Lê Đức Thọ facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lê Đức Thọ
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Tho in 1973
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| Counsellor to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam |
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| In office 18 December 1986 – 13 October 1990 |
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| Head of the Central Organizing Commission | |
| In office 1976–1980 |
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| Preceded by | Lê Văn Lương |
| Succeeded by | Nguyễn Đức Tâm |
| In office 1956–1973 |
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| Preceded by | Lê Văn Lương |
| Succeeded by | Lê Văn Lương |
| Standing Member of the Secretariat | |
| In office 30 April 1980 – 18 December 1986 Serving with Nguyễn Duy Trinh and Lê Thanh Nghị
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| Member of the Secretariat | |
| In office 1960–1986 |
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Secretariat Positions
1983–1986: Secretary for Theoretical, Internal and Foreign Affairs
1983–1986: Vice Chair of the National Defense Commission 1980–1982: Chair of the Special Political Affairs Commission 1976–1980: Chair of the Southern Affairs Commission |
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| Member of the Politburo | |
| In office 1955–1986 |
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| Personal details | |
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Phan Đình Khải
14 October 1911 Nam Trực, Nam Định Province, French Indochina |
| Died | 13 October 1990 (aged 78) Hanoi, Vietnam |
| Nationality | Vietnamese |
| Political party | Communist Party of Vietnam (1945–1990) Indochinese Communist Party (1930–1945) |
| Awards | Nobel Peace Prize (1973) |
Lê Đức Thọ (born Phan Đình Khải; 14 October 1911 – 13 October 1990) was a famous Vietnamese leader. He was a general, a diplomat, and a politician. He is known for being the first Asian person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. He shared the award with United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in 1973. However, Lê Đức Thọ chose not to accept the prize.
Contents
Early Life and Revolutionary Actions
Lê Đức Thọ became involved in the movement for Vietnamese independence when he was a teenager. He spent many years in French prisons during his youth. This experience made him very determined. People sometimes called him "the Hammer" because he was so tough.
In 1930, Lê Đức Thọ helped start the Indochinese Communist Party. The French rulers put him in prison several times. One of these prisons was on Côn Sơn Island, known for its harsh "tiger cage" cells. While imprisoned, Thọ and other Vietnamese prisoners studied many subjects. They even performed plays by the French writer Molière.
After being released in 1945, he helped lead the Viet Minh. This was a group fighting for Vietnam's freedom from French rule. Their fight continued until the Geneva Accords were signed in 1954. Later, he joined the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1955. He also helped lead the Viet Cong uprising against the South Vietnamese government starting in 1956.
Peace Talks in Paris (1968–1973)
The United States became involved in the Vietnam War in the early 1960s. To try and end the war, peace talks were held in Paris between 1968 and 1973. Lê Đức Thọ was the main negotiator for North Vietnam, even though someone else was the official head of the delegation.
In February 1970, Thọ began secret meetings with Henry Kissinger. Kissinger was the U.S. National Security Advisor. These secret talks were very important and lasted for three years. They aimed to reach a ceasefire agreement.
Lê Đức Thọ and Henry Kissinger had many disagreements during their talks. Thọ believed that the U.S. efforts to help South Vietnam would fail. He saw the Americans as outsiders trying to delay what he thought was unavoidable. Kissinger found Thọ to be a strong and disciplined negotiator.
In July 1971, Kissinger tried to pressure Thọ by saying that U.S. President Nixon would visit China. This meant China might not support North Vietnam as much. But Thọ showed no reaction, saying it would not change their fight.
The talks faced many challenges. In March 1972, North Vietnam launched a big attack. This led to the U.S. bombing North Vietnam again. The meetings between Thọ and Kissinger became very tense.
By August 1972, Kissinger wanted a peace deal before the U.S. presidential elections. Thọ, however, was more interested in getting money to repair war damage. He also refused to let Kissinger announce their secret meetings, as it would help Nixon's election campaign.
On 7 October 1972, Kissinger and Thọ agreed on a plan for peace. They expected a peace agreement to be signed soon. However, the President of South Vietnam, Nguyễn Văn Thiệu, refused to sign it. This caused more problems.
In December 1972, the talks broke down. President Nixon ordered heavy bombings of North Vietnam, known as the Christmas bombings. Despite this, North Vietnam agreed to restart talks in January. The final peace agreement, signed on 23 January 1973, was very similar to the one agreed upon earlier.
Their relationship was often difficult. After the Christmas bombings, Thọ was very angry with Kissinger. He shouted at Kissinger for a long time, accusing the U.S. of using violence. Despite the tension, they eventually reached an agreement.
On 23 January 1973, Kissinger and Thọ signed the Paris Peace Accords. This agreement included releasing prisoners of war, a ceasefire, and elections in South Vietnam. It also allowed North Vietnamese troops to stay in South Vietnam. The last American forces left South Vietnam by March 1973.
Nobel Peace Prize
Lê Đức Thọ and Henry Kissinger were given the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize. They received it for their important work in negotiating the Paris Peace Accords. However, Lê Đức Thọ refused to accept the award. He said that true peace had not yet been achieved in Vietnam.
Winning the War
After the peace agreement, Lê Đức Thọ played a key role in North Vietnam's final push to win the war. In 1974, he oversaw the transformation of the Ho Chi Minh Trail into a major highway. This allowed North Vietnam to send more troops and supplies to South Vietnam much faster.
In December 1974, North Vietnam launched a new attack. It was more successful than expected. Lê Đức Thọ went to monitor the operations. He saw that the South Vietnamese Army was struggling. He suggested that all of South Vietnam could be taken that year, earlier than planned. The final campaign to capture Saigon was named the Ho Chi Minh campaign.
On 30 April 1975, North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon. Lê Đức Thọ entered the city in triumph. He quickly began organizing the city's services and appointing new leaders. Saigon was later renamed Ho Chi Minh City.
Later Life and Death
From 1978 to 1982, Lê Đức Thọ served as a chief advisor in Cambodia. His goal was to make sure Vietnam's interests were protected there.
He continued to hold important positions in the Communist Party of Vietnam until his death. Lê Đức Thọ passed away on 13 October 1990, just before his 79th birthday, in Hanoi. He reportedly had cancer.
Images for kids
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Tho in 1973
See also
In Spanish: Lê Ðức Thọ para niños
