled and Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945, Vietnam seized this golden opportunity to launch a national uprising and reclaim power.
3. Exactly, how long did the August Revolution last?
Most historical records place the duration of the August Revolution from August 13,1945 to August 30, 1945, as these dates mark the most significant events of the uprising. However, the revolutionary fervor actually began earlier.
By August 11, upon receiving news that Japan was on the brink of surrendering to the Allies, people in several northern provinces had already begun to mobilize.
The Viet Minh seized the opportunity, led a series of uprisings across northern provinces, seizing government control in key areas such as Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, etc.
The revolution's turning point came during the Tan Trao Congress on August 13, when Ho Chi Minh declared that the time for uprising had arrived. Viet Minh forces quickly mobilized across the nation, capturing Thai Nguyen (commanded by Vo Nguyen Giap), Hue (led by Nguyen Chi Thanh & To Huu), and Saigon (led by Tran Van Giau) on August 17, 23 and 25.
By August 30, the Viet Minh had successfully gained control over nearly the entire country. Although resistance continued in isolated pockets, such as in Da Lat and along the northern border with Chiang Kai-shek’s forces, Vietnam had effectively established its new government by the end of October.
4. Why did August 19 become the official anniversary of the Revolution?
August 19 holds special significance as it marks the day when the uprising reached a decisive victory in Hanoi. On the morning of August 19, 1945, a massive crowd gathered at the Hanoi Opera House, launching an unprecedented display of revolutionary fervor. By 10:30 a.m., the people had taken control of key government buildings, including the Tonkin Palace (now the State Guest House), without encountering any resistance.
Later that evening, Viet Minh negotiators secured a crucial agreement with the Japanese, ensuring their neutrality in the face of the uprising. This strategic move not only avoided violent clashes but also ensured that the revolution could proceed smoothly across the northern region, toppling the remnants of the Tran Trong Kim regime. August 19 thus symbolizes the revolution’s success and the birth of a new era for Vietnam.
5. The August Revolution: One of the fastest successful uprisings in history
In just 15 days, the Vietnamese people, under the leadership of the Viet Minh, reclaimed their country’s independence in one of the fastest revolutions in history. The uprising in Hanoi itself took only a single day—from gathering in the morning to seizing power by evening.
This rapid success stands in stark contrast to other major revolutions, such as the Chinese Revolution (which lasted 45 days) and the French Revolution (which took 60 days).
Moreover, the August Revolution was the first colonial liberation movement to succeed in the modern era, igniting independence movements across Asia and Africa, including in Indonesia (August 1945), Laos (October 1945), the Philippines (July 1946), and India (August 1947).
Source:
https://www.qdnd.vn/chinh-tri/tin-tuc/ngay-9-3-1945-phat-xit-nhat-dao-chinh-thuc-dan-phap-tren-toan-coi-dong-duong-419162
https://ivides.vnu.edu.vn/news/ban-tin/cau-truc-quyen-luc-o-viet-nam-sau-cuoc-dao-chinh-ngay-9-3-1945-va-van-de-khoang-trong-quyen-luc-trong-cach-mang-thang-tam-138.html
https://www.hcmcpv.org.vn/tin-tuc/bai-2-nam-bat-thoi-co-to-chuc-tong-khoi-nghia-gianh-chinh-quyen-1491882770