Thia Village was the Central Propaganda Department of Vietnam in 1946-1954

Duong Thi Ngu, Phd.

Tan Trao University, Tuyen Quang, Vietnam

SUMMARY: Each place has its history and is often associated with a specific socio-historical situation, and it stores documents and information about its creator’s material and spiritual culture. At the place Historically Tuyen Quang, the Central Propaganda Department (formerly the Party’s Propaganda Department) lived and worked on a hill in Thia village, Tan Trao commune, Son Duong district. The article presents the historical landmarks of the Central Propaganda Department of Vietnam from 1946 – 1954. The historical-cultural values preserved through the landmarks reflect the objective reality.

KEYWORDS: historical place, Central Propaganda Department

1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

In December 1946, after calling for a nationwide resistance war, President Ho Chi Minh and the Central Committee of the Party and Government of Vietnam decided to return to the Viet Bac base. President Ho Chi Minh determined: “The revolution was succeeded by the Viet Bac, the resistance war will be won by the Viet Bac” [1; p.239] and he ordered to return to Tan Trao, Tuyen Quang. This is a land with a strategic position, where “advance can fight, a retreat can keep”; having enough food reserves for the revolutionary headquarters for a certain period when the enemy’s supply sources were cut off, and especially where the people of the whole country turned towards, united, and joined forces with the “Prime Minister.” liberated city”, “Central Propaganda Department”.

When returning to invade Vietnam, the French colonialists mobilized all resources for the war; “Not only are they wars of military aggression, they are also wars of propaganda. They use newspapers and radio every day, well-printed pictures and books, theatres, schools, worship services at churches and temples, meetings, etc. – to propagate. Especially they take advantage of the mistakes and shortcomings of our cadres – to propagate” [1; p.490]. Therefore, propaganda plays an important role in mobilizing all people to understand, believe, and follow the line of the resistance war to make clear thoughts, form the strength of the whole nation, and bring the revolution to a new era. resistance to the final victory.

On September 14, 1950, the Standing Committee of the Party Central Committee issued Resolution No. 55-NQ/TW on the organization of the Propaganda Department and the Education Board of the Party Central Committee, in which the Propaganda Department was in charge of Comrade Truong Chinh. Chi To Huu is the Head of the Committee; The Board of Education is headed by Mr. Ha Huy Giap. On April 16, 1995, the Central Committee for Propaganda and Training was established, including 4 sub-committees headed by comrade Truong Chinh, which advises the Party Central Committee comprehensively on all aspects: propaganda, education, culture, and arts… Also during this time, the Propaganda and Training Committees from the Central to the Inter-regions and provinces were supplemented and consolidated. In several provinces and the free zones, initially building and training a contingent of reporters, building a propaganda network at the grassroots level; correcting the teaching in Party schools, to issue specific regulations on study regimes for cadres and party members. The Propaganda Departments in the provinces in the area behind the enemy’s back have opened many training courses to train cadres on the work in the enemy’s back, improving the quality of articles and increasing the number of newspapers.

However, in reality, there is still the situation that the Party committees at all levels have not focused on leading the propaganda work, “whitelisting” for professional staff; some places lack interest in strengthening the organization or training the staff of the propaganda boards; There is also a situation of mobilization and transfer of many propaganda officers to other areas of work; many Party committees do not appoint members to be in charge of propaganda work… To further promote the role of propaganda work, prepare everything materially and spiritually for the opening of a general offensive campaign against the enemy; On March 19, 1954, the Secretariat issued Directive No. 71-CT/TW on rectifying the direction of propaganda work of Party committees at all levels. To implement this directive, the Central Committee for Propaganda and Training has adjusted the training system at all levels, focusing on 5 contents: 1) appointing members to take charge of propaganda work; 2) the meetings of the committees must set out the major features of the propaganda work; 3) not arbitrarily dispatching propaganda officers, especially heads and deputy heads of provincial and regional levels; 4) when changing the staff in charge of propaganda, it is necessary to get the opinion of the Central Propaganda Department and when necessary to mobilize the propaganda staff to participate in something, pay attention to using their professional abilities properly; 5) Party committees must regularly train and train propaganda staff, conduct an inspection and learn lessons in time in this work.

The implementation of Directive 71 of the Secretariat has promptly strengthened the leadership of the Propaganda Department at all levels, firstly at the regional and provincial levels; further strengthen the strength of the Board, to meet the task of ideological work in the winter-spring campaign of 1953 -1954, culminating in the Dien Bien Phu campaign.

2. CONTENT
   • The place of Thia village, where the historical and cultural values of the Central Propaganda Department are kept

While stationed in Thia village, Tan Trao commune, Son Duong district , Tuyen Quang province, the Central Propaganda and Training Committee propagated the guidelines and guidelines of the Communist Party of Vietnam , encouraged patriotism, and mobilized the masses. join the war .

After more than a year of conducting the second Indochina war, in the autumn – winter of 1947, facing the risk of failure of the strategy of “hit quickly and win quickly” and pressure from political crises, economically and financially in France, the French Government wants to take advantage of the absolute advantage in technical equipment, concentrate forces to quickly solve the Franco-Vietnamese war by destroying our main army; decisive blow” to neutralize, even capture the Ho Chi Minh Government alive to bring Bao Dai back to establish a puppet government [4, p. 487 ] , “as a basis for the hope of ending the Indochina war” [5].

On October 7, 1947, the French army parachuted into Bac Kan to start the attack on Viet Bac. The Propaganda and Training Board determined that at this time it was necessary to focus on propaganda to make the whole people unite, actively participate in the resistance war, and unite with the Government to destroy the enemy’s attack plan; against pessimistic tendencies, fluctuations, compromises as well as fear of the enemy or contempt leading to loss of vigilance. With the goal: resolutely “to destroy the winter offensive of the French enemy”, “to inflict heavy damage on the enemy so that he cannot resist after this winter campaign”, the propaganda work has “caused an enthusiastic movement to participate in the resistance in all aspects, making everyone willing to sacrifice everything to “save the country, save the race…”. In addition, the work of training new cadres and raising the qualifications of old cadres is always focused because the longer the resistance lasts, the more human resources are needed. The victory of the Viet Bac campaign not only proves the Party’s resistance line but also affirms the effectiveness of the Party’s propaganda and support work.

In order to advance the resistance war to a new step, in June 1950, the Standing Committee of the Party Central Committee advocated opening a large-scale campaign against the enemy on the Vietnam-China border with the aim: to destroy an important part enemy vitality; partially liberated borders, opened roads with socialist countries; expanding and consolidating the Viet Bac base. The propaganda work of this period focused on propagating our position and power, about the importance of the campaign. Thanks to the efforts of the entire Party and the whole country and the effectiveness of propaganda, we have achieved a resounding victory of the Border campaign. This is the first time after four years of resistance war, we have launched a major offensive campaign, hitting the enemy’s strong defense line, in order to realize important strategic goals. At the same time, opening a turning point to turn our resistance war from guerrilla warfare to regular war, combining regular war with guerrilla warfare at a higher level, bankrupting the plan. military and political activities of the French colonialists, causing an unprecedented defeat in the invasion war of the French colonialists up to that time.

Since 1951, implementing the Tatsinhi war plan, the enemy has stepped up sweeping, pacifying, developing puppet power, and trying to capture soldiers. The Propaganda Department deployed propaganda in the area behind the enemy, clearly outlined the purpose of the Tatsinhi plan, pointed out the weakness and passivity of the plan; clearly state the guidelines and mottos of the struggle in the area behind the enemy’s back, overcome the subjective attitude, lose vigilance, and struggle with improper methods leading to the loss of political establishments. Propaganda officers “cling to the ground, cling to the people” combined with oral propaganda with the establishment of armed propaganda teams to go deep into enemy-controlled areas, and mobilize the masses to struggle. The Propaganda Department also deployed and directed the printing of secret newspapers in big cities such as Hanoi and Saigon; and at the same time take advantage of their legal capacity to mobilize progressive intellectuals to publish public newspapers or assign officials to be in charge of writing public newspapers. The provinces and cities all published bulletins, short documents, and leaflets to denounce the enemy’s crimes, promptly report on victories and struggles in enemy-controlled areas, and disseminate experiences and examples of struggles. heroism of our people.

On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the National Resistance War, on December 8, 1951, the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee issued a directive on studying and disseminating President Ho Chi Minh’s call. The Propaganda and Training Committee organized a propaganda and education campaign on a large scale both in the free zone and in the enemy’s rear, making cadres and people more imbued with a sense of resistance about the long-term resistance war; improve the will to fight and win, strengthen the belief in the final victory; determined to emulate the completion of combat and production tasks, resisting pessimism, wavering, fear of sacrifices or hardships or impatience, dependence on external aid.

Especially, since the Politburo Conference in September 1953, the Propaganda Department has carried out many activities to propagate the Party’s guidelines, and mobilize the spirit and will of thousands of cadres mobilized to fight. school or work in the area behind the enemy, tens of thousands of civilians on the front lines, serving the strategic offensive of Winter-Spring. When it was decided to open the Dien Bien Phu campaign, the Board focused on propaganda to clarify the strategic determination of the Central Committee, overcome the thoughts of skepticism, hesitation, and lack of confidence in the victory of a part of cadres and officials. people. The bigger and heavier the requirements of the war, the more urgent and exciting the propaganda and mobilization for the preparation of forces in all aspects. The slogan “All for the front, all for victory” has turned into practical actions of millions of people in the rear in both the free zones and the guerrilla base areas, enthusiastically devoting their human and strength to their efforts. The forces of information, propaganda and art of the central and local governments also closely followed the combat units, youth volunteer groups, and public fire unions. .

During the resistance war, the Central Committee for Propaganda and Training also organized political training for writers and artists, working groups, and literary teams; information work at grassroots level; The popular movement of art, especially singing, was widely developed, making the resistance war arduous, but the atmosphere was always vibrant and healthy.

Propaganda to build a new life in the resistance area, launch a widespread, effective, practical patriotic emulation movement, serving the resistance war and nation building .

The resistance war will be won quickly, the national construction will be successful, on the initiative of President Ho Chi Minh, on March 27, 1948, the Standing Committee of the Party Central Committee issued a directive to launch a patriotic emulation movement throughout the Party. , the whole army and the whole people with the purpose: to destroy the hunger, the ignorant, and the foreign invaders.

Identifying the core content of President Ho Chi Minh’s call for patriotic emulation is that the emulation movement must be formed, nurtured and developed with patriotic spirit; the essence of patriotic emulation is not to do great things but to do better in everyday tasks; The Propaganda and Training Committee has conducted specific propaganda and campaigns in many forms such as books, newspapers, radio, talks, plays, etc. The instructions and reminders of President Ho Chi Minh: everyone must “according to one’s own strength” to make practical contributions to the revolution; the elderly must “emulate and urge their children and grandchildren to actively participate in all work”; children must “emulate learning and helping adults”; rich people must “emulate and develop businesses”; Catholic compatriots “emulate production”; intellectuals and professionals “emulate creation and invention”; government employees “emulate to work diligently, work to serve the people”; The army had to emulate and train, kill the enemy to make merit…. was built into slogans, specific to each object by the Board.

From the call of President Ho Chi Minh, the close attention and direction of the Central Committee of the Party and the Government and the rapid deployment of the Board, the patriotic emulation movement has become a widespread movement, with It had a great motivating effect, promoting the positivity and revolutionary heroism of the people both in the free zone and in the guerrilla and temporarily occupied areas, forming typical collectives such as Wind Dai Phong and Waves. Duyen Hai, Bac Ly Drums, Co Ba Nhat; typical heroes such as: La Van Cau, Nguyen Thi Chien (army, guerrilla militia), Ngo Gia Kham (worker), Hoang Hanh (farmer), Tran Dai Nghia (intellectual); youth conscription movements, donating “rice pots to feed the army”, sponsoring soldiers and guerrillas… The movement has overcome many difficulties and ensured the minimum needs of the resistance and life people; customs, social evils and superstitions were gradually eliminated.In the cities temporarily occupied by the enemy, Ban also launched a political struggle movement of the people against the establishment of the government. scarecrow combined with the armed forces’ attacks on enemy bases and treasures.

Since the resistance war moved to a new stage, the requirements of the front line were higher than before, especially when the enemy expanded the occupied area to the plains, causing us many financial and economic difficulties; People’s lives in free zones in many places are also more difficult, so some people who have been displaced have fled to temporarily occupied areas. To overcome this situation, the campaign to increase production and practice thrift, to issue a new tax policy was launched to mobilize more contributions from the people, to better serve the resistance war. In addition, agricultural tax, the main source of state revenue, was also deployed and widely propagated by the Board to clarify the fairness of the new tax policy, collect enough tax, and properly implement the phased policy. level in tax policy; mobilize more contributions of landlords and rich farmers, alleviate poverty for poor farmers, encourage those who directly work. The Board also organizes education for cadres and party members on class consciousness and the Party’s class line in rural areas through this practice.

Expand propaganda abroad, make the world understand and support the nation’s just resistance, form the second battle against the invading French colonialists, make an important contribution to the implementation of the independent resistance line. independence, self-reliance and creativity, associated with strengthening international solidarity, combining national strength with the strength of the times

Right at the beginning of the resistance war against the French colonialists, the Party repeatedly emphasized the need to attach importance to international propaganda to enlist the consensus and support of the progressive people in the world. including the French people, for our people’s struggle for national liberation. The resolution of the expanded Party Central Committee held in January 1948 determined that it was necessary to expand propaganda abroad so that the world could understand us and help us better. The Resolution of the Sixth Central Committee Conference in January 1949 on diplomatic work also indicated the need to make efforts in international propaganda and gain more support from the world’s democratic forces.

The work of information and external propaganda has clarified the righteousness, peace-loving and bloodless ideology of the Government and people of Vietnam, led by President Ho Chi Minh; created a strong wave of support for Vietnam right in the heart of France with symbols of bravery such as Henri Martin or Raymong Di… Ban also propagated among French soldiers the slogan of peace and repatriation, propaganda about the humanitarian policy towards our prisoners. During this time, the propaganda content about solidarity and alliance with the people of Laos and Cambodia, enlisted the sympathy and support of the people of the world. politically, spiritually and materially, especially the Communist International, the Soviet Union, China, and the Socialist countries are also conducted on a regular basis. Only in the period from 1950 to 1953, nine important international peacekeeping conferences issued resolutions in support of the Vietnamese people’s resistance war. In October 1953, the 3rd World Trade Union Congress with the participation of delegates from 79 countries decided to take December 19, the National Day of the Resistance War of Vietnam as the “Day of Solidarity with the Vietnamese People”.

3. CONCLUDE

The activities of the Central Propaganda Department in Tuyen Quang during the resistance war against the French made an important contribution to building the people’s trust in the Communist Party of Vietnam, the State and President Ho Chi Minh. Bright; arousing and promoting the tradition of patriotism and revolutionary heroism, cheering and mobilizing the entire Party, people and army to overcome difficulties and hardships and conduct a comprehensive and universal resistance war. period, won many great victories, typically the decisive strategic battle of Dien Bien Phu, smashing the yoke of old colonialism, opening a new phase of the Vietnamese revolution .

4. ACKNOWLEDGE: This research is funded by Tan Trao University in Tuyen Quang, Vietnam

REFERENCES

1. Ho Chi Minh: Complete Volume , Publishing House. National politics, Hanoi, 2011, vol. 4, p.534.
2. Ho Chi Minh: Complete Volume, Truth National Political Publishing House, H.2011, volume 8, p.490 .
3. Ho Chi Minh: Complete Volume , Publishing House. National politics, Hanoi, 2011, vol .
4. Philippe Devillers, Paris – Saigon – Hanoi, Archives of the war 1944-1947, Ho Chi Minh City Publishing House, 1993, p. 487.
5. Général Yves Gras, Histoire de la guerre d’Indochine, Plon, Paris, 1979. Vietnamese translation, Archived at the Institute of Party History.