The intelligence and courage of Tran Van Giau in the 1945 Revolutionary Movement.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Quang Hien*

During the years 2003-2005, I worked as the scientific secretary for the project.History of the Vietnamese Government, Volume 1 (1945-1954)Under the chairmanship of Associate Professor and People's Teacher Lê Mậu Hãn, I had the opportunity to meet Professor Trần Văn Giàu – the teacher of our teacher – at several scientific conferences and especially at his private residence. I learned a great deal of knowledge and methods from him, and heard him speak about many things I had never known before. I understood how he transformed from a politician into a professional scientist. What shone through in him was his sense of organizational discipline and the boundless loyalty of a communist to the ideals of national independence and socialism. Regardless of the circumstances, he always maintained his fighting spirit, demonstrating the essence and character of a resilient revolutionary, dedicating his life to the country and the people.

On the occasion of the 105th anniversary of his birth (September 11, 1911 – September 11, 2016), I write this essay with heartfelt respect for a historical figure who, for us, has become a legend in our memories.

During the months of 1945, under extremely difficult communication conditions and without guidance from the Central Party Committee, the Southern Regional Party Committee, led by Secretary Tran Van Giau, demonstrated a high level of revolutionary initiative and creativity. Closely adhering to the realities of Saigon and Southern Vietnam, and based on the changing domestic and international situation, they made their own decisions and took responsibility before the Party and the people. They found the right strategies for developing their forces and acted promptly, contributing to the victory of the national uprising, the victory of the Party's revolutionary line, and the independent and free ideology of Ho Chi Minh. More than 70 years have passed, but the imprint of the revolutionary thinking and actions of the communist Tran Van Giau remains deeply etched in the people's memory.

1. The establishment of the Vanguard Youth was a major innovation, accelerating the preparation of forces for the general uprising.

The Southern Uprising (November 1940) was brutally suppressed by the French colonialists. The Party organization and the masses in the Southern provinces suffered heavy losses. Most key leaders of the Southern Regional Party Committee, the Saigon City Party Committee, and many provincial Party committees in the Eastern and Southwestern regions were captured, imprisoned, and killed by the enemy; Party organizations were destroyed in many localities; most revolutionary bases were exposed; and the revolutionary movement subsided and faced difficulties for many years afterward. The targets of the French colonialists and Japanese militarists were the organizations led by the Communist Party. Restoring revolutionary forces in the South was very difficult. Meanwhile, the Southern Party Committee was divided into two regional committees; although both shared the same ideals and goals, their activities were inconsistent.^[1].

While the revolutionary forces in Southern Vietnam were still developing, religious sects, which were essentially pro-Japanese political parties, mobilized the masses under the guise of religion, such as Cao Dai and Hoa Hao, along with the Trotskyist faction and many other political groups, actively operating and receiving attention from Japan's Kempeitai intelligence agency. Many groups harbored illusions about Japan, hoping for Japanese assistance to escape the yoke of white colonialism and achieve national independence.

The problem of preparing revolutionary forces required forms of mass mobilization that were appropriate to the specific historical conditions, especially when both France and Japan were striving to attract the masses through various means.^[2]Finding a way to organize a large number of people to rise up in a general uprising to seize power was a major question for the Party leaders in Southern Vietnam, requiring political acumen and creative revolutionary methods. If they only focused on secret organization and unilaterally emphasized the workers and peasants, they would fall into isolation, narrow-mindedness, and find it very difficult to mobilize the masses for the revolutionary cause.

The Southern Regional Party Committee, with Tran Van Giau as Secretary, advocated: "We must find some forms of public organization and activity – not necessarily legal – that are in line with our intentions, have a high political motivational value, primarily for the youth, and mobilize tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or millions of people, bringing them to the streets under the revolutionary slogan of national liberation."^[3].

In early 1945, World War II was drawing to a close. Allied forces were launching strong counterattacks across the battlefields. Fascism was nearing its end. The opportunity for the Vietnamese people to rise up and seize power was drawing near. Meanwhile, the revolutionary forces in Southern Vietnam had not yet caught up with the nationwide movement.

Following a series of setbacks on the Asia-Pacific front,Japan staged a coup to overthrow the French and take sole possession of Indochina.(9-3But1945), they used the slogan "Vietnam's independence," established the Bảo Đại - Trần Trọng Kim government, and handed over the "independence" to this government, but still retained direct control over Southern Vietnam, while simultaneously controlling the entire military and police apparatus. The Japanese imperial government arrogantly declared: "Only when Indochina demonstrates that it has reached the level of an independent nation will the Japanese government provide full liberation."^[4].

At the time of the Japanese coup against the French, the Standing Committee of the Central Party Committee held a meeting in Tu Son, Bac Ninh (March 9, 1945) and issued a directive.The Japanese and French were fighting each other, and this was our response.(March 12, 1945) defined the direction of action for the entire Party and people in the anti-Japanese national salvation movement, but due to its distance from the Central Committee and difficult transportation and communication conditions, the Southern Party Committee at that time did not receive this directive..

The situation was extremely urgent, requiring the Southern Regional Party Committee to demonstrate a high degree of initiative and creativity in order to advance the revolutionary movement..

Meanwhile, the GovernorSouthern VietnamMinoda Fujio and Japanese Consul General Ida invited the doctor.Pham Ngoc Thachand engineersNgo Tan NhonHe organized youth groups in Southern Vietnam to rally public support for Japan. At that time, the Japanese authorities were unaware that Pham Ngoc Thach was a communist party member recruited by Tran Van Giau. Pham Ngoc Thach reported this to Tran Van Giau and Ha Huy Giap.

Amidst the changing global and domestic situation, Southern Vietnam could and should have taken advantage of the opportunity to openly mobilize millions of people into political forces, ready to participate in an uprising to seize power when the opportunity arose. To achieve this, it was necessary to seize the opportunity to organize a strong youth organization with an overarching political ideology of patriotism, love for the people, anti-colonialism, and a determination to sacrifice and strive for national independence and reunification. The Party organization needed to be secret and strictly controlled, but the mass organization needed to be open and flexible to create the conditions for gathering broad forces.

Recognizing the potential to exploit Japan's intentions to establish a mass organization, and also seeing Pham Ngoc Thach as an openly and legally active party member, a man of strong character and talent.^[5],Tran Van GiauandHa Huy GiapAfter considering all aspects, he proposed to the Provincial Party Committee thatPham Ngoc ThachHe publicly organized a youth movement and received approval from the Provincial Party Committee. The naming of the youth organization was discussed thoroughly and it was decided to be called...Pioneer Youth, a name signifying the responsibility of taking the lead and pioneering spirit of enthusiastic youth.^[6]Many cadres were sent by the Provincial Party Committee to this organization to work with communist youth across the provinces to quickly build a broad patriotic organization with a high fighting spirit, capable of strongly attracting large masses of people to follow the revolutionary path of national liberation.

The decision of Secretary Tran Van Giau and the Vanguard Party Committee was a highly responsible decision before the Party and the people, prioritizing the interests of the revolution and the nation; a decision that was extremely bold, wise, and flexible.This allowed for the maximum and fastest mobilization of young people into an organized path to enlightenment and training, transforming them into a powerful political army following the revolutionary direction of the Party. The Japanese could not have imagined that behind Pham Ngoc Thach was a Provincial Party Committee seeking a form of open organization and activity for youth, not a sports or cultural organization following the "Greater East Asia" ideology, serving the interests of the Japanese empire, but an organization following the patriotic and national independence political direction of the Communist Party.

The Youth Vanguard was an effective and rapid form of mobilizing forces, bringing large numbers of young people from rural and urban areas to the revolutionary battlefield; it played a huge role in the rapid preparation and advance of the general uprising to seize power in Saigon and the Southern provinces in August 1945.^[7]That practice eloquently demonstrates that the policies of Secretary Tran Van Giau and the Southern Regional Party Committee were entirely correct.

2. Focusing on preparing and leading the general uprising in Saigon, contributing to the decisive victory in the August Revolution of 1945.

The Southern Uprising of November 1940 showed that, when the nationwide movement was not yet developed, launching an uprising in only a few localities without thorough preparation would not be successful. This had a significant impact on the thinking of cadres and party members in Southern Vietnam during the August 1945 uprising.

Saigon, Hue, Hanoi, and other cities were the headquarters of the foreign invaders. In the general uprising, cities played a decisive role in achieving victory. If, "we relied solely on armed forces and armed struggle, solely on the forests and countryside without quickly mobilizing millions of people to rise up, without shifting all our political and armed forces to launch decisive attacks on the enemy's nerve center in the cities, we might have missed the unique opportunity in August 1945."^[8].

To achieve victory for the national liberation revolution in an agricultural country, it is necessary to combine the rural movement with the urban movement, focusing on building forces and carrying out uprisings in both urban and rural areas, with urban uprisings playing a decisive role. “The party of the proletariat must coordinate the peasant movement with the revolutionary goals and activities of the proletariat in industrial centers… Organizing and preparing coordinated activities, if possible, simultaneously in urban and rural areas, will be the fundamental purpose of the revolutionary party in agricultural and semi-agricultural countries.”^[9].

To launch an uprising in both urban and rural areas, it was necessary to prepare forces in both regions. However, uprisings in urban areas targeting the enemy's central command were crucial to the success of the general uprising. Therefore, thorough preparation of the uprising forces in urban areas was essential. Saigon was the most important city in Southern Vietnam. Seizing power in Saigon contributed significantly to the complete victory of the nationwide general uprising.

With the establishment and operation of the Vanguard Youth, directly led by Secretary Tran Van Giau, the urban movement in Saigon developed strongly, especially with the participation of progressive intellectuals, making the Vanguard Youth organization a broad front rather than an isolated, narrow organization. The management and steering committee, located at 14 Charner Street (now Nguyen Hue Street), included famous intellectuals such as Professor Le Van Huan (Petrus Ky School), engineer Kha Vang Can, doctor Pham Ngoc Thach (general secretary), doctor Nguyen Van Thu, lawyer Thai Van Lung, architect Huynh Tan Phat, student Ta Ba Tong, student Huynh Van Tieng… Most of them were students in the political theory class taught by Tran Van Giau with his associates Ha Huy Giap and Nguyen Van Nguyen.

For a revolutionary organization to exist and operate legally, the Vanguard Youth adopted the yellow flag with a red star. Red represents revolution, the red star symbolizes guidance on the right path, and the yellow background represents the nation. The yellow flag with a red star signifies a national liberation revolution, while still avoiding suspicion and surveillance from the Japanese.

On July 5, 1945, the Vanguard Youth held an Oath Ceremony in Ong Thuong Garden (now Tao Dan Cultural Park). Before 25,000 young people in orderly ranks, leader Pham Ngoc Thach emphasized the revolutionary purpose and spirit that every young person should possess. Mentioning modern Vietnamese historical figures such as Ha Huy Tap and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai was enthusiastically received by the Vanguard Youth members and the public. After the Oath Ceremony concluded, groups of people departed in a joyful atmosphere, singing songs.On the road.

With rich, continuous, and boisterous activities such as propaganda, rallies, oath-taking ceremonies, speeches, marches, etc., especially in Saigon, Cholon, and Gia Dinh.^[10]The Vanguard Youth movement grew stronger, even in provinces without Communist Party committees, such as Ba Ria and Ha Tien. By August 1945, the Vanguard Youth had millions of members. Alongside the Vanguard Youth, there was also the "Vanguard Youth of Enterprises" (which was originally a trade union).^[11]The revolutionary atmosphere was becoming increasingly fervent, signaling an impending breakthrough.

The Vanguard Youth was a strategically significant creation of the Southern Regional Party Committee and the people of Southern Vietnam, linked to the decisive leadership of Secretary Tran Van Giau. Thanks to this, in a short time, Saigon in particular, and the Southern provinces in general, had a powerful and well-prepared political force – a fundamental force that played a decisive role in the victory of the general uprising..

In Tran Van Giau's political thinking, the establishment and operation of the Vanguard Youth in Southern Vietnam at that time was a positive measure to accelerate quantitative accumulation in preparation for a qualitative leap forward when the opportunity arose. This was also an outstanding contribution of the revolutionary movement in Saigon in particular, and Southern Vietnam in general, to the rising tide of the anti-Japanese national salvation movement in both urban and rural areas.

In August 1945, World War II ended. The Japanese militarists surrendered unconditionally to the Allies. A revolutionary opportunity arose. The National Uprising Committee was established and issued Military Order No. 1 (August 13, 1945). The National Conference of the Party, held in Tan Trao (August 14 and 15, 1945), decided to launch a general uprising. The National Congress (August 16 and 17, 1945) adopted a historic resolution to seize power nationwide. However, due to difficult transportation conditions, delegates from Southern Vietnam who traveled to Viet Bac for the meeting were unable to return in time.Once again, the Southern Party Committee did not receive the directives from the Central Party Committee and the military orders from the National Uprising Committee. The rapidly changing situation demanded proactive and decisive action from the Regional Party Committee, headed by Secretary Tran Van Giau..

On August 15, 1945, the Standing Committee of the Southern Regional Party Committee established the Uprising Committee with Tran Van Giau as Chairman. An expanded meeting of the Regional Party Committee was held in Cho Dem (Binh Chanh) to discuss the uprising, but no consensus was reached due to concerns about potential repression similar to the Southern Uprising (November 1940). Therefore, the meeting decided to continue completing preparations; closely monitoring the situation, if Hanoi launched an uprising, the Regional Party Committee would decide on the date for the uprising in Saigon.^[12]Bringing the Viet Minh into the open in Saigon. The revolutionary fervor in Saigon grew increasingly intense.^[13].

On August 20, 1945, the Southern Regional Party Committee received news of the successful uprising in Hanoi. The Secretary of the Regional Party Committee, Tran Van Giau, was informed by Pham Ngoc Thach that Japan would not intervene if the people of Saigon rose up to seize power.^[14]On the morning of August 21, 1945, the Regional Party Committee convened an expanded meeting. With keen insight, the Regional Party Secretary Tran Van Giau recognized that the opportunity to seize power had arisen, and that with the available forces, an uprising could be launched immediately in Saigon. However, some argued against it for fear that the Japanese would join the British and French in suppressing the masses. Based on careful consideration and aiming for high consensus within the Regional Party Committee, Secretary Tran Van Giau proposed, and the Regional Party Committee unanimously agreed, that the Tan An Provincial Party Committee lead a pilot uprising in the provincial capital on the night of August 22, 1945.

The uprising to seize power in Tan An provincial capital was successful, but the Japanese army did not react, dispelling concerns about the possibility of Japanese suppression of the revolution. On the morning of August 23, 1945, Tran Van Giau urgently convened the Regional Party Committee meeting, deciding to launch an uprising in Saigon on the evening of August 24, 1945. The entire city of Saigon rose up to seize power quickly, efficiently, and without bloodshed.

The Saigon uprising was victorious, but it was also the time when foreign invaders were about to overrun Vietnam, and the French colonialists were determined to reoccupy Vietnam once again. Internal counter-revolutionary forces began to rise up. National independence was under serious threat.With his keen political insight and far-sighted vision, Tran Van Giau foresaw the new dangers facing the country and affirmed the people's determination to protect the achievements of the revolution.On the afternoon of August 25, 1945, at a rally in front of the Saigon Governor's Palace, Chairman of the Provisional Administrative Committee of Southern Vietnam, Tran Van Giau, solemnly declared: “Fellow countrymen. Today is the most glorious day in the history of Southern Vietnam. In broad daylight, we, the Provisional Administrative Committee, on behalf of all the people of Southern Vietnam, declare before the world and before all the people that: A Democratic Republic has been established in Southern Vietnam. We declare that we do not recognize the Southern Dynasty regime and resolutely oppose the colonial regime.”No foreign power can find any reason to reject the solemn decision of our people, a long-held aspiration: Vietnam Male completely independent(TG emphasizes): On behalf of the Viet Minh Front in the South, we assume responsibility for holding power in the South, so that once the National Assembly is convened, we will hand it over to the national delegates.”^[15].

The success of the general uprising in Saigon, along with the victories of the uprisings in Hanoi (August 19), Hue (August 23) and other cities, eliminated the central organs of the colonial regime, which had a decisive effect on the victory of the nationwide uprising.

3. The intellect, conscience, and responsibility of Tran Van Giau on Independence Day (September 2, 1945) in Saigon.

On September 2, 1945, Independence Day was celebrated in Saigon. The ceremonial platform was set up on Cong Hoa Street (now Le Duan Street), behind Notre Dame Cathedral. A sea of ​​Saigonese poured into the streets amidst a forest of red flags with yellow stars – the flags of the Fatherland, the flags of the Allied countries, and the flags of various organizations. Slogans adorned the streets:Long live the Democratic Republic of Vietnam!!,Down with French colonialism!!, "special slogan"Independence or Death"This is a product of Mr. Giau, written in five languages: Vietnamese, Chinese, English, French, and Russian, which appeared on this day."^[16]From 12:00 noon onwards, crowds gathered in large numbers around the platform and on the main streets.

At exactly 2:00 PM on September 2, 1945, the ceremony began with the flag-raising ritual.[17]According to the original plan, the Organizing Committee would broadcast the Voice of Vietnam radio station's reading of President Ho Chi Minh's words.Declaration of IndependenceThe event was scheduled to take place at Ba Dinh Square (Hanoi) so that the people of Saigon could hear it through the loudspeaker system. However, due to technical difficulties, the broadcast was unsuccessful. The organizers requested that Tran Van Giau, Secretary of the Regional Party Committee and Chairman of the Provisional Administrative Committee of Southern Vietnam, speak. He thought for a few minutes, quickly jotted down the main points, then stepped onto the platform and addressed the people slowly and confidently, as if delivering a formal speech.[18]whose content seems to reaffirm the basic principles inDeclaration of Independenceof the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, read by President Ho Chi Minh at Ba Dinh Square.

To begin, Tran Van Giau eloquently declared the great event in the nation's history, ushered in by the victory of the August Revolution in 1945; affirming that an era of independence and freedom had begun, arousing the pride of the Vietnamese people who had just risen from a state of slavery to the status of masters of their own country: “Vietnam, from a colony, has become an independent nation. Vietnam, from an empire, has become a Republic. Vietnam is advancing on the path of life.”

Seeing through the French colonialists' intention to re-invade Vietnam with the help of the American and British empires, and realizing that the newly won national independence was facing a new threat, he strongly denounced the enemy's insidious plot and warned his compatriots with words full of foresight: “The enemy is plotting a conspiracy to re-impose the yoke of slavery on the necks of 25 million of our compatriots… We have obtained solid evidence that they intend to use force to suddenly overthrow the Democratic Republic government and reinstate a governor-general as before. While we rejoice in victory, our compatriots should not be complacent. Because our beloved Vietnam is facing a perilous situation. If we are not careful, our country and our people may be subjected to the yoke of slavery again.”

Addressing the large crowd attending the ceremony, he cordially posed two questions, as if to encourage the determination of the people of Saigon to rise up and fight to protect the achievements of the revolution, resolutely refusing to return to a life of slavery: "Does anyone here acknowledge a governor-general ruling our country? Does anyone stand idly by and allow the colonial regime – overt or covert – to return?"

After each of his questions, the entire crowd responded with clear, decisive voices: "No! No! No!". This was not only the determination of the people of Saigon and the people of Southern Vietnam, but also the shared determination of the entire Vietnamese nation.[19]

Relying on the strength of unity and patriotism of the people, the Chairman of the Provisional Administrative Committee of Southern Vietnam addressed the French Government, affirming the policy of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in its relations with France, and forewarning the belligerent colonialists of Vietnam's will for independence and freedom and its determination to unite with the French people in fighting against French colonial aggression.

"The Democratic Republic of Vietnam is ready to sign cooperation treaties with the French Republic on economic, cultural, and even military matters, if France publicly recognizes our right to independence."

"On the contrary, if you treat us like we are, then in solidarity with the French revolutionary people, we swear to die rather than yield to any threat or provocation."

Addressing the newly established People's Government of Vietnam, he spoke of the unwavering oath of the people of Saigon and the people of Southern Vietnam: "We swear to stand resolutely alongside the Government, to resist all aggression, even if it means death." In response, the entire forest raised their fists and shouted in unison: "We swear! We swear! We swear!"

Concluding his speech, communist Tran Van Giau earnestly appealed: "The people must be ready to fight!... Rise up! Independence Day begins today! Forward, for independence, for freedom, forward forever! No fortress can stop the will of the people on the path to liberation!"[20].

Was his call for the people to prepare for battle a brilliant prediction of the impending resistance of the people of the Fatherland against the French colonialists' attempt to reoccupy Southern Vietnam?

Although unprepared, the speech by Tran Van Giau, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Provisional Administrative Committee of Southern Vietnam, demonstrated intellectual genius, keen political insight, and a profound humanistic philosophy, all for the cause of national liberation and human emancipation in a colonial country with a burning desire for independence and freedom.

The year 1945 has gone down in national history as a glorious milestone with the victory of the August Revolution and the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, "The revolutionary government of that new democratic country does not belong to any one class but to the entire nation."[21]Both in thought and action, in words and deeds, the then Party Secretary Tran Van Giau left behind the echoes of a revolutionary storm that transformed the lives of the entire Vietnamese nation. Working alongside comrades and compatriots in the South, far from the Central Party Committee, his heart and mind were always imbued with the core values ​​of Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary theory of national liberation and development and the Party's revolutionary line.