Leon Trotsky

The History of the Russian Revolution

VOLUME ONE
The Overthrow of Tzarism

ONLINE VERSION: Translated by Max Eastman, 1932
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Table of Contents
3rea)e:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::&
!*a2ter 1: 3e)#liarities o R#ssia;s 4e5elo2ment:::::::::::::12
!*a2ter 2: T<arist R#ssia in t*e +ar:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::29
!*a2ter 3: T*e 2roletariat and t*e 3easantry:::::::::::::::::::=1
!*a2ter &: T*e T<ar and t*e T<arina:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::7(
!*a2ter =: T*e Idea o a 3ala)e Re5ol#tion::::::::::::::::::::::92
!*a2ter (: T*e 4eat* 0"ony o t*e Monar)*y::::::::::::::::11%
!*a2ter 7: >i5e 4ays />ebr#ary 23?27, 19171:::::::::::::::::1&%
!*a2ter $: +*o Led t*e >ebr#ary Ins#rre)tion@::::::::::::::1$=
!*a2ter 9: T*e 3aradox o t*e >ebr#ary Re5ol#tion:::::::2%7
!*a2ter 1%: T*e Ne. 3o.er::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::2&1
!*a2ter 11: 4#al 3o.er:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::27&
!*a2ter 12: T*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee:::::::::::::::::::::::::::2$7
!*a2ter 13: T*e 0rmy and t*e +ar:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::32$
!*a2ter 1&: T*e R#lin" -ro#2 and t*e +ar::::::::::::::::::::3=(
!*a2ter 1=: T*e 'ols*e5i8s and Lenin::::::::::::::::::::::::::::37=
!*a2ter 1(: Rearmin" t*e 3arty::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::&1%
!*a2ter 17: T*e A02ril 4aysB::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::&33
!*a2ter 1$: T*e >irst !oalition::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::&(7
!*a2ter 19: T*e Oensi5e::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::&$(
!*a2ter 2%: T*e 3easantry::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::=%$
!*a2ter 21: S*its in t*e Masses:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::=33
!*a2ter 22: T*e So5iet !on"ress and t*e ,#ne
4emonstration:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::=(9
!*a2ter 23: !on)l#sion:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::=9=
!*ronolo"i)al Table or Vol#me One::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::(%%
022endix I
/To t*e !*a2ter 3e)#liarities o R#ssia;s 4e5elo2ment1::(%9
022endix II
/To t*e !*a2ter Re?armin" t*e 3arty1::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::(21
022endix III
/To t*e !*a2ter T*e So5iet !on"ress and t*e ,#ne
4emonstration1::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::(32
Preface
4#rin" t*e irst t.o mont*s o 1917 R#ssia .as still a
Romano5 monar)*y: Ei"*t mont*s later t*e 'ols*e5i8s
stood at t*e *elm: T*ey .ere little 8no. to anybody .*en
t*e year be"an, and t*eir leaders .ere still #nder
indi)tment or state treason .*en t*ey )ame to 2o.er: Co#
.ill not ind anot*er s#)* s*ar2 t#rn in *istory D es2e)ially
i yo# remember t*at it in5ol5es a nation o 1=% million
2eo2le: It is )lear t*at t*e e5ents o 1917, .*ate5er yo#
t*in8 o t*em, deser5e st#dy:
T*e *istory o a re5ol#tion, li8e e5ery ot*er *istory, o#"*t
irst o all to tell .*at *a22ened and *o.: T*at, *o.e5er,
is little eno#"*: >rom t*e 5ery tellin" it o#"*t to be)ome
)lear .*y it *a22ened t*#s and not ot*er.ise: E5ents )an
neit*er be re"arded as a series o ad5ent#res, nor str#n"
on t*e t*read o a 2re)on)ei5ed moral: T*ey m#st obey
t*eir o.n la.s: T*e dis)o5ery o t*ese la.s is t*e a#t*or;s
tas8:
T*e most ind#bitable eat#re o a re5ol#tion is t*e dire)t
intereren)e o t*e masses in *istori)al e5ents: In ordinary
times t*e state, be it monar)*i)al or demo)rati), ele5ates
itsel abo5e t*e nation, and *istory is made by s2e)ialists
in t*at line o b#siness ? 8in"s, ministers, b#rea#)rats,
2arliamentarians, Eo#rnalists: '#t at t*ose )r#)ial moments
.*en t*e old order be)omes no lon"er end#rable to t*e
masses, t*ey brea8 o5er t*e barriers ex)l#din" t*em rom
t*e 2oliti)al arena, s.ee2 aside t*eir traditional
re2resentati5es, and )reate by t*eir o.n intereren)e t*e
initial "ro#nd.or8 or a ne. rF"ime: +*et*er t*is is "ood
or bad .e lea5e to t*e E#d"ement o moralists: +e
o#rsel5es .ill ta8e t*e a)ts as t*ey are "i5en by t*e
obEe)ti5e )o#rse o de5elo2ment: T*e *istory o a
re5ol#tion is or #s irst o all a *istory o t*e or)ible
entran)e o t*e masses into t*e realm o r#lers*i2 o5er
t*eir o.n destiny:
In a so)iety t*at is sei<ed by re5ol#tion )lasses are in
)onli)t: It is 2ere)tly )lear, *o.e5er, t*at t*e )*an"es
introd#)ed bet.een t*e be"innin" and t*e end o a
re5ol#tion in t*e e)onomi) bases o t*e so)iety and its
so)ial s#bstrat#m o )lasses, are not s#i)ient to ex2lain
t*e )o#rse o t*e re5ol#tion itsel, .*i)* )an o5ert*ro. in
a s*ort inter5al a"e?old instit#tions, )reate ne. ones, and
a"ain o5ert*ro. t*em: T*e dynami) o re5ol#tionary
e5ents is directly determined by s.it, intense and
2assionate )*an"es in t*e 2sy)*olo"y o )lasses .*i)*
*a5e already ormed t*emsel5es beore t*e re5ol#tion:
T*e 2oint is t*at so)iety does not )*an"e its instit#tions as
need arises, t*e .ay a me)*ani) )*an"es *is instr#ments:
On t*e )ontrary, so)iety a)t#ally ta8es t*e instit#tions
.*i)* *an" #2on it as "i5en on)e or all: >or de)ades t*e
o22ositional )riti)ism is not*in" more t*an a saety 5al5e
or mass dissatisa)tion, a )ondition o t*e stability o t*e
so)ial str#)t#re: S#)* in 2rin)i2le, or exam2le, .as t*e
si"nii)an)e a)G#ired by t*e so)ial?demo)rati) )riti)ism:
Entirely ex)e2tional )onditions, inde2endent o t*e .ill o
2ersons and 2arties, are ne)essary in order to tear o rom
dis)ontent t*e etters o )onser5atism, and brin" t*e
masses to ins#rre)tion:
T*e s.it )*an"es o mass 5ie.s and moods in an e2o)* o
re5ol#tion t*#s deri5e, not rom t*e lexibility and mobility
o man;s mind, b#t E#st t*e o22osite, rom its dee2
)onser5atism: T*e )*roni) la" o ideas and relations
be*ind ne. obEe)ti5e )onditions, ri"*t #2 to t*e moment
.*en t*e latter )ras* o5er 2eo2le in t*e orm o a
)atastro2*e, is .*at )reates in a 2eriod o re5ol#tion t*at
lea2in" mo5ement o ideas and 2assions .*i)* seems to
t*e 2oli)e mind a mere res#lt o t*e a)ti5ities o
Adema"o"#es:B
T*e masses "o into a re5ol#tion not .it* a 2re2ared 2lan
o so)ial re)onstr#)tion, b#t .it* a s*ar2 eelin" t*at t*ey
)annot end#re t*e old rF"ime: Only t*e "#idin" layers o a
)lass *a5e a 2oliti)al 2ro"ram, and e5en t*is still reG#ires
t*e test o e5ents, and t*e a22ro5al o t*e masses: T*e
#ndamental 2oliti)al 2ro)ess o t*e re5ol#tion t*#s
)onsists in t*e "rad#al )om2re*ension by a )lass o t*e
2roblems arisin" rom t*e so)ial )risis D t*e a)ti5e
orientation o t*e masses by a met*od o s#))essi5e
a22roximations: T*e dierent sta"es o a re5ol#tionary
2ro)ess, )ertiied by a )*an"e o 2arties in .*i)* t*e more
extreme al.ays s#2ersedes t*e less, ex2ress t*e "ro.in"
2ress#re to t*e let o t*e masses D so lon" as t*e s.in" o
t*e mo5ement does not r#n into obEe)ti5e obsta)les: +*en
it does, t*ere be"ins a rea)tion: disa22ointments o t*e
dierent layers o t*e re5ol#tionary )lass, "ro.t* o
indierentism, and t*ere.it* a stren"t*enin" o t*e
2osition o t*e )o#nter?re5ol#tionary or)es: S#)*, at least,
is t*e "eneral o#tline o t*e old re5ol#tions:
Only on t*e basis o a st#dy o 2oliti)al 2ro)esses in t*e
masses t*emsel5es, )an .e #nderstand t*e rHle o 2arties
and leaders, .*om .e least o all are in)lined to i"nore:
T*ey )onstit#te not an inde2endent, b#t ne5ert*eless a
5ery im2ortant, element in t*e 2ro)ess: +it*o#t a "#idin"
or"anisation, t*e ener"y o t*e masses .o#ld dissi2ate li8e
steam not en)losed in a 2iston?box: '#t ne5ert*eless .*at
mo5es t*in"s is not t*e 2iston or t*e box, b#t t*e steam:
T*e dii)#lties .*i)* stand in t*e .ay o st#dyin" t*e
)*an"es o mass )ons)io#sness in a re5ol#tionary e2o)*
are G#ite ob5io#s: T*e o22ressed )lasses ma8e *istory in
t*e a)tories, in t*e barra)8s, in t*e 5illa"es, on t*e streets
o t*e )ities: Moreo5er, t*ey are least o all a))#stomed to
.rite t*in"s do.n: 3eriods o *i"* tension in so)ial
2assions lea5e little room or )ontem2lation and rele)tion:
0ll t*e m#ses D e5en t*e 2lebeian m#se o Eo#rnalism, in
s2ite o *er st#rdy *i2s D *a5e *ard sleddin" in times o
re5ol#tion: Still t*e *istorian;s sit#ation is by no means
*o2eless: T*e re)ords are in)om2lete, s)attered,
a))idental: '#t in t*e li"*t o t*e e5ents t*emsel5es t*ese
ra"ments oten 2ermit a "#ess as to t*e dire)tion and
r*yt*m o t*e *idden 2ro)ess: >or better or .orse, a
re5ol#tionary 2arty bases its ta)ti)s #2on a )al)#lation o
t*e )*an"es o mass )ons)io#sness: T*e *istori) )o#rse o
'ols*e5ism demonstrates t*at s#)* a )al)#lation, at least
in its ro#"* eat#res, )an be made: I it )an be made by a
re5ol#tionary leader in t*e .*irl2ool o t*e str#""le, .*y
not by t*e *istorian ater.ards@
Io.e5er, t*e 2ro)esses ta8in" 2la)e in t*e )ons)io#sness
o t*e masses are not #nrelated and inde2endent: No
matter *o. t*e idealists and t*e e)le)ti)s ra"e,
)ons)io#sness is ne5ert*eless determined by )onditions: In
t*e *istori) )onditions .*i)* ormed R#ssia, *er e)onomy,
*er )lasses, *er State, in t*e a)tion #2on *er o ot*er
states, .e o#"*t to be able to ind t*e 2remises bot* o
t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion and o t*e O)tober re5ol#tion
.*i)* re2la)ed it: Sin)e t*e "reatest eni"ma is t*e a)t
t*at a ba)8.ard )o#ntry .as t*e first to 2la)e t*e
2roletariat in 2o.er, it be*o5es #s to see8 t*e sol#tion o
t*at eni"ma in t*e eculiarities o t*at ba)8.ard )o#ntry D
t*at is, in its dieren)es rom ot*er )o#ntries:
T*e *istori) 2e)#liarities o R#ssia and t*eir relati5e .ei"*t
.ill be )*ara)terised by #s in t*e early )*a2ters o t*is
boo8 .*i)* "i5e a s*ort o#tline o t*e de5elo2ment o
R#ssian so)iety and its inner or)es: +e 5ent#re to *o2e
t*at t*e ine5itable s)*ematism o t*ese )*a2ters .ill not
re2el t*e reader: In t*e #rt*er de5elo2ment o t*e boo8 *e
.ill meet t*ese same or)es in li5in" a)tion:
T*is .or8 .ill not rely in any de"ree #2on 2ersonal
re)olle)tions: T*e )ir)#mstan)e t*at t*e a#t*or .as a
2arti)i2ant in t*e e5ents does not ree *im rom t*e
obli"ation to base *is ex2osition #2on *istori)ally 5eriied
do)#ments: T*e a#t*or s2ea8s o *imsel, in so ar as t*at
is demanded by t*e )o#rse o e5ents, in t*e t*ird 2erson:
0nd t*at is not a mere literary orm: t*e s#bEe)ti5e tone,
ine5itable in a#tobio"ra2*ies or memoirs, is not
2ermissible in a .or8 o *istory:
Io.e5er, t*e a)t t*at t*e a#t*or did 2arti)i2ate in t*e
str#""le nat#rally ma8es easier *is #nderstandin", not
only o t*e 2sy)*olo"y o t*e or)es in a)tion, bot*
indi5id#al and )olle)ti5e, b#t also o t*e inner )onne)tion
o e5ents: T*is ad5anta"e .ill "i5e 2ositi5e res#lts only i
one )ondition is obser5ed: t*at *e does not rely #2on t*e
testimony o *is o.n memory eit*er in tri5ial details or in
im2ortant matters, eit*er in G#estions o a)t or G#estions
o moti5e and mood: T*e a#t*or belie5es t*at in so ar as
in *im lies *e *as #lilled t*is )ondition:
T*ere remains t*e G#estion o t*e 2oliti)al 2osition o t*e
a#t*or, .*o stands as a *istorian #2on t*e same 5ie.2oint
#2on .*i)* *e stood as a 2arti)i2ant in t*e e5ents: T*e
reader, o )o#rse, is not obli"ed to s*are t*e 2oliti)al 5ie.s
o t*e a#t*or, .*i)* t*e latter on *is side *as no reason to
)on)eal: '#t t*e reader does *a5e t*e ri"*t to demand
t*at a *istori)al .or8 s*o#ld not be t*e deen)e o a
2oliti)al 2osition, b#t an internally .ell?o#nded 2ortrayal
o t*e a)t#al 2ro)ess o t*e re5ol#tion: 0 *istori)al .or8
only t*en )om2letely #lils t*e mission .*en e5ents
#nold #2on its 2a"es in t*eir #ll nat#ral ne)essity:
>or t*is, is it ne)essary to *a5e t*e so?)alled *istorian;s
Aim2artialityB@ Nobody *as yet )learly ex2lained .*at t*is
im2artiality )onsists o: T*e oten G#oted .ords o
!lemen)ea# t*at it is ne)essary to ta8e a re5ol#tion Aen
blo),B as a .*ole D are at t*e best a )le5er e5asion: Io.
)an yo# ta8e as a .*ole a t*in" .*ose essen)e )onsists in
a s2lit@ !lemen)ea#;s a2*orism .as di)tated 2artly by
s*ame or *is too resol#te an)estors, 2artly by
embarrassment beore t*eir s*ades:
One o t*e rea)tionary and t*ereore as*ionable *istorians
in )ontem2orary >ran)e, L: Madelin, slanderin" in *is
dra.in"?room as*ion t*e "reat re5ol#tion D t*at is, t*e
birt* o *is o.n nation D asserts t*at At*e *istorian o#"*t
to stand #2on t*e .all o a t*reatened )ity, and be*old at
t*e same time t*e besie"ers and t*e besie"edB: only in
t*is .ay, it seems, )an *e a)*ie5e a A)on)iliatory E#sti)e:B
Io.e5er, t*e .ords o Madelin *imsel testiy t*at i *e
)limbs o#t on t*e .all di5idin" t*e t.o )am2s, it is only in
t*e )*ara)ter o a re)onnoiterer or t*e rea)tion: It is .ell
t*at *e is )on)erned only .it* .ar )am2s o t*e 2ast: in a
time o re5ol#tion standin" on t*e .all in5ol5es "reat
dan"er: Moreo5er, in times o alarm t*e 2riests o
A)on)iliatory E#sti)eB are #s#ally o#nd sittin" on t*e inside
o o#r .alls .aitin" to see .*i)* side .ill .in:
T*e serio#s and )riti)al reader .ill not .ant a trea)*ero#s
im2artiality, .*i)* oers *im a )#2 o )on)iliation .it* a
.ell?settled 2oison o rea)tionary *ate at t*e bottom, b#t a
s)ientii) )ons)ientio#sness, .*i)* or its sym2at*ies and
anti2at*ies D o2en and #ndis"#ised D see8s s#22ort in an
*onest st#dy o t*e a)ts, a determination o t*eir real
)onne)tions, an ex2os#re o t*e )a#sal la.s o t*eir
mo5ement: T*at is t*e only 2ossible *istori) obEe)ti5ism,
and moreo5er it is am2ly s#i)ient, or it is 5eriied and
attested not by t*e "ood intentions o t*e *istorian, or
.*i)* only *e *imsel )an 5o#)*, b#t t*e nat#ral la.s
re5ealed by *im o t*e *istori) 2ro)ess itsel:
T*e so#r)es o t*is boo8 are inn#merable 2eriodi)al
2#bli)ations, ne.s2a2ers and Eo#rnals, memoirs, re2orts,
and ot*er material, 2artly in man#s)ri2t, b#t t*e "reater
2art 2#blis*ed by t*e Instit#te o t*e Iistory o t*e
Re5ol#tion in Mos)o. and Lenin"rad: +e *a5e )onsidered
its s#2erl#o#s to ma8e reeren)e in t*e text to 2arti)#lar
2#bli)ations, sin)e t*at .o#ld only bot*er t*e reader:
0mon" t*e boo8s .*i)* *a5e t*e )*ara)ter o )olle)ti5e
*istori)al .or8s .e *a5e 2arti)#larly #sed t*e t.o?5ol#me
Essays on the History of the October Revolution
/Mos)o.?Lenin"rad, 19271: +ritten by dierent a#t*ors,
t*e 5ario#s 2arts o t*is boo8 are #neG#al in 5al#e, b#t
t*ey )ontain at any rate ab#ndant a)t#al material:
T*e dates in o#r boo8 are e5ery.*ere indi)ated a))ordin"
to t*e old style D t*at is, t*ey are 13 days be*ind t*e
international and t*e 2resent So5iet )alendar: T*e a#t*or
elt obli"ed to #se t*e )alendar .*i)* .as in #se at t*e
time o t*e re5ol#tion: It .o#ld *a5e been no labo#r o
)o#rse to translate t*e dates into t*e ne. style: '#t t*is
o2eration in remo5in" one dii)#lty .o#ld *a5e )reated
ot*ers more essential: T*e o5ert*ro. o t*e monar)*y *as
"one into *istory as t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tionJ a))ordin" to
t*e +estern )alendar, *o.e5er, it o))#rred in Mar)*: T*e
armed demonstration a"ainst t*e im2erialist 2oli)y o t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment *as "one into *istory #nder t*e
name o t*e A02ril 4ays,B .*ereas a))ordin" to t*e
+estern )alendar it *a22ened in May: Not to mention ot*er
inter5enin" e5ents and dates, .e remar8 only t*at t*e
O)tober re5ol#tion *a22ened a))ordin" to E#ro2ean
re)8onin" in No5ember: T*e )alendar itsel, .e see, is
tinted by t*e e5ents, and t*e *istorian )annot *andle
re5ol#tionary )*ronolo"y by mere arit*meti): T*e reader
.ill be 8ind eno#"* to remember t*at beore o5ert*ro.in"
t*e 'y<antine )alendar, t*e re5ol#tion *ad to o5ert*ro.
t*e instit#tions t*at )l#n" to it:
L: TROTS9C
3rin8i2o
No5ember 1&, 193%
Chapter 1: Peculiarities of Russias
Development
T*e #ndamental and most stable eat#re o R#ssian
*istory is t*e slo. tem2o o *er de5elo2ment, .it* t*e
e)onomi) ba)8.ardness, 2rimiti5eness o so)ial orms and
lo. le5el o )#lt#re res#ltin" rom it:
T*e 2o2#lation o t*is "i"anti) and a#stere 2lain, o2en to
eastern .inds and 0siati) mi"rations, .as )ondemned by
nat#re itsel to a lon" ba)8.ardness: T*e str#""le .it*
nomads lasted almost #2 to t*e end o t*e se5enteent*
)ent#ryJ t*e str#""le .it* .inds, brin"in" .inter )old and
s#mmer dro#"*t, )ontin#es still: 0"ri)#lt#re, t*e basis o
t*e .*ole de5elo2ment, ad5an)ed by extensi5e met*ods:
In t*e nort* t*ey )#t do.n and b#rned #2 t*e orests, in
t*e so#t* t*ey ra5is*ed t*e 5ir"in ste22es: T*e )onG#est
o nat#re .ent .ide and not dee2:
+*ile t*e .estern barbarians settled in t*e r#ins o Roman
)#lt#re, .*ere many an old stone lay ready as b#ildin"
material, t*e Sla5s in t*e East o#nd no in*eritan)e #2on
t*eir desolate 2lain: t*eir 2rede)essors *ad been on e5en
a lo.er le5el o )#lt#re t*an t*ey: T*e .estern E#ro2ean
2eo2les, soon indin" t*eir nat#ral bo#ndaries, )reated
t*ose e)onomi) and )#lt#ral )l#sters, t*e )ommer)ial
)ities: T*e 2o2#lation o t*e eastern 2lain, at t*e irst si"n
o )ro.din", .o#ld "o dee2er into t*e orest or s2read o#t
o5er t*e ste22e: T*e more a""ressi5e and enter2risin"
elements o t*e 2easantry in t*e .est be)ame b#r"*ers,
)ratsmen, mer)*ants: T*e more a)ti5e and bold in t*e
east be)ame, some o t*em, traders, b#t most o t*em
!ossa)8s, rontiersmen, 2ioneers: T*e 2ro)ess o so)ial
dierentiation, intensi5e in t*e .est, .as delayed in t*e
east and dil#ted by t*e 2ro)ess o ex2ansion: AT*e T<ar o
M#s)o5ia, alt*o#"* a !*ristian, r#les a la<y?minded
2eo2le,B .rote Vi)o, a )ontem2orary o 3eter I: T*at Ala<yB
mind o t*e M#s)o5ites .as a rele)tion o t*e slo. tem2o
o e)onomi) de5elo2ment, t*e ormlessness o )lass
relations, t*e mea"erness o inner *istory:
T*e an)ient )i5ilisations o E"y2t, India and !*ina *ad a
)*ara)ter sel?s#i)ient eno#"*, and t*ey *ad time
eno#"* at t*eir dis2osal, to brin" t*eir so)ial relations, in
s2ite o lo. 2rod#)ti5e 2o.ers, almost to t*e same
detailed )om2letion to .*i)* t*eir )ratsmen bro#"*t t*e
2rod#)ts o t*eir )rat: R#ssia stood not only
"eo"ra2*i)ally, b#t also so)ially and *istori)ally, bet.een
E#ro2e and 0sia: S*e .as mar8ed o rom t*e E#ro2ean
+est, b#t also rom t*e 0siati) East, a22roa)*in" at
dierent 2eriods and in dierent eat#res no. one, no.
t*e ot*er: T*e East "a5e *er t*e Tartar yo8e, .*i)*
entered as an im2ortant element into t*e str#)t#re o t*e
R#ssian state: T*e +est .as a still more t*reatenin" oe D
b#t at t*e same time a tea)*er: R#ssia .as #nable to
settle in t*e orms o t*e East be)a#se s*e .as )ontin#ally
*a5in" to ada2t *ersel to military and e)onomi) 2ress#re
rom t*e +est: T*e existen)e o e#dal relations in R#ssia,
denied by ormer *istorians, may be )onsidered
#n)onditionally establis*ed by later in5esti"ations:
>#rt*ermore, t*e #ndamental elements o R#ssian
e#dalism .ere t*e same as in t*e +est: '#t t*e mere a)t
t*at t*e existen)e o t*e e#dal e2o)* *ad to be
establis*ed by means o extended s)ientii) ar"#ments
s#i)iently testiies to t*e in)om2leteness o R#ssian
e#dalism, its ormlessness, its 2o5erty o )#lt#ral
mon#ments:
0 ba)8.ard )o#ntry assimilates t*e material and
intelle)t#al )onG#ests o t*e ad5an)ed )o#ntries: '#t t*is
does not mean t*at it ollo.s t*em sla5is*ly, re2rod#)es
all t*e sta"es o t*eir 2ast: T*e t*eory o t*e re2etition o
*istori) )y)les D Vi)o and *is more re)ent ollo.ers D rests
#2on an obser5ation o t*e orbits o old 2re?)a2italist
)#lt#res, and in 2art #2on t*e irst ex2eriments o
)a2italist de5elo2ment: 0 )ertain re2etition o )#lt#ral
sta"es in e5er ne. settlements .as in a)t bo#nd #2 .it*
t*e 2ro5in)ial and e2isodi) )*ara)ter o t*at .*ole
2ro)ess: !a2italism means, *o.e5er, an o5er)omin" o
t*ose )onditions: It 2re2ares and in a )ertain sense
realises t*e #ni5ersality and 2ermanen)e o man;s
de5elo2ment: 'y t*is a re2etition o t*e orms o
de5elo2ment by dierent nations is r#led o#t: 0lt*o#"*
)om2elled to ollo. ater t*e ad5an)ed )o#ntries, a
ba)8.ard )o#ntry does not ta8e t*in"s in t*e same order:
T*e 2ri5ile"e o *istori) ba)8.ardness D and s#)* a
2ri5ile"e exists D 2ermits, or rat*er )om2els, t*e ado2tion
o .*ate5er is ready in ad5an)e o any s2e)iied date,
s8i22in" a .*ole series o intermediate sta"es: Sa5a"es
t*ro. a.ay t*eir bo.s and arro.s or riles all at on)e,
.it*o#t tra5ellin" t*e road .*i)* lay bet.een t*ose t.o
.ea2ons in t*e 2ast: T*e E#ro2ean )olonists in 0meri)a
did not be"in *istory all o5er a"ain rom t*e be"innin":
T*e a)t t*at -ermany and t*e 6nited States *a5e no.
e)onomi)ally o#tstri22ed En"land .as made 2ossible by
t*e 5ery ba)8.ardness o t*eir )a2italist de5elo2ment: On
t*e ot*er *and, t*e )onser5ati5e anar)*y in t*e 'ritis*
)oal ind#stry D as also in t*e *eads o Ma)4onald and *is
riends D is a 2ayin"?#2 or t*e 2ast .*en En"land 2layed
too lon" t*e rHle o )a2italist 2at*inder: T*e de5elo2ment
o *istori)ally ba)8.ard nations leads ne)essarily to a
2e)#liar )ombination o dierent sta"es in t*e *istori)
2ro)ess: T*eir de5elo2ment as a .*ole a)G#ires a
2lanless, )om2lex, )ombined )*ara)ter:
T*e 2ossibility o s8i22in" o5er intermediate ste2s is o
)o#rse by no means absol#te: Its de"ree is determined in
t*e lon" r#n by t*e e)onomi) and )#lt#ral )a2a)ities o t*e
)o#ntry: T*e ba)8.ard nation, moreo5er, not inreG#ently
debases t*e a)*ie5ements borro.ed rom o#tside in t*e
2ro)ess o ada2tin" t*em to its o.n more 2rimiti5e
)#lt#re: In t*is t*e 5ery 2ro)ess o assimilation a)G#ires a
sel?)ontradi)tory )*ara)ter: T*#s t*e introd#)tion o
)ertain elements o +estern te)*niG#e and trainin", abo5e
all military and ind#strial, #nder 3eter I, led to a
stren"t*enin" o serdom as t*e #ndamental orm o
labo#r or"anisation: E#ro2ean armament and E#ro2ean
loans D bot* ind#bitable 2rod#)ts o a *i"*er )#lt#re D led
to a stren"t*enin" o t<arism, .*i)* delayed in its t#rn t*e
de5elo2ment o t*e )o#ntry:
T*e la.s o *istory *a5e not*in" in )ommon .it* a
2edanti) s)*ematism: 6ne5enness, t*e most "eneral la.
o t*e *istori) 2ro)ess, re5eals itsel most s*ar2ly and
)om2lexly in t*e destiny o t*e ba)8.ard )o#ntries: 6nder
t*e .*i2 o external ne)essity t*eir ba)8.ard )#lt#re is
)om2elled to ma8e lea2s: >rom t*e #ni5ersal la. o
#ne5enness t*#s deri5es anot*er la. .*i)*, or t*e la)8 o
a better name, .e may )all t*e la. o com!ined
develoment D by .*i)* .e mean a dra.in" to"et*er o
t*e dierent sta"es o t*e Eo#rney, a )ombinin" o t*e
se2arate ste2s, an amal"am o ar)*ai) .it* more
)ontem2orary orms: +it*o#t t*is la., to be ta8en o
)o#rse, in its .*ole material )ontent, it is im2ossible to
#nderstand t*e *istory o R#ssia, and indeed o any
)o#ntry o t*e se)ond, t*ird or tent* )#lt#ral )lass:
6nder 2ress#re rom ri)*er E#ro2e t*e R#ssian State
s.allo.ed #2 a ar "reater relati5e 2art o t*e 2eo2le;s
.ealt* t*an in t*e +est, and t*ereby not only )ondemned
t*e 2eo2le to a t.oold 2o5erty, b#t also .ea8ened t*e
o#ndations o t*e 2ossessin" )lasses: 'ein" at t*e same
time in need o s#22ort rom t*e latter, it or)ed and
re"imented t*eir "ro.t*: 0s a res#lt t*e b#rea#)ratised
2ri5ile"ed )lasses ne5er rose to t*eir #ll *ei"*t, and t*e
R#ssian state t*#s still more a22roa)*ed an 0siati)
des2otism: T*e 'y<antine a#to)ratism, oi)ially ado2ted
by t*e M#s)o5ite t<ars at t*e be"innin" o t*e sixteent*
)ent#ry, s#bd#ed t*e e#dal 'oyars .it* t*e *el2 o t*e
nobility, and t*en "ained t*e s#bEe)tion o t*e nobility by
ma8in" t*e 2easantry t*eir sla5es, and #2on t*is
o#ndation )reated t*e St: 3etersb#r" im2erial absol#tism:
T*e ba)8.ardness o t*e .*ole 2ro)ess is s#i)iently
indi)ated in t*e a)t t*at serdom, born at t*e end o t*e
sixteent* )ent#ry, too8 orm in t*e se5enteent*, lo.ered
in t*e ei"*teent*, .as E#ridi)ally ann#lled only in 1$(1:
T*e )ler"y, ollo.in" ater t*e nobility, 2layed no small
rHle in t*e ormation o t*e t<arist a#to)ra)y, b#t
ne5ert*eless a ser5ile rHle: T*e )*#r)* ne5er rose in
R#ssia to t*at )ommandin" *ei"*t .*i)* it attained in t*e
!at*oli) +estJ it .as satisied .it* t*e rHle o s2irit#al
ser5ant o t*e a#to)ra)y, and )o#nted t*is a re)om2ense
or its *#mility: T*e bis*o2s and metro2olitans enEoyed
a#t*ority merely as de2#ties o t*e tem2oral 2o.er: T*e
2atriar)*s .ere )*an"ed alon" .it* t*e t<ars: In t*e
3etersb#r" 2eriod t*e de2enden)e o t*e )*#r)* #2on t*e
state be)ame still more ser5ile: T.o *#ndred t*o#sand
2riests and mon8s .ere in all essentials a 2art o t*e
b#rea#)ra)y, a sort o 2oli)e o t*e "os2el: In ret#rn or
t*is t*e mono2oly o t*e ort*odox )ler"y in matters o
ait*, land and in)ome .as deended by a more re"#lar
8ind o 2oli)e:
Sla5o2*ilism, t*e messianism o ba)8.ardness, *as based
its 2*iloso2*y #2on t*e ass#m2tion t*at t*e R#ssian
2eo2le and t*eir )*#r)* are demo)rati) t*ro#"* and
t*ro#"*, .*ereas oi)ial R#ssia is a -erman b#rea#)ra)y
im2osed #2on t*em by 3eter t*e -reat: Mar8 remar8ed
#2on t*is t*eme: AIn t*e same .ay t*e Te#toni) Ea)8asses
blamed t*e des2otism o >rederi)8 t*e Se)ond #2on t*e
>ren)*, as t*o#"* ba)8.ard sla5es .ere not al.ays in
need o )i5ilised sla5es to train t*em:B T*is brie )omment
)om2letely inis*es o not only t*e old 2*iloso2*y o t*e
Sla5o2*iles, b#t also t*e latest re5elations o t*e ARa)ists:B
T*e mea"erness not only o R#ssian e#dalism, b#t o all
t*e old R#ssian *istory, inds its most de2ressin"
ex2ression in t*e absen)e o real mediae5al )ities as
)entres o )ommer)e and )rat: Iandi)rat did not s#))eed
in R#ssia in se2aratin" itsel rom a"ri)#lt#re, b#t
2reser5ed its )*ara)ter o *ome ind#stry: T*e old R#ssian
)ities .ere )ommer)ial, administrati5e, military and
manorial D )entres o )ons#m2tion, )onseG#ently, not o
2rod#)tion:: E5en, No5"orod, similar to Iansa and not
s#bd#ed by t*e Tartars, .as only a )ommer)ial, and not an
ind#strial )ity: Tr#e, t*e distrib#tion o t*e 2easant
ind#stries o5er 5ario#s distri)ts )reated a demand or
trade mediation on a lar"e s)ale: '#t nomad traders )o#ld
not 2ossibly o))#2y t*at 2la)e in so)ial lie .*i)* belon"ed
in t*e +est to t*e )rat?"#ild and mer)*ant?ind#strial 2etty
and middle bo#r"eoisie, inse2arably bo#nd #2 .it* its
2easant en5ironment: T*e )*ie roads o R#ssian trade,
moreo5er, led a)ross t*e border, t*#s rom time
immemorial "i5in" t*e leaders*i2 to orei"n )ommer)ial
)a2ital, and im2artin" a semi?)olonial )*ara)ter to t*e
.*ole 2ro)ess, in .*i)* t*e R#ssian trader .as a mediator
bet.een t*e +estern )ities and t*e R#ssian 5illa"es: T*is
8ind o e)onomi) relation de5elo2ed #rt*er d#rin" t*e
e2o)* o R#ssian )a2italism and o#nd its extreme
ex2ression in t*e im2erialist .ar:
T*e insi"nii)an)e o t*e R#ssian )ities, .*i)* more t*an
anyt*in" else 2romoted t*e de5elo2ment o an 0siati)
state, also made im2ossible a Reormation D t*at is, a
re2la)ement o t*e e#dal?b#rea#)rati) ort*odoxy by some
sort o modernised 8ind o !*ristianity ada2ted to t*e
demands o a bo#r"eois so)iety: T*e str#""le a"ainst t*e
state )*#r)* did not "o art*er t*an t*e )reation o
2easant se)ts, t*e a)tion o t*e Old 'elie5ers bein" t*e
most 2o.er#l amon" t*em:
>iteen years beore t*e "reat >ren)* re5ol#tion t*ere
de5elo2ed in R#ssia a mo5ement o t*e !ossa)8s,
2easants and .or8er?sers o t*e 6rals, 8no.n as t*e
3#"a)*e5 Rebellion: +*at .as la)8in" to t*is mena)in"
2o2#lar #2risin" in order to )on5ert it into a re5ol#tion@ 0
T*ird Estate: +it*o#t t*e ind#strial demo)ra)y o t*e )ities
a 2easant .ar )o#ld not de5elo2 into a re5ol#tion, E#st as
t*e 2easant se)ts )o#ld not rise to t*e *ei"*t o a
Reormation: T*e res#lt o t*e 3#"a)*e5 Rebellion .as E#st
t*e o22osite D a stren"t*enin" o b#rea#)rati) absol#tism
as t*e "#ardian o t*e interests o t*e nobility, a "#ardian
.*i)* *ad a"ain E#stiied itsel in t*e *o#r o dan"er:
T*e E#ro2eani<ation o t*e )o#ntry, ormally be"#n in t*e
time o 3eter, be)ame d#rin" t*e ollo.in" )ent#ry more
and more a demand o t*e r#lin" )lass itsel, t*e nobility:
In 1$2= t*e aristo)rati) intelli"entsia, "eneralisin" t*is
demand 2oliti)ally, .ent to t*e 2oint o a military
)ons2ira)y to limit t*e 2o.ers o t*e a#to)ra)y: T*#s,
#nder 2ress#re rom t*e E#ro2ean bo#r"eois de5elo2ment,
t*e 2ro"ressi5e nobility attem2ted to ta8e t*e 2la)e o t*e
la)8in" T*ird Estate: '#t ne5ert*eless t*ey .is*ed to
)ombine t*eir liberal rF"ime .it* t*e se)#rity o t*eir o.n
)aste domination, and t*ereore eared most o all to
aro#se t*e 2easantry: It s t*#s not s#r2risin" t*at t*e
)ons2ira)y remained a mere attem2t on t*e 2art o a
brilliant b#t isolated oi)er )aste .*i)* "a5e #2 t*e
s2on"e almost .it*o#t a str#""le: S#)* .as t*e
si"nii)an)e o t*e 4e8abrist #2risin":
T*e landlords .*o o.ned a)tories .ere t*e irst amon"
t*eir )aste to a5o#r re2la)in" serdom by .a"e labo#r:
T*e "ro.in" ex2ort o R#ssian "rain "a5e an im2#lse in
t*e same dire)tion: In 1$(1 t*e noble b#rea#)ra)y, relyin"
#2on t*e liberal landlords, )arried o#t its 2easant reorm:
T*e im2otent bo#r"eois liberalism d#rin" t*is o2eration
2layed t*e rHle o *#mble )*or#s: It is needless to remar8
t*at t<arism sol5ed t*e #ndamental 2roblem o R#ssia,
t*e a"rarian 2roblem, in a more ni""ardly and t*ie5in"
as*ion t*an t*at in .*i)* t*e 3r#ssian monar)*y d#rin"
t*e next de)ade .as to sol5e t*e #ndamental 2roblem o
-ermany, its national )onsolidation: T*e sol#tion o t*e
2roblems o one )lass by anot*er is one o t*ose )ombined
met*ods nat#ral to ba)8.ard )o#ntries:
T*e la. o )ombined de5elo2ment re5eals itsel most
ind#bitably, *o.e5er, in t*e *istory and )*ara)ter o
R#ssian ind#stry: 0risin" late, R#ssian ind#stry did not
re2eat t*e de5elo2ment o t*e ad5an)ed )o#ntries, b#t
inserted itsel into t*is de5elo2ment, ada2tin" t*eir latest
a)*ie5ements to its o.n ba)8.ardness: ,#st as t*e
e)onomi) e5ol#tion o R#ssia as a .*ole s8i22ed o5er t*e
e2o)* o )rat?"#ilds and man#a)t#re, so also t*e
se2arate bran)*es o ind#stry made a series o s2e)ial
lea2s o5er te)*ni)al 2rod#)ti5e sta"es t*at *ad been
meas#red in t*e +est by de)ades: T*an8s to t*is, R#ssian
ind#stry de5elo2ed at )ertain 2eriods .it* extraordinary
s2eed: 'et.een t*e irst re5ol#tion and t*e .ar, ind#strial
2rod#)tion in R#ssia a22roximately do#bled: t*is *as
seemed to )ertain R#ssian *istorians a s#i)ient basis or
)on)l#din" t*at A.e m#st abandon t*e le"end o
ba)8.ardness and slo. "ro.t*:B K1L In reality t*e
2ossibility o t*is s.it "ro.t* .as determined by t*at 5ery
ba)8.ardness .*i)*, alas, )ontin#ed not only #2 to t*e
moment o liG#idation o t*e old R#ssia, b#t as *er le"a)y
#2 to t*e 2resent day:
T*e basi) )riterion o t*e e)onomi) le5el o a nation is t*e
2rod#)ti5ity o labo#r, .*i)* in its t#rn de2ends #2on t*e
relati5e .ei"*t o t*e ind#stries in t*e "eneral e)onomy o
t*e )o#ntry: On t*e e5e o t*e .ar, .*en t<arist R#ssia *ad
attained t*e *i"*est 2oint o its 2ros2erity, t*e national
in)ome 2er )a2ita .as $ to 1% times less t*an in t*e
6nited States D a a)t .*i)* is not s#r2risin" .*en yo#
)onsider t*at &M= o t*e sel?s#22ortin" 2o2#lation o
R#ssia .as o))#2ied .it* a"ri)#lt#re, .*ile in t*e 6nited
States, or e5ery one en"a"ed in a"ri)#lt#re, 2N .ere
en"a"ed in ind#stry: +e m#st add t*at or e5ery one
*#ndred sG#are 8ilometres o land, R#ssia *ad, on t*e e5e
o t*e .ar, %:& 8ilometres o railroads, -ermany 11:7,
0#stria?I#n"ary 7: Ot*er )om2arati5e )oei)ients are o
t*e same ty2e:
'#t it is E#st in t*e s2*ere o e)onomy, as .e *a5e said,
t*at t*e la. o )ombined de5elo2ment most or)ibly
emer"es: 0t t*e same time t*at 2easant land?)#lti5ation
as a .*ole remained, ri"*t #2 to t*e re5ol#tion, at t*e
le5el o t*e se5enteent* )ent#ry, R#ssian ind#stry in its
te)*niG#e and )a2italist str#)t#re stood at t*e le5el o t*e
ad5an)ed )o#ntries, and in )ertain res2e)ts e5en
o#tstri22ed t*em: Small enter2rises, in5ol5in" less t*an
1%% .or8ers, em2loyed in t*e 6nited States, in 191&, 3=
2er )ent o t*e total o ind#strial .or8ers, b#t in R#ssia
17:$ 2er )ent: T*e t.o )o#ntries *ad an a22roximately
identi)al relati5e G#antity o enter2rises in5ol5in" 1%% to
1%%% .or8ers: '#t t*e "iant enter2rises, abo5e 1%%%
.or8ers ea)*, em2loyed in t*e 6nited States 17:$ 2er )ent
o t*e .or8ers and in R#ssia &1:& 2er )entO >or t*e most
im2ortant ind#strial distri)ts t*e latter 2er)enta"e is still
*i"*er: or t*e 3etro"rad distri)t &&:& 2er )ent, or t*e
Mos)o. distri)t e5en =7:3 2er )ent: +e "et a li8e res#lt i
.e )om2ared R#ssian .it* 'ritis* or -erman ind#stry: T*is
a)t D irst establis*ed by t*e a#t*or in 19%$ D *ardly
a))ords .it* t*e banal idea o t*e e)onomi) ba)8.ardness
o R#ssia: Io.e5er, it does not dis2ro5e t*is
ba)8.ardness, b#t diale)ti)ally )om2letes it:
T*e )onl#en)e o ind#strial .it* ban8 )a2ital .as also
a))om2lis*ed in R#ssia .it* a )om2leteness yo# mi"*t not
ind in any ot*er )o#ntry: '#t t*e s#bEe)tion o t*e
ind#stries to t*e ban8s meant, or t*e same reasons, t*eir
s#bEe)tion to t*e .estern E#ro2ean money mar8et: Iea5y
ind#stry /metal, )oal, oil1 .as almost .*olly #nder t*e
)ontrol o orei"n inan)e )a2ital, .*i)* *ad )reated or
itsel an a#xiliary and intermediate system o ban8s in
R#ssia: Li"*t ind#stry .as ollo.in" t*e same road:
>orei"ners o.ned in "eneral abo#t &% 2er )ent o all t*e
sto)8 )a2ital o R#ssia, b#t in t*e leadin" bran)*es o
ind#stry t*at 2er)enta"e .as still *i"*er: +e )an say
.it*o#t exa""eration t*at t*e )ontrollin" s*ares o sto)8 in
t*e R#ssian ban8s, 2lants and a)tories .ere to be o#nd
abroad, t*e amo#nt *eld in En"land, >ran)e and 'el"i#m
bein" almost do#ble t*at in -ermany:
T*e so)ial )*ara)ter o t*e R#ssian bo#r"eoisie and its
2oliti)al 2*ysio"nomy .ere determined by t*e )ondition o
ori"in and t*e str#)t#re o R#ssian ind#stry: T*e extreme
)on)entration o t*is ind#stry alone meant t*at bet.een
t*e )a2italist leaders and t*e 2o2#lar masses t*ere .as no
*ierar)*y o transitional layers: To t*is .e m#st add t*at
t*e 2ro2rietors o t*e 2rin)i2al ind#strial, ban8in", and
trans2ort enter2rises .ere orei"ners, .*o realised on
t*eir in5estment not only t*e 2roits dra.n rom R#ssia,
b#t only a 2oliti)al inl#en)e in orei"n 2arliaments, and so
not only did not or.ard t*e str#""le or R#ssian
2arliamentarism, b#t oten o22osed it: it is s#i)ient to
re)all t*e s*ame#l rHle 2layed by oi)ial >ran)e: s#)* are
t*e elementary and irremo5able )a#ses o t*e 2oliti)al
isolation and anti?2o2#lar )*ara)ter o t*e R#ssian
bo#r"eoisie: +*ereas in t*e da.n o its *istory it .as too
#nri2e to a))om2lis* a ReormationJ .*en t*e time )ame
or leadin" a re5ol#tion it .as o5erri2e:
In )orres2onden)e .it* t*is "eneral )o#rse o
de5elo2ment o t*e )o#ntry, t*e reser5oir rom .*i)* t*e
R#ssian .or8in" )lass ormed itsel .as not t*e )rat?"#ild,
b#t a"ri)#lt#re, not t*e )ity, b#t t*e )o#ntry: Moreo5er, in
R#ssia t*e 2roletariat did not arise "rad#ally t*ro#"* t*e
a"es, )arryin" .it* itsel t*e b#rden o t*e 2ast as in
En"land, b#t in lea2s in5ol5in" s*ar2 )*an"es o
en5ironment, ties, relations, and a s*ar2 brea8 .it* t*e
2ast: It is E#st t*is a)t D )ombined .it* t*e )on)entrated
o22ressions o t<arism D t*at made t*e R#ssian .or8ers
*os2itable to t*e boldest )on)l#sions o re5ol#tionary
t*o#"*t D E#st as t*e ba)8.ard ind#stries .ere *os2itable
to t*e last .ord in )a2italist or"anisation:
T*e R#ssian 2roletariat .as ore5er re2eatin" t*e s*ort
*istory o its ori"in: +*ile in t*e metal ind#stry, es2e)ially
in 3etro"rad, a layer o *ereditary 2roletarians .as
)rystallised o#t, *a5in" made a )om2lete brea8 .it* t*e
)o#ntry, in t*e 6rals t*e 2re5ailin" ty2e .as *al?
2roletarian, *al?2easant: 0 yearly inlo. o res* labo#r
or)es rom t*e )o#ntry in all t*e ind#strial distri)ts 8e2t
rene.in" t*e bonds o t*e 2roletariat .it* its #ndamental
so)ial reser5oir:
T*e in)a2a)ity o t*e bo#r"eoisie or 2oliti)al a)tion .as
immediately )a#sed by its relation to t*e 2roletariat and
t*e 2easantry: It )o#ld not lead ater it .or8ers .*o stood
*ostile in t*eir e5eryday lie, and *ad so early learned to
"eneralise t*eir 2roblems: '#t it .as li8e.ise in)a2able o
leadin" ater it t*e 2easantry, be)a#se it .as entan"led in
a .eb o interests .it* t*e landlords, and dreaded a
s*a8e?#2 o 2ro2erty relations in any orm: T*e
belatedness o t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion .as t*#s not only a
matter o )*ronolo"y, b#t also o t*e so)ial str#)t#re o t*e
nation:
En"land a)*ie5ed *er 3#ritan re5ol#tion .*en *er .*ole
2o2#lation .as not more t*an =N millions, o .*om *al a
million .ere to be o#nd in London: >ran)e, in t*e e2o)* o
*er re5ol#tion, *ad in 3aris also only *al a million o#t o a
2o2#lation o 2= million, R#ssia at t*e be"innin" o t*e
t.entiet* )ent#ry *ad a 2o2#lation o abo#t 1=% million, o
.*om more t*an 3 million .ere in 3etro"rad and Mos)o.:
'e*ind t*ese )om2arati5e i"#res l#r8 enormo#s so)ial
dieren)es: Not only En"land o t*e se5enteent* )ent#ry,
b#t also >ran)e o t*e ei"*teent* *ad no 2roletariat in t*e
modern sense: In R#ssia, *o.e5er, t*e .or8in" )lass in all
bran)*es o labo#r, bot* )ity and 5illa"e, n#mbered in
19%= no less t*an 1% million, .*i)* .it* t*eir amilies
amo#nts to more t*an 2= million D t*at is to say, more
t*an t*e .*ole 2o2#lation o >ran)e in t*e e2o)* o t*e
"reat re5ol#tion: 0d5an)in" rom t*e st#rdy artisans and
inde2endent 2easants o t*e army o !rom.ell D t*ro#"*
t*e sansculottes o 3aris D to t*e ind#strial 2roletarians o
St: 3etersb#r", t*e re5ol#tion *ad dee2ly )*an"ed its
so)ial me)*anism, its met*ods, and t*ere.it* its aims:
T*e e5ents o 19%= .ere a 2rolo"#e to t*e t.o re5ol#tions
o 1917, t*at o >ebr#ary and t*at o O)tober: In t*e
2rolo"#e all t*e elements o t*e drama .ere in)l#ded, b#t
not )arried t*ro#"*: T*e R#sso?,a2anese .ar *ad made
t<arism totter: 0"ainst t*e ba)8"ro#nd o a mass
mo5ement t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie *ad ri"*tened t*e
monar)*y .it* its o22osition: T*e .or8ers *ad or"anised
inde2endently o t*e bo#r"eoisie, and in o22osition to it, in
so5iets, a orm o or"anisation t*en irst )alled into bein":
3easant #2risin"s to sei<e t*e land o))#rred t*ro#"*o#t
5ast stret)*es o t*e )o#ntry: Not only t*e 2easants, b#t
also t*e re5ol#tionary 2arts o t*e army tended to.ard t*e
so5iets, .*i)* at t*e moment o *i"*est tension o2enly
dis2#ted t*e 2o.er .it* t*e monar)*y: Io.e5er, all t*e
re5ol#tionary or)es .ere t*en "oin" into a)tion or t*e
irst time, la)8in" ex2erien)e and )oniden)e: T*e liberals
demonstrati5ely ba)8ed a.ay rom t*e re5ol#tion exa)tly
at t*e moment .*en it be)ame )lear t*at to s*a8e t<arism
.o#ld not be eno#"*, it m#st be o5ert*ro.n: T*is s*ar2
brea8 o t*e bo#r"eoisie .it* t*e 2eo2le, in .*i)* t*e
bo#r"eoisie )arried .it* it )onsiderable )ir)les o t*e
demo)rati) intelli"entsia, made it easier or t*e monar)*y
to dierentiate .it*in t*e army, se2aratin" o#t t*e loyal
#nits, and to ma8e a bloody settlement .it* t*e .or8ers
and 2easants: 0lt*o#"* .it* a e. bro8en ribs, t<arism
)ame o#t o t*e ex2erien)e o 19%= ali5e and stron"
eno#"*:
+*at )*an"es in t*e )orrelation o or)es .ere introd#)ed
by t*e ele5en years; *istori)al de5elo2ment di5idin" t*e
2rolo"#e rom t*e drama@ T<arism d#rin" t*is 2eriod )ame
into still s*ar2er )onli)t .it* t*e demands o *istori)
de5elo2ment: T*e bo#r"eoisie be)ame e)onomi)ally more
2o.er#l, b#t as .e *a5e seen its 2o.er rested on a *i"*er
)on)entration o ind#stry and an in)reased 2redominan)e
o orei"n )a2ital: Im2ressed by t*e lessons o 19%=, t*e
bo#r"eoisie *ad be)ome more )onser5ati5e and
s#s2i)io#s: T*e relati5e .ei"*t o t*e 2etty and middle
bo#r"eoisie, insi"nii)ant beore, *ad allen still lo.er: T*e
demo)rati) intelli"entsia "enerally s2ea8in" *ad no irm
so)ial s#22ort .*ate5er: It )o#ld *a5e a transitional
2oliti)al inl#en)e, b#t )o#ld 2lay no inde2endent rHle: its
de2enden)e #2on bo#r"eois liberalism *ad "ro.n
enormo#sly: In t*ese )ir)#mstan)es only t*e yo#t*#l
2roletariat )o#ld "i5e t*e 2easantry a 2ro"ramme, a
banner and leaders*i2: T*e "i"anti) tas8s t*#s 2resented
to t*e 2roletariat "a5e rise to a #r"ent ne)essity or a
s2e)ial re5ol#tionary or"anisation )a2able o G#i)8ly
"ettin" *old o t*e 2o2#lar masses and ma8in" t*em
ready or re5ol#tionary a)tion #nder t*e leaders*i2 o t*e
.or8ers: T*#s t*e so5iets o 19%= de5elo2ed "i"anti)ally
in 1917: T*at t*e so5iets, .e may remar8 *ere, are not a
mere )*ild o t*e *istori)al ba)8.ardness o R#ssia, b#t a
2rod#)t o *er )ombined de5elo2ment, is indi)ated by t*e
a)t t*at t*e 2roletariat o t*e most ind#strial )o#ntry,
-ermany, at t*e time o its re5ol#tionary *i"* 2oint D 191$
to 1919 D )o#ld ind no ot*er orm o or"anisation:
T*e re5ol#tion o 1917 still *ad as its immediate tas8 t*e
o5ert*ro. o t*e b#rea#)rati) monar)*y, b#t in distin)tion
rom t*e older bo#r"eois re5ol#tions, t*e de)isi5e or)e
no. .as a ne. )lass ormed on t*e basis o a
)on)entrated ind#stry, and armed .it* ne. or"anisations,
ne. met*ods o str#""le: T*e la. o )ombined
de5elo2ment *ere emer"es in its extreme ex2ression:
startin" .it* t*e o5ert*ro. o a de)ayed mediae5al
str#)t#re, t*e re5ol#tion in t*e )o#rse o a e. mont*s
2la)ed t*e 2roletariat and t*e !omm#nist 3arty in 2o.er:
In its initial tas8 t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion .as t*#s a
demo)rati) re5ol#tion: '#t it 2osed t*e 2roblem o 2oliti)al
demo)ra)y in a ne. .ay: +*ile t*e .or8ers .ere )o5erin"
t*e .*ole )o#ntry .it* so5iets, in)l#din" in t*em t*e
soldiers and 2art o t*e 2easantry, t*e bo#r"eoisie still
)ontin#ed to di)8er D s*all .e s#mmon or not s#mmon a
!onstit#ent 0ssembly@ In t*e )o#rse o o#r ex2osition t*is
G#estion .ill rise beore #s in #ll )om2leteness: Iere .e
.is* only to mar8 t*e 2la)e o t*e so5iets in t*e *istori)
s#))ession o re5ol#tionary ideas and orms:
In t*e middle o t*e se5enteent* )ent#ry t*e bo#r"eois
re5ol#tion in En"land de5elo2ed #nder t*e "#ise o a
reli"io#s reormation: 0 str#""le or t*e ri"*t to 2ray
a))ordin" to one;s o.n 2rayer boo8 .as identiied .it* t*e
str#""le a"ainst t*e 8in", t*e aristo)ra)y, t*e 2rin)es o
t*e )*#r)*, and Rome: T*e 3resbyterians and 3#ritans
.ere dee2ly )on5in)ed t*at t*ey .ere 2la)in" t*eir eart*ly
interests #nder t*e #ns*a8eable 2rote)tion o t*e di5ine
3ro5iden)e: T*e "oals or .*i)* t*e ne. )lasses .ere
str#""lin" )ommin"led inse2arably in t*eir )ons)io#sness
.it* texts rom t*e 'ible and t*e orms o )*#r)*ly rit#al:
Emi"rants )arried .it* t*em a)ross t*e o)ean t*is
tradition sealed .it* blood: Ien)e t*e extraordinary 5irility
o t*e 0n"lo?Saxon inter2retation o !*ristianity: +e see
e5en today *o. t*e minister Aso)ialistsB o -reat 'ritain
ba)8 #2 t*eir )o.ardi)e .it* t*ese same ma"i) texts .it*
.*i)* t*e 2eo2le o t*e se5enteent* )ent#ry so#"*t to
E#stiy t*eir )o#ra"e:
In >ran)e, .*i)* ste22ed a)ross t*e Reormation, t*e
!at*oli) !*#r)* s#r5i5ed as a state instit#tion #ntil t*e
re5ol#tion, .*i)* o#nd its ex2ression and E#stii)ation or
t*e tas8s o t*e bo#r"eois so)iety, not in texts rom t*e
'ible, b#t in t*e abstra)tions o demo)ra)y: +*ate5er t*e
*atred o t*e 2resent r#lers o >ran)e or ,a)obinism, t*e
a)t is t*at only t*an8s to t*e a#stere labo#r o
Robes2ierre are t*ey still able to )o5er t*eir )onser5ati5e
r#lers*i2 .it* t*ose orm#las .it* t*e *el2 o .*i)* t*e
old so)iety .as ex2loded:
Ea)* o t*e "reat re5ol#tions mar8ed o a ne. sta"e o
t*e bo#r"eois so)iety, and ne. orms o )ons)io#sness or
its )lasses: ,#st as >ran)e ste22ed o5er t*e Reormation,
so R#ssia ste22ed o5er t*e ormal demo)ra)y: T*e R#ssian
re5ol#tionary 2arty, .*i)* .as to 2la)e its stam2 #2on a
.*ole e2o)*, so#"*t an ex2ression or t*e tas8s o t*e
re5ol#tion neit*er in t*e 'ible nor in t*at se)#larised
!*ristianity )alled A2#reB demo)ra)y, b#t in t*e material
relations o t*e so)ial )lasses: T*e so5iet system "a5e to
t*ose relations t*eir sim2lest, most #ndis"#ised and
trans2arent ex2ression: T*e r#le o t*e toilers *as or t*e
irst time been realised in t*e so5iet system, .*i)*,
.*ate5er its immediate *istori) 5i)issit#des, *as
2enetrated as irre5o)ably into t*e )ons)io#sness o t*e
masses as did in its day t*e system o t*e Reormation or
o 2#re demo)ra)y:
Note
1: T*e assertion is made by 3roessor M:N: 3o8ro5s8y: See
022endix I:
Chapter 2: Tzarist Russia in the War
R#ssia;s 2arti)i2ation in t*e .ar .as sel?)ontradi)tory
bot* in moti5es and in aims: T*at bloody str#""le .as
.a"ed essentially or .orld domination: In t*is sense it
.as beyond R#ssia;s s)o2e: T*e .ar aims o R#ssia *ersel
/t*e T#r8is* Straits, -ali)ia, 0rmenia1 .ere 2ro5in)ial in
)*ara)ter, and to be de)ided only in)identally a))ordin" to
t*e de"ree in .*i)* t*ey ans.ered t*e interests o t*e
2rin)i2al )ontestants:
0t t*e same time R#ssia, as one o t*e "reat 2o.ers, )o#ld
not *el2 2arti)i2atin" in t*e s)ramble o t*e ad5an)ed
)a2italist )o#ntries, E#st as in t*e 2re)edin" e2o)* s*e
)o#ld not *el2 introd#)in" s*o2s, a)tories, railroads,
ra2id?ire "#ns and air2lanes: T*e not inreG#ent dis2#tes
amon" R#ssian *istorians o t*e ne.est s)*ool as to *o.
ar R#ssia .as ri2e or 2resent?day im2erialist 2oli)ies
oten all into mere s)*olasti)ism, be)a#se t*ey loo8 #2on
R#ssia in t*e international arena as isolated, as an
inde2endent a)tor, .*ereas s*e .as b#t one lin8 in a
system:
India 2arti)i2ated in t*e .ar bot* essentially and ormally
as a )olony o En"land: T*e 2arti)i2ation o !*ina, t*o#"*
in a ormal sense A5ol#ntary,B .as in reality t*e
intereren)e o a sla5e in t*e i"*t o *is masters: T*e
2arti)i2ation o R#ssia alls some.*ere *al.ay bet.een
t*e 2arti)i2ation o >ran)e and t*at o !*ina: R#ssia 2aid in
t*is .ay or *er ri"*t to be an ally o ad5an)ed )o#ntries,
to im2ort )a2ital and 2ay interest on it D t*at is,
essentially, or *er ri"*t to be a 2ri5ile"ed )olony o *er
allies D b#t at t*e same time or *er ri"*t to o22ress and
rob T#r8ey, 3ersia, -ali)ia, and in "eneral t*e )o#ntries
.ea8er and more ba)8.ard t*an *ersel: T*e t.oold
im2erialism o t*e R#ssian bo#r"eoisie *ad basi)ally t*e
)*ara)ter o an a"en)y or ot*er mi"*tier .orld 2o.ers:
T*e !*inese )om2radors are t*e )lassi) ty2e o t*e
national bo#r"eoisie, a 8ind o mediatin" a"en)y bet.een
orei"n inan)e )a2ital and t*e e)onomy o t*eir o.n
)o#ntry: In t*e .orld *ierar)*y o t*e 2o.ers, R#ssia
o))#2ied beore t*e .ar a )onsiderably *i"*er 2osition
t*an !*ina: +*at 2osition s*e .o#ld *a5e o))#2ied ater
t*e .ar, i t*ere *ad been no re5ol#tion, is a dierent
G#estion: '#t t*e R#ssian a#to)ra)y on t*e one *and, t*e
R#ssian bo#r"eoisie on t*e ot*er, )ontained eat#res o
)om2radorism, e5er more and more )learly ex2ressed:
T*ey li5ed and no#ris*ed t*emsel5es #2on t*eir
)onne)tions .it* orei"n im2erialism, ser5ed it, and
.it*o#t t*eir s#22ort )o#ld not *a5e s#r5i5ed: To be s#re,
t*ey did not s#r5i5e in t*e lon" r#n e5en .it* its s#22ort:
T*e semi?)om2rador R#ssian bo#r"eoisie *ad .orld?
im2erialisti) interests in t*e same sense in .*i)* an a"ent
.or8in" on 2er)enta"es li5es by t*e interests o *is
em2loyer:
T*e instr#ment o .ar is t*e army: Inasm#)* as e5ery
army is )onsidered #n)onG#erable in t*e national
myt*olo"y, t*e r#lin" )lasses o R#ssia sa. no reason or
ma8in" an ex)e2tion o t*e army o t*e t<ar: In reality,
*o.e5er, t*is army .as a serio#s or)e only a"ainst semi?
barbari) 2eo2les, small nei"*bo#rs and disinte"ratin"
statesJ on t*e E#ro2ean arena it )o#ld a)t only as 2art o a
)oalitionJ in t*e matter o deen)e it )o#ld #lil its tas8
only be t*e *el2 o t*e 5astness o s2a)es, t*e s2arsity o
2o2#lation, and t*e im2assability o t*e roads: T*e
5irt#oso o t*is army o sers *ad been S#5oro5: T*e
>ren)* re5ol#tion in brea8in" o2en t*e doors o t*e ne.
so)iety and t*e ne. military art, *ad 2rono#n)ed a deat*?
senten)e on t*e S#5oro5 ty2e o army: T*e semi?
ann#lment o serdom and t*e introd#)tion o #ni5ersal
military ser5i)e *ad modernised t*e army only as ar as it
*ad t*e )o#ntry D t*at is, it introd#)ed into t*e army all
t*e )ontradi)tions 2ro2er to a nation .*i)* still *as its
bo#r"eois re5ol#tion to a))om2lis*: It is tr#e t*at t*e
t<ar;s army .as )onstr#)ted and armed #2on +estern
modelsJ b#t t*is .as more orm t*an essen)e: T*ere .as
no )orres2onden)e bet.een t*e )#lt#ral le5el o t*e
2easant?soldier and modern military te)*niG#e: In t*e
)ommandin" sta, t*e i"noran)e, li"*t?mindedness and
t*ie5ery o t*e r#lin" )lasses o#nd t*eir ex2ression:
Ind#stry and trans2ort )ontin#ally re5ealed t*eir
ban8r#2t)y beore t*e )on)entrated demands o .artime:
0lt*o#"* a22ro2riately armed, as it seemed, on t*e irst
day o t*e .ar, t*e troo2s soon t#rned o#t to *a5e neit*er
.ea2ons nor e5en s*oes: in t*e R#sso?,a2anese .ar t*e
t<arist army *ad s*o.n .*at it .as .ort*: In t*e e2o)* o
)o#nter?re5ol#tion t*e monar)*y, .it* t*e aid o t*e
4#ma, *ad illed #2 t*e military stores and 2#t many ne.
2at)*es on t*e army, es2e)ially #2on its re2#tation or
in5in)ibility: In 191& )ame a ne. and ar *ea5ier test:
In t*e matter o military s#22lies and inan)es, R#ssia at
.ar s#ddenly inds *ersel in sla5is* de2enden)e #2on *er
allies: T*is is merely a military ex2ression o *er "eneral
de2enden)e #2on ad5an)ed )a2italist )o#ntries: b#t *el2
rom t*e 0llies does not sa5e t*e sit#ation: T*e la)8 o
m#nitions, t*e small n#mber o a)tories or t*eir
2rod#)tion, t*e s2arseness o railroad lines or t*eir
trans2ortation, soon translated t*e ba)8.ardness o
R#ssia into t*e amiliar lan"#a"e o deeat D .*i)* ser5ed
to remind t*e R#ssian national liberals t*at t*eir an)estors
*ad not a))om2lis*ed t*e bo#r"eois re5ol#tion and t*at
t*e des)endants, t*ereore, o.ed a debt to *istory:
T*e irst days o .ar .ere t*e irst days o dis"ra)e: 0ter a
series o 2artial )atastro2*es, in t*e s2rin" o 191= )ame
t*e "eneral retreat: T*e "enerals too8 o#t t*eir o.n
)riminal in)a2a)ity on t*e 2ea)e#l 2o2#lation: Enormo#s
tra)ts o land .ere 5iolently laid .aste: !lo#ds o *#man
lo)#sts .ere dri5en to t*e rear .it* .*i2s: T*e external
ro#t .as )om2leted .it* an internal one:
In ans.er to alarmed G#estions rom *is )ollea"#es as to
t*e sit#ation at t*e ront, t*e +ar Minister 3oli5ano5
ans.ered in t*ese .ords: AI 2la)e my tr#st in t*e
im2enetrable s2a)es, im2assable m#d, and t*e mer)y o
Saint Ni)*olas Mirli8is8y, 3rote)tor o Ioly R#ssiaB /Session
o 0#"#st &, 191=1: 0 .ee8 later -eneral R#s<8y )onessed
to t*e same ministers: AT*e 2resent?day demands o
military te)*niG#e are beyond #s: 0t any rate .e )an;t
8ee2 #2 .it* t*e -ermans:B T*at .as not t*e mood o a
moment: Oi)er Stan8e5i)* re2orts t*e .ords o an
en"ineer o t*e )or2s: AIt is *o2eless to i"*t .it* t*e
-ermans, or .e are in no )ondition to do anyt*in"J e5en
t*e ne. met*ods o i"*tin" be)ome t*e )a#ses o o#r
ail#re:B T*ere is a )lo#d o s#)* testimony: T*e one t*in"
t*e R#ssian "enerals did .it* a lo#ris* .as to dra" *#man
meat o#t o t*e )o#ntry: 'ee and 2or8 are *andled .it*
in)om2arably more e)onomy: -rey sta non?entities, li8e
Can#s*8e5i)* #nder Ni8olai Ni8olaie5i)*, and 0lexeie5
#nder t*e t<ar, .o#ld sto2 #2 all )ra)8s .it* ne.
mobilisations, and )omort t*emsel5es and t*e 0llies .it*
)ol#mns o i"#res .*en )ol#mns o i"*ters .ere .anted:
0bo#t iteen million men .ere mobilised, and t*ey
brimmed t*e de2ots, barra)8s, 2oints o transit, )ro.ded,
stam2ed, ste22ed on ea)* ot*er;s eet, "ettin" *ars* and
)#rsin": I t*ese *#man masses .ere an ima"inary
ma"nit#de or t*e ront, or t*e rear t*ey .ere a 5ery real
a)tor o destr#)tion: 0bo#t i5e and a *al million .ere
)o#nted as 8illed, .o#nded and )a2t#red: T*e n#mber o
deserters 8e2t "ro.in": 0lready in ,#ly 191= t*e ministers
)*anted: A3oor R#ssiaO E5en *er army, .*i)* in 2ast a"es
illed t*e .orld .it* t*e t*#nder o its 5i)tories ::: E5en *er
army t#rns o#t to )onsist only o )o.ards and deserters:B
T*e ministers t*emsel5es, .it* a "allo.s Eo8e at t*e
Abra5ery in retreatB o t*eir "enerals, .asted *o#rs in
t*ose days dis)#ssin" s#)* 2roblems as .*et*er to
remo5e or not to remo5e t*e bones o t*e saints rom 9ie5:
T*e tsar s#bmitted t*at it .as not ne)essary, sin)e At*e
-ermans .o#ld not ris8 to#)*in" t*em, and i t*ey did
to#)* t*em, so m#)* t*e .orse or t*e -ermans:B '#t t*e
Synod *ad already started to remo5e t*em: A+*en .e
lea5e,B t*ey said, A.e .ill ta8e .it* #s .*at is most
2re)io#s:B T*is *a22ened not in t*e e2o)* o t*e
!r#sades, b#t in t*e t.entiet* )ent#ry .*en t*e ne.s o
t*e R#ssian deeats )ame o5er t*e .ireless:
T*e R#ssian s#))esses a"ainst 0#stria?I#n"ary *ad t*eir
roots rat*er in 0#stria?I#n"ary t*an in R#ssia: T*e
disinte"ratin" Ia2sb#r" monar)*y *ad lon" a"o *#n" o#t
a si"n or an #nderta8er, not demandin" any *i"*
G#alii)ations o *im: In t*e 2ast R#ssia *ad been
s#))ess#l a"ainst in.ardly de)om2osin" states li8e
T#r8ey, 3oland, 3ersia: T*e so#t*?.estern ront o t*e
R#ssian army, a)in" 0#stria, )elebrated immense
5i)tories .*i)* made it 5ery dierent rom t*e ot*er
ronts: Iere t*ere emer"ed a e. "enerals, .*o to be s#re
demonstrated no military "its, b#t .ere at least not
t*oro#"*ly imb#ed .it* t*e atalism o steadily?beaten
)ommanders: >rom t*is milie# t*ere arose s#bseG#ently
se5eral .*ite A*eroesB o t*e )i5il .ar:
E5erybody .as loo8in" or someone #2on .*om to lay t*e
blame: T*ey a))#sed t*e ,e.s .*olesale o es2iona"e:
T*ey set #2on 2eo2le .it* -erman names: T*e sta o t*e
-rand 4#8e Ni8olai Ni8olaie5i)* "a5e orders to s*oot a
)olonel o t*e "endarmes, Myasoyedo5, as a -erman s2y,
.*i)* *e ob5io#sly .as not: T*ey arrested S#8*omlino5,
t*e +ar Minister, an em2ty and slo5enly man, a))#sin"
*im D 2ossibly not .it*o#t o#ndation D o treason: T*e
'ritis* Minister o >orei"n 0airs, -rey, said to t*e
2resident o t*e R#ssian 3arliamentary 4ele"ation: Co#r
"o5ernment is 5ery bold i it dares in time o .ar indi)t its
+ar Minister or treason: T*e sta and t*e 4#ma a))#sed
t*e )o#rt o -ermano2*ilism: 0ll o t*em to"et*er en5ied
t*e 0llies and *ated t*em: T*e >ren)* )ommand s2ared its
army by 2#ttin" in R#ssian soldiers: En"land .armed #2
slo.ly: In t*e dra.in"?rooms o 3etro"rad and t*e
*eadG#arters at t*e ront t*ey "ently Eo8ed: AEn"land *as
s.orn to i"*t to t*e last dro2 o blood ::: o t*e R#ssian
soldier:B T*ese Eo8es see2ed do.n and rea)*ed t*e
tren)*es: AE5eryt*in" or t*e .arOB said t*e ministers,
de2#ties, "enerals, Eo#rnalists: ACes,B t*e soldier be"an to
t*in8 in t*e tren)*es, At*ey are all ready to i"*t to t*e last
dro2 ::: o my blood:B
T*e R#ssian army lost in t*e .*ole .ar more men t*an
any army .*i)* e5er 2arti)i2ated in a national .ar D
a22roximately t.o and a *al million 8illed, or orty 2er
)ent o all t*e losses o t*e Entente: In t*e irst mont*s t*e
soldiers ell #nder s*ell ire #nt*in8in"ly or t*in8in" littleJ
b#t rom day to day t*ey "at*ered ex2erien)e D bitter
ex2erien)e o t*e lo.er ran8s .*o are i"norantly
)ommanded: T*ey meas#red t*e )on#sion o t*e "enerals
by t*e n#mber o 2#r2oseless manoe#5res on soleless
s*oes, t*e n#mber o dinners not eaten: >rom t*e bloody
mas* o 2eo2le and t*in"s emer"ed a "eneralised .ord:
At*e mess,B .*i)* in t*e soldiers; Ear"on .as re2la)ed by a
still E#i)ier term:
T*e s.itest o all to disinte"rate .as t*e 2easant inantry:
0s a "eneral r#le, t*e artillery .it* its *i"* 2er)enta"e o
ind#strial .or8ers, is distin"#is*ed by an in)om2arably
"reater *os2itality to re5ol#tionary ideas: t*is .as )learly
e5ident in 19%=: I in 1917, on t*e )ontrary, t*e artillery
s*o.ed more )onser5atism t*an t*e inantry, t*e )a#se
lies in t*e a)t t*at t*ro#"* t*e inantry di5isions, as
t*ro#"* a sie5e, t*ere 2assed e5er ne. and less and less
trained *#man masses: T*e artillery, moreo5er, s#erin"
ininitely e.er losses, retained its ori"inal cadres: T*e
same t*in" .as obser5ed in ot*er s2e)ialised troo2s: '#t
in t*e lon" r#n t*e artillery yielded too: 4#rin" t*e retreat
rom -ali)ia a se)ret order .as iss#ed by t*e )ommander?
in?)*ie: lo" t*e soldiers or desertion and ot*er )rimes:
T*e soldier 3irei8o relates: AT*ey be"an to lo" soldiers or
t*e most tri5ial oen)esJ or exam2le, or a e. *o#rs;
absen)e .it*o#t lea5e: 0nd sometimes t*ey lo""ed t*em
in order to ro#se t*eir i"*tin" s2irit:B 0s early as
Se2tember 17, 191=, 9#ro2at8in .rote, )itin" -#)*8o5:
AT*e lo.er orders be"an t*e .ar .it* ent*#siasmJ b#t
no. t*ey are .eary, and .it* t*e )ontin#al retreats *a5e
lost ait* in a 5i)tory:B 0t abo#t t*e same time t*e Minister
o t*e Interior s2o8e o t*e 2resen)e in Mos)o. o 3% %%%
)on5ales)ent soldiers: AT*at;s a .ild )ro.d o libertines
8no.in" no dis)i2line, ro#"*?*o#sin", "ettin" into i"*ts
.it* t*e 2oli)e /not lon" a"o a 2oli)eman .as 8illed by t*e
soldiers1, res)#in" arrested men, et): 6ndo#btedly, in )ase
o disorders t*is entire *orde .ill ta8e t*e side o t*e
mob:B T*e same soldier, 3irei8o, .rites: AE5eryone, to t*e
last man, .as interested in not*in" b#t 2ea)e ::: +*o
s*o#ld .in and .*at 8ind o 2ea)e it .o#ld be, t*at .as o
small interest to t*e army: It .anted 2ea)e at any )ost, or
it .as .eary o .ar:B
0n obser5ant .oman, >eodor)*en8o, ser5in" as sister o
mer)y, listened to t*e )on5ersations o t*e soldiers, almost
to t*eir t*o#"*ts, and )le5erly .rote t*em do.n on
s)attered sli2s o 2a2er: T*e little boo8 t*#s 2rod#)ed The
People at War, 2ermits #s to loo8 in t*at laboratory
.*ere bombs, barbed?.ire entan"lements, s#o)atin"
"ases, and t*e baseness o t*ose in 2o.er, *ad been
as*ionin" or lon" mont*s t*e )ons)io#sness o se5eral
million R#ssian 2easants, and .*ere alon" .it* *#man
bones a"e?old 2reE#di)es .ere )ra)8in": In many o t*e
sel?made a2*orisms o t*e soldiers a22ear already t*e
slo"ans o t*e )omin" )i5il .ar:
-eneral R#s<8y )om2lained in 4e)ember 191( t*at Ri"a
.as t*e misort#ne o t*e nort*ern ront: T*is is a Anest o
2ro2a"anda, and so is 45ins8:B -eneral 'r#ssilo5
)onirmed t*is: >rom t*e Ri"a distri)t troo2s arri5e
demoralisedJ soldiers re#se to atta)8: T*ey lited one
)om2any )ommander on t*e 2oints o t*eir bayonets: It
.as ne)essary to s*oot se5eral men, et):, et): AT*e
"ro#nd or t*e inal disinte"ration o t*e army .as
2re2ared lon" beore t*e re5ol#tion,B )on)edes Rod<ian8o,
.*o .as in )lose asso)iation .it* t*e oi)ers and 5isited
t*e ront:
T*e re5ol#tionary elements, s)attered at irst, .ere
dro.ned in t*e army almost .it*o#t a tra)e, b#t .it* t*e
"ro.t* o t*e "eneral dis)ontent t*ey rose to t*e s#ra)e:
T*e sendin" o stri8in" .or8ers to t*e ront as a
2#nis*ment in)reased t*e ran8s o t*e a"itators and t*e
retreat "a5e t*em a a5o#rable a#dien)e: AT*e army in t*e
rear and es2e)ially at t*e ront,B re2orts a se)ret ser5i)e
a"ent, Ais #ll o elements o .*i)* some are )a2able o
be)omin" a)ti5e or)es o ins#rre)tion, and ot*ers may
merely re#se to en"a"e in 2#niti5e a)ti5ities:B T*e
-endarme 0dministration o t*e 3etro"rad 2ro5in)e
de)lares in O)tober 191(, on t*e basis o a re2ort made by
a re2resentati5e o t*e Land 6nion, t*at At*e mood in t*e
army is alarmin", t*e relation bet.een oi)ers and
soldiers is extremely tense, e5en bloody en)o#nters are
ta8in" 2la)e: 4eserters are to be met e5ery.*ere by t*e
t*o#sands: E5eryone .*o )omes near t*e army m#st )arry
a.ay a )om2lete and )on5in)in" im2ression o t*e #tter
moral disinte"ration o t*e troo2s:B O#t o )a#tion t*e
re2ort adds t*at alt*o#"* m#)* in t*ese )omm#ni)ations
seems *ardly 2robable, ne5ert*eless it m#st be belie5ed,
sin)e many 2*ysi)ians ret#rnin" rom t*e a)ti5e army
*a5e made re2orts to t*e same ee)t: T*e mood o t*e
rear )orres2onded to t*at o t*e ront: 0t a )oneren)e o
t*e 9adet 2arty in O)tober 191(, a maEority o t*e
dele"ates remar8ed #2on t*e a2at*y and la)8 o ait* in
t*e 5i)torio#s o#t)ome o t*e .ar Ain all layers o t*e
2o2#lation, b#t es2e)ially in t*e 5illa"es and amon" t*e
)ity 2oor:B On O)tober 3%, 191(, t*e dire)tor o t*e 3oli)e
4e2artment .rote, in a s#mmary o *is re2ort, o At*e
.eariness o .ar to be obser5ed e5ery.*ere, and t*e
lon"in" or a s.it 2ea)e, re"ardless o t*e )onditions #2on
.*i)* it is )on)l#ded:B In a e. mont*s all t*ese
"entlemen D de2#ties, 2oli)e, "enerals, and land
re2resentati5es, 2*ysi)ians and ormer "endarmes D .ill
ne5ert*eless assert t*at t*e re5ol#tion 8illed 2atriotism in
t*e army, and t*at t*e 'ols*e5i8s snat)*ed a s#re 5i)tory
o#t o t*eir *ands:
T*e 2la)e o )ory2*Fes, in t*e )*or#s o military
2atriotism, #ndo#btedly belon"ed to t*e !onstit#tional
4emo)rats /9adets1: Ia5in" already in 19%= bro8en its
d#bio#s ties .it* t*e re5ol#tion, liberalism at t*e
be"innin" o t*e )o#nter?re5ol#tionary 2eriod *ad raised
t*e banner o im2erialism: One t*in" lo.ed rom anot*er:
on)e it 2ro5ed im2ossible to 2#r"e t*e )o#ntry o t*e
e#dal r#bbis* in order to ass#re to t*e bo#r"eoisie a
dominant 2osition, it remained to orm a #nion .it* t*e
monar)*y and t*e nobility in order to ass#re to )a2ital t*e
best 2osition in t*e .orld mar8et: I it is tr#e t*at t*e .orld
)atastro2*e .as 2re2ared in 5ario#s G#arters, so t*at it
arri5ed to a )ertain de"ree #nex2e)tedly e5en to its most
res2onsible or"anisers, it is eG#ally ind#bitable t*at
R#ssian liberalism, as t*e ins2irer o t*e orei"n 2oli)y o
t*e monar)*y, did not o))#2y t*e last 2la)e in its
2re2aration: T*e .ar o 191& .as G#ite ri"*tly "reeted by
t*e leaders o t*e R#ssian bo#r"eoisie as t*eir .ar: In a
solemn session o t*e State 4#ma on ,#ly 2(, 191&, t*e
2resident o t*e 9adet a)tion anno#n)ed: A+e .ill ma8e
no )onditions or demands: +e .ill sim2ly t*ro. in t*e
s)ales o#r irm determination to )onG#er t*e enemy:B In
R#ssia, too, national #nity be)ame t*e oi)ial do)trine:
4#rin" a 2atrioti) maniestation in Mos)o. t*e master o
)eremonies, !o#nt 'en8endor, )ried to t*e di2lomats:
ALoo8O T*ere is yo#r re5ol#tion .*i)* t*ey .ere
2ro2*esyin" in 'erlinOB A0 similar t*o#"*t,B ex2lained t*e
>ren)* minister 3alFolo"#e, A.as e5idently in t*e minds o
all:B 3eo2le )onsidered it t*eir d#ty to no#ris* and
2ro2a"ate ill#sions in a sit#ation .*i)*, it .o#ld seem,
absol#tely orbade ill#sions:
T*ey did not .ait lon" or soberin" lessons: Very soon
ater t*e be"innin" o t*e .ar one o t*e more ex2ansi5e
9adets, a la.yer and landlord, Rodi)*e5, ex)laimed at a
session o t*e !entral !ommittee o *is 2arty: A4o yo#
really t*in8 .e )an )onG#er .it* t*ose ools@B E5ents
2ro5ed t*at it .as not 2ossible to )onG#er .it* ools:
Liberalism, *a5in" more t*an *al lost ait* in t*e 5i)tory,
tried to em2loy t*e moment#m o t*e .ar in order to )arry
o#t a 2#r"ation o t*e )amarilla and )om2el t*e monar)*y
to a )om2romise: T*e )*ie im2lement to.ards t*is end
.as to a))#se t*e )o#rt 2arty o -ermano2*ilism and o
2re2arin" a se2arate 2ea)e:
In t*e s2rin" o 191=, .*ile t*e .ea2onless soldiers .ere
retreatin" alon" t*e .*ole ront, it .as de)ided in
"o5ernmental )ir)les, not .it*o#t 2ress#re rom t*e 0llies,
to re)r#it t*e initiati5e o 2ri5ate ind#stry or .or8 in
be*al o t*e army: T*e S2e)ial !oneren)e )alled or t*is
end in)l#ded, alon" .it* b#rea#)rats, t*e more inl#ential
ind#strialists, T*e Land and !ity #nions .*i)* *ad arisen
at t*e be"innin" o t*e .ar, and t*e Military?Ind#strial
!ommittees )reated in t*e s2rin" o 191=, be)ame t*e
2oints o s#22ort o t*e bo#r"eoisie in t*e str#""le or
5i)tory and or 2o.er: T*e State 4#ma, ba)8ed by t*ese
or"anisations, .as ind#)ed to inter)ede more )onidently
bet.een t*e bo#r"eoisie and t*e monar)*y:
T*ese broad 2oliti)al 2ers2e)ti5es did not, *o.e5er
distra)t attention rom t*e im2ortant 2roblems o t*e day:
O#t o t*e S2e)ial !oneren)e as o#t o a )entral reser5oir
tens o *#ndreds o millions, mo#ntin" #2 to billions,
lo.ed do.n t*ro#"* distrib#tin" )anals, ab#ndantly
irri"atin" t*e ind#stries and in)identally no#ris*in"
n#mberless a22etites: In t*e State 4#ma and in t*e 2ress
a e. o t*e .ar 2roits or 191& and 191= .ere 2#blis*ed:
T*e Mos)o. textile )om2any o t*e Riab#s*ins8ys s*o.ed
a net 2roit o 7= 2er )entJ t*e T5er !om2any, 111 2er
)entJ t*e )o22er.or8s o 9ol)*#"in netted o5er 12 million
on a basi) )a2ital o 1% million: In t*is se)tor 2atrioti)
5irt#e .as re.arded "enero#sly, and moreo5er
immediately:
S2e)#lation o all 8inds and "amblin" on t*e mar8et .ent
to t*e 2oint o 2aroxysm: Enormo#s ort#nes arose o#t o
t*e bloody oam: T*e la)8 o bread and #el in t*e )a2ital
did not 2re5ent t*e )o#rt Ee.eller >aber"et rom boastin"
t*at *e *ad ne5er beore done s#)* a lo#ris*in" b#siness:
Lady?in?.aitin" Vyr#bo5a says t*at in no ot*er season
.ere s#)* "o.ns to be seen as in t*e .inter o 191=?1(,
and ne5er .ere so many diamonds 2#r)*ased: T*e ni"*t
)l#bs .ere brim #ll o *eroes o t*e rear, le"al deserters,
and sim2ly res2e)table 2eo2le too old or t*e ront b#t
s#i)iently yo#n" or t*e Eoy o lie: T*e "rand d#8es .ere
not amon" t*e last to enEoy t*is east in times o 2la"#e:
Nobody *ad any ear o s2endin" too m#)*: 0 )ontin#al
s*o.er o "old ell rom abo5e: ASo)ietyB *eld o#t its
*ands and 2o)8ets, aristo)rati) ladies s2read t*eir s8irts
*i"*, e5erybody s2las*ed abo#t in t*e bloody m#d D
ban8ers, *eads o t*e )ommissariat, ind#strialists,
ballerinas o t*e t<ar and t*e "rand d#8es, ort*odox
2relates, ladies?in?.aitin", liberal de2#ties, "enerals o t*e
ront and rear, radi)al la.yers, ill#strio#s mandarins o
bot* sexes, inn#merable ne2*e.s, and more 2arti)#larly
nie)es: 0ll )ame r#nnin" to "rab and "obble, in ear lest
t*e blessed rain s*o#ld sto2: 0nd all reEe)ted .it*
indi"nation t*e s*ame#l idea o a 2remat#re 2ea)e:
!ommon "ains, external deeats, and internal dan"ers,
dre. to"et*er t*e 2arties o t*e r#lin" )lasses: T*e 4#ma,
di5ided on t*e e5e o t*e .ar, a)*ie5ed in 191= its
2atrioti) o22ositional maEority .*i)* re)ei5ed t*e name o
A3ro"ressi5e 'lo):B T*e oi)ial aim o t*is blo) .as o
)o#rse de)lared to be a Asatisa)tion o t*e needs )reated
by t*e .ar:B On t*e let t*e so)ial?demo)rats and
Tr#do5i8s did not enter t*e blo)J on t*e ri"*t t*e notorio#s
'la)8 I#ndred "ro#2s: 0ll t*e ot*er a)tions o t*e 4#ma D
t*e 9adets, t*e 3ro"ressi5es, t*ree "ro#2s o O)tobrists,
t*e !entre and a 2art o t*e Nationalists, entered t*e blo)
or ad*ered to it D as also t*e national "ro#2s: 3oles,
Lit*#anians, M#ss#lmans, ,e.s, et): In order not to
ri"*ten t*e t<ar .it* t*e orm#la o a res2onsible ministry,
t*e blo) demanded Aa #nited "o5ernment )om2osed o
men enEoyin" t*e )oniden)e o t*e )o#ntry:B T*e Minister
o t*e Interior, 3rin)e S*erbato5, at t*at time
)*ara)terised t*e blo) as a tem2orary A#nion )alled ort*
by t*e dan"er o so)ial re5ol#tion:B It reG#ired no "reat
2enetration to realise t*is: Mili#8o5, t*e leader o t*e
9adets, and t*#s also o t*e o22ositional blo), said at a
)oneren)e o *is 2arty: A+e are treadin" a 5ol)ano ::: T*e
tension *as rea)*ed its extreme limit ::: 0 )arelessly
dro22ed mat)* .ill be eno#"* to start a terrible
)onla"ration ::: +*ate5er t*e "o5ernment D .*et*er "ood
or bad D a stron" "o5ernment is needed no. more t*an
e5er beore:B
T*e *o2e t*at t*e t<ar, #nder t*e b#rden o deeat, .o#ld
"rant )on)essions, .as so "reat t*at in t*e liberal 2ress
t*ere a22eared in 0#"#st t*e slate o a 2ro2osed A!abinet
o )oniden)eB .it* t*e 2resident o t*e 4#ma, Rod<ian8o,
as 2remier /a))ordin" to anot*er 5ersion, t*e 2resident o
t*e Land 6nion, 3rin)e L5o5, .as indi)ated or t*at oi)e1,
-#)*8o5 as Minister o t*e Interior, Mili#8o5, >orei"n
Minister, et): 0 maEority o t*ese men .*o *ere nominated
t*emsel5es or a #nion .it* t*e t<ar a"ainst t*e
re5ol#tion, t#rned #2 a year later as members o t*e
ARe5ol#tionary -o5ernment:B Iistory *as 2ermitted *ersel
s#)* anti)s more t*an on)e: T*is time t*e Eo8e .as at
least a brie one:
0 maEority o t*e ministers o -oremy8in;s )abinet .ere no
less ri"*tened t*an t*e 9adets by t*e )o#rse t*in"s .ere
ta8in", and t*ereore in)lined to.ards an a"reement .it*
t*e 3ro"ressi5e 'lo): A0 "o5ernment .*i)* *as not be*ind
it t*e )oniden)e o t*e s#2reme r#ler, nor t*e army, nor
t*e )ities, nor t*e <emst5os, nor t*e nobles, nor t*e
mer)*ants, nor t*e .or8ers, not only )annot #n)tion, b#t
)annot e5en exist D t*e t*in" is ob5io#sly abs#rd:B In t*ese
.ords, 3rin)e S*erbato5 in 0#"#st 191= a22raised t*e
"o5ernment in .*i)* *e *imsel .as Minister o t*e
Interior: AI yo# only arran"e t*e s)ene 2ro2erly and oer a
loo2*ole,B said t*e >orei"n Minister Sa<ono5, At*e 9adets
.ill be t*e irst to 2ro2ose a )om2romise: Mili#8o5 is t*e
"reatest 2ossible bo#r"eois and ears a so)ial re5ol#tion
abo5e e5eryt*in": 'esides, a maEority o t*e 9adets are
tremblin" or t*eir o.n )a2ital:B Mili#8o5 on *is side
)onsidered t*at t*e 3ro"ressi5e 'lo) A.o#ld *a5e to "i5e
in some.*at:B 'ot* sides .ere ready to bar"ain, and
e5eryt*in" seemed t*oro#"*ly oiled: '#t on 0#"#st 29 t*e
3remier, -oremy8in, a b#rea#)rat .ei"*ed do.n .it*
years and *ono#rs, an old )yni) 2layin" 2oliti)s bet.een
t.o "ames o "rand#atience and deendin" *imsel
a"ainst all )om2laints by remar8in" t*at t*e .ar is Anot
my b#siness,B Eo#rneyed o#t to t*e t<ar at *eadG#arters
and ret#rned .it* t*e inormation t*at all and e5erybody
s*o#ld remain in t*eir 2la)es, ex)e2t t*e ramb#n)tio#s
4#ma, .*i)* .as to be dissol5ed on t*e 3rd o Se2tember:
T*e readin" o t*e t<ar;s order dissol5in" t*e 4#ma .as
*eard .it*o#t a sin"le .ord o 2rotest: t*e de2#ties "a5e a
A*#rra*B or t*e t<ar, and dis2ersed:
Io. did t*e t<ar;s "o5ernment, s#22orted a))ordin" to its
o.n )onession by nobody at all, s#r5i5e or o5er a year
and a *al ater t*at@ 0 tem2orary s#))ess o t*e R#ssian
troo2s #ndo#btedly exerted its inl#en)e and t*is .as
reinor)ed by t*e "ood "olden rain: T*e s#))esses at t*e
ront soon )eased, to be s#re, b#t t*e 2roits at t*e rear
)ontin#ed: Io.e5er, t*e )*ie )a#se o t*e s#))ess#l
2ro22in" #2 o t*e monar)*y or t.el5e mont*s beore its
all, .as to be o#nd in a s*ar2 di5ision in t*e 2o2#lar
dis)ontent: T*e )*ie o t*e Mos)o. Se)ret Ser5i)e
4e2artment re2orted a ri"*t.ard tenden)y o t*e
bo#r"eoisie #nder t*e inl#en)e o Aa ear o 2ossible
re5ol#tionary ex)esses ater t*e .ar:B 4#rin" t*e .ar, .e
note, a re5ol#tion .as still )onsidered im2ossible: T*e
ind#strialists .ere alarmed, o5er and abo5e t*at, by Aa
)oG#ettin" o )ertain leaders o t*e Military Ind#strial
!ommittee .it* t*e 2roletariat:B T*e "eneral )on)l#sion o
t*is )olonel o "endarmes, Martyno5 D in .*om a
2roessional readin" o Marxist literat#re *ad let some
tra)es D anno#n)ed as t*e )a#se o a )ertain im2ro5ement
in t*e 2oliti)al sit#ation At*e steadily "ro.in"
dierentiation o so)ial )lasses )on)ealin" a s*ar2
)ontradi)tion in t*eir interests, a )ontradi)tion elt
es2e)ially 8eenly in t*e times .e are li5in" t*ro#"*:B
T*e dissol#tion o t*e 4#ma in Se2tember 191= .as a
dire)t )*allen"e to t*e bo#r"eoisie, not to t*e .or8ers: '#t
.*ile t*e liberals .ere dis2ersin" .it* )ries o AI#rra*OB D
to be s#re, not 5ery ent*#siasti) )ries D t*e .or8ers o
3etro"rad and Mos)o. res2onded .it* stri8es o 2rotest:
T*at )ooled o t*e liberals still more: T*ey eared .orst o
all t*e intr#sion o an #nin5ited t*ird 2arty in t*eir amily
dis)#ssion .it* t*e monar)*y: '#t .*at #rt*er ste2 .as to
be ta8en@ 0))om2anied by a sli"*t "ro.l rom t*e let
.in", liberalism )ast its 5ote or a .ell?tried re)i2e: to
stand ex)l#si5ely on le"al "ro#nds, and render t*e
b#rea#)ra)y Aas it .ere, #nne)essaryB in t*e )o#rse o a
mere #lilment o t*eir 2atrioti) #n)tions: T*e ministerial
slate at any rate .o#ld *a5e to be laid aside or a time:
T*e sit#ation in t*ose days .as "ettin" .orse
a#tomati)ally: In May 191( t*e 4#ma .as a"ain )on5o8ed,
b#t nobody 8ne. exa)tly .*at or: T*e 4#ma, in any )ase,
*ad no intention o s#mmonin" a re5ol#tion, and aside
rom t*at t*ere .as not*in" or it to say: A0t t*at sessionB D
Rod<ian8o remembers D At*e 2ro)eedin"s .ere lan"#idJ
t*e de2#ties attended irre"#larly:::T*e )ontin#al str#""le
seemed r#itless, t*e "o5ernment .o#ld listen to not*in",
irre"#larities .ere in)reasin", and t*e )o#ntry .as *eaded
or r#in:B In t*e bo#r"eoisie;s ear o re5ol#tion and its
im2oten)e .it*o#t re5ol#tion, t*e monar)*y o#nd, d#rin"
t*e year 191(, a sim#la)r#m o so)ial s#22ort:
'y a#t#mn t*e sit#ation .as still .orse: T*e *o2elessness
o t*e .ar *ad be)ome e5ident to all: T*e indi"nation o
t*e 2o2#lar masses t*reatened any moment to lo. o5er
t*e brim: +*ile atta)8in" t*e )o#rt 2arty as beore or
-ermano2*ilism, t*e liberals no. deemed it ne)essary to
eel o#t t*e )*an)es o 2ea)e t*emsel5es, 2re2arin" t*eir
o.n #t#re: Only in t*is .ay )an yo# ex2lain t*e
ne"otiations o one o t*e leaders o t*e 3ro"ressi5e 'lo),
t*e de2#ty 3roto2o2o5, .it* t*e -erman di2lomat,
+arb#r", in Sto)8*olm in t*e a#t#mn o 191(: T*e 4#ma
dele"ation, ma8in" riendly 5isits to t*e >ren)* and
En"lis*, )o#ld easily )on5in)e itsel in 3aris and London
t*at t*e dear 0llies intended in t*e )o#rse o t*e .ar to
sG#ee<e all t*e li5e E#i)e o#t o R#ssia, in order ater t*e
5i)tory to ma8e t*is ba)8.ard )o#ntry t*eir )*ie ield o
e)onomi) ex2loitation: 0 deeated R#ssia in to. to a
5i)torio#s Entente .o#ld *a5e meant a )olonial R#ssia:
T*e R#ssian 2ossessin" )lasses *ad no ot*er )o#rse b#t to
try to ree t*emsel5es rom t*e too )lose embra)e o t*e
Entente, and ind an inde2endent road to 2ea)e, ma8in"
#se o t*e anta"onism o t*e t.o more 2o.er#l )am2s:
T*e meetin" o t*e 4#ma de2#ty .it* t*e -erman
di2lomat, as a irst ste2 on t*is road, .as bot* a t*reat in
t*e dire)tion o t*e 0llies .it* a 5ie. to "ainin"
)on)essions, and a eelin" o#t o t*e a)t#al 2ossibilities o
ra22ro)*ement .it* -ermany: 3roto2o2o5 .as a)tin" in
a"reement not only .it* t*e t<arist di2lomats D t*e
meetin" o))#rred in t*e 2resen)e o t*e R#ssian
ambassador in S.eden D b#t also .it* t*e .*ole
dele"ation o t*e State 4#ma: In)identally t*e liberals by
means o t*is re)onnoitre .ere 2#rs#in" a not #nim2ortant
domesti) "oal: ARely on #sB D t*ey .ere *intin" to t*e t<ar
D Aand .e .ill ma8e yo# a se2arate 2ea)e better and more
reliable t*an StPrmer K1L )an:B 0))ordin" to 3roto2o2o5;s
s)*eme D t*at is, t*e s)*eme o *is ba)8ers D t*e R#ssian
"o5ernment .as to inorm t*e 0llies Ase5eral mont*s in
ad5an)eB t*at s*e .o#ld be )om2elled to end t*e .ar, and
t*at i t*e 0llies re#sed to instit#te 2ea)e ne"otiations,
R#ssia .o#ld *a5e to )on)l#de a se2arate 2ea)e .it*
-ermany: In *is )onession .ritten ater t*e re5ol#tion,
3roto2o2o5 s2ea8s as o somet*in" .*i)* "oes .it*o#t
sayin" o t*e a)t t*at Aall reasonable 2eo2le in R#ssia,
amon" t*em 2robably all t*e leaders o t*e 2arty o ;t*e
3eo2le;s >reedom; /9adets1, .ere )on5in)ed t*at R#ssia
.as #nable to )ontin#e t*e .ar:B
T*e t<ar, to .*om 3roto2o2o5 #2on *is ret#rn re2orted *is
Eo#rney and ne"otiations, treated t*e idea o a se2arate
2ea)e .it* )om2lete sym2at*y: Ie merely did not see t*e
ne)essity o dra.in" t*e liberals into t*e b#siness: T*e
a)t t*at 3roto2o2o5 *imsel .as in)l#ded in)identally in
t*e sta o t*e )o#rt )amarilla, *a5in" bro8en .it* t*e
3ro"ressi5e blo), is ex2lained by t*e 2ersonal )*ara)ter o
t*is o2, .*o *ad allen in lo5e, a))ordin" to *is o.n
.ords, .it* t*e t<ar and t*e t<arina D and at t*e same
time, .e may add, .it* an ex2e)ted 2ortolio as Minister
o t*e Interior: '#t t*is e2isode o 3roto2o2o5;s treason to
liberalism does not alter t*e "eneral )ontent o t*e liberal
orei"n 2oli)y D a mixt#re o "reed, )o.ardi)e and
trea)*ery:
T*e 4#ma a"ain assembled on No5ember 1: T*e tension in
t*e )o#ntry *ad be)ome #nbearable: 4e)isi5e ste2s .ere
ex2e)ted o t*e 4#ma: It .as ne)essary to do somet*in",
or at t*e 5ery least say somet*in": T*e 3ro"ressi5e 'lo)
o#nd itsel )om2elled to resort to 2arliamentary
ex2os#res: !o#ntin" o5er rom t*e trib#ne t*e )*ie ste2s
ta8en by t*e "o5ernment, Mili#8o5 as8ed ater ea)* one:
A+as t*is st#2idity or treason@B Ii"* notes .ere so#nded
also by ot*er de2#ties: T*e "o5ernment .as almost
.it*o#t deenders: It ans.ered in t*e #s#al .ay: t*e
s2ee)*es o t*e 4#ma orators .ere orbidden 2#bli)ation:
T*e s2ee)*es t*ereore )ir)#lated by t*e million: T*ere
.as not a "o5ernment de2artment, not only in t*e rear b#t
at t*e ront, .*ere t*e orbidden s2ee)*es .ere not
trans)ribed D reG#ently .it* additions )orres2ondin" to
t*e tem2erament o t*e trans)riber: T*e re5erberation o
t*e debate o No5ember 1 .as s#)* t*at terror sei<ed t*e
5ery a#t*ors o t*e arrai"nment:
0 "ro#2 o extreme ri"*tists, st#rdy b#rea#)rats ins2ired
by 4#rno5o, .*o *ad 2#t do.n t*e re5ol#tion o 19%=,
too8 t*at moment to 2resent to t*e t<ar a 2ro2osed
2ro"ramme: T*e eye o t*ese ex2erien)ed oi)ials, trained
in a serio#s 2oli)e s)*ool, sa. not badly and 2retty ar,
and i t*eir 2res)ri2tion .as no "ood, it is only be)a#se no
medi)ine existed or t*e si)8ness o t*e old rF"ime: T*e
a#t*ors o t*e 2ro"ramme s2ea8 a"ainst any )on)essions
.*ate5er to t*e bo#r"eois o22osition, not be)a#se t*e
liberals .ant to "o too ar, as t*in8 t*e 5#l"ar 'la)8
I#ndreds D #2on .*om t*ese oi)ial rea)tionaries loo8
.it* some s)orn D no, t*e tro#ble is t*at t*e liberals are
Aso .ea8, so dis#nited and, to s2ea8 ran8ly, so medio)re,
t*at t*eir tri#m2* .o#ld be as brie as it .o#ld be
#nstable:B T*e .ea8ness o t*e 2rin)i2al o22osition 2arty,
t*e A!onstit#tional 4emo)ratsB /9adets1, is indi)ated, t*ey
2oint o#t, by its 5ery name: It is )alled demo)rati), .*en it
is in essen)e bo#r"eois: 0lt*o#"* to a )onsiderable de"ree
a 2arty o liberal landlords, it *as si"ned a 2ro"ramme o
)om2#lsory land redem2tion: A+it*o#t t*ese tr#m2s rom
a de)8 not t*eir o.nB D .rite t*ese se)ret )o#nsellors,
#sin" t*e ima"es to .*i)* t*ey are a))#stomed D At*e
9adets are not*in" more t*an a n#mero#s asso)iation o
liberal la.yers, 2roessors and oi)ials o 5ario#s
de2artments D not*in" more:B 0 re5ol#tionist, t*ey 2oint
o#t, is a dierent t*in": T*ey a))om2any t*eir re)o"nition
o t*e si"nii)an)e o t*e re5ol#tionary 2arties .it* a
"rindin" o teet*: AT*e dan"er and stren"t* o t*ese
2arties lies in t*e a)t t*at t*ey *a5e an idea, t*ey *a5e
money /O1, t*ey *a5e a )ro.d ready and .ell or"anised:B
T*e re5ol#tionary 2arties A)an )o#nt on t*e sym2at*y o
an o5er.*elmin" maEority o t*e 2easantry, .*i)* .ill
ollo. t*e 2roletariat t*e 5ery moment t*e re5ol#tionary
leaders 2oint a in"er to ot*er 2eo2le;s land:B +*at .o#ld
a res2onsible ministry yield in t*ese )ir)#mstan)es@ A0
)om2lete and inal destr#)tion o t*e ri"*t 2arties, a
"rad#al s.allo.in" o t*e intermediate 2arties D t*e
!entre, t*e Liberal?!onser5ati5es, t*e O)tobrists and t*e
3ro"ressi5es o t*e 9adet 2arty D .*i)* at t*e be"innin"
.o#ld a de)isi5e im2ortan)e: '#t t*e same ate .o#ld
mena)e t*e 9adets ::: and ater.ards .o#ld )ome t*e
re5ol#tionary mob, t*e !omm#ne, destr#)tion o t*e
dynasty, 2o"roms o t*e 2ossessin" )lasses, and inally
t*e 2easant?bri"and:B It is im2ossible to deny t*at t*e
2oli)e an"er *ere rises to a )ertain 8ind o *istori) 5ision:
T*e 2ositi5e 2art o t*eir 2ro"ramme .as not ne., b#t
)onsistent: a "o5ernment o r#t*less 2artisans o t*e
a#to)ra)yJ abolition o t*e 4#maJ martial la. in bot*
)a2italsJ 2re2aration o or)es or 2#ttin" do.n a rebellion:
T*is 2ro"ramme did in its essentials be)ome t*e basis o
t*e "o5ernment 2oli)y o t*e last 2re?re5ol#tionary
mont*s: '#t its s#))ess 2res#22osed a 2o.er .*i)*
4#rno5o *ad *ad in t*is *ands in t*e .inter o 19%=, b#t
.*i)* by t*e a#t#mn o 1917 no lon"er existed: T*e
monar)*y tried, t*ereore, to stran"le t*e )o#ntry
stealt*ily and in se)tions: Ministers .ere s*ited #2on t*e
2rin)i2le o Ao#r 2eo2leB D meanin" t*ose #n)onditionally
de5oted to t*e t<ar and t<arina: '#t t*ese Ao#r 2eo2leB D
es2e)ially t*e rene"ade 3roto2o2o5 D .ere insi"nii)ant
and 2iti#l: T*e 4#ma .as not abolis*ed, b#t a"ain
dissol5ed: T*e de)laration o martial la. in 3etro"rad .as
sa5ed or a moment .*en t*e re5ol#tion *ad already
tri#m2*ed: 0nd t*e military or)es 2re2ared or 2#ttin"
do.n t*e rebellion .ere t*emsel5es sei<ed by rebellion: 0ll
t*is be)ame e5ident ater t.o or t*ree mont*s:
Liberalism in t*ose days .as ma8in" its last eorts to sa5e
t*e sit#ation: 0ll t*e or"anisations o t*e enran)*ised
bo#r"eoisie s#22orted t*e No5ember s2ee)*es o t*e
4#ma o22osition .it* a series o ne. de)larations: T*e
most im2#dent o t*ese .as t*e resol#tion o t*e 6nion o
!ities on 4e)ember 9: AIrres2onsible )riminals, anati)s,
are 2re2arin" or R#ssia;s deeat, s*ame and sla5ery:B T*e
State 4#ma .as #r"ed Anot to dis2erse #ntil t*e ormation
o a res2onsible "o5ernment is attained:B E5en t*e State
!o#n)il, or"an o t*e b#rea#)ra)y and o t*e 5ast
2ro2erties, ex2ressed itsel in a5o#r o )allin" to 2o.er
2eo2le .*o enEoyed t*e )oniden)e o t*e )o#ntry: 0
similar inter)ession .as made by a session o t*e #nited
nobility: e5en t*e moss?)o5ered stones )ried o#t: '#t
not*in" .as )*an"ed: T*e monar)*y .o#ld not let t*e last
s*reds o 2o.er sli2 o#t o its *ands:
T*e last session o t*e last 4#ma .as )on5o8ed, ater
.a5erin"s and delays, on >ebr#ary 1&, 1917: Only t.o
.ee8s remained beore t*e )omin" o re5ol#tion:
4emonstrations .ere ex2e)ted: In t*e 9adet or"an Rech,
alon"side an anno#n)ement by t*e )*ie o t*e 3etro"rad
Military 4istri)t, -eneral 9*abalo5, orbiddin"
demonstrations, .as 2rinted a letter rom Mili#8o5 .arnin"
t*e .or8ers a"ainst Adan"ero#s and bad )o#nselB iss#in"
rom Adar8 so#r)es:B In s2ite o stri8es, t*e o2enin" o t*e
4#ma .as s#i)iently 2ea)e#l: 3retendin" t*at t*e
G#estion o 2o.er no lon"er interested it, t*e 4#ma
o))#2ied itsel .it* a )riti)al, b#t still stri)tly b#siness
G#estion: ood s#22lies: T*e mood .as lan"#id, as
Rod<ian8o s#bseG#ently remembered: A+e elt t*e
im2oten)e o t*e 4#ma, .eariness o a #tile str#""le:B
Mili#8o5 8e2t re2eatin" t*at t*e 3ro"ressi5e 'lo) A.ill a)t
.it* .ords and .it* .ords only:B S#)* .as t*e 4#ma t*at
entered t*e .*irl2ool o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion:
Note
1: 3rime Minister rom ,an#ary to No5ember 191(: KTrans$L
Chapter 3: The proletariat and the
Peasantr
T*e R#ssian 2roletariat learned its irst ste2s in t*e
2oliti)al )ir)#mstan)es )reated by a des2oti) state: Stri8es
orbidden by la., #nder"ro#nd )ir)les, ille"al
2ro)lamations, street demonstrations, en)o#nters .it* t*e
2oli)e and .it* troo2s D s#)* .as t*e s)*ool )reated by
t*e )ombination o a s.itly de5elo2in" )a2italism .it* an
absol#tism slo.ly s#rrenderin" its 2ositions: T*e
)on)entration o t*e .or8ers in )olossal enter2rises, t*e
intense )*ara)ter o "o5ernmental 2erse)#tion, and inally
t*e im2#lsi5eness o a yo#n" and res* 2roletariat,
bro#"*t it abo#t t*at t*e 2oliti)al stri8e, so rare in .estern
E#ro2e, be)ame in R#ssia t*e #ndamental met*od o
str#""le: T*e i"#res o stri8es rom t*e be"innin" o t*e
2resent )ent#ry are a most im2ressi5e index o t*e
2oliti)al *istory o R#ssia: +it* e5ery desire not to b#rden
o#r text .it* i"#res, .e )annot rerain rom introd#)in" a
table o 2oliti)al stri8es in R#ssia or t*e 2eriod 19%3 to
1917: T*e i"#res, red#)ed to t*eir sim2lest ex2ression,
relate only to enter2rises #nder"oin" a)tory ins2e)tion:
T*e railroads, minin" ind#stries, me)*ani)al and small
enter2rises in "eneral, to say not*in" o a"ri)#lt#re, or
5ario#s reasons do not enter into t*e )o#nt: '#t t*e
)*an"es in t*e stri8e )#r5e in t*e dierent 2eriods emer"e
no less )learly or t*is:
+e *a5e beore #s a )#r5e D t*e only one o its 8ind D o
t*e 2oliti)al tem2erat#re o a nation )arryin" in its .omb a
"reat re5ol#tion: In a ba)8.ard )o#ntry .it* a small
2roletariat D or in all t*e enter2rises #nder"oin" a)tory
ins2e)tions t*ere .ere only abo#t 1N million .or8ers in
19%=, abo#t 2 million in 1917 D t*e stri8e mo5ement
attains s#)* dimensions as it ne5er 8ne. beore any.*ere
in t*e .orld: +it* t*e .ea8ness o t*e 2etty bo#r"eois
demo)ra)y, t*e s)atteredness and 2oliti)al blindness o
t*e 2easant mo5ement, t*e re5ol#tionary stri8e o t*e
.or8ers be)omes t*e batterin" ram .*i)* t*e a.a8enin"
nation dire)ts a"ainst t*e .alls o absol#tism: 3arti)i2ants
in 2oliti)al stri8es in 19%= n#mberin" 1,$&3,%%% D .or8ers
2arti)i2atin" in se5eral stri8es are *ere, o )o#rse, )o#nted
t.i)e D t*at n#mber alone .o#ld 2ermit #s to 2#t o#r
in"er on t*e re5ol#tionary year in o#r table, i .e 8ne.
not*in" else abo#t t*e R#ssian 2oliti)al )alendar:
Number in thousands of participants
in political strikes
Year
19%3 $7Q
19%& 2=Q
19%= 1,$&3
19%( (=1
19%7 =&%
19%$ 93
19%9 $
191% &
1911 $
1912 ==%
1913 =%2
191& /irst *al1 1,%=9
191= 1=(
191( 31%
1917 /,an#ary?>ebr#ary1 =7=
Q T*e i"#res or 19%3 and 19%& reer to all
stri8es,
t*e e)onomi) #ndo#btedly 2redominatin"
>or 19%&, t*e irst year o t*e R#sso?,a2anese .ar, t*e
a)tory ins2e)tion indi)ates in all only 2=,%%% stri8ers: In
19%=, 2oliti)al and e)onomi) stri8es to"et*er in5ol5ed
2,$(3,%%% mean D 11= times more t*an in t*e 2re5io#s
year: T*is remar8able a)t by itsel .o#ld s#""est t*e
t*o#"*t t*at a 2roletariat, im2elled by t*e )o#rse o
e5ents to im2ro5ise s#)* #n*eard?o re5ol#tionary
a)ti5ities, m#st at .*ate5er )ost 2rod#)e rom its de2t*s
an or"anisation )orres2ondin" to t*e dimensions o t*e
str#""le and t*e )olossal tas8s: T*is or"anisation .as t*e
so5iets D bro#"*t into bein" by t*e irst re5ol#tion, and
made t*e instr#ment o t*e "eneral stri8e and t*e str#""le
or 2o.er:
'eaten in t*e 4e)ember #2risin" o 19%=, t*e 2roletariat
d#rin" t*e next t.o years ma8es *eroi) eorts to deend a
2art o t*e )onG#ered 2ositions: T*ese years, as o#r stri8e
i"#res s*o., still belon" dire)tly to t*e re5ol#tion, b#t
t*ey are t*e years o ebb: T*e o#r ollo.in" years /19%$?
111 emer"e in o#r mirror o stri8e statisti)s as t*e years o
5i)torio#s )o#nter?re5ol#tion: 0n ind#strial )risis )oin)ident
.it* t*is still #rt*er ex*a#sts t*e 2roletariat, already bled
.*ite: T*e de2t* o t*e all is symmetri)al .it* t*e *ei"*t
o t*e rise: National )on5#lsions ind t*eir rele)tion in
t*ese sim2le i"#res:
T*e ind#strial boom be"innin" in 191% lited t*e .or8ers
to t*eir eet, and "a5e a ne. im2#lse to t*eir ener"y: T*e
i"#res or 1912?1& almost re2eat t*ose or 19%=?%7, b#t in
t*e o22osite order: not rom abo5e do.n.ards, b#t rom
belo. #2: On a ne. and *i"*er *istori)al basis D t*ere are
more .or8ers no., and t*ey *a5e more ex2erien)e D a
ne. re5ol#tionary oensi5e be"ins: T*e irst *al?year o
191& )learly a22roa)*es in t*e n#mber o 2oliti)al stri8es
t*e )#lminatin" 2oint o t*e year o t*e irst re5ol#tion: '#t
.ar brea8s o#t and s*ar2ly interr#2ts t*is 2ro)ess: T*e
irst .ar mont*s are mar8ed by 2oliti)al inertness in t*e
.or8in" )lass, b#t already in t*e s2rin" o 191= t*e
n#mbness be"ins to 2ass: 0 ne. )y)le o 2oliti)al stri8es
o2ens, a )y)le .*i)* in >ebr#ary 1917 .ill )#lminate in t*e
ins#rre)tion o soldiers and .or8ers:
T*e s*ar2 ebbs and lo.s o t*e mass str#""le *ad let t*e
R#ssian 2roletariat ater a e. years almost
#nre)o"nisable: >a)tories .*i)* t.o or t*ree years a"o
.o#ld stri8e #nanimo#sly o5er some sin"le arbitrary 2oli)e
a)tion, today *a5e )om2letely lost t*eir re5ol#tionary
)olo#r, and a))e2t t*e most monstro#s )rimes o t*e
a#t*orities .it*o#t resistan)e: -reat deeats dis)o#ra"e
2eo2le or a lon" time: T*e )ons)io#sly re5ol#tionary
elements lose t*eir 2o.er o5er t*e masses: 3reE#di)es and
s#2erstitions not yet b#rnt o#t )ome ba)8 to lie: -rey
immi"rants rom t*e 5illa"e d#rin" t*ese times dil#te t*e
.or8ers; ran8s: S)e2ti)s ironi)ally s*a8e t*eir *eads: So its
.as in t*e years 19%7?11: '#t mole)#lar 2ro)esses in t*e
masses are *ealin" t*e 2sy)*olo"i)al .o#nds o deeat: 0
ne. t#rn o e5ents, or an #nderlyin" e)onomi) im2#lse,
o2ens a ne. 2oliti)al )y)le: T*e re5ol#tionary elements
a"ain ind t*eir a#dien)e: T*e str#""le reo2ens on a
*i"*er le5el:
In order to #nderstand t*e t.o )*ie tenden)ies in t*e
R#ssian .or8in" )lass, it is im2ortant to *a5e in mind t*at
Mens*e5ism inally too8 s*a2e in t*e years o ebb and
rea)tion: It relied )*iely #2on a t*in layer o .or8ers .*o
*ad bro8en .it* t*e re5ol#tion: +*ereas 'ols*e5ism,
)r#elly s*attered in t*e 2eriod o t*e rea)tion, be"an to
rise s.itly on t*e )rest o a ne. re5ol#tionary tide in t*e
years beore t*e .ar: AT*e most ener"eti) and a#da)io#s
element, ready or tireless str#""le, or resistan)e and
)ontin#al or"anisation, is t*at element, t*ose
or"anisations, and t*ose 2eo2le .*o are )on)entrated
aro#nd Lenin:B In t*ese .ords t*e 3oli)e 4e2artment
estimated t*e .or8 o t*e 'ols*e5i8s d#rin" t*e years
2re)edin" t*e .ar:
In ,#ly 191&, .*ile t*e di2lomats .ere dri5in" t*e last nail
into t*e )ross desi"ned or t*e )r#)iixion o E#ro2e,
3etro"rad .as boilin" li8e a re5ol#tionary )a#ldron: T*e
3resident o t*e >ren)* Re2#bli), 3oin)arF, *ad to lay *is
.reat* on t*e tomb o 0lexander III amid t*e last e)*oes
o a street i"*t and t*e irst m#rm#rs o a 2atrioti)
demonstration:
+o#ld t*e mass oensi5e o 1912?1& *a5e led dire)tly to
an o5ert*ro. o t<arism i t*e .ar *ad not bro8en o#t@ It is
*ardly 2ossible to ans.er t*at G#estion .it* )ertainty: T*e
2ro)ess .o#ld inexorably *a5e led to a re5ol#tion, b#t
t*ro#"* .*at sta"es .o#ld t*e re5ol#tion in t*ose
)ir)#mstan)es *a5e *ad to "o@ +o#ld it not *a5e
ex2erien)ed anot*er deeat@ Io. m#)* time .o#ld *a5e
been needed by t*e .or8ers in order to aro#se t*e
2easantry and .in t*e army@ In all t*ese dire)tions only
"#esses are 2ossible: T*e .ar, at any rate, "a5e t*e
2ro)ess at irst a ba)8.ard mo5ement, b#t only to
a))elerate it more 2o.er#lly in t*e next 2eriod and
"#arantee its o5er.*elmin" 5i)tory:
0t t*e irst so#nd o t*e dr#m t*e re5ol#tionary mo5ement
died do.n: T*e more a)ti5e layers o t*e .or8ers .ere
mobilised: T*e re5ol#tionary elements .ere t*ro.n rom
t*e a)tories to t*e ront: Se5ere 2enalties .ere im2osed
or stri8in": T*e .or8ers; 2ress .as s.e2t a.ay: Trade
#nions .ere stran"led: I#ndreds o t*o#sands o .omen,
boys, 2easants, 2o#red into t*e .or8s*o2s: T*e .ar D
)ombined .it* t*e .re)8 o t*e International D "reatly
disoriented t*e .or8ers 2oliti)ally, and made it 2ossible or
t*e a)tory administration, t*en E#st litin" its *ead, to
s2ea8 2atrioti)ally in t*e name o t*e a)tories, )arryin"
.it* it a )onsiderable 2art o t*e .or8ers, and )om2ellin"
t*e more bold and resol#te to 8ee2 still and .ait: T*e
re5ol#tionary ideas .ere barely 8e2t "lo.in" in small and
*#s*ed )ir)les: In t*e a)tories in t*ose days nobody dared
to )all *imsel A'ols*e5i8B or ear not only o arrest, b#t o
a beatin" rom t*e ba)8.ard .or8ers:
T*e 'ols*e5i8 a)tion in t*e 4#ma, .ea8 in its 2ersonnel,
*ad not risen at t*e o#tbrea8 o t*e .ar to t*e *ei"*t o its
tas8: 0lon" .it* t*e Mens*e5i8 de2#ties, it introd#)ed a
de)laration in .*i)* it 2romised Ato deend t*e )#lt#ral
.eal o t*e 2eo2le a"ainst all atta)8s .*eresoe5er
ori"inatin":B T*e 4#ma #nderlined .it* a22la#se t*is
yieldin" o a 2osition: Not one o t*e R#ssian or"anisations
or "ro#2s o t*e 2arty too8 t*e o2enly deeatist 2osition
.*i)* Lenin )ame o#t or abroad: T*e 2er)enta"e o
2atriots amon" t*e 'ols*e5i8s, *o.e5er, .as insi"nii)ant:
In )ontrast to t*e Narodni8s K1L and Mens*e5i8s, t*e
'ols*e5i8s be"an in 191& to de5elo2 amon" t*e masses a
2rinted and oral a"itation a"ainst t*e .ar: T*e 4#ma
de2#ties soon re)o5ered t*eir 2oise and rene.ed t*eir
re5ol#tionary .or8 D abo#t .*i)* t*e a#t*orities .ere 5ery
)losely inormed, t*an8s to a *i"*ly de5elo2ed system o
2ro5o)ation: It is s#i)ient to remar8 t*at o#t o se5en
members o t*e 3etersb#r" )ommittee o t*e 2arty, t*ree,
on t*e e5e o t*e .ar, .ere in t*e em2loy o t*e Se)ret
Ser5i)e: T*#s t<arism 2layed blind man;s b# .it* t*e
re5ol#tion: In No5ember t*e 'ols*e5i8 de2#ties .ere
arrested: T*ere be"an a "eneral smas*?#2 o t*e 2arty
t*ro#"*o#t t*e )o#ntry: In >ebr#ary 191= t*e )ase o t*e
4#ma a)tion .as )alled in t*e )o#rts: T*e de2#ties
)ond#)ted t*emsel5es )a#tio#sly: 9amene5, t*eoreti)al
insti"ator o t*e a)tions, stood a2art rom t*e deeatist
2osition o LeninJ so did 3etro5s8y, t*e 2resent 2resident o
t*e !entral !ommittee in t*e 68raine: T*e 3oli)e
4e2artment remar8ed .it* satisa)tion t*at t*e se5ere
senten)es dealt o#t to t*e de2#ties did not e5o8e any
mo5ement o 2rotest amon" t*e .or8ers:
It seemed as t*o#"* t*e .ar *ad 2rod#)ed a ne. .or8in"
)lass: To a )onsiderable extent t*is .as t*e a)t: in
3etro"rad t*e 2ersonnel o t*e .or8ers *ad been rene.ed
almost orty 2er )ent: T*e re5ol#tionary s#))ession *ad
been abr#2tly bro8en: 0ll t*at existed beore t*e .ar,
in)l#din" t*e 4#ma a)tion o t*e 'ols*e5i8s, *ad
s#ddenly retired to t*e ba)8"ro#nd and almost
disa22eared in obli5ion: '#t #nder )o5er o t*is G#ietness
and 2atriotism D and to some extent e5en monar)*ism D
t*e moods o a ne. ex2losion .ere "rad#ally
a))#m#latin" in t*e masses:
In 0#"#st 191= t*e t<arist ministers .ere tellin" ea)*
ot*er t*at t*e .or8ers Aare e5ery.*ere *#ntin" o#t
treason, betrayal and sabota"e in be*al o t*e -ermans,
and are ent*#siasti) in t*e sear)* or t*ose "#ilty o o#r
ail#res at t*e ront:B It is tr#e t*at in t*at 2eriod t*e
a.a8enin" mass?)riti)ism D in 2art sin)erely and in 2art or
t*e sa8e o deensi5e )oloration D oten ado2ted t*e
stand2oint o Adeen)e o t*e at*erland:B '#t t*at idea
.as only a 2oint o de2art#re: T*e dis)ontent o t*e
.or8ers .as di""in" a dee2er and dee2er )o#rse,
silen)in" t*e masters, t*e 'la)8 I#ndred .or8ers, t*e
ser5ants o t*e administration, 2ermittin" t*e .or8er?
'ols*e5i8s to raise t*eir *eads:
>rom )riti)ism t*e masses 2ass o5er to a)tion: T*eir
indi"nation inds ex2ression irst o all in ood
dist#rban)es, sometimes risin" to t*e *ei"*t o lo)al riots:
+omen, old men and boys, in t*e mar8et or on t*e o2en
sG#are, eel bolder and more inde2endent t*an t*e
.or8ers on military d#ty in t*e a)tories: In Mos)o. in May
t*e mo5ement t#rns into a 2o"rom o -ermans, alt*o#"*
t*e 2arti)i2ants in t*is are )*iely t*e s)#m o t*e to.n
armed #nder 2oli)e 2rote)tion: Ne5ert*eless, t*e 5ery
2ossibility o s#)* a 2o"rom in ind#strial Mos)o. 2ro5es
t*at t*e .or8ers are not yet s#i)iently a.a8ened to
im2ose t*eir slo"ans and t*eir dis)i2line #2on t*e
dist#rbed small?to.n 2eo2le: T*ese ood disorders,
s2readin" o5er t*e .*ole )o#ntry, bro8e t*e .ar *y2nosis
and laid t*e road to stri8es:
T*e inlo. o ra. labo#r 2o.er to t*e a)tories and t*e
"reedy s)ramble or .ar?2roits, bro#"*t e5ery.*ere a
lo.erin" o t*e )onditions o labo#r, and "a5e rise to t*e
)r#dest met*ods o ex2loitation: T*e rise in t*e )ost o
li5in" a#tomati)ally lo.ered .a"es: e)onomi) stri8es .ere
t*e ine5itable mass rele)tion D stormy in 2ro2ortion as
t*ey *ad been delayed: T*e stri8es .ere a))om2anied by
meetin"s, ado2tion o 2oliti)al resol#tions, s)rimma"es
.it* t*e 2oli)e, not inreG#ently by s*ots and )as#alties:
T*e str#""le arose )*iely in t*e )entral textile distri)t: On
,#ne = t*e 2oli)e ire a 5olley at t*e .ea5ers in 9ostroma:
& 8illed, 9 .o#nded: On 0#"#st 1% t*e troo2s ire on t*e
I5ano5o?Vo<nesens8 .or8ers: 1( 8illed, 3% .o#nded: In t*e
mo5ement o t*e textile .or8ers some soldiers o a lo)al
battalion are in5ol5ed: 3rotest stri8es in 5ario#s 2arts o
t*e )o#ntry "i5e ans.er to t*e s*ootin"s at I5ano5o?
Vo<nesens8: 3arallel to t*is "oes t*e e)onomi) str#""le:
T*e textile .or8ers oten mar)* in t*e ront ran8:
In )om2arison .it* t*e irst *al o 191& t*is mo5ement, as
re"ards stren"t* o 2ress#re and )larity o slo"ans,
re2resents a bi" ste2 ba)8.ard: T*is is not s#r2risin",
sin)e ra. masses are to a lar"e extent bein" dra.n into
t*e str#""le, and t*ere *as been a )om2lete disinte"ration
o t*e "#idin" layer o t*e .or8ers: Ne5ert*eless e5en in
t*ese irst stri8es o t*e .ar t*e a22roa)* o "reat battles
)an be *eard: T*e Minister o ,#sti)e, 9*5osto5, said on t*e
1(t* o 0#"#st: AI t*ere are at 2resent no armed
demonstrations o t*e .or8ers, it is only be)a#se t*ey
*a5e as yet no or"anisation:B -oremy8in ex2ressed
*imsel more )on)isely: AT*e tro#ble amon" t*e .or8ers;
leaders is t*at t*ey *a5e no or"anisation, sin)e it .as
bro8en #2 by t*e arrest o t*e i5e members o t*e 4#ma:B
T*e Minister o t*e Interior added: A+e m#st not amnesty
t*e members o t*e 4#ma /'ols*e5i8s1 D t*ey are t*e
or"anisin" )entre o t*e mo5ement in its most dan"ero#s
orm:B T*ese 2eo2le at least made no mista8e as to .*o
.as t*e real enemy:
+*ile t*e ministry, e5en at t*e moment o its "reatest
dismay and readiness or liberal )on)essions, deemed it
ne)essary as beore to 2o#nd t*e .or8ers; re5ol#tion on
t*e *ead D i:e: on t*e 'ols*e5i8s D t*e bi" bo#r"eoisie .as
tryin" to ix #2 a )o?o2eration .it* t*e Mens*e5i8s:
>ri"*tened by t*e s)o2e o t*e stri8e mo5ement, t*e
liberal ind#strialists made an attem2t to im2ose 2atrioti)
dis)i2line #2on t*e .or8ers by in)l#din" t*eir ele)ted
re2resentati5es in t*e sta o t*e Military Ind#strial
!ommittees: T*e Minister o t*e Interior )om2lained t*at it
.as 5ery dii)#lt to o22ose t*is s)*eme, at*ered by
-#)*8o5: AT*e .*ole enter2rise,B *e said, Ais bein" )arried
o#t #nder a 2atrioti) la", and in t*e interests o t*e
deen)e:B +e m#st remar8, *o.e5er, t*at e5en t*e 2oli)e
a5oided arrestin" t*e so)ial?2atriots, seein" in t*em a side
2artner in t*e str#""le a"ainst stri8es and re5ol#tionary
Aex)esses:B It .as indeed #2on t*eir too "reat )oniden)e
in t*e stren"t* o 2atrioti) so)ialism, t*at t*e Se)ret
Ser5i)e based t*eir )on5i)tion t*at no ins#rre)tion .o#ld
o))#r .*ile t*e .ar lasted:
In t*e ele)tions to t*e Military?Ind#strial !ommittees t*e
deen)ists, *eaded by an ener"eti) metal .or8er, -5o<de5
D .e s*all meet *im later as Minister o Labo#r in t*e
!oalition -o5ernment o t*e re5ol#tion D t#rned o#t to be a
minority: T*ey enEoyed t*e s#22ort, *o.e5er, not only o
t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie, b#t o t*e b#rea#)ra)y, in "ettin"
t*e better o t*ose .*o, led by t*e 'ols*e5i8s, .is*ed to
boy)ott t*e )ommittees: T*ey s#))eeded in im2osin" a
re2resentation in t*ese or"ans o ind#strial 2atriotism
#2on t*e 3etersb#r" 2roletariat: T*e 2osition o t*e
Mens*e5i8s .as )learly ex2ressed in a s2ee)* one o t*eir
re2resentati5es later made to t*e ind#strialists in t*e
!ommittee: ACo# o#"*t to demand t*at t*e existin"
b#rea#)rati) 2o.er retire rom t*e s)ene, yieldin" its 2la)e
to yo# as t*e in*eritors o t*e 2resent so)ial str#)t#re:B
T*is yo#n" 2oliti)al riends*i2 .as "ro.in" by lea2s and
bo#nds: 0ter t*e re5ol#tion it .ill brin" ort* its ri2e r#it:
T*e .ar 2rod#)ed a dread#l desolation in t*e
#nder"ro#nd mo5ement: 0ter t*e arrest o t*e 4#ma
a)tion t*e 'ols*e5i8s *ad no )entralised 2arty
or"anisation at all: T*e lo)al )ommittees *ad an e2isodi)
existen)e, and oten *ad no )onne)tions .it* t*e .or8ers
distri)ts: Only s)attered "ro#2s, )ir)les and solitary
indi5id#als did anyt*in": Io.e5er, t*e re5i5in" stri8e
mo5ement "a5e t*em some s2irit and some stren"t* in
t*e a)tories: T*ey "rad#ally be"an to ind ea)* ot*er and
b#ild #2 t*e distri)t )onne)tions: T*e #nder"ro#nd .or8
re5i5ed: In t*e 3oli)e 4e2artment t*ey .rote later: AE5er
sin)e t*e be"innin" o t*e .ar, t*e Leninists, .*o *a5e
be*ind t*em in R#ssia an o5er.*elmin" maEority o t*e
#nder"ro#nd so)ial?demo)rati) or"anisations, *a5e in t*eir
lar"er )entres /s#)* as 3etro"rad, Mos)o., 9*ar8o5, 9ie5,
T#la, 9ostroma, Vladimir 3ro5in)e, Samara1 been iss#in" in
)onsiderable n#mbers re5ol#tionary a22eals .it* a
demand to sto2 t*e .ar, o5ert*ro. t*e existin"
"o5ernment, and o#nd a re2#bli): 0nd t*is .or8 *as *ad
its 2al2able res#lt in .or8ers; stri8es and disorders:B
T*e traditional anni5ersary o t*e mar)* o t*e .or8ers to
t*e +inter 3ala)e, .*i)* *ad 2assed almost #nnoti)ed t*e
year beore, 2rod#)es a .ides2read stri8e on ,an#ary 9,
191(: T*e stri8e mo5ement do#bles d#rin" t*is year:
En)o#nters .it* t*e 2oli)e a))om2any e5ery bi" and
2rolon"ed stri8e: In )onta)t .it* t*e troo2s, t*e .or8ers
)ond#)t t*emsel5es .it* demonstrati5e riendliness, and
t*e Se)ret 3oli)e more t*an on)e noti)e t*is alarmin" a)t:
T*e .ar ind#stries s.elled o#t, de5o#rin" all reso#r)es
aro#nd t*em and #nderminin" t*eir o.n o#ndation: T*e
2ea)etime bran)*es o 2rod#)tion be"an to die a.ay: In
s2ite o all 2lannin"s, not*in" )ame o t*e re"#lation o
ind#stry: T*e b#rea#)ra)y, in)a2able o ta8in" t*is
b#siness in *and a"ainst t*e o22osition o t*e 2o.er#l
Military?Ind#strial !ommittees, at t*e same time re#sed to
t#rn o5er t*e re"#latin" rHle to t*e bo#r"eoisie: T*e )*aos
in)reased: S8illed .or8ers .ere re2la)ed by #ns8illed: T*e
)oal mines, s*o2s and a)tories o 3oland .ere soon lost:
In t*e )o#rse o t*e irst year o t*e .ar a it* 2art o t*e
ind#strial stren"t* o t*e )o#ntry .as )#t o: 0s m#)* as
=% 2er )ent o 2rod#)tion .ent to s#22ly t*e needs o t*e
army and t*e .ar D in)l#din" abo#t 7= 2er )ent o t*e
textile 2rod#)tion o t*e )o#ntry: T*e o5erloaded trans2ort
2ro5ed in)a2able o s#22lyin" a)tories .it* t*e ne)essary
G#antity o #el and ra. material: T*e .ar not only
s.allo.ed #2 t*e .*ole )#rrent national in)ome, b#t
serio#sly be"an to )#t into t*e basi) )a2ital o t*e )o#ntry:
T*e ind#strialists "re. less and less .illin" to "rant
anyt*in" to t*e .or8ers, and t*e "o5ernment, as #s#al,
ans.ered e5ery stri8e .it* se5ere re2ressions: 0ll t*is
2#s*ed t*e minds o t*e .or8ers rom t*e 2arti)#lar to t*e
"eneral, rom e)onomi)s to 2oliti)s: A+e m#st all stri8e at
on)e:B T*#s arose t*e idea o t*e "eneral stri8e: T*e
2ro)ess o radi)alisation o t*e masses is most
)on5in)in"ly rele)ted in t*e stri8e statisti)s: In 191=, t.o
and a *al times e.er .or8ers 2arti)i2ated in 2oliti)al
stri8es t*an in e)onomi) stri8es: In 191(, t.i)e as e.: In
t*e irst e. mont*s o 1917, 2oliti)al stri8es in5ol5ed six
times as many .or8ers as e)onomi): T*e rHle o 3etro"rad
is 2ortrayed in one i"#re: 72 2er )ent o t*e 2oliti)al
stri8ers d#rin" t*e years o t*e .ar all to *er lotO
Many o t*e old belies are b#rned #2 in t*e ires o t*is
str#""le: T*e Se)ret Ser5i)e re2orts, A.it* 2ain,B t*at i
t*ey s*o#ld rea)t a))ordin" to t*e di)tates o t*e la. to
Ae5ery instan)e o insolen)e and o2en ins#lt to Iis
MaEesty, t*e n#mber o trials #nder 0rti)le 1%3 .o#ld
rea)* an #n*eard?o i"#re:B Ne5ert*eless t*e
)ons)io#sness o t*e masses is ar be*ind t*eir a)tion: T*e
terrible 2ress#re o t*e .ar and t*e national r#in is
a))eleratin" t*e 2ro)ess o str#""le to s#)* a de"ree t*at
broad masses o t*e .or8ers, ri"*t #2 to t*e 5ery
re5ol#tion, *a5e not reed t*emsel5es rom many o2inions
and 2reE#di)es bro#"*t .it* t*em rom t*e 5illa"e or rom
t*e 2etty bo#r"eois amily )ir)le in t*e to.n: T*is a)t .ill
set its stam2 on t*e irst sta"e o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion:
'y t*e end o 191( 2ri)es are risin" by lea2s and bo#nds:
To t*e inlation and t*e brea8do.n o trans2ort, t*ere is
added an a)t#al la)8 o "oods: T*e demands o t*e
2o2#lation *a5e been )#t do.n by t*is time to one?*al:
T*e )#r5e o t*e .or8ers; mo5ement rises s*ar2ly: In
O)tober t*e str#""le enters its de)isi5e 2*ase, #nitin" all
orms o dis)ontent in one: 3etro"rad dra.s ba)8 or t*e
>ebr#ary lea2: 0 .a5e o meetin"s r#ns t*ro#"* t*e
a)tories: T*e to2i)s: ood s#22lies, *i"* )ost o li5in", .ar,
"o5ernment: 'ols*e5i8 lealets are distrib#tedJ 2oliti)al
stri8es be"inJ im2ro5ised demonstrations o))#r at a)tory
"atesJ )ases o raternisation bet.een )ertain a)tories
and t*e soldiers are obser5edJ a stormy 2rotest?stri8e
lares #2 o5er t*e trial o t*e re5ol#tionary sailors o t*e
'alti) >leet: T*e >ren)* ambassador )alls 3remier
StPrmer;s attention to t*e a)t, be)ome 8no.n to *im, t*at
some soldiers *a5e s*ot at t*e 2oli)e: StPrmer G#iets t*e
ambassador: AT*e re2ressions .ill be r#t*less:B In
No5ember a "ood?si<ed "ro#2 o .or8ers on military d#ty
are remo5ed rom t*e 3etro"rad a)tories and sent to t*e
ront: T*e year ends in storm and t*#nder:
!om2arin" t*e sit#ation .it* t*at in 19%=, t*e dire)tor o
t*e 3oli)e 4e2artment, Vassilie5, rea)*es a 5ery
dis)omortin" )on)l#sion: AT*e mood o t*e o22osition *as
"one 5ery ar D ar beyond anyt*in" to be seen in t*e
broad masses d#rin" t*e abo5e?mentioned 2eriod o
dist#rban)e:B Vassilie5 rests no *o2e in t*e "arrisonJ e5en
t*e 2oli)e oi)ers are not entirely reliable: T*e Intelli"en)e
4e2artment re2orts a re5i5al o t*e slo"an o t*e "eneral
stri8e, t*e dan"er o a res#rre)tion o t*e terror: Soldiers
and oi)ers arri5in" rom t*e ront say o t*e 2resent
sit#ation: A+*at is t*ere to .ait or@ D +*y don;t yo# ta8e
and b#m2 o s#)*?and?s#)* a s)o#ndrel@ I .e .ere *ere,
.e .o#ldn;t .aste m#)* time t*in8in",B et): S*lia2ni8o5, a
member o t*e 'ols*e5i8 !entral !ommittee, *imsel a
ormer metal .or8er, des)ribes *o. ner5o#s t*e .or8ers
.ere in t*ose days: ASometimes a .*istle .o#ld be
eno#"*, or any 8ind o noise D t*e .or8ers .o#ld ta8e it or
a si"nal to sto2 t*e a)tory:B T*is detail is eG#ally
remar8able bot* as a 2oliti)al sym2tom and as a
2sy)*olo"i)al a)t: t*e re5ol#tion is t*ere in t*e ner5es
beore it )omes o#t on t*e street:
T*e 2ro5in)es are 2assin" t*ro#"* t*e same sta"es, only
more slo.ly: T*e "ro.t* in massi5eness o t*e mo5ement
and in i"*tin" s2irit s*its t*e )entre o "ra5ity rom t*e
textile to t*e metal?.or8ers, rom e)onomi) stri8es to
2oliti)al, rom t*e 2ro5in)es to 3etro"rad: T*e irst t.o
mont*s o 1917 s*o. =7=,%%% 2oliti)al stri8ers, t*e lion;s
s*are o t*em in t*e )a2ital: In s2ite o ne. raids )arried
o#t by t*e 2oli)e on t*e e5e o ,an#ary 9, 1=%,%%% .or8ers
.ent on stri8e in t*e )a2ital on t*at anni5ersary o blood:
T*e mood .as tense: T*e metal?.or8ers .ere in t*e lead:
T*e .or8ers all elt t*at no retreat .as 2ossible: In e5ery
a)tory an a)ti5e n#)le#s .as ormin", otenest aro#nd t*e
'ols*e5i8s: Stri8es and meetin"s .ent on )ontin#o#sly
t*ro#"*o#t t*e irst t.o .ee8s o >ebr#ary: On t*e $t*, at
t*e 3#tilo5 a)tory, t*e 2oli)e re)ei5ed Aa *ail o sla" and
old iron:B On t*e 1&t*, t*e day t*e 4#ma o2ened, abo#t
9%,%%% .ere on stri8e in 3etro"rad: Se5eral 2lants also
sto22ed .or8 in Mos)o.: On t*e 1(t*, t*e a#t*orities
de)ided to introd#)e bread )ards in 3etro"rad: T*is no5elty
ras2ed t*e ner5es: On t*e 19t*, a mass o 2eo2le "at*ered
aro#nd t*e ood s*o2s, es2e)ially .omen, all demandin"
bread: 0 day later ba8eries .ere sa)8ed in se5eral 2arts o
t*e )ity: T*ese .ere t*e *eat li"*tnin"s o t*e re5ol#tion,
)omin" in a e. days:
T*e R#ssian 2roletariat o#nd its re5ol#tionary a#da)ity
not only in itsel: Its 5ery 2osition as minority o t*e nation
s#""ests t*at it )o#ld not *a5e "i5en its str#""le a
s#i)ient s)o2e D )ertainly not eno#"* to ta8e its 2la)e at
t*e *ead o t*e state D i it *ad not o#nd a mi"*ty s#22ort
in t*e t*i)8 o t*e 2eo2le: S#)* a s#22ort .as "#aranteed
to it by t*e a"rarian 2roblem:
T*e belated *al?liberation o t*e 2easants in 1$(1 *ad
o#nd a"ri)#lt#ral ind#stry almost on t*e same le5el as
t.o *#ndred years beore: T*e 2reser5ation o t*e old area
o )omm#nal land D some.*at il)*ed rom d#rin" t*e
reorm D to"et*er .it* t*e ar)*ai) met*ods o land )#lt#re,
a#tomati)ally s*ar2ened a )risis )a#sed by t*e r#ral
ex)ess 2o2#lation, .*i)* .as at t*e same time a )risis in
t*e t*ree?old system: T*e 2easantry elt still more )a#"*t
in a tra2 be)a#se t*e 2ro)ess .as not ta8in" 2la)e in t*e
se5enteent* b#t in t*e nineteent* )ent#ry D t*at is, in t*e
)onditions o an ad5an)ed money e)onomy .*i)* made
demands #2on t*e .ooden 2lo#"* t*at )o#ld only be met
by a tra)tor: Iere too .e see a dra.in" to"et*er o
se2arate sta"es o t*e *istori) 2ro)ess, and as a res#lt an
extreme s*ar2enin" o )ontradi)tions: T*e learned
a"ronomes and e)onomists *ad been 2rea)*in" t*at t*e
old area .it* rational )#lti5ation .o#ld be am2ly s#i)ient
D t*at is to say, t*ey 2ro2osed to t*e 2easant to ma8e a
E#m2 to a *i"*er le5el o te)*niG#e and )#lt#re .it*o#t
dist#rbin" t*e landlord, t*e baili, or t*e t<ar: '#t no
e)onomi) rF"ime, least o all an a"ri)#lt#ral rF"ime, t*e
most tardy o all, *as e5er disa22eared beore ex*a#stin"
all its 2ossibilities: 'eore eelin" )om2elled to 2ass o5er
to a more intensi5e e)onomi) )#lt#re, t*e 2easant *ad to
ma8e a last attem2t to broaden *is t*ree ields: T*is )o#ld
ob5io#sly be a)*ie5ed only at t*e ex2ense o non?2easant
lands: !*o8in" in t*e narro.ness o *is land area, #nder
t*e smartin" .*i2 o t*e treas#ry and t*e mar8et, t*e
m#<*i8 .as inexorably or)ed to attem2t to "et rid o t*e
landlord on)e or all:
On t*e e5e o t*e irst re5ol#tion t*e .*ole stret)* o
arable land .it*in t*e limits o E#ro2ean R#ssia .as
estimated at 2$% million dessiatins: K2L T*e )omm#nal
allotments )onstit#ted abo#t 1&% million: T*e )ro.n lands,
abo5e = million: !*#r)* and monastery lands, abo#t 2N
million: O t*e 2ri5ately o.ned land, 7% million dessiatins
belon"ed to t*e 3%,%%% "reat landlords, ea)* o .*om
o.ned abo5e =%% dessiatins: T*is 7% million .as abo#t
.*at .o#ld *a5e belon"ed to 1% million 2easant amilies:
T*e land statisti)s )onstit#te t*e inis*ed 2ro"ramme o a
2easant .ar:
T*e landlords .ere not settled .it* in t*e irst re5ol#tion:
Not all t*e 2easants rose: T*e mo5ement in t*e )o#ntry
did not )oin)ide .it* t*at in t*e )ities: T*e 2easant army
.a5ered, and inally s#22lied s#i)ient or)es or 2#ttin"
do.n t*e .or8ers: 0s soon as t*e Semeno5s8y -#ard
re"iment *ad settled .it* t*e Mos)o. ins#rre)tion, t*e
monar)*y abandoned all t*o#"*t o )#ttin" do.n t*e
landed estates, as also its o.n a#to)rati) ri"*ts:
Io.e5er, t*e deeated re5ol#tion did not 2ass .it*o#t
lea5in" tra)es in t*e 5illa"e: t*e "o5ernment abolis*ed t*e
old land redem2tion 2ayments and o2ened t*e .ay to a
broader )olonisation o Siberia: T*e ri"*tened landlords
not only made )onsiderable )on)essions in t*e matter o
rentals, b#t also be"an a lar"e?s)ale sellin" o t*eir landed
estates: T*ese r#its o t*e re5ol#tion .ere enEoyed by t*e
better?o 2easants, .*o .ere able to rent and b#y t*e
landlords; land:
Io.e5er, t*e broadest "ates .ere o2ened or t*e
emer"in" o )a2italist armers rom t*e 2easant )lass by
t*e la. o No5ember 9, 19%(, t*e )*ie reorm introd#)ed
by t*e 5i)torio#s )o#nter?re5ol#tion: -i5in" t*e ri"*t e5en
to a small minority o t*e 2easants o t*e )omm#ne,
a"ainst t*e .ill o t*e maEority, to )#t o#t rom t*e
)omm#nal land a se)tion to be o.ned inde2endently, t*e
la. o No5ember 9 )onstit#ted an ex2losi5e )a2italist s*ell
dire)ted a"ainst t*e )omm#ne: T*e 2resident o t*e
!o#n)il o Ministers, Stoly2in, des)ribed t*e essen)e o
t*is "o5ernmental 2oli)y to.ards t*e 2easants as
Aban8in" on t*e stron" ones:B T*is meant: en)o#ra"e t*e
#22er )ir)les o t*e 2easantry to "et *old o t*e )omm#nal
land by b#yin" #2 t*ese AliberatedB se)tions, and )on5ert
t*ese ne. )a2italist armers into a s#22ort or t*e existin"
rF"ime: It .as easier to 2ro2ose s#)* a tas8, *o.e5er,
t*an to a)*ie5e it: In t*is attem2t to s#bstit#te t*e 8#la8
K3L 2roblem or t*e 2easant 2roblem, t*e )o#nter?
re5ol#tion .as destined to brea8 its ne)8:
'y ,an#ary 1, 191(, 2N million *ome?o.ners *ad made
"ood t*eir 2ersonal 2ossession o 17 million dessiatins:
T.o more million *ome?o.ners .ere demandin" t*e
allotment to t*em o 1& million dessiatins: T*is loo8ed li8e
a )olossal s#))ess or t*e reorm: '#t t*e maEority o t*e
*omesteads .ere )om2letely in)a2able o s#stainin" lie,
and re2resented only material or nat#ral sele)tion: 0t t*at
time .*en t*e more ba)8.ard landlords and small
2easants .ere sellin" on a lar"e s)ale D t*e ormer t*eir
estates, t*e latter t*eir bits o land D t*ere emer"ed in t*e
)a2a)ity o 2rin)i2al 2#r)*aser a ne. 2easant bo#r"eoisie:
0"ri)#lt#re entered #2on a state o ind#bitable )a2italist
boom: T*e ex2ort o a"ri)#lt#ral 2rod#)ts rom R#ssia rose
bet.een 19%$ and 1912 rom 1 billion ro#bles to 1N
billion: T*is meant t*at broad masses o t*e 2easantry *ad
been 2roletarianised, and t*e #22er )ir)les o t*e 5illa"es
.ere t*ro.in" on t*e mar8et more and more "rain:
To re2la)e t*e )om2#lsory )omm#nal ties o t*e
2easantry, t*ere de5elo2ed 5ery s.itly a 5ol#ntary )o?
o2eration, .*i)* s#))eeded in 2enetratin" G#ite dee2ly
into t*e 2easant masses in t*e )o#rse o a e. years, and
immediately be)ame a s#bEe)t o liberal and demo)rati)
idealisation: Real 2o.er in t*e )o?o2erati5es belon"ed,
*o.e5er, only to t*e ri)* 2easants, .*ose interests in t*e
last analysis t*ey ser5ed: T*e Narodni8 intelli"entsia, by
)on)entratin" its )*ie or)es in 2easant )o?o2eration,
inally s#))eeded in s*itin" its lo5e or t*e 2eo2le on to
"ood solid bo#r"eois rails: In t*is .ay .as 2re2ared,
2artially at least, t*e 2oliti)al blo) o t*e Aanti?)a2italistB
2arty o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries .it* t*e 9adets, t*e
)a2italist 2arty ar e%cellence:
Liberalism, alt*o#"* 2reser5in" t*e a22earan)e o
o22osition to t*e a"rarian 2oli)y o t*e rea)tion,
ne5ert*eless loo8ed .it* "reat *o2es #2on t*is )a2italist
destr#)tion o t*e )omm#nes: AIn t*e )o#ntry a 5ery
2o.er#l 2etty bo#r"eoisie is arisin",B .rote t*e liberal
3rin)e Tro#bets8oy, Ain its .*ole ma8e and essen)e alien
ali8e to t*e ideals o t*e #nited nobility and to t*e so)ialist
dreams:B
'#t t*is admirable medal *ad its ot*er side: T*ere .as
arisin" rom t*e destroyed )omm#nes not only a A5ery
2o.er#l bo#r"eoisie,B b#t also its antit*esis: T*e n#mber
o 2easants sellin" tra)ts o land t*ey )o#ld not li5e on *ad
risen by t*e be"innin" o t*e .ar to a million, .*i)*
means no less t*an i5e million so#ls added to t*e
2roletarian 2o2#lation: 0 s#i)iently ex2losi5e material
.as also s#22lied by t*e millions o 2easant?2a#2ers to
.*om not*in" remained b#t to *an" on to t*eir *#n"ry
allotments: In )onseG#en)e t*ose )ontradi)tions 8e2t
re2rod#)in" t*emsel5es amon" t*e 2easants .*i)* *ad so
early #ndermined t*e de5elo2ment o bo#r"eois so)iety as
a .*ole in R#ssia: T*e ne. r#ral bo#r"eoisie .*i)* .as to
)reate a s#22ort or t*e old and more 2o.er#l 2ro2rietors,
t#rned o#t to be as *ostilely o22osed to t*e #ndamental
masses o t*e 2easantry as t*e old 2ro2rietors *ad been to
t*e 2eo2le as a .*ole: 'eore it )o#ld be)ome a s#22ort to
t*e existin" order, t*is 2easant bo#r"eoisie *ad need o
some order o its o.n .*ere.it* to )lin" to its )onG#ered
2ositions: In t*ese )ir)#mstan)es it is no .onder t*at t*e
a"rarian 2roblem )ontin#ed a s*ar2 one in all t*e State
4#mas: E5eryone elt t*at t*e last .ord *ad not yet been
s2o8en: T*e 2easant de2#ty 3etri)*en8o on)e de)lared
rom t*e trib#ne o t*e 4#ma: ANo matter *o. lon" yo#
debate yo# .on;t )reate a ne. 2lanet D t*at means t*at
yo# .ill *a5e to "i5e #s t*e land:B T*is 2easant .as
neit*er a 'ols*e5i8, nor a So)ial Re5ol#tionary: On t*e
)ontrary, *e .as a Ri"*t de2#ty, a monar)*ist:
T*e a"rarian mo5ement, *a5in", li8e t*e stri8e mo5ement
o t*e .or8ers, died do.n to.ard t*e end o 19%7,
2artially re5i5es in 19%$, and "ro.s stron"er d#rin" t*e
ollo.in" years: T*e str#""le, to be s#re, is transerred to a
)onsiderable de"ree .it*in t*e )omm#ne: t*at is E#st .*at
t*e rea)tion *ad i"#red on 2oliti)ally: T*ere are not
inreG#ent armed )onli)ts amon" 2easants d#rin" t*e
di5ision o t*e )omm#nal land: '#t t*e str#""le a"ainst
t*e landlord also does not disa22ear: T*e 2easants are
more reG#ently settin" ire to t*e landlord;s manors,
*ar5est, *aysta)8s, sei<in" on t*e .ay also t*ose
indi5id#al tra)ts .*i)* *ad been )#t o a"ainst t*e .ill o
t*e )omm#nal 2easants:
T*e .ar o#nd t*e 2easantry in t*is )ondition: T*e
"o5ernment )arried a.ay rom t*e )o#ntry abo#t 1%
million .or8ers and abo#t 2 million *orses: T*e .ea8
*omesteads "re. still .ea8er: T*e n#mber o 2easants
.*o )o#ld not so. t*eir ields in)reased: '#t in t*e se)ond
year o t*e .ar t*e middle 2easants also be"an to "o
#nder: 3easant *ostility to.ard t*e .ar s*ar2ened rom
mont* to mont*: In O)tober 191(, t*e 3etro"rad
-endarme 0dministration re2orted t*at in t*e 5illa"es t*ey
*ad already )eased to belie5e in t*e s#))ess o t*e .ar D
t*e re2ort bein" based on t*e .ords o ins#ran)e a"ents,
tea)*ers, traders, et): A0ll are .aitin" and im2atiently
demandin": +*en .ill t*is )#rsed .ar inally end@B 0nd
t*is is not all: A3oliti)al G#estions are bein" tal8ed abo#t
e5ery.*ere and resol#tions ado2ted dire)ted a"ainst t*e
landlords and mer)*ants: N#)lei o 5ario#s or"anisations
are bein" ormed::::0s yet t*ere is no #nitin" )entre, b#t
t*ere is no reason to s#22ose t*at t*e 2easants .ill #nite
by .ay o t*e )o?o2erati5es .*i)* are daily "ro.in"
t*ro#"*o#t all R#ssia:B T*ere is some exa""eration *ere:
In some t*in"s t*e "endarme *as r#n a*ead a little, b#t
t*e #ndamentals are ind#bitably )orre)t:
T*e 2ossessin" )lasses )o#ld not oresee t*at t*e 5illa"e
.as "oin" to 2resent its bill: '#t t*ey dro5e a.ay t*ese
bla)8 t*o#"*ts, *o2in" to .ri""le o#t o it some*o.: On
t*is t*eme t*e inG#isiti5e >ren)* ambassador 3alFolo"#e
*ad a )*at d#rin" t*e .ar days .it* t*e ormer Minister o
0"ri)#lt#re 9ri5os*ein, t*e ormer 3remier 9o8o5tse5, t*e
"reat landlord !o#nt 'obrins8y, t*e 3resident o t*e State
4#ma Rod<ian8o, t*e "reat ind#strialist 3#tilo5, and ot*er
distin"#is*ed 2eo2le: Iere is .*at .as #n5eiled beore
*im in t*is )on5ersation: In order to )arry into a)tion a
radi)al land reorm it .o#ld reG#ire t*e .or8 o a standin"
army o 3%%,%%% s#r5eyors or no less t*an iteen yearsJ
b#t d#rin" t*is time t*e n#mber o *omesteads .o#ld
in)rease to 3% million, and )onseG#ently all t*ese
2reliminary )al)#lations by t*e time t*ey .ere made
.o#ld 2ro5e in5alid: To introd#)e a land reorm t*#s
seemed in t*e eyes o t*ese landlords, oi)ials and
ban8ers somet*in" li8e sG#arin" t*e )ir)le: It is *ardly
ne)essary to say t*at a li8e mat*emati)al s)r#2#lo#sness
.as )om2letely alien to t*e 2easants: Ie t*o#"*t t*at irst
o all t*e t*in" to do .as to smo8e o#t t*e landlord, and
t*en see:
I t*e 5illa"e ne5ert*eless remained )om2arati5ely
2ea)e#l d#rin" t*e .ar, t*at .as be)a#se its a)ti5e or)es
.ere at t*e ront: T*e soldiers did not or"et abo#t t*e
land D .*ene5er at least t*ey .ere not t*in8in" abo#t
deat* D and in t*e tren)*es t*e m#<*i8;s t*o#"*ts abo#t
t*e #t#re .ere sat#rated .it* t*e smell o 2o.der: '#t all
t*e same t*e 2easantry, e5en ater learnin" to *andle
irearms, )o#ld ne5er o its o.n or)e *a5e a)*ie5ed t*e
a"rarian demo)rati) re5ol#tion D t*at is, its o.n re5ol#tion:
It *ad to *a5e leaders*i2: >or t*e irst time in .orld *istory
t*e 2easant .as destined to ind a leader in t*e 2erson o
t*e .or8er: In t*at lies t*e #ndamental, and yo# may say
t*e .*ole dieren)e bet.een t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion and
all t*ose 2re)edin" it:
In En"land serdom *ad disa22eared in a)t#al a)t by t*e
end o t*e o#rteent* )ent#ry D t*at is, t.o )ent#ries
beore it arose in R#ssia, and o#r and a *al )ent#ries
beore it .as abolis*ed: T*e ex2ro2riation o t*e landed
2ro2erty o t*e 2easants dra""ed alon" in En"land
t*ro#"* one Reormation and t.o re5ol#tions to t*e
nineteent* )ent#ry: T*e )a2italist de5elo2ment, not or)ed
rom t*e o#tside, t*#s *ad s#i)ient time to liG#idate t*e
inde2endent 2easant lon" beore t*e 2roletariat a.o8e to
2oliti)al lie:
In >ran)e t*e str#""le .it* royal absol#tism, t*e
aristo)ra)y, and t*e 2rin)es o t*e )*#r)*, )om2elled t*e
bo#r"eoisie in 5ario#s o its layers, and in se5eral
instalments, to a)*ie5e a radi)al a"rarian re5ol#tion at t*e
be"innin" o t*e ei"*teent* )ent#ry: >or lon" ater t*at an
inde2endent 2easantry )onstit#ted t*e s#22ort o t*e
bo#r"eois order, and in 1$71 it *el2ed t*e bo#r"eoisie 2#t
do.n t*e 3aris !omm#ne:
In -ermany t*e bo#r"eoisie 2ro5ed in)a2able o a
re5ol#tionary sol#tion o t*e a"rarian 2roblem, and in 1$&$
betrayed t*e 2easants to t*e landlords, E#st as L#t*er
some t*ree )ent#ries beore in t*e 2easant .ars *ad
betrayed t*em to t*e 2rin)es: On t*e ot*er *and, t*e
-erman 2roletariat .as still too .ea8 in t*e middle o t*e
nineteent* )ent#ry to ta8e t*e leaders*i2 o t*e 2easantry:
0s a res#lt t*e )a2italist de5elo2ment o -ermany "ot
s#i)ient time, alt*o#"* not so lon" a 2eriod as in
En"land, to s#bordinate a"ri)#lt#re, as it emer"ed rom
t*e #n)om2leted bo#r"eois re5ol#tion, to its o.n interests:
T*e 2easant reorm o 1$(1 .as )arried o#t in R#ssia by
an aristo)rati) and b#rea#)rati) monar)*y #nder 2ress#re
o t*e demands o a bo#r"eois so)iety, b#t .it* t*e
bo#r"eoisie )om2letely 2o.erless 2oliti)ally: T*e )*ara)ter
o t*is 2easant eman)i2ation .as s#)* t*at t*e or)ed
)a2italisti) transormation o t*e )o#ntry ine5itably
)on5erted t*e a"rarian 2roblem into a 2roblem o
re5ol#tion: T*e R#ssian bo#r"eois dreamed o an a"rarian
e5ol#tion on t*e >ren)* 2lan, or t*e 4anis*, or t*e
0meri)an D anyt*in" yo# .ant, only not t*e R#ssian: Ie
ne"le)ted, *o.e5er, to s#22ly *imsel in "ood season .it*
a >ren)* *istory or an 0meri)an so)ial str#)t#re: T*e
demo)rati) intelli"entsia, not.it*standin" its re5ol#tionary
2ast, too8 its stand in t*e de)isi5e *o#r .it* t*e liberal
bo#r"eoisie and t*e landlord, and not .it* t*e
re5ol#tionary 5illa"e: In t*ese )ir)#mstan)es only t*e
.or8in" )lass )o#ld stand at t*e *ead o t*e 2easant
re5ol#tion:
T*e la. o )ombined de5elo2ment o ba)8.ard )o#ntries D
in t*e sense o a 2e)#liar mixt#re o ba)8.ard elements
.it* t*e most modern a)tors D *ere rises beore #s in its
most inis*ed orm, and oers a 8ey to t*e #ndamental
riddle o t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion: I t*e a"rarian 2roblem, as
a *erita"e rom t*e barbarism o t*e old R#ssian *istory,
*ad been sol5ed by t*e bo#r"eoisie, i it )o#ld *a5e been
sol5ed by t*em, t*e R#ssian 2roletariat )o#ld not 2ossibly
*a5e )ome to 2o.er in 1917: In order to realise t*e So5iet
state, t*ere .as reG#ired a dra.in" to"et*er and m#t#al
2enetration o t.o a)tors belon"in" to )om2letely
dierent *istori) s2e)ies: a 2easant .ar D t*at is, a
mo5ement )*ara)teristi) o t*e da.n o bo#r"eois
de5elo2ment D and a 2roletarian ins#rre)tion, t*e
mo5ement si"nalisin" its de)line: T*at is t*e essen)e o
1917:
Notes
1: Narodnik is a "eneral name or t*ose non?Marxians .*o
*ad ori"inally *o2ed to a))om2lis* t*e re"eneration o
R#ssia by A"oin" to t*e 2eo2le /narod1,B and o#t o .*om
de5elo2ed t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary 2arty: T*e Mens*e5i8s
.ere t*e ri"*t, or so?)alled Amoderate,B .in" o t*e
Marxian or So)ial 4emo)rati) 2arty, .*om Lenin
abandoned in 19%3: KTrans$L
2: 0 dessiatin is 2:7%2 En"lis* a)res: KTrans$L
3: 9#la8, t*e R#ssian .ord or ist, is a ni)8name or ri)*
2easants D Aland?"rabbersB, as .e mi"*t say: KTrans$L
Chapter !: The Tzar and the Tzarina
T*is boo8 .ill )on)ern itsel least o all .it* t*ose
#nrelated 2sy)*olo"i)al resear)*es .*i)* are no. so oten
s#bstit#ted or so)ial and *istori)al analysis: >oremost in
o#r ield o 5ision .ill stand t*e "reat, mo5in" or)es o
*istory, .*i)* are s#2er?2ersonal in )*ara)ter: Monar)*y is
one o t*em: '#t all t*ese or)es o2erate t*ro#"* 2eo2le:
0nd monar)*y is by its 5ery 2rin)i2le bo#nd #2 .it* t*e
2ersonal: T*is in itsel E#stiies an interest in t*e
2ersonality o t*at monar)* .*om t*e 2ro)ess o so)ial
de5elo2ment bro#"*t a)e to a)e .it* a re5ol#tion:
Moreo5er, .e *o2e to s*o. in .*at ollo.s, 2artially at
least, E#st .*ere in a 2ersonality t*e stri)tly 2ersonal ends
D oten m#)* sooner t*an .e t*in8 D and *o. reG#ently
t*e Adistin"#is*in" traitsB o a 2erson are merely indi5id#al
s)rat)*es made by a *i"*er la. o de5elo2ment:
Ni)*olas II in*erited rom *is an)estors not only a "iant
em2ire, b#t also a re5ol#tion: 0nd t*ey did not beG#eat*
*im one G#ality .*i)* .o#ld *a5e made *im )a2able o
"o5ernin" an em2ire or e5en a 2ro5in)e or a )o#nty: To
t*at *istori) lood .*i)* .as rollin" its billo.s ea)* one
)loser to t*e "ates o *is 2ala)e, t*e last Romano5
o22osed only a d#mb indieren)e: It seemed as t*o#"*
bet.een *is )ons)io#sness and *is e2o)* t*ere stood
some trans2arent b#t absol#tely im2enetrable medi#m:
3eo2le s#rro#ndin" t*e t<ar oten re)alled ater t*e
re5ol#tion t*at in t*e most tra"i) moments o *is rei"ns D
at t*e time o t*e s#rrender o 3ort 0rt*#r and t*e sin8in"
o t*e leet at Ts#s*ima, and ten years later at t*e time o
t*e retreat o t*e R#ssian troo2s rom -ali)ia, and t*en
t.o years later d#rin" t*e days 2re)edin" *is abdi)ation
.*en all t*ose aro#nd *im .ere de2ressed, alarmed,
s*a8en D Ni)*olas alone 2reser5ed *is tranG#illity: Ie
.o#ld inG#ire as #s#al *o. many 5ersts *e *ad )o5ered in
*is Eo#rneys abo#t R#ssia, .o#ld re)all e2isodes o *#ntin"
ex2editions in t*e 2ast, ane)dotes o oi)ial meetin"s,
.o#ld interest *imsel "enerally in t*e little r#bbis* o t*e
day;s doin"s, .*ile t*#nders roared o5er *im and
li"*tnin"s las*ed: A+*at is t*is@B as8ed one o *is
attendant "enerals, Aa "i"anti), almost #nbelie5able sel?
restraint, t*e 2rod#)t o breedin", o a belie in t*e di5ine
2redetermination o e5ents@ Or is it inadeG#ate
)ons)io#sness@B T*e ans.er is more t*an *al in)l#ded in
t*e G#estion: T*e so?)alled Abreedin"B o t*e t<ar, *is
ability to )ontrol *imsel in t*e most extraordinary
)ir)#mstan)es, )annot be ex2lained by a mere external
trainin"J its essen)e .as an inner indieren)e, a 2o5erty
o s2irit#al or)es, a .ea8ness o t*e im2#lses o t*e .ill:
T*at mas8 o indieren)e .*i)* .as )alled breedin" in
)ertain )ir)les, .as a nat#ral 2art o Ni)*olas at birt*:
T*e t<ar;s diary is t*e best o all testimony: >rom day to
day and rom year to year dra"s alon" #2on its 2a"es t*e
de2ressin" re)ord o s2irit#al em2tiness: A+al8ed lon" and
8illed t.o )ro.s: 4ran8 tea by dayli"*t:B 3romenades on
oot, rides in a boat: 0nd t*en a"ain )ro.s, and a"ain tea:
0ll on t*e borderline o 2*ysiolo"y: Re)olle)tions o )*#r)*
)eremonies are Eotted do.n in t*e same tome as a
drin8in" 2arty:
In t*e days 2re)edin" t*e o2enin" o t*e State 4#ma,
.*en t*e .*ole )o#ntry .as s*a8in" .it* )on5#lsions,
Ni)*olas .rote: A02ril 1&: Too8 a .al8 in a t*in s*irt and
too8 #2 2addlin" a"ain: Iad tea in a bal)ony: Stana dined
and too8 a ride .it* #s: Read:B Not a .ord as to t*e
s#bEe)t o *is readin": Some sentimental En"lis* roman)e@
Or a re2ort rom t*e 3oli)e 4e2artment@ A02ril 1=:
0))e2ted +itte;s resi"nation: Marie and 4mitri to dinner:
4ro5e t*em *ome to t*e 2ala)e:B
On t*e day o t*e de)ision to dissol5e t*e 4#ma, .*en t*e
)o#rt as .ell as t*e liberal )ir)les .ere "oin" t*ro#"* a
2aroxysm o ri"*t, t*e t<ar .rote in *is diary: A,#ly 7:
>riday: Very b#sy mornin": Ial *o#r late to brea8ast .it*
t*e oi)ers ::: 0 storm )ame #2 and it .as 5ery m#""y: +e
.al8ed to"et*er: Re)ei5ed -oremy8in: Si"ned a de)ree
dissol5in" t*e 4#maO 4ined .it* Ol"a and 3etia: Read all
e5enin":B 0n ex)lamation 2oint ater t*e )omin"
dissol#tion o t*e 4#ma is t*e *i"*est ex2ression o *is
emotions: T*e de2#ties o t*e dis2ersed 4#ma s#mmoned
t*e 2eo2le to re#se to 2ay taxes: 0 series o military
#2risin"s ollo.ed: in S5eabor", 9ronstadt, on s*i2s, in
army #nits: T*e re5ol#tionary terror a"ainst *i"* oi)ials
.as rene.ed on an #n*eard?o s)ale: T*e t<ar .rites: A,#ly
9: S#nday: It *as *a22enedO T*e 4#ma .as )losed today:
0t brea8ast ater Mass lon" a)es .ere noti)eable amon"
many ::: T*e .eat*er .as ine: On o#r .al8 .e met 6n)le
Mis*a .*o )ame o5er yesterday rom -at)*ina: +as
G#ietly b#sy #ntil dinner and all e5enin": +ent 2addin" in
a )anoe:B It .as in a )anoe *e .ent 2addlin" D t*at is told:
'#t .it* .*at *e .as b#sy all e5enin" is not indi)ated: So
it .as al.ays:
0nd #rt*er in t*ose same atal days: A,#ly 1&: -ot dressed
and rode a bi)y)le to t*e bat*in" bea)* and bat*ed
enEoyably in t*e sea:B A,#ly 1=: 'at*ed t.i)e: It .as 5ery
*ot: Only #s t.o at dinner: 0 storm 2assed o5er:B A,#ly 19:
'at*ed in t*e mornin": Re)ei5ed at t*e arm: 6n)le
Vladimir and !*a"in l#n)*ed .it* #s:B 0n ins#rre)tion and
ex2losions o dynamite are barely to#)*ed #2on .it* a
sin"le 2*rase, A3retty doin"sOB D astonis*in" in its
im2ert#rbable indieren)e, .*i)* ne5er rose to )ons)io#s
)yni)ism:
A0t 9:3% in t*e mornin" .e rode o#t to t*e !as2ian
re"iment ::: .al8ed or a lon" time: T*e .eat*er .as
.onder#l: 'at*ed in t*e sea: 0ter tea re)ei5ed L5o5 and
-#)*8o5:B Not a .ord o t*e a)t t*at t*is #nex2e)ted
re)e2tion o t*e t.o liberals .as bro#"*t abo#t by t*e
attem2t o Stoly2in to in)l#de o22osition leaders in *is
ministry: 3rin)e L5o5, t*e #t#re *ead o t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment, said o t*at re)e2tion at t*e time: AI
ex2e)ted to see t*e so5erei"n stri)8en .it* "rie, b#t
instead o t*at t*ere )ame o#t to meet me a Eolly s2ri"*tly
ello. in a ras2berry?)olo#red s*irt:B T*e t<ar;s o#tloo8
.as not broader t*an t*at o a minor 2oli)e oi)ial D .it*
t*is dieren)e, t*at t*e latter .o#ld *a5e a better
8no.led"e o reality and be less b#rdened .it*
s#2erstitions: T*e sole 2a2er .*i)* Ni)*olas read or
years, and rom .*i)* *e deri5ed *is ideas, .as a .ee8ly
2#blis*ed on state re5en#e by 3rin)e Mes*)*ers8y, a 5ile,
bribed Eo#rnalist o t*e rea)tionary b#rea#)rati) )liG#e,
des2ised e5en in *is o.n )ir)le: T*e t<ar 8e2t *is o#tloo8
#n)*an"ed t*ro#"* t.o .ars and t.o re5ol#tions:
'et.een *is )ons)io#sness and e5ents stood al.ays t*at
im2enetrable medi#m D indieren)e: Ni)*olas .as )alled,
not .it*o#t o#ndation, a atalist: It is only ne)essary to
add t*at *is atalism .as t*e exa)t o22osite o an a)ti5e
belie in *is Astar:B Ni)*olas indeed )onsidered *imsel
#nl#)8y: Iis atalism .as only a orm o 2assi5e sel?
deen)e a"ainst *istori) e5ol#tion, and .ent *and in *and
.it* an arbitrariness, tri5ial in 2sy)*olo"i)al moti5ation,
b#t monstro#s in its )onseG#en)es:
AI .is* it and t*ereore it m#st be R,B .rites !o#nt +itte:
AT*at motto a22eared in all t*e a)ti5ities o t*is .ea8
r#ler, .*o only t*ro#"* .ea8ness did all t*e t*in"s .*i)*
)*ara)terised *is rei"n D a .*olesale s*eddin" o more or
less inno)ent blood, or t*e most 2art .it*o#t aim:B
Ni)*olas is sometimes )om2ared .it* *is *al?)ra<y "reat?
"reat?"randat*er 3a#l, .*o .as stran"led by a )amarilla
a)tin" in a"reement .it* *is o.n son, 0lexander At*e
'lessed:B T*ese t.o Romano5s .ere a)t#ally ali8e in t*eir
distr#st o e5erybody d#e to a distr#st o t*emsel5es, t*eir
to#)*iness as o omni2otent nobodies, t*eir eelin" o
abne"ation, t*eir )ons)io#sness, as yo# mi"*t say, o
bein" )ro.ned 2aria*s: '#t 3a#l .as in)om2arably more
)olo#r#lJ t*ere .as an element o an)y in *is rantin"s,
*o.e5er irres2onsible: In *is des)endant e5eryt*in" .as
dimJ t*ere .as not one s*ar2 trait:
Ni)*olas .as not only #nstable, b#t trea)*ero#s: >latterers
)alled *im a )*armer, be.it)*er, be)a#se o *is "entle
.ay .it* t*e )o#rtiers: '#t t*e t<ar reser5ed *is s2e)ial
)aresses or E#st t*ose oi)ials .*om *e *ad de)ided to
dismiss: !*armed beyond meas#re at a re)e2tion, t*e
minister .o#ld "o *ome and ind a letter reG#estin" *is
resi"nation: T*at .as a 8ind o re5en"e on t*e t<ar;s 2art
or *is o.n nonentity:
Ni)*olas re)oiled in *ostility beore e5eryt*in" "ited and
si"nii)ant: Ie elt at ease only amon" )om2letely
medio)re and brainless 2eo2le, saintly a8ers, *oly men, to
.*om *e did not *a5e to loo8 #2: Ie *ad *is amour
roer, indeed it .as rat*er 8een: '#t it .as not a)ti5e,
not 2ossessed o a "rain o initiati5e, en5io#sly deensi5e:
Ie sele)ted *is ministers on a 2rin)i2le o )ontin#al
deterioration: Men o brain and )*ara)ter *e s#mmoned
only in extreme sit#ations .*en t*ere .as no ot*er .ay
o#t, E#st as .e )all in a s#r"eon to sa5e o#r li5es: It .as so
.it* +itte, and ater.ards .it* Stoly2in: T*e t<ar treated
bot* .it* ill?)on)ealed *ostility: 0s soon as t*e )risis *ad
2assed, *e *astened to 2art .it* t*ese )o#nsellors .*o
.ere too tall or *im: T*is sele)tion o2erated so
systemati)ally t*at t*e 2resident o t*e last 4#ma,
Rod<ian8o, on t*e 7t* o ,an#ary 1917, .it* t*e re5ol#tion
already 8no)8in" at t*e doors, 5ent#red to say to t*e t<ar:
ACo#r MaEesty, t*ere is not one reliable or *onest man let
aro#nd yo#J all t*e best men *a5e been remo5ed or *a5e
retired: T*ere remain only t*ose o ill re2#te:B
0ll t*e eorts o t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie to ind a )ommon
lan"#a"e .it* t*e )o#rt )ame to not*in": T*e tireless and
noisy Rod<ian8o tried to s*a8e #2 t*e t<ar .it* *is re2orts,
b#t in 5ain: T*e latter "a5e no ans.er eit*er to ar"#ment
or to im2#den)e, b#t G#ietly made ready to dissol5e t*e
4#ma: -rand 4#8e 4mitri, a ormer a5o#rite o t*e t<ar,
and #t#re a))om2li)e in t*e m#rder o Ras2#tin,
)om2lained to *is )ollea"#e, 3rin)e C#ss#2o5, t*at t*e t<ar
at *eadG#arters .as be)omin" e5ery day more indierent
to e5eryt*in" aro#nd *im: In 4mitri;s o2inion t*e t<ar .as
bein" ed some 8ind o do2e .*i)* *ad a ben#mbin"
a)tion #2on *is s2irit#al a)#lties: AR#mo#rs .ent ro#nd,B
.rites t*e liberal *istorian Mili#8o5, At*at t*is )ondition o
mental and moral a2at*y .as s#stained in t*e t<ar by an
in)reased #se o al)o*ol:B T*is .as all an)y or
exa""eration: T*e t<ar *ad no need o nar)oti)s: t*e atal
Ado2eB .as in *is blood: Its sym2toms merely seemed
es2e)ially stri8in" on t*e ba)8"ro#nd o t*ose "reat
e5ents o .ar and domesti) )risis .*i)* led #2 to t*e
re5ol#tion: Ras2#tin, .*o .as a 2sy)*olo"ist, said briely
o t*e t<ar t*at *e Ala)8ed insides:B
T*is dim, eG#able and A.ell?bredB man .as )r#el D not
.it* t*e a)ti5e )r#elty o I5an t*e Terrible or o 3eter, in
t*e 2#rs#it o *istori) aims D +*at *ad Ni)*olas t*e
Se)ond in )ommon .it* t*em@ D b#t .it* t*e )o.ardly
)r#elty o t*e late born, ri"*tened at *is o.n doom: 0t t*e
5ery da.n o *is rei"n Ni)*olas 2raised t*e 3*ana"oritsy
re"iment as Aine ello.sB or s*ootin" do.n .or8ers: Ie
al.ays Aread .it* satisa)tionB *o. t*ey lo""ed .it*
.*i2s t*e bob?*aired "irl?st#dents, or )ra)8ed t*e *eads o
deen)eless 2eo2le d#rin" ,e.is* 2o"roms: T*is )ro.ned
bla)8 s*ee2 "ra5itated .it* all *is so#l to t*e 5ery dre"s o
so)iety, t*e 'la)8 I#ndred *ooli"ans: Ie not only 2aid
t*em "enero#sly rom t*e state treas#ry, b#t lo5ed to )*at
.it* t*em abo#t t*eir ex2loits, and .o#ld 2ardon t*em
.*en t*ey a))identally "ot mixed #2 in t*e m#rder o an
o22osition de2#ty: +itte, .*o stood at t*e *ead o t*e
"o5ernment d#rin" t*e 2#ttin" do.n o t*e irst re5ol#tion,
*as .ritten in *is memoirs: A+*en ne.s o t*e #seless
)r#el anti)s o t*e )*ies o t*ose deta)*ments rea)*ed
t*e so5erei"n, t*ey met .it* *is a22ro5al, or in any )ase
*is deen)e:B In ans.er to t*e demand o t*e "o5ernor?
"eneral o t*e 'alti) States t*at *e sto2 a )ertain
lie#tenant?)a2tain, Ri)*ter, .*o .as Aexe)#tin" on *is o.n
a#t*ority and .it*o#t trial non?resistant 2ersons,B t*e t<ar
.rote on t*e re2ort: A0*, .*at a ine ello.OB S#)*
en)o#ra"ements are inn#merable: T*is A)*armer,B .it*o#t
.ill, .it*o#t aim, .it*o#t ima"ination, .as more a.#l
t*an all t*e tyrants o an)ient and modern *istory:
T*e t<ar .as mi"*tily #nder t*e inl#en)e o t*e t<arina,
an inl#en)e .*i)* in)reased .it* t*e years and t*e
dii)#lties: To"et*er t*ey )onstit#ted a 8ind o #nit D and
t*at )ombination s*o.s already to .*at an extent t*e
2ersonal, #nder 2ress#re o )ir)#mstan)es, is
s#22lemented by t*e "ro#2: '#t irst .e m#st s2ea8 o t*e
t<arina *ersel:
Ma#ri)e 3alFolo"#e, t*e >ren)* ambassador at 3etro"rad
d#rin" t*e .ar, a reined 2sy)*olo"ist or >ren)*
a)ademi)ians and Eanitresses, oers a meti)#lo#sly li)8ed
2ortrait o t*e last t<arina: AMoral restlessness, a )*roni)
sadness, ininite lon"in", intermittent #2s and do.ns o
stren"t*, an"#is*in" t*o#"*ts o t*e in5isible ot*er .orld,
s#2erstitions D are not all t*ese traits, so )learly a22arent
in t*e 2ersonality o t*e em2ress, t*e )*ara)teristi) traits
o t*e R#ssian 2eo2le@B Stran"e as it may seem, t*ere is in
t*is sa))*arine lie E#st a "rain o tr#t*: T*e R#ssian satirist
Salty8o5, .it* some E#stii)ation, )alled t*e ministers and
"o5ernors rom amon" t*e 'alti) barons A-ermans .it* a
R#ssian so#l:B It is ind#bitable t*at aliens, in no .ay
)onne)ted .it* t*e 2eo2le, de5elo2ed t*e most 2#re
)#lt#re o t*e A"en#ine R#ssianB administrator:
'#t .*y did t*e 2eo2le re2ay .it* s#)* o2en *atred a
t<arina .*o, in t*e .ords o 3alFolo"#e, *ad so )om2letely
assimilated t*eir so#l@ T*e ans.er is sim2le: In order to
E#stiy *er ne. sit#ation, t*is -erman .oman ado2ted .it*
a 8ind o )old #ry all t*e traditions and n#an)es o R#ssian
mediae5alism, t*e most mea"re and )r#de o all
mediae5alisms, in t*at 5ery 2eriod .*en t*e 2eo2le .ere
ma8in" mi"*ty eorts to ree t*emsel5es rom it: T*is
Iessian 2rin)ess .as literally 2ossessed by t*e demon o
a#to)ra)y: Ia5in" risen rom *er r#ral )orner to t*e
*ei"*ts o 'y<antine des2otism, s*e .o#ld not or
anyt*in" ta8e a ste2 do.n: In t*e ort*odox reli"ion s*e
o#nd a mysti)ism and a ma"i) ada2ted to *er ne. lot:
S*e belie5ed t*e more inlexibly in *er 5o)ation, t*e more
na8ed be)ame t*e o#lness o t*e old rF"ime: +it* a
stron" )*ara)ter and a "it or dry and *ard exaltations,
t*e t<arina s#22lemented t*e .ea8?.illed t<ar, r#lin" o5er
*im:
On Mar)* 17, 191(, a year beore t*e re5ol#tion, .*en t*e
tort#red )o#ntry .as already .rit*in" in t*e "ri2 o deeat
and r#in, t*e t<arina .rote to *er *#sband at military
*eadG#arters: ACo# m#st not "i5e ind#l"en)es, a
res2onsible ministry, et): ::: or anyt*in" t*at they .ant:
T*is m#st be yo#r .ar and yo#r 2ea)e, and t*e *ono#r
yo#rs and o#r at*erland;s, and not by any means t*e
4#ma;s: T*ey *a5e not t*e ri"*t to say a sin"le .ord in
t*ese matters:B T*is .as at any rate a t*oro#"*"oin"
2ro"ramme: 0nd it .as in E#st t*is .ay t*at s*e al.ays
*ad t*e .*i2 *and o5er t*e )ontin#ally 5a)illatin" t<ar:
0ter Ni)*olas; de2art#re to t*e army in t*e )a2a)ity o
i)titio#s )ommander?in?)*ie, t*e t<arina be"an o2enly to
ta8e )*ar"e o internal aairs: T*e ministers )ame to *er
.it* re2orts as to a re"ent: S*e entered into a )ons2ira)y
.it* a small )amarilla a"ainst t*e 4#ma, a"ainst t*e
ministers, a"ainst t*e sta?"enerals, a"ainst t*e .*ole
.orld D to some extent indeed a"ainst t*e t<ar: On
4e)ember (, 191(, t*e t<arina .rote to t*e t<ar: A::: On)e
yo# *a5e said t*at yo# .ant to 8ee2 3roto2o2o5, *o. does
*e /3remier Tre2o51 "o a"ainst yo#@ 'rin" do.n yo#r irst
on t*e table: 4on;t yield: 'e t*e boss: Obey yo#r irm little
.ie and o#r >riend: 'elie5e in #s:B 0"ain t*ree days late:
ACo# 8no. yo# are ri"*t: !arry yo#r *ead *i"*: !ommand
Tre2o5 to .or8 .it* *im ::: Stri8e yo#r ist on t*e table:B
T*ose 2*rases so#nd as t*o#"* t*ey .ere made #2, b#t
t*ey are ta8en rom a#t*enti) letters: 'esides, yo# )annot
ma8e #2 t*in"s li8e t*at:
On 4e)ember 13 t*e t<arina s#""est to t*e t<ar: A0nyt*in"
b#t t*is res2onsible ministry abo#t .*i)* e5erybody *as
"one )ra<y: E5eryt*in" is "ettin" G#iet and better, b#t
2eo2le .ant to eel yo#r *and: Io. lon" t*ey *a5e been
sayin" to me, or .*ole years, t*e same t*in": ;R#ssia
lo5es to eel t*e .*i2:; T*at is their nat#reOB T*is ort*odox
Iessian, .it* a +indsor #2brin"in" and a 'y<antine )ro.n
on *er *ead, not only Ain)arnatesB t*e R#ssian so#l, b#t
also or"ani)ally des2ises it: Their nat#re demands t*e
.*i2 D .rites t*e R#ssian t<arina to t*e R#ssian t<ar abo#t
t*e R#ssian 2eo2le, E#st t.o mont*s and a *al beore t*e
monar)*y ti2s o5er into t*e abyss:
In )ontrast to *er or)e o )*ara)ter, t*e intelle)t#al or)e
o t*e t<arina is not *i"*er, b#t rat*er lo.er t*an *er
*#sband;s: E5en more t*an *e, s*e )ra5es t*e so)iety o
sim2letons: T*e )lose and lon"?lastin" riends*i2 o t*e
t<ar and t<arina .it* t*eir lady?in?.aitin" Vyr#bo5a "i5es a
meas#re o t*e s2irit#al stat#re o t*is a#to)rati) 2air:
Vyr#bo5a *as des)ribed *ersel as a ool, and t*is is not
modesty: +itte, to .*om one )annot deny an a))#rate
eye, )*ara)terised *er as Aa most )ommon2la)e, st#2id,
3etersb#r" yo#n" lady, *omely as a b#bble in t*e bis)#it
do#"*:B In t*e so)iety o t*is 2erson, .it* .*om elderly
oi)ials, ambassadors and inan)iers obseG#io#sly lirted,
and .*o *ad E#st eno#"* brains not to or"et abo#t *er
o.n 2o)8ets, t*e t<ar and t<arina .o#ld 2ass many *o#rs,
)ons#ltin" *er abo#t aairs, )orres2ondin" .it* *er and
abo#t *er: S*e .as more inl#ential t*an t*e State 4#ma,
and e5en t*at t*e ministry:
'#t Vyr#bo5a *ersel .as only an instr#ment o AT*e
>riend,B .*ose a#t*ority s#2erseded all t*ree: A::: T*is is
my rivate o2inion,B .rites t*e t<arina to t*e t<ar, AI .ill
ind o#t .*at o#r >riend t*in8s:B T*e o2inion o t*e
A>riendB is not 2ri5ate, it de)ides: A::: I am irm,B insists t*e
t<arina a e. .ee8s later, Ab#t listen to me, i$e$ this means
o#r >riend, and tr#st in e5eryt*in" ::: I s#er or yo# as or
a "entle sot?*earted )*ild D .*o needs "#idan)e, b#t
listens to bad )o#nsellors, .*ile a man sent by -od is
tellin" *im .*at *e s*o#ld do:B
T*e >riend sent by -od .as -re"ory Ras2#tin:
ST$22%J::: T*e 2rayers and t*e *el2 o o#r >riend D t*en all
.ill be .ell:B
AI .e did not *a5e Iim, all .o#ld *a5e been o5er lon"
a"o: I am absol#tely )on5in)ed o t*at:B
T*ro#"*o#t t*e .*ole rei"n o Ni)*olas and 0lexandra
soot*sayers and *ysteri)s .ere im2orted or t*e )o#rt not
only rom all o5er R#ssia, b#t rom ot*er )o#ntries: S2e)ial
oi)ial 2#r5eyors arose, .*o .o#ld "at*er aro#nd t*e
momentary ora)le, ormin" a 2o.er#l 622er !*amber
atta)*ed to t*e monar)*: T*ere .as no la)8 o bi"oted old
.omen .it* t*e title o )o#ntess, nor o #n)tionaries
.eary o doin" not*in", nor o inan)iers .*o *ad entire
ministries in t*eir *ire: +it* a Eealo#s eye on t*e
#n)*artered )om2etition o mesmerists and sor)erers, t*e
*i"* 2riest*ood o t*e Ort*odox !*#r)* .o#ld *asten to
2ry t*eir .ay into t*e *oly o *olies o t*e intri"#e: +itte
)alled t*is r#lin" )ir)le, a"ainst .*i)* *e *imsel t.i)e
st#bbed *is toe, At*e le2ro#s )o#rt )amarilla:B
T*e more isolated t*e dynasty be)ame, and t*e more
#ns*eltered t*e a#to)rat elt, t*e more *e needed some
*el2 rom t*e ot*er .orld: !ertain sa5a"es, in order to
brin" "ood .eat*er, .a5e in t*e air a s*in"le on a strin":
T*e t<ar and t<arina #sed s*in"les or t*e "reatest 5ariety
o 2#r2oses: In t*e t<ar;s train t*ere .as a .*ole )*a2el
#ll o lar"e and small ima"es, and all sorts o etis*es,
.*i)* .ere bro#"*t to bear, irst a"ainst t*e ,a2anese,
t*en a"ainst t*e -erman artillery:
T*e le5el o t*e )o#rt )ir)le really *ad not )*an"ed m#)*
rom "eneration to "eneration: 6nder 0lexander II, )alled
t*e ALiberator,B t*e "rand d#8es *ad sin)erely belie5ed in
*o#se s2irits and .it)*es: 6nder 0lexander III it .as no
better, only G#ieter: T*e Ale2ro#s )amarillaB *ad existed
al.ays, )*an"ed only its 2ersonnel and its met*od:
Ni)*olas II did not )reate, b#t in*erited rom *is an)estors,
t*is )o#rt atmos2*ere o sa5a"e mediae5alism: '#t t*e
)o#ntry d#rin" t*ese same de)ades *ad been )*an"in",
its 2roblems "ro.in" more )om2lex, its )#lt#re risin" to a
*i"*er le5el: T*e )o#rt )ir)le .as t*#s let ar be*ind:
0lt*o#"* t*e monar)*y did #nder )om2#lsion ma8e
)on)essions to t*e ne. or)es, ne5ert*eless in.ardly it
)om2letely ailed to be)ome modernised: On t*e )ontrary
it .it*dre. into itsel: Its s2irit o mediae5alism t*i)8ened
#nder t*e 2ress#re o *ostility and ear, #ntil it a)G#ired
t*e )*ara)ter o a dis"#stin" ni"*tmare o5er*an"in" t*e
)o#ntry:
To.ards No5ember 19%= D t*at is, at t*e most )riti)al
moment o t*e irst re5ol#tion D t*e t<ar .rites in *is diary:
A+e "ot a)G#ainted .it* a man o -od, -re"ory, rom t*e
Tobols8 2ro5in)e:B T*at .as Ras2#tin D a Siberian 2easant
.it* a bald s)ar on *is *ead, t*e res#lt o a beatin" or
*orse?stealin": 3#t or.ard at an a22ro2riate moment, t*is
AMan o -odB soon o#nd oi)ial *el2ers D or rat*er t*ey
o#nd *im D and t*#s .as ormed a ne. r#lin" )lass .*i)*
"ot a irm *old o t*e t<arina, and t*ro#"* *er o t*e t<ar:
>rom t*e .inter o 1913?1& it .as o2enly said in
3etersb#r" so)iety t*at all *i"* a22ointments, 2osts and
)ontra)ts de2ended #2on t*e Ras2#tin )liG#e: T*e AElderB
*imsel "rad#ally t#rned into a state instit#tion: Ie .as
)are#lly "#arded, and no less )are#lly so#"*t ater by t*e
)om2etin" ministers: S2ies o t*e 3oli)e 4e2artment 8e2t
a diary o *is lie by *o#rs, and did not ail to re2ort *o.
on a 5isit to *is *ome 5illa"e o 3o8ro5s8y *e "ot into a
dr#n8en and bloody i"*t .it* *is o.n at*er on t*e street:
On t*e same day t*at t*is *a22ened D Se2tember 9, 191=
D Ras2#tin sent t.o riendly tele"rams, one to T<ars8oe
Selo, to t*e t<arina, t*e ot*er to *eadG#arters to t*e t<ar:
In e2i) lan"#a"e t*e 2oli)e s2ies re"istered rom day to
day t*e re5els o t*e >riend: AIe ret#rned today = o;)lo)8
in t*e mornin" )om2letely dr#n8:B AOn t*e ni"*t o t*e 2=?
2(t* t*e a)tress V: s2ent t*e ni"*t .it* Ras2#tin:B AIe
arri5ed .it* 3rin)ess 4: /t*e .ie o a "entleman o t*e
bed)*amber o t*e T<ar;s )o#rt1 at t*e Iotel
0storia:B:::0nd ri"*t beside t*is: A!ame *ome rom
T<ars8oe Selo abo#t 11 o;)lo)8 in t*e e5enin":B ARas2#tin
)ame *ome .it* 3rin)ess S*? 5ery dr#n8 and to"et*er
t*ey .ent o#t immediately:B In t*e mornin" or e5enin" o
t*e ollo.in" day a tri2 to T<ars8oe Selo: To a sym2at*eti)
G#estion rom t*e s2y as to .*y t*e Elder .as t*o#"*t#l,
t*e ans.er )ame: A!an;t de)ide .*et*er to )on5o8e t*e
4#ma or not:B 0nd t*en a"ain: AIe )ame *ome at = in t*e
mornin" 2retty dr#n8:B T*#s or mont*s and years t*e
melody .as 2layed on t*ree 8eys: A3retty dr#n8,B AVery
dr#n8,B and A!om2letely dr#n8:B T*ese )omm#ni)ations o
state im2ortan)e .ere bro#"*t to"et*er and
)o#ntersi"ned by t*e "eneral o "endarmes, -orba)*e5:
T*e bloom o Ra2#tin;s inl#en)e lasted six years, t*e last
years o t*e monar)*y: AIis lie in 3etro"rad,B says 3rin)e
C#ss#2o5, .*o 2arti)i2ated to some extent in t*at lie, and
ater.ards 8illed Ras2#tin, Abe)ame a )ontin#al re5el, t*e
dr#n8en deba#)* o a "alley sla5e .*o *ad )ome into an
#nex2e)ted ort#ne:B AI *ad at my dis2osition,B .rote t*e
2resident o t*e 4#ma, Rod<ian8o, Aa .*ole mass o
letters rom mot*ers .*ose da#"*ters *ad been
dis*ono#red by t*is insolent ra8e:B Ne5ert*eless t*e
3etro"rad metro2olitan, 3itirim, o.ed *is 2osition to
Ras2#tin, as also t*e almost illiterate 0r)*bis*o2 Varna5a:
T*e 3ro)#ror o t*e Ioly Synod, Sabler, .as lon" s#stained
by Ras2#tinJ and 3remier 9o8o5tse5 .as remo5ed at *is
.is*, *a5in" re#sed to re)ei5e t*e AElder:B Ras2#tin
a22ointed StPrmer 3resident o t*e !o#n)il o Ministers,
3roto2o2o5 Minister o t*e Interior, t*e ne. 3ro)#ror o t*e
Synod, Rae5, and many ot*ers: T*e ambassador o t*e
>ren)* re2#bli), 3alFolo"#e, so#"*t an inter5ie. .it*
Ras2#tin, embra)ed *im and )ried, AVoil&' un v(rita!le
illumin()B *o2in" in t*is .ay to .in t*e *eart o t*e t<arina
to t*e )a#se o >ran)e: T*e ,e. Simano5i)*, inan)ial
a"ent o t*e AElder,B *imsel #nder t*e eye o t*e Se)ret
3oli)e as a ni"*t)l#b "ambler and #s#rer D introd#)ed into
t*e Ministry o ,#sti)e t*ro#"* Ras2#tin t*e )om2letely
dis*onest )reat#re 4obro5ols8y:
A9ee2 by yo# t*e little list,B .rites t*e t<arina to t*e t<ar,
in re"ard to ne. a22ointments: AO#r riend *as as8ed t*at
yo# tal8 all t*is o5er .it* 3roto2o2o5:B T.o days later:
AO#r riend says t*at StPrmer may remain a e. days
lon"er as 3resident o t*e !o#n)il o Ministers:B 0nd a"ain:
A3roto2o2o5 5enerates o#r riend and .ill be blessed:B
On one o t*ose days .*en t*e 2oli)e s2ies .ere )o#ntin"
#2 t*e n#mber o bottles and .omen, t*e t<arina "rie5ed
in a letter to t*e t<ar: AT*ey a))#se Ras2#tin o 8issin"
.omen, et): Read t*e a2ostlesJ t*ey 8issed e5erybody as
a orm o "reetin":B T*is reeren)e to t*e a2ostles .o#ld
*ardly )on5in)e t*e 2oli)e s2ies: In anot*er letter t*e
t<arina "oes still art*er: A4#rin" 5es2ers I t*o#"*t so
m#)* abo#t o#r riend,B s*e .rites, A*o. t*e S)ribes and
3*arisees are 2erse)#tin" !*rist 2retendin" t*at t*ey are
so 2ere)t ::: yes, in tr#t* no man is a 2ro2*et in *is o.n
)o#ntry:B
T*e )om2arison o Ras2#tin and !*rist .as )#stomary in
t*at )ir)le, and by no means a))idental: T*e alarm o t*e
royal )o#2le beore t*e mena)in" or)es o *istory .as too
s*ar2 to be satisied .it* an im2ersonal -od and t*e #tile
s*ado. o a 'ibli)al !*rist: T*ey needed a se)ond )omin"
o At*e Son o Man:B In Ras2#tin t*e reEe)ted and
a"onisin" monar)*y o#nd a !*rist in its o.n ima"e:
AI t*ere *ad been no Ras2#tin,B said Senator Ta"antse5, a
man o t*e old rF"ime, Ait .o#ld *a5e been ne)essary to
in5ent one:B T*ere is a "ood deal more in t*ese .ords
t*an t*eir a#t*or ima"ined: I by t*e .ord hooli"anism .e
#nderstand t*e extreme ex2ression o t*ose anti?so)ial
2arasite elements at t*e bottom o so)iety, .e may deine
Ras2#tinism as a )ro.ned *ooli"anism at its 5ery to2:
Chapter ": The #dea of a Palace
Revolution
+*y did not t*e r#lin" )lasses, .*o .ere tryin" to sa5e
t*emsel5es rom a re5ol#tion, attem2t to "et rid o t*e t<ar
and *is )ir)le@ T*ey .anted to, b#t t*ey did not dare: T*ey
la)8ed bot* resol#tion and belie in t*eir )a#se: T*e idea o
a 2ala)e re5ol#tion .as in t*e air #2 to t*e 5ery moment
.*en it .as s.allo.ed #2 in a state re5ol#tion: +e m#st
2a#se #2on t*is in order to "et a )learer idea o t*e inter?
relations, E#st beore t*e ex2losion, o t*e monar)*y, t*e
#22er )ir)les o t*e nobility, t*e b#rea#)ra)y and t*e
bo#r"eoisie:
T*e 2ossessin" )lasses .ere )om2letely monar)*ist, by
5irt#e o interests, *abits and )o.ardi)e: '#t t*ey .anted
a monar)*y .it*o#t Ras2#tin: T*e monar)*y ans.ered
t*em: Ta8e me as I am: In res2onse to demands or a
de)ent ministry, t*e t<arina sent to t*e t<ar at
*eadG#arters an a22le rom t*e *ands o Ras2#tin, #r"in"
t*at *e eat it in order to stren"t*en *is .ill: ARemember,B
s*e adE#red, At*at e5en Monsie#r 3*ili22e /a >ren)*
)*arlatan?*y2notist1 said t*at yo# m#st not "rant a
)onstit#tion, as t*at .o#ld mean r#in to yo# and R#ssia :::B
A'e 3eter t*e -reat, I5an t*e Terrible, Em2eror 3a#l D )r#s*
t*em all #nder yo#r eetOB
+*at a dis"#stin" mixt#re o ri"*t, s#2erstition and
mali)io#s alienation rom t*e )o#ntryO To be s#re, it mi"*t
seem t*at on t*e s#mmits t*e t<ar;s amily )o#ld not be
G#ite alone: Ras2#tin indeed .as al.ays s#rro#nded .it*
a "alaxy o "rand ladies, and in "eneral s*amanism
lo#ris*es in an aristo)ra)y: '#t t*is mysti)ism o ear does
not #nite 2eo2le, it di5ides t*em: Ea)* sa5es *imsel in *is
o.n .ay: Many aristo)rati) *o#ses *a5e t*eir )om2etin"
saints: E5en on t*e s#mmits o 3etro"rad so)iety t*e t<ar;s
amily .as s#rro#nded as t*o#"* 2la"#e?stri)8en, .it* a
G#arantine o distr#st and *ostility: Lady?in?.aitin"
Vyr#bo5a remembers: AI .as a.are and elt dee2ly in all
t*ose aro#nd #s a mali)e to.ard t*ose .*om I re5ered,
and I elt t*at t*is mali)e .o#ld ass#me terrible
dimensions:B
0"ainst t*e 2#r2le ba)8"ro#nd o t*e .ar, .it* t*e roar o
#nder"ro#nd tremors )learly a#dible, t*e 2ri5ile"ed did not
or one moment reno#n)e t*e Eoys o lieJ on t*e )ontrary,
t*ey de5o#red t*em "reedily: Cet more and more oten a
s8eleton .o#ld a22ear at t*eir banG#ets and s*a8e t*e
little bones o *is in"ers: It be"an to seem to t*em t*at all
t*eir misery lay in t*e dis"#stin" )*ara)ter o A0lix,B in t*e
trea)*ero#s .ea8ness o t*e t<ar, in t*at "reedy ool
Vyr#bo5a, and in t*e Siberian !*rist .it* a s)ar on *is
s8#ll: +a5es o #nend#rable orebodin" s.e2t o5er t*e
r#lin" )lass, )ontra)tin" it .it* s2asms rom t*e 2eri2*ery
to t*e )entre, and more and more isolatin" t*e *ated
#22er )ir)le at T<ars8oe Selo: Vyr#bo5a *as 2retty )learly
ex2ressed t*e eelin"s o t*e #22er )ir)le at t*at time in
*er, "enerally s2ea8in", 5ery lyin" reminis)en)es: A::: >or
t*e *#ndredt* time I as8ed mysel .*at *as *a22ened to
3etro"rad so)iety: 0re t*ey all s2irit#ally si)8, or *a5e t*ey
)ontra)ted some e2idemi) .*i)* ra"es in .ar time@ It is
*ard to #nderstand, b#t t*e a)t is, all .ere in an
abnormally ex)ited )ondition:B To t*e n#mber o t*ose o#t
o t*eir *eads belon"ed t*e .*ole )o2io#s amily o t*e
Romano5s, t*e .*ole "reedy, insolent and #ni5ersally
*ated 2a)8 o "rand d#8es and "rand d#)*esses:
>ri"*tened to deat*, t*ey .ere tryin" to .ri""le o#t o t*e
rin" narro.in" aro#nd t*em: T*ey 8o.to.ed to t*e )riti)al
aristo)ra)y, "ossi2ed abo#t t*e royal 2air, and e""ed on
bot* ea)* ot*er and all t*ose aro#nd t*em: T*e a#"#st
#n)les addressed t*e t<ar .it* letters o ad5i)e in .*i)*
bet.een t*e lines o res2e)t .as to be *eard a snarl and a
"rindin" o teet*:
3roto2o2o5, some time ater t*e O)tober re5ol#tion,
)olo#r#lly i not 5ery learnedly )*ara)terised t*e mood o
t*e #22er )ir)les: AE5en t*e 5ery *i"*est )lasses be)ame
frondeurs beore t*e re5ol#tion: in t*e "rand salons and
)l#bs t*e 2oli)y o t*e "o5ernment re)ei5ed *ars* and
#nriendly )riti)ism: T*e relations .*i)* *ad been ormed
in t*e t<ar;s amily .ere analysed and tal8ed o5er: Little
ane)dotes .ere 2assed aro#nd abo#t t*e *ead o t*e
state: Verses .ere )om2osed: Many "rand d#8es o2enly
attended t*ese meetin"s, and t*eir 2resen)e "a5e a
s2e)ial a#t*ority in t*e eyes o t*e 2#bli) to tales t*at
.ere )ari)at#res and to mali)io#s exa""erations: 0 sense
o t*e dan"er o t*is s2ort did not a.a8en till t*e last
moment:B
T*ese r#mo#rs abo#t t*e )o#rt )amarilla .ere es2e)ially
s*ar2ened by t*e a))#sation o -ermano2*ilism and e5en
o dire)t )onne)tions .it* t*e enemy: T*e noisy and not
5ery dee2 Rod<ian8o deinitely stated: AT*e )onne)tion
and t*e analo"y o as2irations is so lo"i)ally ob5io#s t*at I
at least *a5e no do#bt o t*e )o?o2eration o t*e -erman
Sta and t*e Ras2#tin )ir)le: nobody )an do#bt it:B T*e
bare reeren)e to a Alo"i)alB ob5io#sness "reatly .ea8ens
t*e )ate"ori)al tone o t*is testimony: No e5iden)e o a
)onne)tion bet.een t*e Ras2#tinists and t*e -erman Sta
.as dis)o5ered ater t*e re5ol#tion: It .as ot*er.ise .it*
t*e so?)alled A-ermano2*ilism:B T*is .as not a G#estion,
o )o#rse, o t*e national sym2at*ies and anti2at*ies o
t*e -erman t<arina, 3remier StPrmer, !o#ntess
9leinmi)*el, Minister o t*e !o#rt !o#nt >rederi8s, and
ot*er "entlemen .it* -erman names: T*e )yni)al
memoirs o t*e old intri"uante 9leinmi)*el demonstrate
.it* remar8able )learness *o. a s#2ernational )*ara)ter
distin"#is*ed t*e aristo)rati) s#mmits o all t*e )o#ntries
o E#ro2e, bo#nd to"et*er as t*ey .ere by ties o birt*,
in*eritan)e, s)orn or all t*ose beneat* t*em, and last b#t
not least, )osmo2olitan ad#ltery in an)ient )astles, at
as*ionable .aterin" 2la)es, and in t*e )o#rts o E#ro2e:
!onsiderably more real .ere t*e or"ani) anti2at*ies o t*e
)o#rt *o#se*old to t*e obseG#io#s la.yers o t*e >ren)*
Re2#bli), and t*e sym2at*y o t*e rea)tionaries D .*et*er
bearin" Te#ton or Sla5i) amily names D or t*e "en#ine
R#ssian so#l o t*e 'erlin rF"ime .*i)* *ad so oten
im2ressed t*em .it* its .axed mo#sta)*ios, its ser"eant?
maEor manner and sel?)onident st#2idity:
'#t t*at .as not t*e de)isi5e a)tor: T*e dan"er arose
rom t*e 5ery lo"i) o t*e sit#ation, or t*e )o#rt )o#ld not
*el2 see8in" sal5ation in a se2arate 2ea)e, and t*is t*e
more insistently t*e more dan"ero#s t*e sit#ation
be)ame: Liberalism in t*e 2erson o its leaders .as tryin",
as .e s*all see, to reser5e or itsel t*e )*an)e o ma8in"
a se2arate 2ea)e in )onne)tion .it* t*e 2ros2e)t o its
o.n )omin" to 2o.er: '#t or E#st t*is reason it )arried on
a #rio#s )*a#5inist a"itation, de)ei5in" t*e 2eo2le and
terrorisin" t*e )o#rt: T*e )amarilla did not dare s*o. its
real a)e 2remat#rely in so ti)8lis* a matter, and .as e5en
)om2elled to )o#ntereit t*e "eneral 2atrioti) tone, at t*e
same time eelin" o#t t*e "ro#nd or a se2arate 2ea)e:
-eneral 9#rlo5, a ormer )*ie o 2oli)e belon"in" to t*e
Ras2#tin )amarilla, denies, o )o#rse, in *is reminis)en)es
any -erman )onne)tion or sym2at*ies on t*e 2art o *is
2rote)tor, b#t immediately adds: A+e )annot blame
StPrmer or *is o2inion t*at t*e .ar .it* -ermany .as t*e
"reatest 2ossible misort#ne or R#ssia and t*at it *ad no
serio#s 2oliti)al E#stii)ation:B It is *ardly 2ossible to or"et
t*at .*ile *oldin" t*is interestin" o2inion StPrmer .as t*e
*ead o t*e "o5ernment o a )o#ntry .a"in" .ar a"ainst
-ermany: T*e t<arist Minister o t*e Interior, 3roto2o2o5,
E#st beore *e entered t*e "o5ernment, *ad been
)ond#)tin" ne"otiations in Sto)8*olm .it* t*e -erman
di2lomat +arb#r" and *ad re2orted t*em to t*e t<ar:
Ras2#tin *imsel, a))ordin" to t*e same 9#rlo5,
A)onsidered t*e .ar .it* -ermany a )olossal misort#ne
or R#ssia:B 0nd inally t*e em2ress .rote to t*e t<ar on
02ril =, 191(: A::: T*ey dare not say t*at Ie *as anyt*in"
in )ommon .it* t*e -ermans: Ie is "ood and
ma"nanimo#s to.ard all, li8e !*rist: No matter to .*at
reli"ion a man may belon": t*at is t*e .ay a "ood
!*ristian o#"*t to be:B To be s#re, t*is "ood !*ristian .*o
.as almost al.ays intoxi)ated mi"*t G#ite 2ossibly *a5e
been made #2 to, not only by s*ar2ers, #s#rers and
aristo)rati) 2rin)esses, b#t by a)t#al s2ies o t*e enemy:
A!onne)tionsB o t*is 8ind are not in)on)ei5able: '#t t*e
o22ositional 2atriots 2osed t*e matter more dire)tly and
broadly: t*ey dire)tly a))#sed t*e t<arina o treason: In *is
memoirs, .ritten )onsiderably later, -eneral 4eni8in
testiies: AIn t*e army t*ere .as lo#d tal8, #n)onstrained
bot* in time and 2la)e, as to t*e insistent demands o t*e
em2ress or a se2arate 2ea)e, *er trea)*ery in t*e matter
o >ield?Mars*al 9it)*ener, o .*ose Eo#rney s*e .as
s#22osed to *a5e told t*e -ermans, et): ::: T*is
)ir)#mstan)e 2layed a )olossal rHle in determinin" t*e
mood o t*e army in its attit#de to t*e dynasty and t*e
re5ol#tion:B T*e same 4eni8in relates *o. ater t*e
re5ol#tion -eneral 0lexeie5, to a dire)t G#estion abo#t t*e
treason o t*e em2ress, ans.ered, A5a"#ely and
rel#)tantly,B t*at in "oin" o5er t*e 2a2ers t*ey *ad o#nd
in t*e 2ossession o t*e t<arina a )*art .it* a detailed
desi"nation o troo2s on t*e .*ole ront, and t*at #2on
*im, 0lexeie5, t*is *ad 2rod#)ed a de2ressin" ee)t: ANot
anot*er .ord,B si"nii)antly adds 4eni8in: AIe )*an"ed
t*e s#bEe)t:B +*et*er t*e t<arina *ad t*e mysterio#s )*art
or not, t*e l#)8less "enerals .ere ob5io#sly not #n.illin"
to s*o#lder o #2on *er t*e res2onsibility or t*eir o.n
deeat: T*e a))#sation o treason a"ainst t*e )o#rt
#ndo#btedly )re2t t*ro#"* t*e army )*iely rom abo5e
do.n.ard D startin" .it* t*at in)a2able sta:
'#t i t*e t<arina *ersel, to .*om t*e t<ar s#bmitted in
e5eryt*in", .as betrayed to +il*elm t*e military se)rets
and e5en t*e *eads o t*e 0llied )*ietains, .*at remained
b#t to ma8e an end o t*e royal 2air@ 0nd sin)e t*e *ead
o t*e army and o t*e anti?-erman 2arty .as t*e -rand
4#8e Ni8olai Ni8olaie5i)*, .as *e not as a matter o d#ty
)*osen or t*e rHle o s#2reme 2atron o a 2ala)e
re5ol#tion@ T*at .as t*e reason .*y t*e t<ar, #2on t*e
insisten)e o Ras2#tin and t*e t<arina, remo5ed t*e "rand
d#8e and too8 t*e )*ie )ommand into *is o.n *ands: '#t
t*e t<arina .as araid e5en o a meetin" bet.een t*e
ne2*e. and t*e #n)le in t#rnin" o5er t*e )ommand:
AS.eet*eart, try to be )a#tio#s,B s*e .rites to t*e t<ar at
*eadG#arters, Aand don;t let Ni8olas*a )at)* yo# in any
8ind o 2romises or anyt*in" else D remember t*at -re"ory
sa5ed yo# rom *im and rom *is bad 2eo2le:::remember
in t*e name o R#ssia .*at t*ey .anted yo# to do, o#st
yo# /t*is is not "ossi2 D Orlo *ad all t*e 2a2ers ready1,
and 2#t me in a monastery:B
T*e t<ar;s brot*er Mi)*ael said to Rod<ian8o: AT*e .*ole
amily 8no.s *o. *arm#l 0lexandra >eodoro5na is:
Not*in" b#t traitors s#rro#nd *er and my brot*er: 0ll
*onest 2eo2le *a5e let: '#t .*at;s to be done in s#)* a
sit#ation@B T*at is it exa)tly: .*at is to be done@
T*e -rand 4#)*ess Maria 3a5lo5na insisted in t*e
2resen)e o *er sons t*at Rod<ian8o s*o#ld ta8e t*e
initiati5e in Aremo5in" t*e t<arina:B Rod<ian8o s#""ested
t*at t*ey )onsider t*e )on5ersation as not *a5in" ta8en
2la)e, as ot*er.ise in loyalty to *i oat* *e s*o#ld be
obli"ed to re2ort to t*e t<ar t*at t*e "rand d#)*ess *ad
s#""ested to t*e 3resident o t*e 4#ma t*at *e destroy
t*e t<arina: T*#s t*e ready?.itted Lord !*amberlain
red#)ed t*e G#estion o m#rderin" t*e t<arina to a
2leasantry o t*e dra.in" room:
0t times t*e ministry itsel )ame into s*ar2 o22osition to
t*e t<ar: 0s early as 191=, a year and a *al beore t*e
re5ol#tion, at t*e sittin"s o t*e "o5ernment, tal8 .ent on
o2enly .*i)* e5en no. seems #nbelie5able: T*e +ar
Minister 3oli5ano5: AOnly a 2oli)y o )on)iliation to.ard
so)iety )an sa5e t*e sit#ation: T*e 2resent s*a8y dy8es
.ill not a5ert a )atastro2*e:B T*e Minister o Marine
-ri"oro5i)*: AIt;s no se)ret t*at t*e army does not tr#st #s
and is a.aitin" a )*an"e:B T*e Minister o >orei"n 0airs
Sa<ono5: AT*e 2o2#larity o t*e t<ar and *is a#t*ority in
t*e eyes o t*e 2o2#lar mass is )onsiderably s*a8en:B T*e
Minister o t*e Interior 3rin)e S*erbato5: A0ll o #s to"et*er
are #nit or "o5ernin" R#ssia in t*e sit#ation t*at is
ormin":::+e m#st *a5e eit*er a di)tators*i2 or a
)on)iliatory 2oli)yB /Session o 0#"#st 21, 191=1: Neit*er
o t*ese meas#res )o#ld no. be o *el2J neit*er .as no.
attainable: T*e t<ar )o#ld not ma8e #2 *is mind to a
di)tators*i2J *e reEe)ted a )on)iliatory 2oli)y, and did not
a))e2t t*e resi"nation o t*e ministers .*o )onsidered
t*emsel5es #nit: T*e *i"* oi)ial .*o 8e2t t*e re)ord
ma8es a s*ort )ommentary #2on t*ese ministerial
s2ee)*es: e5idently .e s*all *a5e to *an" rom a lam2?
2ost:
+it* s#)* eelin"s 2re5ailin" it is no .onder t*at e5en in
b#rea#)rati) )ir)les t*ey tal8ed o t*e ne)essity o a
2ala)e #2risin" as t*e sole means o 2re5entin" t*e
ad5an)in" re5ol#tion: AI I *ad s*#t my eyes,B remembers
one o t*e 2arti)i2ants o t*ese )on5ersations, AI mi"*t
*a5e t*o#"*t t*at I .as in t*e )om2any o des2erate
re5ol#tionists:B
0 )olonel o "endarmes ma8in" a s2e)ial in5esti"ation o
t*e army in t*e so#t* o R#ssia 2ainted a dar8 2i)t#re in
*is re2ort: T*an8s to 2ro2a"anda )*iely relatin" to t*e
-ermano2*ilism o t*e em2ress and t*e t<ar, t*e army is
2re2ared or t*e idea o a 2ala)e re5ol#tion:
A!on5ersations to t*is ee)t are o2enly )arried on in
oi)ers; meetin"s and *a5e not met t*e ne)essary
o22osition on t*e 2art o t*e *i"* )ommand:B 3roto2o2o5
on *is 2art testiies t*at Aa )onsiderable n#mber o 2eo2le
in t*e *i"* )ommandin" sta sym2at*ised .it* t*e idea o
a )o#2 dUetat: )ertain indi5id#als .ere in to#)* .it* and
#nder t*e inl#en)e o t*e )*ie leaders o t*e so?)alled
3ro"ressi5e 'lo):B
T*e s#bseG#ently notorio#s 0dmiral 9ol)*a8 testiied
beore t*e So5iet In5esti"ation !ommission ater *is troo2s
.ere ro#ted by t*e Red 0rmy t*at *e *ad )onne)tions .it*
many o22ositional members o t*e 4#ma .*ose s2ee)*es
*e .el)omed, sin)e A*is attit#de to t*e 2o.ers existin"
beore t*e re5ol#tion .as ad5erse:B 0s to t*e 2lan or a
2ala)e re5ol#tion, *o.e5er, 9ol)*a8 .as not inormed:
0ter t*e m#rder o Ras2#tin and t*e s#bseG#ent
banis*ment o "rand d#8es, *i"* so)iety tal8ed still lo#der
o t*e ne)essity o a 2ala)e re5ol#tion: 3rin)e C#ss#2o5
tells *o. .*en t*e -rand 4#8e 4mitry .as arrested at t*e
2ala)e t*e oi)ers o se5eral re"iments )ame #2 and
2ro2osed 2lans or de)isi5e a)tion, Ato .*i)* *e, o )o#rse,
)o#ld not a"ree:B
T*e 0llied di2lomats D in any )ase, t*e 'ritis* ambassador
D .ere )onsidered a))essories to t*e 2lot: T*e latter,
do#btless #2on t*e initiati5e o t*e R#ssian liberals, made
an attem2t in ,an#ary 1917 to inl#en)e Ni)*olas, *a5in"
se)#red t*e 2reliminary san)tion o *is "o5ernment:
Ni)*olas attenti5ely and 2olitely listened to t*e
ambassador, t*an8ed *im, and D s2o8e o ot*er matters:
3roto2o2o5 re2orted to Ni)*olas t*e relations bet.een
'#)*anan and t*e )*ie leaders o t*e 3ro"ressi5e 'lo),
and s#""ested t*at t*e 'ritis* 0mbassador be 2la)ed
#nder obser5ation: Ni)*olas did not seem to a22ro5e o
t*e 2ro2osal, indin" t*e .at)*in" o an ambassador
Ain)onsistent .it* international tradition:B Mean.*ile
9#rlo5 *as no *esitation in statin" t*at At*e Intelli"en)e
Ser5i)e remar8s daily t*e relations bet.een t*e leader o
t*e 9adet 3arty Mili#8o5 and t*e 'ritis* 0mbassador:B
International traditions, t*en, *ad not stood in t*e .ay at
all: '#t t*eir trans"ression *el2ed little: e5en so, a 2ala)e
)ons2ira)y .as ne5er dis)o5ered:
4id it in reality exist@ T*ere is not*in" to 2ro5e t*is: It .as
a little too broad, t*at A)ons2ira)y:B It in)l#ded too many
and too 5ario#s )ir)les to !e a )ons2ira)y: It merely *#n"
in t*e air as a mood o t*e #22er )ir)les o 3etro"rad
so)iety, as a )on#sed idea o sal5ation, or a slo"an o
des2air: '#t it did not t*i)8en do.n to t*e 2oint o
be)omin" a 2ra)ti)al 2lan:
T*e #22er nobility in t*e ei"*teent* )ent#ry *ad more
t*an on)e introd#)ed 2ra)ti)al )orre)tions into t*e
s#))ession by im2risonin" or stran"lin" in)on5enient
em2erors: t*is o2eration .as )arried o#t or t*e last time
on 3a#l in 1$%1: It is im2ossible to say, t*ereore, t*at a
2ala)e re5ol#tion .o#ld *a5e trans"ressed t*e traditions
o t*e R#ssian monar)*y: On t*e )ontrary, it *ad been a
steady element in t*ose traditions: '#t t*e aristo)ra)y *ad
lon" )eased to eel stron" at *eart: It s#rrendered t*e
*ono#r o stran"lin" t*e t<ar and t<arina to t*e
bo#r"eoisie: '#t t*e leaders o t*e latter s*o.ed little
more resol#tion:
Sin)e t*e re5ol#tion reeren)es *a5e been made more
t*an on)e to t*e liberal )a2italists -#)*8o5 and
Teres*)*en8o, and to -eneral 9rymo5 .*o .as )lose to
t*em, as t*e n#)le#s o t*e )ons2irators: -#)*8o5 and
Teres*)*en8o t*emsel5es *a5e )onirmed t*is, b#t
indeinitely: T*e ormer 5ol#nteer in t*e army o t*e 'oers
a"ainst En"land, t*e d#ellist -#)*8o5, a liberal .it* s2#rs,
m#st *a5e seemed to Aso)ial o2inionB in a "eneral .ay t*e
most s#itable i"#re or a )ons2ira)y: S#rely not t*e .ordy
3roessor Mili#8o5O -#)*8o5 #ndo#btedly re)#rred more
t*an on)e in *is t*o#"*ts to t*e s*ort and s*ar2 blo. in
.*i)* one re"iment o t*e "#ard .o#ld re2la)e and
orestall t*e re5ol#tion: +itte in *is memoirs *ad already
told on -#)*8o5, .*om *e *ated, as an admirer o t*e
Co#n" T#r8 met*ods o dis2osin" o an in)on5enient
s#ltan: '#t -#)*8o5, *a5in" ne5er s#))eeded in *is yo#t*
in dis2layin" *is yo#n" T#r8is* a#da)ity, *ad *ad time to
"ro. m#)* older: 0nd more im2ortant, t*is *en)*man o
Stoly2in )o#ld not *el2 b#t see t*e dieren)e bet.een
R#ssian )onditions and t*e old T#r8is* )onditions, )o#ld
not ail to as8 *imsel: +ill not t*e 2ala)e re5ol#tion,
instead o a means or 2re5entin" a real re5ol#tion, t#rn
o#t to be t*e last Ear t*at looses t*e a5alan)*e@ May not
t*e )#re 2ro5e more r#ino#s t*an t*e disease@
In t*e literat#re de5oted to t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion t*e
2re2aration o a 2ala)e re5ol#tion is s2o8en o as a irmly
establis*ed a)t: Mili#8o5 2#ts it t*#s: AIts realisation .as
already on t*e .ay in >ebr#ary:B 4eni8in transers its
realisation to Mar)*: 'ot* mention a A2lanB to sto2 t*e
t<ar;s train in transit, demand an abdi)ation, and in )ase o
re#sal, .*i)* .as )onsidered ine5itable, )arry o#t a
A2*ysi)al remo5alB o t*e t<ar: Mili#8o5 adds t*at,
oreseein" a 2ossible re5ol#tion, t*e *eads o t*e
3ro"ressi5e 'lo), .*o did not 2arti)i2ate in t*e 2lot, and
.ere not Aa))#ratelyB inormed o its 2re2aration, tal8ed
o5er in narro. )ir)le *o. best to ma8e #se o t*e )o#2
dUetat in )ase o s#))ess: !ertain Marxian in5esti"ations o
re)ent years also ta8e on ait* t*e story o t*e 2ra)ti)al
2re2aration o a )o#2 dUetat 'y t*at exam2le .e may learn
*o. easily and irmly le"ends .in a 2la)e in *istori)al
s)ien)e:
0s )*ie e5iden)e o t*e 2lot t*ey not inreG#ently ad5an)e
a )ertain )olo#r#l tale o Rod<ian8o, .*i)* testiies to t*e
5ery a)t t*at t*ere .as no 2lot: In ,an#ary 1917 -eneral
9rymo5 arri5ed rom t*e ront and )om2lained beore
members o t*e 4#ma t*at t*in"s )o#ld not )ontin#e
lon"er as t*ey .ere: AI yo# de)ide #2on t*is extreme
meas#re /re2la)ement o t*e t<ar1 .e .ill s#22ort yo#:B *f
yo# de)ideO T*e O)tobrist S*idlo5s8y an"rily ex)laimed:
AT*ere is no need to 2ity or s2are *im .*en *e is r#inin"
R#ssia:B In t*e noisy ar"#ment t*ese real or ima"inary
.ords o 'r#ssilo5 are also re2orted: AI it is ne)essary to
)*oose bet.een t*e t<ar and R#ssia, I side .it* R#ssia:B *f
it is ne)essaryO T*e yo#n" millionaire Teres*)*en8o s2o8e
as an inlexible t<ari)ide: T*e 9adet S*in"are5 s2o8e: AT*e
-eneral is ri"*t, an o5ert#rn is ne)essary ::: !ut who will
resolve uon it+B T*at is E#st t*e G#estion: .*o .ill resol5e
#2on it@ S#)* is t*e essen)e o t*e testimony o
Rod<ian8o, .*o *imsel s2o8e a"ainst an o5ert#rn: In t*e
)o#rse o t*e e. ollo.in" .ee8s t*e 2lan a22arently did
not mo5e or.ard an in)*: T*ey )on5ersed abo#t sto22in"
t*e t<ar;s train, b#t it is G#ite #n8no.n .*o .as to )arry
o#t t*at o2eration:
R#ssian liberalism, .*en it .as yo#n"er, *ad s#22orted
t*e re5ol#tionary terrorists .it* money and sym2at*y in
t*e *o2e t*at t*ey .o#ld dri5e t*e monar)*y into its arms
.it* t*eir bombs: None o t*ose res2e)ted "entlemen .as
a))#stomed to ris8 *is o.n *ead: '#t all t*e same t*e
)*ie rHle .as 2layed not by 2ersonal b#t by )lass ear:
T*in"s are bad no. D t*ey reasoned D b#t t*ey mi"*t "et
.orse: In any )ase, i -#)*8o5, Teres*)*en8o and 9rymo5
*ad serio#sly mo5ed to.ard a )o#2 dUetat D t*at is,
2ra)ti)ally 2re2ared it, mobilisin" t*e ne)essary or)es and
means D t*at .o#ld *a5e been establis*ed deinitely and
a))#rately ater t*e re5ol#tion: >or t*e 2arti)i2ants,
es2e)ially t*e a)ti5e yo#n" men o .*om not a e. .o#ld
*a5e been needed, .o#ld *a5e *ad no reason to 8ee2
m#m abo#t t*e AalmostB a))om2lis*ed deed: 0ter
>ebr#ary t*is .o#ld only *a5e ass#red t*em a )areer:
Io.e5er, t*ere .ere no re5elations: It is G#ite ob5io#s t*at
t*e aair ne5er .ent any art*er .it* 9rymo5 and
-#)*8o5 t*an 2atrioti) si"*s o5er .ine and )i"ars: T*e
li"*t?minded frondeurs o t*e aristo)ra)y, li8e t*e
*ea5y.ei"*t o22ositionists o t*e 2l#to)ra)y, )o#ld not
ind t*e *eart to amend by a)tion t*e )o#rse o an
#n2ro2itio#s 2ro5iden)e:
In May 1917 one o t*e most eloG#ent and em2ty liberals,
Ma8la8o5, .ill )ry o#t at a 2ri5ate )oneren)e o t*at 4#ma
.*i)* t*e re5ol#tion .ill s.ee2 a.ay alon" .it* t*e
monar)*y: AI 2osterity )#rses t*is re5ol#tion t*ey .ill
)#rse #s or *a5in" been #nable to 2re5ent it in time .it*
a re5ol#tion rom abo5eOB Still later, .*en *e is already in
exile, 9erens8y, ollo.in" Ma8la8o5 .ill lament: ACes,
enran)*ised R#ssia .as too slo. .it* its timely )o#2
dUetat rom abo5e /o .*i)* t*ey tal8ed so m#)*, and or
.*i)* t*ey 2re2ared K@L so m#)*1 D s*e .as too slo. to
orestall t*e s2ontaneo#s ex2losion o t*e state:B
T*ese t.o ex)lamations )om2lete t*e 2i)t#re o *o., e5en
ater t*e re5ol#tion *ad #nleas*ed its #n)onG#erable
or)es, ed#)ated nin)om2oo2s )ontin#ed to t*in8 t*at it
)o#ld *a5e been orestalled by a AtimelyB )*an"e o
dynasti) i"#re?*eads:
T*e determination .as la)8in" or a Abi"B 2ala)e
re5ol#tion: '#t o#t o it t*ere arose a 2lan or a small one:
T*e liberal )ons2irators did not dare to remo5e t*e )*ie
a)tor o t*e monar)*y, b#t t*e "rand d#8es de)ided to
remo5e its 2rom2ter: In t*e m#rder o Ras2#tin t*ey sa.
t*e last means o sa5in" t*e dynasty:
3rin)e C#ss#2o5, .*o .as married to a Romano5, dre.
into t*e aair t*e -rand 4#8e 4mitry 3a5lo5i)* and t*e
monar)*ist de2#ty 3#ris*8e5i)*: T*ey also tried to in5ol5e
t*e liberal Ma8la8o5, ob5io#sly to "i5e t*e m#rder an Aall?
nationalB )*ara)ter: T*e )elebrated la.yer .isely de)lined,
s#22lyin" t*e )ons2irators *o.e5er .it* 2oison D a rat*er
stylisti) distin)tionO T*e )ons2irators E#d"ed, not .it*o#t
o#ndation, t*at a Romano5 a#tomobile .o#ld a)ilitate
t*e remo5al o t*e body ater t*e m#rder: T*e "rand d#)al
)oat?o?arms *ad o#nd its #se at last: T*e rest .as )arried
o#t in t*e manner o a mo5in" 2i)t#re s)enario desi"ned
or 2eo2le o bad taste: On t*e ni"*t o t*e 1(?17t* o
4e)ember, Ras2#tin, )oaxed in to a little 2arty, .as
m#rdered in C#sso2o5;s maisonette:
T*e r#lin" )lasses, .it* t*e ex)e2tion o a narro.
)amarilla and t*e mysti) .ors*i22ers, "reeted t*e m#rder
o Ras2#tin as an a)t o sal5ation: T*e "rand d#8e, 2la)ed
#nder *o#se arrest, *is *ands, a))ordin" to t*e t<ar;s
ex2ression, stained .it* t*e blood o a m#<*i8, D alt*o#"*
a !*rist, still a m#<*i8O D .as 5isited .it* sym2at*y by all
t*e members o t*e im2erial *o#se*old t*en in 3etersb#r":
T*e t<arina;s o.n sister, .ido. o t*e -rand 4#8e Ser"ei,
tele"ra2*ed t*at s*e .as 2rayin" or t*e m#rderers and
)allin" do.n blessin"s on t*eir 2atrioti) a)t: T*e
ne.s2a2ers, #ntil t*ey .ere orbidden to mention
Ras2#tin, 2rinted e)stati) arti)les: In t*e t*eatres 2eo2le
tried to demonstrate in *ono#r o t*e m#rderers: 3assers?
by )on"rat#lated one anot*er in t*e streets: AIn 2ri5ate
*o#ses, in oi)ers; meetin"s, in resta#rants,B relates
3rin)e C#ss#2o5, At*ey dran8 to o#r *ealt*J t*e .or8ers in
t*e a)tories )ried Hurrah or #s:B +e may .ell )on)ede
t*at t*e .or8ers did not "rie5e .*en t*ey learned o t*e
m#rder o Ras2#tin, b#t t*eir )ries o I#rra*O *ad not*in"
in )ommon .it* t*e *o2e or a rebirt* o t*e dynasty: T*e
Ras2#tin )amarilla dro22ed o#t o si"*t and .aited: T*ey
b#ried Ras2#tin in se)re)y rom t*e .*ole .orld D t*e t<ar,
t*e t<arina, t*e t<ar;s da#"*ters and Vyr#bo5a: 0ro#nd t*e
body o t*e Ioly >riend, t*e ormer *orse t*ie m#rdered
by "rand d#8es, t*e t<ar;s amily m#st *a5e seemed
o#t)ast e5en to t*emsel5es: Io.e5er, e5en ater *e .as
b#ried Ras2#tin did not ind 2ea)e: Later on, .*en
Ni)*olas and 0lexandra Romano5 .ere #nder *o#se arrest,
t*e soldiers o T<ars8oe Selo d#" #2 t*e "ra5e and o2ened
t*e )oin: 0t t*e *ead o t*e m#rdered man lay an i)on
.it* t*e si"nat#res: 0lexandra, Ol"a, Tatiana, Maria,
0nastasia, 0nia: T*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment or some
reason sent an emissary to brin" t*e body to 3etro"rad: 0
)ro.d resisted, and t*e emissary .as )om2elled to b#rn
t*e body on t*e s2ot:
0ter t*e m#rder o its A>riendB t*e monar)*y s#r5i5ed in
all ten .ee8s: '#t t*is s*ort s2a)e o time .as still its o.n:
Ras2#tin .as no lon"er, b#t *is s*ado. )ontin#ed to r#le:
!ontrary to all t*e ex2e)tations o t*e )ons2irators, t*e
royal 2air be"an ater t*e m#rder to 2romote .it* s2e)ial
determination t*e most s)orned members o t*e Ras2#tin
)liG#e: In re5en"e or Ras2#tin, a notorio#s s)o#ndrel .as
named Minister o ,#sti)e: 0 n#mber o "rand d#8es .ere
banis*ed rom t*e )a2ital: It .as r#mo#red t*at
3roto2o2o5 too8 #2 s2irit#alism, )allin" #2 t*e "*ost o
Ras2#tin: T*e noose o *o2elessness .as dra.in" ti"*ter:
T*e m#rder o Ras2#tin 2layed a )olossal role, b#t a 5ery
dierent one rom t*at #2on .*i)* its 2er2etrators and
ins2irers *ad )o#nted: It did not .ea8en t*e )risis, b#t
s*ar2ened it: 3eo2le tal8ed o t*e m#rder e5ery.*ere: in
t*e 2ala)es, in t*e stas, at t*e a)tories, and in t*e
2easant;s *#ts: T*e ineren)e dre. itsel: e5en t*e "rand
d#8es *a5e no ot*er re)o#rse a"ainst t*e le2ro#s
)amarilla ex)e2t 2oison and t*e re5ol5er: T*e 2oet 'lo8
.rote o t*e m#rder o Ras2#tin: AT*e b#llet .*i)* 8illed
*im rea)*ed t*e 5ery *eart o t*e r#lin" dynasty:B
Robes2ierre on)e reminded t*e Le"islati5e 0ssembly t*at
t*e o22osition o t*e nobility, by .ea8enin" t*e monar)*y,
*ad ro#sed t*e bo#r"eoisie, and ater t*em t*e 2o2#lar
masses: Robes2ierre "a5e .arnin" at t*e same time t*at
in t*e rest o E#ro2e t*e re5ol#tion )o#ld not de5elo2 so
s.itly as in >ran)e, or t*e 2ri5ile"ed )lasses o ot*er
)o#ntries, ta#"*t by t*e ex2erien)e o t*e >ren)* nobility,
.o#ld not ta8e t*e re5ol#tionary initiati5e: In "i5in" t*is
admirable analysis, Robes2ierre .as mista8en only in *is
ass#m2tion t*at .it* its o22ositional re)8lessness t*e
>ren)* nobility *ad "i5en a lesson on)e or all to ot*er
)o#ntries: R#ssia 2ro5ed a"ain, bot* in 19%= and yet more
in 1917, t*at a re5ol#tion dire)ted a"ainst an a#to)rati)
and *al?e#dal rF"ime, and )onseG#ently a"ainst a
nobility, meets in its irst ste2 an #nsystemati) and
in)onsistent b#t ne5ert*eless 5ery real )o?o2eration not
only rom t*e ran8 and ile nobility, b#t also rom its most
2ri5ile"ed #22er )ir)les, in)l#din" *ere e5en members o
t*e dynasty: T*is remar8able *istori) 2*enomenon may
seem to )ontradi)t t*e )lass t*eory o so)iety, b#t in
reality it )ontradi)ts only its 5#l"ar inter2retation:
0 re5ol#tion brea8s o#t .*en all t*e anta"onisms o a
so)iety *a5e rea)*ed t*eir *i"*est tensions: '#t t*is
ma8es t*e sit#ation #nbearable e5en or t*e )lasses o t*e
old so)iety D t*at is, t*ose .*o are doomed to brea8 #2:
0lt*o#"* I do not .ant to "i5e a biolo"i)al analo"y more
.ei"*t t*an it deser5es, it is .ort* remar8in" t*at t*e
nat#ral a)t o birt* be)omes at a )ertain moment eG#ally
#na5oidable bot* or t*e maternal or"anism and or t*e
os2rin": T*e o22osition 2#t #2 by t*e 2ri5ile"ed )lasses
ex2resses t*e in)om2atibility o t*eir traditional so)ial
2osition .it* t*e demands o t*e #rt*er existen)e o
so)iety: E5eryt*in" seems to sli2 o#t o t*e *ands o t*e
r#lin" b#rea#)ra)y: T*e aristo)ra)y indin" itsel in t*e
o)#s o a "eneral *ostility lays t*e blame #2on t*e
b#rea#)ra)y, t*e latter blames t*e aristo)ra)y, and t*en
to"et*er, or se2arately, t*ey dire)t t*eir dis)ontent
a"ainst t*e monar)*i)al s#mmit o t*eir 2o.er:
3rin)e S*erbato5, s#mmoned into t*e ministry or a time
rom *is ser5i)e in t*e *ereditary instit#tions o t*e
nobility, said: A'ot* Samarin and I are ormer *eads o t*e
nobility in o#r 2ro5in)es: 62 till no. nobody *as e5er
)onsidered #s as Lets and .e do not )onsider o#rsel5es
so: '#t .e )an neit*er o #s #nderstand a sit#ation in a
state .*ere t*e monar)* and *is "o5ernment ind
t*emsel5es in radi)al disa"reement .it* all reasonable
/.e are not tal8in" *ere o re5ol#tionary intri"#e1 so)iety D
.it* t*e nobility, t*e mer)*ants, t*e )ities, t*e <emst5os,
and e5en t*e army: I t*ose abo5e do not .ant to listen to
o#r o2inion, it is o#r d#ty to .it*dra.:B
T*e nobility sees t*e )a#se o all its misort#nes in t*e a)t
t*at t*e monar)*y is blind or *as lost its reason: T*e
2ri5ile"ed )aste )annot belie5e t*at no 2oli)y .*ate5er is
2ossible .*i)* .o#ld re)on)ile t*e old so)iety .it* t*e
ne.: In ot*er .ords, t*e nobility )annot a))e2t its o.n
doom and )on5erts its deat*?.eariness into o22osition
a"ainst t*e most sa)red 2o.er o t*e old rF"ime, t*at is,
t*e monar)*y: T*e s*ar2ness and irres2onsibility o t*e
aristo)rati) o22osition is ex2lained by *istory;s *a5in"
made s2oiled )*ildren o t*e #22er )ir)les o t*e nobility,
and by t*e #nbearableness to t*em o t*eir o.n ears in
a)e o re5ol#tion: T*e #nsystemati) and in)onsistent
)*ara)ter o t*e noble dis)ontent is ex2lained by t*e a)t
t*at it is t*e o22osition o a )lass .*i)* *as no #t#re: '#t
as a lam2 beore it "oes o#t lares #2 .it* a bri"*t
alt*o#"* smo8y li"*t, so t*e nobility beore disa22earin"
"i5es o#t an o22ositional las*, .*i)* 2erorms a mi"*ty
ser5i)e or its mortal enemy: S#)* is t*e diale)ti) o t*is
2ro)ess, .*i)* is not only )onsistent .it* t*e )lass t*eory
o so)iety, b#t )an only by t*is t*eory be ex2lained:
Chapter $: The Death %&on of the
'onarch
T*e dynasty ell by s*a8in", li8e rotten r#it, beore t*e
re5ol#tion e5en *ad time to a22roa)* its irst 2roblems:
O#r 2ortrayal o t*e old r#lin" )lass .o#ld remain
in)om2lete i .e did not try to s*o. *o. t*e monar)*y
met t*e *o#r o its all:
T*e )<ar .as at *eadG#arters at Mo"*ile5, *a5in" "one
t*ere not be)a#se *e .as needed, b#t in li"*t rom t*e
3etro"rad disorders: T*e )o#rt )*roni)ler, -eneral
4#bens8y, .it* t*e )<ar at *eadG#arters, noted in *is
diary: A0 G#iet lie be"ins *ere: E5eryt*in" .ill remain as
beore: Not*in" .ill )ome o *is /t*e )<ar;s1 2resen)e: Only
a))idental external )a#ses .ill )*an"e anyt*in" :::B On
>ebr#ary 2&, t*e )<arina .rote Ni)*olas at *eadG#arters,
in En"lis* as al.ays: AI *o2e t*at 4#ma man 9edrins8y
/s*e means 9erens8y1 .ill be *#n" or *is *orrible
s2ee)*es?it is ne)essary /.ar time la.1 and it .ill be an
exam2le: 0ll are t*irstin" and besee)*in" t*at yo# s*o.
yo#r irmness:B On >ebr#ary 2=, a tele"ram )ame rom t*e
Minister o +ar t*at stri8es .ere o))#rrin" in t*e )a2ital,
disorders be"innin" amon" t*e .or8ers, b#t meas#res *ad
been ta8en and t*ere .as not*in" serio#s: In a .ord: AIt
isn;t t*e irst time, and .on;t be t*e lastOB
T*e )<arina, .*o *ad al.ays ta#"*t t*e )<ar not to yield,
*ere too tried to remain irm: On t*e 2(t*, .it* an ob5io#s
desire to *old #2 t*e s*a8y )o#ra"e o Ni)*olas, s*e
tele"ra2*s *im: AIt is )alm in t*e )ity:B '#t in *er e5enin"
tele"ram s*e *as to )oness: AT*in"s are not "oin" at all
.ell in t*e )ity:B In a letter s*e says: ACo# m#st say to t*e
.or8ers t*at t*ey m#st not de)lare stri8es, i t*ey do, t*ey
.ill be sent to t*e ront as a 2#nis*ment: T*ere is no need
at all o s*ootin": Only order is needed, and not to let
t*em )ross t*e brid"es:B Ces, only a little t*in" is needed,
only orderO '#t t*e )*ie t*in" is not to admit t*e .or8ers
into t*e )ity?let t*em )*o8e in t*e ra"in" im2oten)e o
t*eir s#b#rbs:
On t*e mornin" o t*e 27t*, -eneral I5ano5 mo5es rom
t*e ront .it* t*e 'attalion o St: -eor"e, entr#sted .it*
di)tatorial 2o.ers D .*i)* *e is to ma8e 2#bli), *o.e5er,
only #2on o))#2yin" Tsars8oe Selo: AIt .o#ld be *ard to
ima"ine a more #ns#itable 2erson:B -eneral 4eni8in .ill
re)all later, *imsel *a5in" ta8en a t#rn at military
di)tators*i2, Aa labby old man, mea"rely "ras2in" t*e
2oliti)al sit#ation, 2ossessin" neit*er stren"t*, nor ener"y,
nor .ill, nor a#sterity:B T*e )*oi)e ell #2on I5ano5 t*ro#"*
memories o t*e irst re5ol#tion: Ele5en years beore t*at
*e *ad s#bd#ed 9ronstadt: '#t t*ose years *ad let t*eir
tra)esJ t*e s#bd#ers *ad "ro.n labby, t*e s#bd#ed,
stron": T*e nort*ern and .estern ronts .ere ordered to
"et ready troo2s or t*e mar)* on 3etro"radJ e5idently
e5erybody t*o#"*t t*ere .as 2lenty o time a*ead: I5ano5
*imsel ass#med t*at t*e aair .o#ld be ended soon and
s#))ess#llyJ *e e5en remembered to send o#t an adE#tant
to b#y 2ro5isions in Mo"*ile5 or *is riends in 3etro"rad:
On t*e mornin" o >ebr#ary 27, Rod<ian8o sent t*e )<ar a
ne. tele"ram, .*i)* ended .it* t*e .ords: AT*e last *o#r
*as )ome .*en t*e ate o t*e at*erland and t*e dynasty
is bein" de)ided:B T*e )<ar said to *is Minister o t*e
!o#rt, >rederi8s: A0"ain t*at at?bellied Rod<ian8o *as
.ritten me a lot o nonsense, .*i)* I .on;t e5en bot*er to
ans.er:B '#t no: It .as not nonsense: Ie .ill *a5e to
ans.er:
0bo#t noon o t*e 27t*, *eadG#arters re)ei5ed a re2ort
rom 9*abalo5 o t*e m#tiny o t*e 3a5lo5s8y, Volyns8y,
Lito5s8y and 3reobra<*ens8y re"iments, and t*e ne)essity
o sendin" reliable troo2s rom t*e ront: 0n *o#r later
rom t*e +ar Ministry )ame a most reass#rin" tele"ram:
AT*e disorders .*i)* be"an t*is mornin" in )ertain
military #nits are bein" irmly and ener"eti)ally 2#t do.n
by )om2anies and battalions loyal to t*eir d#ty ::: I am
irmly )on5in)ed o an early restoration o tranG#illity:B
Io.e5er, a little ater se5en in t*e e5enin", t*e same
minister, 'elyae5, is re2ortin" t*at A+e are not s#))eedin"
in 2#ttin" do.n t*e military rebellion .it* t*e e.
deta)*ments t*at remain loyal to t*eir d#ty,B and
reG#estin" a s2eedy dis2at)* o really reliable troo2s?and
t*at too in s#i)ient n#mbers Aor sim#ltaneo#s a)ti5ity in
dierent 2arts o t*e )ity:B
T*e !o#n)il o Ministers deemed t*is a s#itable day to
remo5e rom t*eir midst t*e 2res#med )a#se o all
misort#nes D t*e *al?)ra<y Minister o t*e Interior
3roto2o2o5: 0t t*e same time -eneral 9*abalo5 iss#ed an
edi)t D 2re2ared in se)re)y rom t*e "o5ernment D
de)larin" 3etro"rad, on Iis MaEesty;s orders, #nder martial
la.: So *ere too .as an attem2t to mix *ot .it* )old D
*ardly intentional, *o.e5er, and any.ay o no #se: T*ey
did not e5en s#))eed in 2astin" #2 t*e de)laration o
martial la. t*ro#"* t*e )ity: t*e b#r"omaster, 'al8a, )o#ld
ind neit*er 2aste nor br#s*es: Not*in" .o#ld sti)8
to"et*er or t*ose #n)tionaries any lon"erJ t*ey already
belon"ed to t*e 8in"dom o s*ades:
T*e 2rin)i2al s*ade o t*e last )<arist ministry .as t*e
se5enty?year old 3rin)e -olytsin, .*o *ad ormerly
)ond#)ted some sort o eleemosynary instit#tions o t*e
)<arina, and *ad been ad5an)ed by *er to t*e 2ost o *ead
o t*e "o5ernment in a 2eriod o .ar and re5ol#tion: +*en
riends as8ed t*is A"ood?nat#red R#ssian sG#ire, t*is old
.ea8lin"B D as t*e liberal 'aron Nolde des)ribed *im D .*y
*e a))e2ted s#)* a tro#blesome 2osition, -olytsin
ans.ered: ASo as to *a5e one more 2leasant re)olle)tion:B
T*is aim, at any rate, *e did not a)*ie5e: Io. t*e last
)<arist "o5ernment elt in t*ose *o#rs is attested by
Rod<ian8o in t*e ollo.in" tale: +it* t*e irst ne.s o t*e
mo5ement o a )ro.d to.ard t*e Mariins8y 3ala)e, .*ere
t*e Ministry .as in session, all t*e li"*ts in t*e b#ildin"
.ere immediately 2#t o#t: /T*e "o5ernment .anted only
one t*in" D t*at t*e re5ol#tion s*o#ld not noti)e it:1 T*e
r#mo#r, *o.e5er, 2ro5ed alseJ t*e atta)8 did not ta8e
2la)eJ and .*en t*e li"*ts .ere t#rned on, one o t*e
members o t*e )<arist "o5ernment .as o#nd Ato *is o.n
s#r2riseB #nder t*e table: +*at 8ind o re)olle)tions *e
.as a))#m#latin" t*ere *as not been establis*ed:
'#t Rod<ian8o;s o.n eelin"s a22arently .ere not at t*eir
*i"*est 2oint: 0ter a lon" b#t 5ain *#nt or t*e
"o5ernment by tele2*one, t*e 3resident o t*e 4#ma tries
a"ain to rin" #2 3rin)e -olytsin: T*e latter ans.ers *im: AI
be" yo# not to )ome to me .it* anyt*in" #rt*er, I *a5e
resi"ned:B Iearin" t*is ne.s, Rod<ian8o, a))ordin" to *is
loyal se)retary, san8 *ea5ily in an arm)*air and )o5ered
*is a)e .it* bot* *ands:
My A-od, *o. *orribleO ::: +it*o#t a "o5ernment :::
0nar)*y ::: 'lood :::B and sotly .e2t: 0t t*e ex2irin" o t*e
senile "*ost o t*e )<arist 2o.er Rod<ian8o elt #n*a22y,
desolate, or2*aned: Io. ar *e .as at t*at moment rom
t*e t*o#"*t t*at tomorro. *e .o#ld *a5e to A *eadB a
re5ol#tionO
T*e tele2*one ans.er o -olytsin is ex2lained by t*e a)t
t*at on t*e e5enin" o t*e 27t* t*e !o#n)il o Ministers
*ad deinitely a)8no.led"ed itsel in)a2able o *andlin"
t*e sit#ation, and 2ro2osed to t*e )<ar to 2la)e at t*e
*ead o t*e "o5ernment a man enEoyin" "eneral
)oniden)e: T*e )<ar ans.ered -olytsin: AIn re"ard to
)*an"es in t*e 2ersonal sta in t*e 2resent )ir)#mstan)es,
I )onsider t*at inadmissible: Ni)*olas:B ,#st .*at
)ir)#mstan)es .as *e .aitin" or@ 0t t*e same time t*e
)<ar demanded t*at t*ey ado2t At*e most de)isi5e
meas#resB or 2#ttin" do.n t*e rebellion: T*at .as easier
said t*an done:
On t*e next day, t*e 2$t*, e5en t*e #ntameable )<arina at
last loses *eart: A!on)essions are ne)essary,B s*e
tele"ra2*s Ni)*olas: AT*e stri8es )ontin#eJ many troo2s
*a5e "one o5er to t*e side o t*e re5ol#tion: 0lex:B
It reG#ired an ins#rre)tion o t*e .*ole "#ard, t*e entire
"arrison, to )om2el t*is Iessian <ealot o a#to)ra)y to
a"ree t*at A)on)essions are ne)essary:B No. t*e )<ar also
be"ins to s#s2e)t t*at t*e Aat?bellied Rod<ian8oB *ad not
tele"ra2*ed nonsense: Ni)*olas de)ides to Eoin *is amily:
It is 2ossible t*at *e is a little "ently 2#s*ed rom be*ind
by t*e "enerals o t*e sta, too, .*o are not eelin" G#ite
)omortable:
T*e )<ar;s train tra5elled at irst .it*o#t mis*a2: Lo)al
)*ies and "o5ernors )ame o#t as #s#al to meet *im: >ar
rom t*e re5ol#tionary .*irl2ool, in *is a))#stomed royal
)ar, s#rro#nded by t*e #s#al s#ite, t*e )<ar a22arently
a"ain lost a sense o t*e )lose )omin" )risis: 0t t*ree
o;)lo)8 on t*e 2$t*, .*en t*e e5ents *ad already settled
*is ate, *e sent a tele"ram to t*e )<arina rom Vya<ma:
A+onder#l .eat*er: Io2e yo# are .ell and )alm: Many
troo2s sent rom t*e ront: +it* tender lo5e: Ni8i:B Instead
o t*e )on)essions, #2on .*i)* e5en t*e )<arina is
insistin", t*e tenderly lo5in" )<ar is sendin" troo2s rom
t*e ront: '#t in s2ite o t*at A.onder#l .eat*er,B in E#st a
e. *o#rs t*e )<ar .ill stand a)e to a)e .it* t*e
re5ol#tionary storm: Iis train .ent as ar as t*e Vis*er
station: T*e railroad .or8ers .o#ld not let it "o art*er:
AT*e brid"e is dama"ed:B Most li8ely t*is 2retext .as
in5ented by t*e )o#rtiers t*emsel5es in order to soten t*e
sit#ation: Ni)*olas tried to ma8e *is .ay, or t*ey tried to
"et *im t*ro#"*, by .ay o 'olo"oe on t*e Ni8olae5s8
railroadJ b#t *ere too t*e .or8ers .o#ld not let t*e train
2ass: T*is .as ar more 2al2able t*an all t*e 3etro"rad
tele"rams: T*e )<ar *ad bro8en a.ay rom *eadG#arters,
and )o#ld not ma8e *is .ay to t*e )a2ital: +it* its sim2le
railroad A2a.nsB t*e re5ol#tion *ad )ried A)*e)8B to t*e
8in"O
T*e )o#rt *istorian 4#bens8y, .*o a))om2anied t*e )<ar
in *is train, .rites in *is diary: A E5erybody realises t*at
t*is midni"*t t#rn at Vis*er is a *istori)al ni"*t ::: To me it
is 2ere)tly )lear t*at t*e G#estion o a )onstit#tion is
settledJ it .ill s#rely be introd#)ed ::: E5erybody is sayin"
t*at it is only ne)essary to stri8e a bar"ain .it* t*em, .it*
t*e members o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment:B >a)in" a
lo.ered sema2*ore, be*ind .*i)* mortal dan"er is
t*i)8enin", !o#nt >rederi8s, 3rin)e 4ol"or#8y, !o#nt
Le#)*tenber", all o t*em, all t*ose *i"* lords, are no. or
a )onstit#tion: T*ey no lon"er t*in8 o str#""lin": It is only
ne)essary to stri8e a bar"ain, t*at is, try to ool t*em
a"ain as in 19%=:
+*ile t*e train .as .anderin" and indin" no road, t*e
)<arina .as sendin" t*e )<ar tele"ram ater tele"ram,
a22ealin" to *im to ret#rn as soon as 2ossible: '#t *er
tele"rams )ame ba)8 to *er rom t*e oi)e .it* t*e
ins)ri2tion in bl#e 2en)il: A+*ereabo#ts o t*e addressee
#n8no.n:B T*e tele"ra2* )ler8s .ere #nable to lo)ate t*e
R#ssian )<ar:
T*e re"iments mar)*ed .it* m#si) and banners to t*e
Ta#ride 3ala)e: 0 )om2any o t*e -#ards mar)*ed #nder
t*e )ommand o !yril Vladimiro5i)*, .*o *ad G#ite
s#ddenly, a))ordin" to !o#ntess 9leinmi)*el, de5elo2ed a
re5ol#tionary strea8: T*e sentries disa22eared: T*e
intimates .ere abandonin" t*e 2ala)e: AE5erybody .as
sa5in" *imsel .*o )o#ld,B relates Vyr#bo5a: 'ands o
re5ol#tionary soldiers .andered abo#t t*e 2ala)e and .it*
ea"er )#riosity loo8ed o5er e5eryt*in": 'eore t*ey *ad
de)ided #2 abo5e .*at s*o#ld be done, t*e lo.er ran8s
.ere )on5ertin" t*e 2ala)e o t*e )<ar into a m#se#m:
T*e )<ar D *is lo)ation #n8no.n D t#rns ba)8 to 3s8o5, to
t*e *eadG#arters o t*e nort*ern ront, )ommanded by t*e
old -eneral R#s<8y: In t*e )<ar;s s#ite one s#""estion
ollo.s anot*er: T*e )<ar 2ro)rastinates: Ie is still
re)8onin" in days and .ee8s, .*ile t*e re5ol#tion is
8ee2in" its )o#nt in min#tes:
T*e 2oet 'lo8 )*ara)terised t*e )<ar d#rin" t*e last
mont*s o t*e monar)*y as ollo.s: ASt#bborn, b#t .it*o#t
.illJ ner5o#s, b#t insensiti5e to e5eryt*in"J distr#st#l o
2eo2le, ta#t and )a#tio#s in s2ee)*, *e .as no lon"er
master o *imsel: Ie *ad )eased to #nderstand t*e
sit#ation, and did not ta8e one )learly )ons)io#s ste2, b#t
"a5e *imsel o5er )om2letely into t*e *ands o t*ose
.*om *e *imsel *ad 2la)ed in 2o.er:B 0nd *o. m#)*
t*ese traits o ta#tness and la)8 o .ill, )a#tio#sness and
distr#st, .ere to in)rease d#rin" t*e last days o >ebr#ary
and irst days o Mar)*O
Ni)*olas inally de)ided to send D and ne5ert*eless
e5idently did not send D a tele"ram to t*e *ated Rod<ian8o
statin" t*at or t*e sal5ation o t*e at*erland *e
a22ointed *im to orm a ne. ministry, reser5in", *o.e5er,
t*e ministries o orei"n aairs, .ar and marine or
*imsel: T*e )<ar still *o2ed to bar"ain .it* At*emB: t*e
Amany troo2s,B ater all, .ere on t*eir .ay to 3etro"rad:
-eneral I5ano5 a)t#ally arri5ed .it*o#t *indran)e at
Tsars8oe Selo: e5idently t*e railroad .or8ers did not )are
to )ome in )onli)t .it* t*e 'attalion o St: -eor"e: T*e
"eneral )onessed later t*at *e *ad t*ree or o#r times
o#nd it ne)essary on t*e mar)* to #se at*erly inl#en)e
.it* t*e lo.er ran8s, .*o .ere im2#dent to *im: *e made
t*em "et do.n on t*eir 8nees: Immediately #2on t*e
arri5al o t*e Adi)tatorB in Tsars8oe Selo, t*e lo)al
a#t*orities inormed *im t*at an en)o#nter bet.een t*e
'attalion o St: -eor"e and t*e troo2s .o#ld mean dan"er
to t*e )<ar;s amily: T*ey .ere sim2ly araid or
t*emsel5es, and ad5ised t*e di)tator to "o ba)8 .it*o#t
detrainin":
-eneral I5ano5 tele"ra2*ed to t*e ot*er Adi)tator,B
9*abalo5, in 3etro"rad ten G#estions, to .*i)* *e re)ei5ed
s#))in)t ans.ers: +e .ill G#ote t*em in #ll, or t*ey
deser5e it:
Ivanovs
!uestions"

#habalovs replies"
1: Io. many
troo2s are in in
t*e order and
*o. many are
misbe*a5in"@
1: I *a5e at my dis2osal in
t*e 0dmiralty b#ildin" o#r
)orn )om2anies o t*e
-#ard, i5e sG#adrons o
)a5alry and !ossa)8s, and
t.o batteries t*e rest o
t*e troo2s *a5e "one o5er
to t*e re5ol#tionists,or by
a"reement .it* t*em are
remainin" ne#tral: Soldiers
are .anderin" t*ro#"* t*e
to.ns sin"ly or in bands
disarmin" oi)ers:
2: +*i)*
railroad
stations are
"#arded@
2: 0ll t*e stations are in
t*e *ands o t*e
re5ol#tionists and stri)tly
"#arded by t*em:
3: In .*at 2arts
o t*e )ity is
order
2reser5ed@
3: T*e .*ole )ity is in t*e
*ands o t*e
re5ol#tionists: T*e
tele2*one is not .or8in",
t*ere is no )omm#ni)ation
bet.een dierent 2arts o
t*e )ity:
&: +*at
a#t*orities are
"o5ernin" t*e
dierent 2arts
o t*e )ity@
&: I )annot ans.er t*is
G#estion@
=: 0re all t*e
ministries
#n)tionin"
2ro2erly@
=: T*e ministers *a5e
been arrested by t*e
re5ol#tionists:
(: +*at 2oli)e
or)es are at
yo#r dis2osal
at t*e 2resent
moment@
(: None .*ate5er :
7: +*at
te)*ni)al and
s#22ly
instit#tions o
t*e +ar
4e2artment
are no. in yo#r
)ontrol@
7: I *a5e none:
$: +*at
G#antity o
2ro5isions at is
at yo#r
dis2osal@
$: T*ere are no 2ro5isions
my dis2osal: In t*e )ity on
>ebr#ary = t*ere .ere
=,(%%,%%% 2o#nds o lo#r
in store:
9: Ia5e many
.ea2ons,
artillery and
military stores
allen : into t*e
*ands o t*e
m#tineers@
9: 0ll t*e artillery
establis*ments are in t*e
*ands o t*e
re5ol#tionists:
1%: +*at
military or)es
and t*e stas
are in yo#r
)ontrol@
1%: T*e )*ie o t*e Sta
o 4istri)t is in my
2ersonal )ontrol: +it* t*e
ot*er distri)t
administrations I *a5e no
)onne)tions:
Ia5in" re)ei5ed t*is #neG#i5o)al ill#mination as to t*e
sit#ation, -eneral I5ano5 Aa"reedB to t#rn ba)8 *is
e)*elon .it*o#t detrainin" to t*e station A4no:B K1L
AT*#s,B )on)l#des one o t*e )*ie 2ersona"es o t*e sta,
-eneral L#8oms8y, Anot*in" )ame o t*e ex2edition o
-eneral I5ano5 .it* di)tatorial 2o.ers b#t a 2#bli)
dis"ra)e:B
T*at dis"ra)e, in)identally, .as a 5ery G#iet one, sin8in"
#nnoti)ed in t*e billo.in" e5ents: T*e di)tator, .e may
s#22ose, deli5ered t*e 2ro5isions to *is riends in
3etro"rad, and *ad a lon" )*at .it* t*e )<arina: S*e
reerred to *er sel?sa)rii)in" .or8 in t*e *os2itals, and
)om2lained o t*e in"ratit#de o t*e army and t*e 2eo2le:
4#rin" t*is time ne.s .as arri5in" at 3s8o5 by .ay o
Mo"*ile5, bla)8er and bla)8er: Iis MaEesty;s o.n
body"#ard, in .*i)* e5ery soldier .as 8no.n by name and
)oddled by t*e royal amily, t#rned #2 at t*e State 4#ma
as8in" 2ermission to arrest t*ose oi)ers .*o *ad re#sed
to ta8e 2art in t*e ins#rre)tion: Vi)e?0dmiral 9#ro5s8y
re2orted t*at *e o#nd it im2ossible to ta8e any meas#res
to 2#t do.n t*e ins#rre)tion at 9ronstadt, sin)e *e )o#ld
not 5o#)* or t*e loyalty o a sin"le deta)*ment: 0dmiral
Ne2enin tele"ra2*ed t*at t*e 'alti) >leet *ad re)o"nised
t*e 3ro5isional !ommittee o t*e State 4#ma: T*e Mos)o.
)ommander?in?)*ie, Mro<o5s8y, tele"ra2*ed: A0 maEority
o t*e troo2s *a5e "one o5er .it* artillery to t*e
re5ol#tionists: T*e .*ole to.n is t*ereore in t*eir *ands:
T*e b#r"omaster and *is aide *a5e let t*e )ity *all:B Have
left means t*at t*ey led:
0ll t*is .as )omm#ni)ated to t*e )<ar on t*e e5enin" o
Mar)* 1: 4ee2 into t*e ni"*t t*ey )oaxed and ar"#ed
abo#t a res2onsible ministry: >inally, at t.o o;)lo)8 in t*e
mornin" t*e )<ar "a5e *is )onsent, and t*ose aro#nd *im
dre. a si"* o relie: Sin)e t*ey too8 it or "ranted t*at t*is
.o#ld settle t*e 2roblem o t*e re5ol#tion, an order .as
iss#ed at t*e same time t*at t*e troo2s .*i)* *ad been
sent to 3etro"rad to 2#t do.n t*e ins#rre)tion s*o#ld
ret#rn to t*e ront: R#s<8y *#rried at da.n to )on5ey t*e
"ood ne.s to Rod<ian8o: '#t t*e )<ar;s )lo)8 .as .ay
be*ind: Rod<ian8o in t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e, already b#ried
#nder a 2ile o demo)rats, so)ialists, soldiers, .or8ers;
de2#ties, re2lied to R#s<8y: ACo#r 2ro2osal is not eno#"*J
it is no. a G#estion o t*e dynasty itsel: : : : E5ery.*ere
t*e troo2s are ta8in" t*e side o t*e 4#ma, and t*e 2eo2le
are demandin" an abdi)ation in a5o#r o t*e Ieir .it*
Mi8*ail 0lexandro5i)* as re"ent:B O )o#rse: t*e troo2s
ne5er t*o#"*t o demandin" eit*er t*e Ieir or Mi8*ail
0lexandro5i)*: Rod<ian8o merely attrib#ted to t*e troo2s
and t*e 2eo2le t*at slo"an #2on .*i)* t*e 4#ma .as still
*o2in" to sto2 t*e re5ol#tion: '#t in eit*er )ase t*e )<ar;s
)on)ession *ad )ome too late: AT*e anar)*y *as rea)*ed
s#)* 2ro2ortions t*at I /Rod<ian8o1 .as t*is ni"*t
)om2elled to a22oint a 3ro5isional -o5ernment:
6nort#nately, t*e edi)t *as )ome too late :::B T*ese
maEesti) .ords bear .itness t*at t*e 3resident o t*e
4#ma *ad s#))eeded in dryin" t*e tears s*ed o5er
-olytsin: T*e )<ar read t*e )on5ersation bet.een
Rod<ian8o and R#s<8y, and *esitated, read it o5er a"ain,
and de)ided to .ait: '#t no. t*e military )*ies *ad be"#n
to so#nd t*e alarm: t*e matter )on)erned t*em too a
littleO
-eneral 0lexeie5 )arried o#t d#rin" t*e *o#rs o t*at ni"*t
a sort o 2lebis)ite amon" t*e )ommanders?in?)*ie at t*e
ronts: It is a "ood t*in" 2resent?day re5ol#tions are
a))om2lis*ed .it* t*e *el2 o t*e tele"ra2*, so t*at t*e
5ery irst im2#lses and rea)tions o t*ose in 2o.er are
2reser5ed to *istory on t*e ta2e: T*e )on5ersations o t*e
)<arist ield?mars*als on t*e ni"*t o Mar)* 1?2 are an
in)om2arable *#man do)#ment: S*o#ld t*e )<ar abdi)ate
or not@ T*e )ommander?in?)*ie o t*e .estern ront,
-eneral E5ert, )onsented to "i5e *is o2inion only ater
-enerals R#s<8y and 'r#ssilo5 *ad ex2ressed t*emsel5es:
T*e )ommander?in?)*ie o t*e Ro#manian ront, -eneral
Sa8*aro5, demanded t*at beore *e ex2ress *imsel t*e
)on)l#sions o all t*e ot*er )ommanders?in?)*ie s*o#ld be
)omm#ni)ated to *im: 0ter lon" delays t*is 5aliant
)*ietain anno#n)ed t*at *is .arm lo5e or t*e monar)*
.o#ld not 2ermit *is so#l to re)on)ile itsel .it* an
a))e2tan)e o t*e Abase s#""estionBJ ne5ert*eless, A.it*
sobsB *e ad5ised t*e )<ar to abdi)ate in order to a5oid
Astill 5iler 2retensions:B 0dE#tant?-eneral E5ert G#ite
reasonably ex2lained t*e ne)essity or )a2it#lation: AI am
ta8in" all meas#res to 2re5ent inormation as to t*e
2resent sit#ation in t*e )a2ital rom 2enetratin" t*e army,
in order to 2rote)t it a"ainst ind#bitable dist#rban)es: No
means exist or 2#ttin" do.n t*e re5ol#tion in t*e
)a2itals:B -rand 4#8e Ni8olai Ni8olaEe5i)* on t*e
!a#)asian ront besee)*ed t*e )<ar on bended 8nee to
ado2t t*e As#2ermeas#reB and reno#n)e t*e t*rone: 0
similar 2rayer )ame rom -enerals 0lexeie5 and 'r#ssilo5
and 0dmiral Ne2enin: R#s<8y s2o8e orally to t*e same
ee)t: T*e "enerals res2e)t#lly 2resented se5en re5ol5er
barrels to t*e tem2le o t*e adored monar)*: >earin" to let
sli2 t*e moment or re)on)iliation .it* t*e ne. 2o.er, and
no less earin" t*eir o.n troo2s, t*ese military )*ietains,
a))#stomed as t*ey .ere to s#rrenderin" 2ositions, "a5e
t*e )<ar and t*e Ii"* !ommander?in?!*ie a G#ite
#nanimo#s )o#nsel: Retire .it*o#t i"*tin": T*is .as no
lon"er distant 3etro"rad a"ainst .*i)*, as it seemed, one
mi"*t send troo2sJ t*is .as t*e ront rom .*i)* t*e
troo2s *ad to be borro.ed:
Ia5in" listened to t*is s#""esti5ely )ir)#mstan)ed re2ort,
t*e )<ar de)ided to abdi)ate t*e t*rone .*i)* *e no lon"er
2ossessed: 0 tele"ram to Rod<ian8o s#itable to t*e
o))asion .as dra.n #2: AT*ere is no sa)rii)e t*at I .o#ld
not ma8e in t*e name o t*e real .elare and sal5ation o
my nati5e mot*er R#ssia: T*#s I am ready to abdi)ate t*e
t*rone in a5o#r o my son, and in order t*at *e may
remain .it* me #ntil *e is o a"e, #nder t*e re"en)y o my
brot*er, Mi8*ail 0lexandro5i)*: Ni)*olas:B T*is tele"ram
too, *o.e5er, .as not des2at)*ed, or ne.s )ame rom
t*e )a2ital o t*e de2art#re or 3s8o5 o t*e de2#ties
-#)*8o5 and S*#l"in: T*is oered a ne. 2retext to
2ost2one t*e de)ision: T*e )<ar ordered t*e tele"ram
ret#rned to *im: Ie ob5io#sly dreaded to sell too )*ea2,
and still *o2ed or )omortin" ne.s D or more a))#rately,
*o2ed or a mira)le: Ni)*olas re)ei5ed t*e t.o de2#ties at
t.el5e o;)lo)8 midni"*t Mar)* 2?$: T*e mira)le did not
)ome, and it .as im2ossible to e5ade lon"er: T*e )<ar
#nex2e)tedly anno#n)ed t*at *e )o#ld not 2art .it* *is
son D .*at 5a"#e *o2es .ere t*en .anderin" in *is *ead@
D and si"ned an abdi)ation in a5o#r o *is brot*er: 0t t*e
same time edi)ts to t*e Senate .ere si"ned, namin"
3rin)e L5o5 3resident o t*e !o#n)il o Ministers, and
Ni8olai Ni8olaie5i)* S#2reme !ommander?in?!*ie: T*e
amily s#s2i)ions o t*e )<arina seemed to *a5e been
E#stiied: t*e *ated ANi8olas*aB )ame ba)8 to 2o.er alon"
.it* t*e )ons2irators: -#)*8o5 a22arently serio#sly
belie5ed t*at t*e re5ol#tion .o#ld a))e2t t*e Most 0#"#st
+ar !*ie: T*e latter also a))e2ted *is a22ointment in
"ood ait*: Ie e5en tried or a e. days to "i5e some 8ind
o orders and ma8e a22eals or t*e #lilment o 2atrioti)
d#ty: Io.e5er t*e re5ol#tion 2ainlessly remo5ed *im:
In order to 2reser5e t*e a22earan)e o a ree a)t, t*e
abdi)ation .as dated t*ree o;)lo)8 in t*e aternoon, on t*e
2reten)e t*at t*e ori"inal de)ision o t*e )<ar to abdi)ate
*ad ta8en 2la)e at t*at *o#r: '#t as a matter o a)t t*at
aternoon;s Ade)ision,B .*i)* "a5e t*e s)e2tre to *is son
and not to *is brot*er, *ad been ta8en ba)8 in anti)i2ation
o a more a5o#rable t#rn o t*e .*eel: O t*at, *o.e5er,
nobody s2o8e o#t lo#d: T*e )<ar made a last eort to sa5e
*is a)e beore t*e *ated de2#ties, .*o #2on t*eir 2art
2ermitted t*is alsii)ation o a *istori) a)t D t*is de)ei5in"
o t*e 2eo2le: T*e monar)*y retired rom t*e s)ene
2reser5in" its #s#al styleJ and its s#))essors also
remained tr#e to t*emsel5es: T*ey 2robably e5en
re"arded t*eir )onni5an)e as t*e ma"nanimity o a
)onG#eror to t*e )onG#ered:
4e2artin" a little rom t*e 2*le"mati) style o *is diary,
Ni)*olas .rites on Mar)* 2: AT*is mornin" R#s<8y )ame
and read me a lon" )on5ersation o5er t*e .ire .it*
Rod<ian8o: 0))ordin" to *is .ords t*e sit#ation in
3etro"rad is s#)* t*at a ministry o t*e members o t*e
State 4#ma .ill be 2o.erless to do anyt*in", or it is bein"
o22osed by t*e so)ial?demo)rati) 2arty in t*e 2erson o a
.or8ers; )ommittee: My abdi)ation is ne)essary: R#s<8y
transmitted t*is )on5ersation to 0lexeie5 at *eadG#arters
and to all t*e )ommanders?in?)*ie: 0ns.ers arri5ed at
12:3%: To sa5e R#ssia and 8ee2 t*e army at t*e ront, I
de)ided #2on t*is ste2: I a"reed, and t*ey sent rom
*eadG#arters t*e text o an abdi)ation: In t*e e5enin"
)ame -#)*8o5 and S*#l"in rom 3etro"rad, .it* .*om I
tal8ed it o5er and "a5e t*em t*e do)#ment amended and
si"ned: 0t 1 o;)lo)8 in t*e mornin" I let 3s8o5 .it* *ea5y
eelin"sJ aro#nd me treason, )o.ardi)e, de)eit:B
T*e bitterness o Ni)*olas .as, .e m#st )oness, not
.it*o#t o#ndation: It .as only as s*ort a time a"o as
>ebr#ary 2$, t*at -eneral 0lexeie5 *ad tele"ra2*ed to all
t*e )ommanders?in?)*ie at t*e ront: A 62on #s all lies a
sa)red d#ty beore t*e so5erei"n and t*e at*erland to
2reser5e loyalty to oat* and d#ty in t*e troo2s o t*e
a)ti5e army:B T.o days later 0lexeie5 a22ealed to t*ese
same )ommanders?in?)*ie to 5iolate t*eir Aloyalty to oat*
and d#ty:B In all t*e )ommandin" sta t*ere .as not o#nd
one man to ta8e a)tion in be*al o *is )<ar: T*ey all
*astened to transer to t*e s*i2 o t*e re5ol#tion, irmly
ex2e)tin" to ind )omortable )abins t*ere: -enerals and
admirals one and all remo5ed t*e )<arist braid and 2#t on
t*e red ribbon: T*ere .as ne.s s#bseG#ently o one sin"le
ri"*teo#s so#l, some )ommander o a )or2s, .*o died o
*eart ail#re ta8in" t*e ne. oat*: '#t it is not establis*ed
t*at *is *eart ailed t*ro#"* inE#red monar)*ist eelin"s,
and not t*ro#"* ot*er )a#ses: T*e )i5il oi)ials nat#rally
.ere not obli"ed to s*o. more )o#ra"e t*an t*e military D
ea)* one .as sa5in" *imsel as *e )o#ld:
'#t t*e )lo)8 o t*e monar)*y de)idedly did not )oin)ide
.it* t*e re5ol#tionary )lo)8s: 0t da.n o Mar)* $, R#s<8y
.as a"ain s#mmoned to t*e dire)t .ire rom t*e )a2ital:
Rod<ian8o and 3rin)e L5o5 .ere demandin" t*at *e *old
#2 t*e )<ar;s abdi)ation, .*i)* *ad a"ain 2ro5ed too late:
T*e installation o 0lexei D said t*e ne. a#t*orities
e5asi5ely D mi"*t 2er*a2s be a))e2ted D by .*om@ D b#t
t*e installation o Mi8*ail .as absol#tely #na))e2table:
R#s<8y .it* some 5enom ex2ressed *is re"ret t*at t*e
de2#ties o t*e 4#ma .*o *ad arri5ed t*e ni"*t beore
*ad not been s#i)iently inormed as to t*e aims and
2#r2oses o t*eir Eo#rney: '#t *ere too t*e de2#ties *ad
t*eir E#stii)ation: A6nex2e)tedly to #s all t*ere bro8e o#t
s#)* a soldiers; rebellion as I ne5er sa. t*e li8e o,B
ex2lained t*e Lord !*amberlain to R#s<8y, as t*o#"* *e
*ad done not*in" all *is lie b#t .at)* soldiers; rebellions:
ATo 2ro)laim Mi8*ail em2eror .o#ld 2o#r oil on t*e ire and
t*ere .o#ld be"in a r#t*less extermination o e5eryt*in"
t*at )an be exterminated:B Io. it .*irls and s*a8es and
bends and )ontorts t*em allO
T*e "enerals silently s.allo.ed t*is ne. A5ile 2retensionB
o t*e re5ol#tion: 0lexeie5 alone sli"*tly relie5ed *is s2irit
in a tele"ra2*i) b#lletin to t*e )ommanders?in?)*ie: AT*e
let 2arties and t*e .or8ers; de2#ties are exer)isin" a
2o.er#l 2ress#re #2on t*e 3resident o t*e 4#ma, and
t*ere is no ran8ness or sin)erity in t*e )omm#ni)ations o
Rod<ian8o:B T*e only t*in" la)8in" to t*e "enerals in t*ose
*o#rs .as sin)erity
'#t at t*is 2oint t*e )<ar a"ain )*an"ed *is mind: 0rri5in"
in Mo"*ile5 rom 3s8o5, *e *anded to *is ormer )*ie?o?
sta, 0lexeie5, or transmission to 3etro"rad, a s*eet o
2a2er .it* *is )onsent to t*e *andin" o5er o t*e s)e2tre
to *is son: E5idently *e o#nd t*is )ombination in t*e lon"
r#n more 2romisin": 0lexeie5, a))ordin" to 4eni8in;s story,
.ent a.ay .it* t*e tele"ram and ::: did not send it: Ie
t*o#"*t t*at t*ose t.o maniestos .*i)* *ad already been
2#blis*ed to t*e army and t*e )o#ntry .ere eno#"*: T*e
dis)ord arose rom t*e a)t t*at not only t*e )<ar and *is
)o#nsellors, b#t also t*e 4#ma liberals, .ere t*in8in"
more slo.ly t*an t*e re5ol#tion:
'eore *is inal de2art#re rom Mo"*ile5 on Mar)* $, t*e
)<ar, already #nder ormal arrest, .rote an a22eal to t*e
troo2s endin" .it* t*ese .ords: A+*oe5er t*in8s no. o
2ea)e, .*oe5er desires it, t*at man is a traitor to t*e
at*erland, its betrayer:B T*is .as in t*e nat#re o a
2rom2ted attem2t to snat)* o#t o t*e *ands o liberalism
t*e a))#sation o -ermano2*ilism: T*e attem2t *ad no
res#lt: t*ey did not e5en dare 2#blis* t*e a22eal:
T*#s ended a rei"n .*i)* *ad been a )ontin#o#s )*ain o
ill l#)8, ail#re, misort#ne, and e5il?doin", rom t*e
9*odyn8a )atastro2*e d#rin" t*e )oronation, t*ro#"* t*e
s*ootin" o stri8ers and re5oltin" 2easants, t*e R#se?
,a2anese .ar, t*e ri"*t#l 2#ttin"?do.n o t*e re5ol#tion
o 19%=, t*e inn#merable exe)#tions, 2#niti5e ex2editions
and national 2o"roms and endin" .it* t*e insane and
)ontem2tible 2arti)i2ation o R#ssia in t*e insane and
)ontem2tible .orld .ar:
62on arri5in" at Tsars8oe Selo, .*ere *e and *is amily
.ere )onined in t*e 2ala)e, t*e )<ar, a))ordin" to
Vyr#bo5a, sotly said: AT*ere is no E#sti)e amon" men:B
'#t t*ose 5ery .ords irre#tably testiy t*at *istori)
E#sti)e, t*o#"* it )omes late, does exist:
T*e similarity o t*e Romano5 )o#2le to t*e >ren)* royal
2air o t*e e2o)* o t*e -reat Re5ol#tion is 5ery ob5io#s: It
*as already been remar8ed in literat#re, b#t only in
2assin" and .it*o#t dra.in" ineren)es: Ne5ert*eless it is
not at all a))idental, as a22ears at t*e irst "lan)e, b#t
oers 5al#able material or an ineren)e:
0lt*o#"* se2arated rom ea)* ot*er by i5e G#arter
)ent#ries, t*e )<ar and t*e 8in" .ere at )ertain moments
li8e t.o a)tors 2layin" t*e same rHle: 0 2assi5e, 2atient,
b#t 5indi)ti5e trea)*ery .as t*e distin)ti5e trait o bot* D
.it* t*is dieren)e, t*at in Lo#is it .as dis"#ised .it* a
d#bio#s 8indliness, in Ni)*olas .it* aability: T*ey bot*
ma8e t*e im2ression o 2eo2le .*o are o5erb#rdened by
t*eir Eob, b#t at t*e same time #n.illin" to "i5e #2 e5en a
2art o t*ose ri"*ts o .*i)* t*ey are #nable to ma8e any
#se: T*e diaries o bot*, similar in style or la)8 o style,
re5eal t*e same de2ressin" s2irit#al em2tiness:
T*e 0#strian .oman and t*e Iessian -erman orm also a
stri8in" symmetry: 'ot* G#eens stand abo5e t*eir 8in"s,
not only in 2*ysi)al b#t also in moral "ro.t*: Marie
0ntoinette .as less 2io#s t*an 0lexandra >eodoro5na, and
#nli8e t*e latter .as 2assionately ond o 2leas#res: '#t
bot* ali8e s)orned t*e 2eo2le, )o#ld not end#re t*e
t*o#"*t o )on)essions, ali8e mistr#sted t*e )o#ra"e o
t*eir *#sbands, loo8in" do.n #2on t*em D 0ntoinette .it*
a s*ade o )ontem2t, 0lexandra .it* 2ity:
+*en t*e a#t*ors o memoirs, a22roa)*in" t*e 3etersb#r"
)o#rt o t*eir day, ass#re #s t*at Ni)*olas II, *ad *e been a
2ri5ate indi5id#al, .o#ld *a5e let a "ood memory be*ind
*im, t*ey merely re2rod#)e t*e lon"?a"o stereoty2ed
remar8s abo#t Lo#is VVI, not enri)*in" in t*e least o#r
8no.led"e eit*er o *istory or o *#man nat#re:
+e *a5e already seen *o. 3rin)e L5o5 be)ame indi"nant
.*en, at t*e *ei"*t o t*e tra"i) e5ents o t*e irst
re5ol#tion, instead o a de2ressed )<ar, *e o#nd beore
*im a A,olly' sri"htly little man in a ras2berry?)olo#red
s*irt:B +it*o#t 8no.in" it, t*e 2rin)e merely re2eated t*e
)omment o -o5ernor Morris .ritin" in +as*in"ton in 179%
abo#t Lo#is: A+*at .ill yo# *a5e rom a )reat#re .*o,
sit#ated as *e is, eats and drin8s and slee2s .ell, and
la#"*s and is as merry a "ri" as li5es@B
+*en 0lexandra >eodoro5na, t*ree mont*s beore t*e all
o t*e monar)*y, 2ro2*esies: A0ll is )omin" o#t or t*e
best, t*e dreams o o#r >riend mean so m#)*OB s*e merely
re2eats Marie 0ntoinette, .*o one mont* beore t*e
o5ert*ro. o t*e royal 2o.er .rote: A I eel a li5eliness o
s2irit, and somet*in" tells me t*at .e s*all soon be *a22y
and sae:B T*ey bot* see rainbo. dreams as t*ey dro.n:
!ertain elements o similarity o )o#rse are a))idental, and
*a5e t*e interest only o *istori) ane)dotes: Ininitely more
im2ortant are t*ose traits o )*ara)ter .*i)* *a5e been
"rated, or more dire)tly im2osed, on a 2erson by t*e
mi"*ty or)e o )onditions, and .*i)* t*ro. a s*ar2 li"*t
on t*e interrelation o 2ersonality and t*e obEe)ti5e a)tors
o *istory:
AIe did not 8no. *o. to .is*: t*at .as *is )*ie trait o
)*ara)ter,B says a rea)tionary >ren)* *istorian o Lo#is:
T*ose .ords mi"*t *a5e been .ritten o Ni)*olas: neit*er
o t*em 8ne. *o. to .is*, b#t bot* 8ne. *o. to not .is*:
'#t .*at really )o#ld be A.is*edB by t*e last
re2resentati5es o a *o2elessly lost *istori) )a#se@
A6s#ally *e listened, smiled, and rarely de)ided #2on
anyt*in": Iis irst .ord .as #s#ally No:B O .*om is t*at
.ritten@ 0"ain o !a2et: '#t i t*is is so, t*e manners o
Ni)*olas .ere an absol#te 2la"iarism: T*ey bot* "o to.ard
t*e abyss A.it* t*e )ro.n 2#s*ed do.n o5er t*eir eyes:B
'#t .o#ld it ater all be easier to "o to an abyss, .*i)*
yo# )annot es)a2e any.ay, .it* yo#r eyes o2en@ +*at
dieren)e .o#ld it *a5e made, as a matter o a)t, i t*ey
*ad 2#s*ed t*e )ro.n .ay ba)8 on t*eir *eads@
Some 2roessional 2sy)*olo"ist o#"*t to dra. #2 an
ant*olo"y o t*e 2arallel ex2ressions o Ni)*olas and Lo#is,
0lexandra and 0ntoinette, and t*eir )o#rtiers: T*ere .o#ld
be no la)8 o material, and t*e res#lt .o#ld be a *i"*ly
instr#)ti5e *istori) testimony in a5o#r o t*e materialist
2sy)*olo"y: Similar /o )o#rse, ar rom identi)al1 irritations
in similar )onditions )all o#t similar relexesJ t*e more
2o.er#l t*e irritation, t*e sooner it o5er)omes 2ersonal
2e)#liarities: To a ti)8le, 2eo2le rea)t dierently, b#t to a
red?*ot iron, ali8e: 0s a steam?*ammer )on5erts a s2*ere
and a )#be ali8e into s*eet metal, so #nder t*e blo. o too
"reat and inexorable e5ents resistan)es are smas*ed and
t*e bo#ndaries o Aindi5id#alityB lost:
Lo#is and Ni)*olas .ere t*e last?born o a dynasty t*at
*ad li5ed t#m#lt#o#sly: T*e .ell?8no.n eG#ability o t*em
bot*, t*eir tranG#illity and A"aiety B in dii)#lt moments,
.ere t*e .ell?bred ex2ression o a mea"reness o inner
2o.ers, a .ea8ness o t*e ner5o#s dis)*ar"e, 2o5erty o
s2irit#al reso#r)es: Moral )astrates, t*ey .ere absol#tely
de2ri5ed o ima"ination and )reati5e or)e: T*ey *ad E#st
eno#"* brains to eel t*eir o.n tri5iality, and t*ey
)*eris*ed an en5io#s *ostility to.ard e5eryt*in" "ited
and si"nii)ant: It ell to t*em bot* to r#le a )o#ntry in
)onditions o dee2 inner )risis and 2o2#lar re5ol#tionary
a.a8enin": 'ot* o t*em o#"*t o t*e intr#sion o ne.
ideas, and t*e tide o *ostile or)es: Inde)isi5eness,
*y2o)risy, and lyin" .ere in bot* )ases t*e ex2ression, not
so m#)* o 2ersonal .ea8ness, as o t*e )om2lete
im2ossibility o *oldin" ast, to t*eir *ereditary 2ositions:
0nd *o. .as it .it* t*eir .i5es@ 0lexandra, e5en more
t*an 0ntoinette, .as lited to t*e 5ery *ei"*ts o t*e
dreams o a 2rin)ess, es2e)ially s#)* a r#ral one as t*is
Iessian, by *er marria"e .it* t*e #nlimited des2ot o a
2o.er#l )o#ntry: 'ot* o t*em .ere illed to t*e brim .it*
t*e )ons)io#sness o t*eir *i"* mission: 0ntoinette more
ri5olo#sly, 0lexandra in a s2irit o 3rotestant bi"otry
translated into t*e Sla5oni) lan"#a"e o t*e R#ssian
!*#r)*: 0n #nl#)8y rei"n and a "ro.in" dis)ontent o t*e
2eo2le r#t*lessly destroyed t*e antasti) .orld .*i)*
t*ese t.o enter2risin" b#t ne5ert*eless )*i)8enli8e *eads
*ad b#ilt or t*emsel5es: Ien)e t*e "ro.in" bitterness,
t*e "na.in" *ostility to an alien 2eo2le t*at .o#ld not
bo. beore t*emJ t*e *atred to.ard ministers .*o .anted
to "i5e e5en a little )onsideration to t*at *ostile .orld, to
t*e )o#ntryJ *en)e t*eir alienation e5en rom t*eir o.n
)o#rt, and t*eir )ontin#ed irritation a"ainst a *#sband .*o
*ad not #lilled t*e ex2e)tations aro#sed by *im as a
bride"room:
Iistorians and bio"ra2*ers o t*e 2sy)*olo"i)al tenden)y
not inreG#ently see8 and ind somet*in" 2#rely 2ersonal
and a))idental .*ere "reat *istori)al or)es are rera)ted
t*ro#"* a 2ersonality: T*is is t*e same a#lt o 5ision as
t*at o t*e )o#rtiers .*o )onsidered t*e last R#ssian )<ar
born A#nl#)8y:B Ie *imsel belie5ed t*at *e .as born
#nder an #nl#)8y star: In reality *is ill?l#)8 lo.ed rom t*e
)ontradi)tions bet.een t*ose old aims .*i)* *e in*erited
rom *is an)estors and t*e ne. *istori) )onditions in .*i)*
*e .as 2la)ed: +*en t*e an)ients said t*at ,#2iter irst
ma8es mad t*ose .*o .*om *e .is*es to destroy, t*ey
s#mmed #2 in s#2erstitio#s orm a 2roo#nd *istori)
obser5ation: In t*e sayin" o -oet*e abo#t reason
be)omin" nonsense D AVernunft wird UnsinnB D t*is same
t*o#"*t is ex2ressed abo#t t*e im2ersonal ,#2iter o t*e
*istori)al diale)ti), .*i)* .it*dra.s Areason B rom *istori)
instit#tions t*at *a5e o#tli5ed t*emsel5es and )ondemns
t*eir deenders to ail#re: T*e s)ri2ts or t*e rHles o
Romano5 and !a2et .ere 2res)ribed by t*e "eneral
de5elo2ment o t*e *istori) dramaJ only t*e n#an)es o
inter2retation ell to t*e lot o t*e a)tors: T*e ill?l#)8 o
Ni)*olas, as o Lo#is, *ad its roots not in *is 2ersonal
*oros)o2e, b#t in t*e *istori)al *oros)o2e o t*e
b#rea#)rati)?)aste monar)*y: T*ey .ere bot*, )*iely and
abo5e all, t*e last?born os2rin" o absol#tism: T*eir
moral insi"nii)an)e, deri5in" rom t*eir dynasti)
e2i"onism, "a5e t*e latter an es2e)ially mali"nant
)*ara)ter:
Co# mi"*t obEe)t: i 0lexander III *ad dr#n8 less *e mi"*t
*a5e li5ed a "ood deal lon"er, t*e re5ol#tion .o#ld *a5e
r#n into a 5ery dierent ma8e o )<ar, and no 2arallel .it*
Lo#is VVI .o#ld *a5e been 2ossible: S#)* an obEe)tion,
*o.e5er, does not re#te in t*e least .*at *as been said
abo5e: +e do not at all 2retend to deny t*e si"nii)an)e o
t*e 2ersonal in t*e me)*ani)s o t*e *istori) 2ro)ess, nor
t*e si"nii)an)e in t*e 2ersonal o t*e a))idental: +e only
demand t*at a *istori) 2ersonality, .it* all its 2e)#liarities,
s*o#ld not be ta8en as a bare list o 2sy)*olo"i)al traits,
b#t as a li5in" reality "ro.n o#t o deinite so)ial
)onditions and rea)tin" #2on t*em: 0s a rose does not lose
its ra"ran)e be)a#se t*e nat#ral s)ientist 2oints o#t #2on
.*at in"redients o soil and atmos2*ere it is no#ris*ed, so
an ex2os#re o t*e so)ial roots o a 2ersonality does not
remo5e rom it eit*er its aroma or its o#l smell:
T*e )onsideration ad5an)ed abo5e abo#t a 2ossible lon"
lie o 0lexander III is )a2able o ill#min" t*is 5ery 2roblem
rom anot*er side: Let #s ass#me t*at t*is 0lexander III
*ad not be)ome mixed #2 in 19%& in a .ar .it* ,a2an: T*is
.o#ld *a5e delayed t*e irst re5ol#tion: >or *o. lon"@ It is
2ossible t*at t*e Are5ol#tion o 19%=B D t*at is, t*e irst
test o stren"t* t*e irst brea)* in t*e system o
absol#tism D .o#ld *a5e been a mere introd#)tion to t*e
se)ond, re2#bli)an, and t*e t*ird, 2roletarian re5ol#tion:
62on t*is G#estion more or less interestin" "#esses are
2ossible, b#t it is ind#bitable in any )ase t*at t*e
re5ol#tion did not res#lt rom t*e )*ara)ter o Ni)*olas II,
and t*at 0lexander III .o#ld not *a5e sol5ed its 2roblem: It
is eno#"* to remember t*at no.*ere and ne5er .as t*e
transition rom t*e e#dal to t*e bo#r"eois rF"ime made
.it*o#t 5iolent dist#rban)es: +e sa. t*is only yesterday
in !*inaJ today .e obser5e it a"ain in India: T*e most .e
)an say is t*at t*is or t*at 2oli)y o t*e monar)*y, t*is or
t*at 2ersonality oJ t*e monar)*, mi"*t *a5e *astened or
2ost2oned t*e re5ol#tion and 2la)ed a )ertain im2rint on
its external )o#rse:
+it* .*at an"ry and im2otent st#bbornness )*arisma
tried to deend itsel in t*ose last mont*s, .ee8s and days,
.*en it "ame .as *o2elessly lostO I Ni)*olas *imsel
la)8ed t*e .ill t*e la)8 .as made #2 by t*e )<arina:
Ras2#tin .as an instr#ment o t*e a)tion o a )liG#e .*i)*
rabidly o#"*t or sel?2reser5ation: E5en on t*is narro.
s)ale t*e 2ersonality o t*e )<ar mer"es in a "ro#2 .*i)*
re2resents t*e )oa"#l#m o t*e 2ast and its last
)on5#lsion: T*e A2oli)yB o t*e #22er )ir)les a Tsars8oe
Selo, a)e to a)e .it* t*e re5ol#tion, .ere b#t t*e relexes
o a 2oisoned and .ea8 beast o 2rey: I yo# )*ase .ol
o5er t*e ste22e in an a#tomobile, t*e beast "i5es o#t a
last and lies do.n im2otent: '#t attem2t to 2#t a )ollar on
*im and *e .ill try to tear yo# to 2ie)es, or at least .o#nd
yo# 0nd indeed .*at else )an *e do in t*e )ir)#mstan)es@
T*e liberals ima"ined t*ere .as somet*in" else *e mi"*t
do: Instead o )omin" to an a"reement .it* t*e
enran)*ised bo#r"eoisie in "ood season, and t*#s
2re5entin" t*e re5ol#tion s#)* is liberalism;s a)t o
a))#sation a"ainst t*e last )<ar D Ni)*olas st#bbornly
s*ran8 rom )on)essions, and e5en in t*e last days .*en
already #nder t*e 8nie o destiny, .*en e5ery min#te .as
to be )o#nted, still 8e2t on 2ro)rastinatin", bar"ainin" .it*
ate, and lettin" sli2 t*e last 2ossibilities: T*is all so#nds
)on5in)in": '#t *o. #nort#nate t*at liberalism, 8no.in"
so a))#rately *o. to sa5e t*e monar)*y, did not 8no.
*o. to sa5e itselO
It .o#ld be abs#rd to maintain t*at )<arism ne5er and in
no )ir)#mstan)es made )on)essions: It made t*em .*en
t*ey .ere demanded by t*e ne)essity o sel?2reser5ation:
0ter t*e !rimean deeat, 0lexander II )arried o#t t*e
semi?liberation o t*e 2easants and a series o liberal
reorms in t*e s2*ere o land administration, )o#rts, 2ress,
ed#)ational instit#tions, et): T*e )<ar *imsel ex2ressed
t*e "#idin" t*o#"*t o t*is reormation: to ree t*e
2easants rom a!ove lest t*ey ree t*emsel5es rom
!elow: 6nder t*e dri5e o t*e irst re5ol#tion Ni)*olas II
"ranted a semi?)onstit#tion: Stoly2in s)ra22ed t*e
2easant )omm#nes in order to broaden t*e arena o t*e
)a2italist or)es: >or )<arism, *o.e5er, all t*ese reorms
*ad a meanin" only in so ar as t*e 2artial )on)ession
2reser5ed t*e .*ole D t*at is, t*e o#ndations o a )aste
so)iety and t*e monar)*y itsel: +*en t*e )onseG#en)es
o t*e reorm be"an to s2las* o5er t*ose bo#ndaries t*e
monar)*y ine5itably beat a retreat: 0lexander II in t*e
se)ond *al o *is rei"n stole ba)8 t*e reorms o t*e irst
*al: 0lexander III .ent still art*er on t*e road o )o#nter?
reorm: Ni)*olas II in O)tober 19%= retreated beore t*e
re5ol#tion, and t*en ater.ards dissol5ed t*e 4#mas
)reated by it, and as soon as t*e re5ol#tion "re. .ea8,
made *is cou d-etat T*ro#"*o#t t*ree?G#arters o a
)ent#ry D i .e be"in .it* t*e reorm o 0lexander II D
t*ere de5elo2ed a str#""le o *istori) or)es, no.
#nder"ro#nd, no. in t*e o2en, ar trans)endin" t*e
2ersonal G#alities o t*e se2arate )ars, and a))om2lis*in"
t*e o5ert*ro. o t*e monar)*y: Only .it*in t*e *istori)
rame.or8 o t*is 2ro)ess )an yo# ind a 2la)e or
indi5id#al )ars, t*eir )*ara)ters, t*eir Abio"ra2*ies:B
E5en t*e most des2oti) o a#to)rats is b#t little similar to a
AreeB indi5id#ality layin" its arbitrary im2rint #2on e5ents:
Ie is al.ays t*e )ro.ned a"ent o t*e 2ri5ile"ed )lasses
.*i)* are ormin" so)iety in t*eir o.n ima"e: +*en t*ese
)lasses *a5e not yet #lilled t*eir mission, t*en t*e
monar)*y is stron" and sel?)onident: T*en it *as in its
*ands a reliable a22arat#s 2o.er and an #nlimited )*oi)e
o exe)#ti5es?be)a#se t*e more "ited 2eo2le *a5e not yet
"one o5er into t*e *ostile )am2: T*en t*e monar)*, eit*er
2ersonally, or t*ro#"* t*e mediation o a 2o.er#l
a5o#rite, may be)ome t*e a"ent o a "reat and
2ro"ressi5e *istori) tas8: It is G#ite ot*er.ise .*en t*e
s#n o t*e old so)iety is inally de)linin" to t*e .est: T*e
2ri5ile"ed )lasses are no. )*an"ed rom or"anisers o t*e
national lie into a 2arasiti) "ro.t*J *a5in" lost t*eir
"#idin" #n)tion, t*ey lose t*e )ons)io#sness o t*eir
mission and all )oniden)e in t*eir 2o.ers: T*eir
dissatisa)tion .it* t*emsel5es be)omes a dissatisa)tion
.it* t*e monar)*yJ t*e dynasty be)omes isolated t*e
)ir)le o 2eo2le loyal to t*e deat* narro.s do.nJ t*eir
le5el sin8s lo.erJ mean.*ile t*e dan"ers "ro.J ne. or)e
are 2#s*in" #2J t*e monar)*y loses its )a2a)ity or any 8in
o )reati5e initiati5eJ it deends itsel, it stri8es ba)8, it
retreatsJ its a)ti5ities a)G#ire t*e a#tomatism o mere
relexes: T*e semi 0s)iti) des2otism o t*e Romanies did
not es)a2e t*is ate:
I yo# ta8e t*e )<arism in its a"ony, in a 5erti)al se)tion,
so to s2ea8, Ni)*olas is t*e axis o a )liG#e .*i)* *as its
roots t*e *o2elessly )ondemned 2ast: In a *ori<ontal
se)tion o t*e *istori) monar)*y, Ni)*olas is t*e last lin8 in
a dynasti) )*ain: Iis nearest an)estors, .*o also in t*eir
day .ere mer"ed in amily, )aste and b#rea#)rati)
)olle)ti5ity D only a broader one D tried o#t 5ario#s
meas#res and met*ods o "o5ernment order to 2rote)t t*e
old so)ial rF"ime a"ainst t*e ate ad5an)in" #2on it: '#t
ne5ert*eless t*ey 2assed it on to Ni)*olas a )*aoti)
em2ire already )arryin" t*e mat#red re5ol#tion in its
.omb: I *e *ad any )*oi)e let, it .as only bet.een
dierent roads to r#in:
Liberalism .as dreamin" o a monar)*y on t*e 'ritis*
2lan: '#t .as 2arliamentarism born on t*e T*ames by a
2ea)e#l e5ol#tion@ +as it t*e r#it o t*e AreeB oresi"*t
o a sin"le monar)*@ No, it .as de2osited as t*e res#lt o a
str#""le t*at lasted or a"es, and in .*i)* one o t*e 8in"s
let *is *ead at t*e )rossroads:
T*e *istori)?2sy)*olo"i)al )ontrast mentioned abo5e
bet.een t*e Romano5s and t*e !a2ets )an, by t*e .ay,
be a2tly extended to t*e 'ritis* royal 2air o t*e e2o)* o
t*e irst re5ol#tion: !*arles I re5ealed #ndamentally t*e
same )ombination o traits .it* .*i)* memoirists and
*istorians *a5e endo.ed Lo#is VVI and Ni)*olas II:
A!*arles, t*ereore, remained 2assi5e,B .rites Monta"#e,
Ayielded .*ere *e )o#ld not resist, betrayed *o.
#n.illin"ly *e did so, and rea2ed no 2o2#larity, no
)oniden)e:B AIe .as not a st#2id man,B says anot*er
*istorian o !*arles St#art, Ab#t *e la)8ed irmness o
)*ara)ter ::: Iis e5il ate .as *is .ie, Ienrietta, a
>ren)*.oman, sister o Lo#is VIII, sat#rated e5en more
t*an !*arles .it* t*e idea o absol#tism:B +e .ill not
detail t*e )*ara)teristi)s o t*is t*ird D )*ronolo"i)ally irst
D royal 2air to be )r#s*ed by a national re5ol#tion: +e .ill
merely obser5e t*at in En"land t*e *atred .as
)on)entrated abo5e all on t*e G#een, as a >ren)*.oman
and a 2a2ist, .*om t*ey a))#sed o 2lottin" .it* Rome,
se)ret )onne)tions .it* t*e Iris* rebels, and intri"#es at
t*e >ren)* )o#rt:
'#t En"land *ad, at any rate, a"es at *er dis2osal: S*e
.as t*e 2ioneer o bo#r"eois )i5ilisationJ s*e .as not
#nder t*e yo8e o ot*er nations, b#t on t*e )ontrary *eld
t*em more and more #nder *er yo8e: S*e ex2loited t*e
.*ole .orld: T*is sotened t*e inner )ontradi)tions,
a))#m#lated )onser5atism, 2romoted an ab#ndan)e and
stability o atty de2osits in t*e orm o a 2arasiti) )aste, in
t*e orm o a sG#irear)*y, a monar)*y, Io#se o Lords,
and t*e state )*#r)*: T*an8s to t*is ex)l#si5e *istori)
2ri5ile"e o de5elo2ment 2ossessed by bo#r"eois En"land,
)onser5atism )ombined .it* elasti)ity 2assed o5er rom
*er instit#tions into *er moral ibre: Vario#s )ontinental
3*ilistines, li8e t*e R#ssian 2roessor Mili#8o5, or t*e
0#stro?Marxist Otto 'a#er, *a5e not to t*is day )eased
"oin" into e)stasies o5er t*is a)t: '#t exa)tly at t*e
2resent moment, .*en En"land, *ard 2ressed t*ro#"*o#t
t*e .orld, is sG#anderin" t*e last reso#r)es o *er ormer
2ri5ile"ed 2osition, *er )onser5atism is losin" its elasti)ity,
and e5en in t*e 2erson o t*e Labo#rites is t#rnin" into
star8 rea)tionism: In t*e a)e o t*e Indian re5ol#tion t*e
Aso)ialistB Ma)4onald .ill ind no ot*er met*ods b#t t*ose
.it* .*i)* Ni)*olas II o22osed t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion:
Only a blind man )o#ld ail to see t*at -reat 'ritain is
*eaded or "i"anti) re5ol#tionary eart*G#a8e s*o)8s, in
.*i)* t*e last ra"ments o *er )onser5atism, *er .orld
domination, *er 2resent state ma)*ine, .ill "o do.n
.it*o#t a tra)e: Ma)4onnell is 2re2arin" t*ese s*o)8s no
less s#))ess#lly t*an did Ni)*olas II in time, and no less
blindly: So *ere too, as .e see, is no 2oor ill#stration o t*e
2roblem o t*e rHle o t*e AreeB 2ersonality in *istory:
'#t *o. )o#ld R#ssia .it* *er belated de5elo2ment,
)omin" alon" at t*e tail end o t*e E#ro2ean nations, .it*
*er mea"re e)onomi) o#ndation #nderoot, *o. )o#ld s*e
de5elo2 an Aelasti) )onser5atismB o so)ial orms?and
de5elo2 it or t*e s2e)ial beneit o 2roessorial liberalism
and its let.ard s*ado., reormist so)ialism@ R#ssia .as
too ar be*ind: 0nd .*en .orld im2erialism on)e too8 *er
in its "ri2, s*e *ad to 2ass t*ro#"* *er 2oliti)al *istory in:
too brie a )o#rse: I Ni)*olas *ad "one to meet liberalism
and re2la)ed one .it* Mili#8o5, t*e de5elo2ment o e5ents
.o#ld *a5e diered a little in orm, not in s#bstan)e:
Indeed it .as E#st in t*is .ay t*at Lo#is be*a5ed in t*e
se)ond sta"e o t*e re5ol#tion, s#mmonin" -ironde to
2o.er: t*is did not sa5e Lo#is *imsel rom "#illotine, nor
ater *im t*e -ironde: T*e a))#m#latin" so)ial
)ontradi)tions .ere bo#nd to brea8 t*ro#"* to t*e s#ra)e,
brea8in" t*ro#"* to )arry o#t t*eir .or8 o 2#r"ation:
'eore t*e 2ress#re o t*e 2o2#lar masses, .*o *ad at last
bro#"*t into t*e o2en arena t*eir misort#nes, t*eir 2ains,
indentions, 2assions, *o2es, ill#sions and aims, t*e *i"*?
#2 )ombination t*e monar)*y .it* liberalism *ad only an
e2isodi) si"nii)an)e: T*ey )o#ld exert, to be s#re, an
inl#en)e on t*e order o e5ents maybe #2on t*e n#mber
o a)tions, b#t not at all #2on de5elo2ment o t*e drama
nor its momento#s )limax:
Notes
1: T*e name o t*is station is also t*e R#ssian .ord
meanin" Abottom:B KTrans$L
Chapter (: )ive Das *)ebruar 23+
2(, 1-1(.
T*e 23rd o >ebr#ary .as International +oman;s 4ay: T*e
so)ial?demo)rati) )ir)les *ad intended to mar8 t*is day in
a "eneral manner: by meetin"s, s2ee)*es, lealets: It *ad
not o))#rred to anyone t*at it mi"*t be)ome t*e irst day
o t*e re5ol#tion: Not a sin"le or"anisation )alled or
stri8es on t*at day: +*at is more, e5en a 'ols*e5i8
or"anisation, and a most militant one D t*e Vybor"
boro#"* )ommittee, all .or8ers D .as o22osin" stri8es:
T*e tem2er o t*e masses, a))ordin" to 9ay#ro5, one o
t*e leaders in t*e .or8ers; distri)t, .as 5ery tenseJ any
stri8e .o#ld t*reaten to t#rn into an o2en i"*t: '#t sin)e
t*e )ommittee t*o#"*t, t*e time #nri2e or militant a)tion
D t*e 2arty not stron" eno#"* and t*e .or8ers *a5in" too
e. )onta)ts .it* t*e soldiers D t*ey de)ided not to )all or
stri8es b#t to 2re2are or re5ol#tionary a)tion at some
indeinite time in t*e #t#re: S#)* .as t*e )o#rse ollo.ed
by t*e )ommittee on t*e e5e o t*e 23rd o >ebr#ary, and
e5eryone seemed to a))e2t it: On t*e ollo.in" mornin",
*o.e5er, in s2ite o all dire)ti5es, t*e .omen textile
.or8ers in se5eral a)tories .ent on stri8e, and sent
dele"ates to t*e metal .or8ers .it* an a22eal or s#22ort:
A+it* rel#)tan)e,B .rites 9ay#ro5, At*e 'ols*e5i8s a"reed
to t*is, and t*ey .ere ollo.ed by t*e .or8ers Mens*e5i8s
and So)ial Re5ol#tionaries: '#t on)e t*ere is a mass stri8e,
one m#st )all e5erybody into t*e streets and ta8e t*e
lead:B S#)* .as 9ay#ro5;s de)ision, and t*e Vybor"
)ommittee *ad to a"ree to it: AT*e idea o "oin" into t*e
streets *ad lon" been ri2enin" amon" t*e .or8ersJ only at
t*at moment nobody ima"ined .*ere it .o#ld lead:B Let
#s 8ee2 in mind t*is testimony o a 2arti)i2ant, im2ortant
or #nderstandin" t*e me)*ani)s o t*e e5ents:
It .as ta8en or "ranted t*at in )ase o a demonstration
t*e soldiers .o#ld be bro#"*t o#t into t*e streets a"ainst
t*e .or8ers: +*at .o#ld t*at lead to@ T*is .as .artimeJ
t*e a#t*orities .ere in no mood or Eo8in": On t*e ot*er
*and, Areser5eB soldier in .artime is not*in" li8e an old
soldier o t*e re"#lar army: Is *e really so ormidable@ In
re5ol#tionary )ir)les t*ey *ad dis)#ssed t*is m#)*, b#t
rat*er abstra)tly: >or no one, 2ositi5ely no one D .e )an
assert t*is )ate"ori)ally #2on t*e basis o all t*e data D
t*en t*o#"*t t*at >ebr#ary 23 .as to mar8 t*e be"innin"
o a de)isi5e dri5e a"ainst absol#tism T*e tal8 .as o a
demonstration .*i)* *ad indeinite, b#t in any )ase
limited, 2ers2e)ti5es:
T*#s t*e a)t is t*at t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion .as be"#n
rom belo., o5er)omin" t*e resistan)e o its o.n
re5ol#tionary or"anisations, t*e initiati5e bein" ta8en o
t*eir o.n a))ord by t*e most o22ressed and do.ntrodden
2art o t*e 2roletariat D t*e .omen textile .or8ers, amon"
t*em no do#bt many soldiers; .i5es: T*e o5er"ro.n
breadlines *ad 2ro5ided t*e last stim#l#s: 0bo#t 9%,%%%
.or8ers, men and .omen, .ere on stri8e t*at day: T*e
i"*tin" mood ex2ressed itsel in demonstrations,
meetin"s, en)o#nters .it* t*e 2oli)e: T*e mo5ement
be"an in t*e Vybor" distri)t .it* its lar"e ind#strial
establis*mentsJ t*en)e it )rossed o5er to t*e 3etersb#r"
side: T*ere .ere no stri8es or demonstrations else.*ere,
a))ordin" to t*e testimony o t*e se)ret 2oli)e: On t*at
day deta)*ments o troo2s .ere )alled in to assist t*e
2oli)e D e5idently not many o t*em D b#t t*ere .ere no
en)o#nters .it* t*em: 0 mass o .omen, not all o t*em
.or8ers, lo)8ed to t*e m#ni)i2al d#ma demandin" bread:
It .as li8e demandin" mil8 rom a *e?"oat: Red banners
a22eared in dierent 2arts o t*e )ity, and ins)ri2tions on
t*em s*o.ed t*at t*e .or8ers .anted bread, b#t neit*er
a#to)ra)y nor .ar: +oman;s 4ay 2assed s#))ess#lly, .it*
ent*#siasm and .it*o#t 5i)tims: '#t .*at it )on)ealed in
itsel, no one *ad "#essed e5en by ni"*tall:
On t*e ollo.in" day t*e mo5ement not only ails to
diminis*, b#t do#bles: 0bo#t one?*al o t*e ind#strial
.or8ers o 3etro"rad are on stri8e on t*e 2&t* o >ebr#ary:
T*e .or8ers )ome to t*e a)tories in t*e mornin"J instead
o "oin" to .or8 t*ey *old meetin"sJ t*en be"in
2ro)essions to.ard t*e )entre: Ne. distri)ts and ne.
"ro#2s o t*e 2o2#lation are dra.n into t*e mo5ement:
T*e slo"an A'readOB is )ro.ded o#t or obs)#red by lo#der
slo"ans: A4o.n .it* a#to)ra)yOB A4o.n .it* t*e .arOB
!ontin#o#s demonstrations on t*e Ne5s8y K1L D irst
)om2a)t masses o .or8men sin"in" re5ol#tionary son"s,
later a motley )ro.d o )ity ol8 inters2ersed .it* t*e bl#e
)a2s o st#dents: AT*e 2romenadin" )ro.d .as
sym2at*eti)ally dis2osed to.ard #s, and soldiers in some
o t*e .ar?*os2itals "reeted #s by .a5in" .*ate5er .as at
*and:B Io. many )learly realised .*at .as bein" #s*ered
in by t*is sym2at*eti) .a5in" rom si)8 soldiers to
demonstratin" .or8ers@ '#t t*e !ossa)8s )onstantly,
t*o#"* .it*o#t ero)ity, 8e2t )*ar"in" t*e )ro.d: T*eir
*orses .ere )o5ered .it* oam: T*e mass o
demonstrators .o#ld 2art to let t*em t*ro#"*, and )lose
#2 a"ain: T*ere .as no ear in t*e )ro.d: AT*e !ossa)8s
2romise not to s*oot,B 2assed rom mo#t* to mo#t*:
022arently some o t*e .or8ers *ad tal8s .it* indi5id#al
!ossa)8s: Later, *o.e5er, )#rsin": *al?dr#n8en dra"oons
a22eared on t*e s)ene: T*ey 2l#n"ed into t*e )ro.d,
be"an to stri8e at *eads .it* t*eir lan)es: T*e
demonstrators s#mmoned all t*eir stren"t* and stood ast:
T*ey .on;t s*oot:B 0nd in a)t t*ey didn;t:
0 liberal senator .as loo8in" at t*e dead street?)ars D or
.as t*at on t*e ollo.in" day and *is memory ailed *im@
D some o t*em .it* bro8en .indo.s, some ti22ed o5er on
t*e tra)8s, and .as re)allin" t*e ,#ly days o 191& on t*e
e5e o t*e .ar: AIt seemed t*at t*e old attem2t .as bein"
rene.ed:B T*e senator;s eyes did not de)ei5e *imJ t*e
)ontin#ity is )lear: Iistory .as 2i)8in" #2 t*e ends o t*e
re5ol#tionary t*reads bro8en by t*e .ar, and tyin" t*em in
a 8not:
T*ro#"*o#t t*e entire day, )ro.ds o 2eo2le 2o#red rom
one 2art o t*e )ity to anot*er: T*ey .ere 2ersistently
dis2elled by t*e 2oli)e, sto22ed and )ro.ded ba)8 by
)a5alry deta)*ments and o))asionally by inantry: 0lon"
.it* s*o#ts o A4o.n .it* t*e 2oli)eOB .as *eard otener
and otener a AI#rra*OB addressed to t*e !ossa)8s: T*at
.as si"nii)ant: To.ard t*e 2oli)e t*e )ro.d s*o.ed
ero)io#s *atred: T*ey ro#ted t*e mo#nted 2oli)e .it*
.*istles, stones, and 2ie)es o i)e: In a totally dierent
.ay t*e .or8ers a22roa)*ed t*e soldiers: 0ro#nd t*e
barra)8s, sentinels, 2atrols and lines o soldiers stood
"ro#2s o .or8in" men and .omen ex)*an"in" riendly
.ords .it* t*e army men: T*is .as a ne. sta"e, d#e to
t*e "ro.t* o t*e stri8e and t*e 2ersonal meetin" o t*e
.or8er .it* t*e army: S#)* a sta"e is ine5itable in e5ery
re5ol#tion: '#t it al.ays seems ne., and does in a)t
o))#r dierently e5ery time: t*ose .*o *a5e read and
.ritten abo#t it do not re)o"nise t*e t*in" .*en t*ey see
it:
In t*e State 4#ma t*at day t*ey .ere tellin" *o. an
enormo#s mass o 2eo2le *ad looded Wnamens8y SG#are
and all Ne5s8y 3ros2e)t, and t*e adEoinin" streets and t*at
a totally #n2re)edented 2*enomenon .as obser5ed: t*e
!ossa)8s and t*e re"iments .it* bands .ere bein"
"reeted by re5ol#tionary and not 2atrioti) )ro.ds .it*
s*o#ts o AI#rra*OB To t*e G#estion, A+*at does it all
mean@ t*e irst 2erson a))osted in t*e )ro.d ans.ered
t*e de2#ty: 0 2oli)eman str#)8 a .oman .it* a 8no#tJ t*e
!ossa)8s ste22ed in and dro5e a.ay t*e 2oli)e:B +*et*er
it *a22ened in t*is .ay or anot*er, .ill ne5er be 5eriied:
'#t t*e )ro.d belie5ed t*at it .as so, t*at t*is .as
2ossible: T*e belie *ad not allen o#t o t*e s8yJ it arose
rom 2re5io#s ex2erien)e, and .as t*ereore to be)ome an
earnest o 5i)tory:
T*e .or8ers at t*e Eri8son, one o t*e oremost mills in t*e
Vybor" distri)t, ater a mornin" meetin" )ame o#t on t*e
Sam2sonie5s8y 3ros2e)t, a .*ole mass, 2,=%% o t*em,
and in a narro. 2la)e ran into t*e !ossa)8s: !#ttin" t*eir
.ay .it* t*e breasts o t*eir *orses, t*e oi)ers irst
)*ar"ed t*ro#"* t*e )ro.d: 'e*ind t*em, illin" t*e .*ole
.idt* o t*e 3ros2e)t "allo2ed t*e !ossa)8s: 4e)isi5e
momentO '#t t*e *orsemen, )a#tio#sly, in a lon" ribbon,
rode t*ro#"* t*e )orridor E#st made by t*e oi)ers: ASome
o t*em smiled,B 9ay#ro5 re)alls, Aand one o t*em "a5e
t*e .or8ers a "ood .in8B T*is .in8 .as not .it*o#t
meanin": T*e .or8ers .ere emboldened .it* a riendly,
not *ostile, 8ind o ass#ran)e, and sli"*tly ine)ted t*e
!ossa)8s .it* it: T*e one .*o .in8ed o#nd imitators: In
s2ite o rene.ed e(rts rom t*e oi)ers, t*e !ossa)8s,
.it*o#t o2enly brea8in" dis)i2line, ailed to or)e t*e
)ro.d to dis2erse, b#t lo.ed t*ro#"* it in streams: T*is
.as re2eated t*ree or o#r times and bro#"*t t*e t.o
sides e5en )loser to"et*er: Indi5id#al !ossa)8s be"an to
re2ly to t*e .or8ers; G#estions and e5en to enter into
momentary )on5ersations .it* t*em: O dis)i2line t*ere
remained b#t a t*in trans2arent s*ell t*at t*reatened to
brea8 t*ro#"* any se)ond: T*e oi)ers *astened to
se2arate t*eir 2atrol rom t*e .or8ers, and, abandonin"
t*e idea o dis2ersin" t*em, lined t*e !ossa)8s o#t a)ross
t*e street as a barrier to 2re5ent t*e demonstrators rom
"ettin" to t*e )entre: '#t e5en t*is did not *el2: standin"
sto)8?still in 2ere)t dis)i2line, t*e !ossa)8s did not *inder
t*e .or8ers rom Adi5in"B #nder t*eir *orses: T*e
re5ol#tion does not )*oose its 2at*s: it made its irst ste2s
to.ard 5i)tory #nder t*e belly o a !ossa)8;s *orse: 0
remar8able in)identO 0nd remar8able t*e eye o its
narrator?an eye .*i)* too8 an im2ression o e5ery bend in
t*e 2ro)ess: No .onder, or t*e narrator .as a leaderJ *e
.as at t*e *ead o o5er t.o t*o#sand men: T*e eye o a
)ommander .at)*in" or enemy .*i2s and b#llets loo8s
s*ar2:
It seems t*at t*e brea8 in t*e army irst a22eared amon"
t*e !ossa)8s, t*ose a"e?old s#bd#ers and 2#nis*ers: T*is
does not mean, *o.e5er, t*at t*e !ossa)8s .ere more
re5ol#tionary t*an ot*ers: On t*e )ontrary, t*ese solid
2ro2erty o.ners, ridin" t*eir o.n *orses, *i"*ly 5al#in"
t*eir !ossa)8 2e)#liarities, s)ornin" t*e 2lain 2easants,
mistr#st#l o t*e .or8ers, *ad many elements o
)onser5atism: '#t E#st or t*is reason t*e )*an"es )a#sed
by t*e .ar .ere more s*ar2ly noti)eable in t*em: 'esides,
t*ey .ere al.ays bein" 2#lled aro#nd, sent e5ery.*ere,
dri5en a"ainst t*e 2eo2le, 8e2t in s#s2ense?and t*ey .ere
t*e irst to be 2#t to t*e test: T*ey .ere si)8 o it, and
.anted to "o *ome: T*ereore t*ey .in8ed: A4o it, boys, i
yo# 8no. *o.?.e .on;t bot*er yo#OB 0ll t*ese t*in"s,
*o.e5er, .ere merely 5ery si"nii)ant sym2toms: T*e
army .as still t*e army, it .as bo#nd .it* dis)i2line, and
t*e t*reads .ere in t*e *ands o t*e monar)*y: T*e .or8er
mass .as #narmed: T*e leaders *ad not yet t*o#"*t o
t*e de)isi5e )risis:
On t*e )alendar o t*e !o#n)il o Ministers t*at day t*ere
stood, amon" ot*er G#estions, t*e G#estion o disorders in
t*e )a2ital: Stri8es@ 4emonstrations@ T*is isn;t t*e irst
time: E5eryt*in" is 2ro5ided or: 4ire)tions *a5e been
iss#ed: Ret#rn to t*e order o b#siness: 0nd .*at .ere t*e
dire)tions@ In s2ite o t*e a)t t*at on t*e 23rd and 2&t*
t.enty?ei"*t 2oli)emen .ere beaten #2 D 2ers#asi5e
exa)tness abo#t t*e n#mberO D t*e military )ommander o
t*e distri)t, -eneral 9*abalo5, almost a di)tator, did not
resort to s*ootin": Not rom 8ind?*eartedness: e5eryt*in"
.as 2ro5ided or and mar8ed do.n in ad5an)e, e5en t*e
time or t*e s*ootin":
T*e re5ol#tion )a#"*t t*em #na.are only .it* re"ard to
t*e exa)t moment: -enerally s2ea8in", bot* sides, t*e
re5ol#tionary and t*e "o5ernmental, .ere )are#lly
2re2arin" or it, *ad been 2re2arin" or years, *ad al.ays
been 2re2arin": 0s or t*e 'ols*e5i8s, all t*eir a)ti5ity
sin)e 19%= .as not*in" b#t 2re2aration or a se)ond
re5ol#tion: 0nd t*e a)ti5ities o t*e "o5ernment, an
enormo#s s*are o t*em, .ere 2re2arations to 2#t do.n
t*e ne. re5ol#tion: In t*e all o 191( t*is 2art o t*e
"o5ernment;s .or8 *ad ass#med an as2e)t o 2arti)#larly
)are#l 2lannin": 0 )ommission #nder 9*abalo5;s
)*airmans*i2 *ad )om2leted by t*e middle o ,an#ary
1917 a 5ery exa)t 2lan or )r#s*in" a ne. ins#rre)tion:
T*e )ity .as di5ided into six 2oli)e distri)ts, .*i)* in t#rn
.ere s#bdi5ided into rayons: T*e )ommander o t*e
reser5e "#ard #nits, -eneral !*eby8in, .as 2la)ed at t*e
*ead o all t*e armed or)es: re"iments .ere assi"ned to
dierent rayons: In ea)* o t*e six 2oli)e distri)ts, t*e
2oli)e, t*e "endarmes and t*e troo2s .ere #nited #nder
t*e )ommand o s2e)ial sta oi)ers: T*e !ossa)8 )a5alry
.as at t*e dis2osal o !*eby8in *imsel or lar"er?s)ale
o2erations: T*e order o a)tion .as 2lanned as ollo.s:
irst t*e 2oli)e a)t alone, t*en t*e !ossa)8s a22ear on t*e
s)ene .it* .*i2s, and only in )ase o real ne)essity t*e
troo2s "o into a)tion .it* riles and ma)*ine?"#ns: It .as
t*is 5ery 2lan, de5elo2ed o#t o t*e ex2erien)e o 19%=,
t*at .as 2#t into o2eration in t*e >ebr#ary days: T*e
dii)#lty lay not in la)8 o oresi"*t, nor dee)ts o t*e 2lan
itsel, b#t in t*e *#man material: Iere t*e .*ole t*in"
t*reatened to *an" ire:
>ormally t*e 2lan .as based on t*e entire "arrison, .*i)*
)om2rised one *#ndred and ity t*o#sand soldiers, b#t in
reality only some ten t*o#sand )ame into t*e )o#nt:
'esides t*e 2oli)emen, n#mberin" t*ree and a *al
t*o#sand, a irm *o2e .as 2la)ed in t*e military trainin"
s)*ools: T*is is ex2lained by t*e ma8e #2 o t*e 3etro"rad
"arrison .*i)* at t*at time, )onsisted almost ex)l#si5ely
o reser5e #nits, 2rimarily o t*e o#rteen reser5e
battalions atta)*ed to t*e re"iments o t*e -#ard .*i)*
.ere t*en at t*e ront: In addition to t*at, t*e "arrison
)om2rised one reser5e inantry re"iment, a reser5e bi)y)le
battalion, a reser5e armo#red )ar di5ision, small #nits o
sa22ers and artillerymen and t.o re"iments o 4on
!ossa)8s: T*at .as a "reat many D it .as too many: T*e
s.ollen reser5e #nits .ere made #2 o a *#man mass
.*i)* *ad eit*er es)a2ed trainin" almost entirely, or
s#))eeded in "ettin" ree o it: '#t or t*at matter,
s#bstantially t*e same t*in" .as tr#e o t*e entire army:
9*abalo5 meti)#lo#sly ad*ered to t*e 2lan *e *ad .or8ed
o#t: On t*e irst day, t*e 23rd, t*e 2oli)e o2erated alone:
On t*e 2&t*, or t*e most 2art t*e )a5alry .as led into t*e
streets, b#t only to .or8 .it* .*i2 and lan)e: T*e #se o
inantry and irearms .as to de2end on t*e #rt*er
de5elo2ment o e5ents: '#t e5ents )ame t*i)8 and ast:
On t*e 2=t*, t*e stri8e s2read .ider: 0))ordin" to t*e
"o5ernment;s i"#res, 2&%,%%% .or8ers 2arti)i2ated t*at
day: T*e most ba)8.ard layers are ollo.in" #2 t*e
5an"#ard: 0lready a "ood n#mber o small establis*ments
are on stri8e: T*e street )ars are at a stand: '#siness
)on)erns are )losed: In t*e )o#rse o t*e day st#dents o
t*e *i"*er s)*ools Eoin t*e stri8e: 'y noon tens o
t*o#sands o 2eo2le 2o#r to t*e 9a<an )at*edral and t*e
s#rro#ndin" streets: 0ttem2ts are made to or"anise street
meetin"sJ a series o armed en)o#nters .it* t*e 2oli)e
o))#rs: Orators address t*e )ro.ds aro#nd t*e 0lexander
III mon#ment: T*e mo#nted 2oli)e o2en ire: 0 s2ea8er
alls .o#nded: S*ots rom t*e )ro.d 8ill a 2oli)e ins2e)tor,
.o#nd t*e )*ie o 2oli)e and se5eral ot*er 2oli)emen:
'ottles, 2etards and *and "renades are t*ro.n at t*e
"endarmes: T*e .ar *as ta#"*t t*is art: T*e soldiers s*o.
indieren)e, at times *ostility, to t*e 2oli)e: It s2reads
ex)itedly t*ro#"* t*e )ro.d t*at .*en t*e 2oli)e o2ened
ire by t*e 0lexander 111 mon#ment, t*e !ossa)8s let "o
a 5olley at t*e *orse A3*arao*sB /s#)* .as t*e ni)8name
o t*e 2oli)e1 and t*e latter *ad to "allo2 o: T*is
a22arently .as not a le"end )ir)#lated or sel?
en)o#ra"ement, sin)e t*e in)ident, alt*o#"* in dierent
5ersions, is )onirmed rom se5eral so#r)es:
0 .or8er?'ols*e5i8, 9ay#ro5, one o t*e a#t*enti) leaders
in t*ose days, relates *o. at one 2la)e, .it*in si"*t o a
deta)*ment o !ossa)8s, t*e demonstrators s)attered
#nder t*e .*i2s o t*e mo#nted 2oli)e, and *o. *e,
9ay#ro5, and se5eral .or8ers .it* *im, instead o
ollo.in" t*e #"iti5es, too8 o t*eir )a2s and a22roa)*ed
t*e !ossa)8s .it* t*e .ords: A'rot*ers?!ossa)8s, *el2 t*e
.or8ers in a str#""le or t*eir 2ea)eable demandsJ yo#
see *o. t*e 3*arao*s treat #s, *#n"ry .or8ers: Iel2 #sOB
T*is )ons)io#sly *#mble manner, t*ose )a2s in t*eir *ands
D .*at an a))#rate 2sy)*olo"i)al )al)#lationO Inimitable
"est#reO T*e .*ole *istory o street i"*ts and
re5ol#tionary 5i)tories s.arms .it* s#)* im2ro5isations:
'#t t*ey are dro.ned .it*o#t a tra)e in t*e abyss o "reat
e5ents D t*e s*ell remains to t*e *istorian, t*e
"eneralisation: AT*e !ossa)8s "lan)ed at ea)* ot*er in
some s2e)ial .ay,B 9ay#ro5 )ontin#es, Aand .e .ere
*ardly o#t o t*e .ay beore t*ey r#s*ed into t*e i"*t:B
0nd a e. min#tes later, near t*e station "ate, t*e )ro.d
.ere tossin" in t*eir arms a !ossa)8 .*o beore t*eir eyes
*ad sla#"*tered a 2oli)e ins2e)tor .it* *is sabre:
Soon t*e 2oli)e disa22ear alto"et*er D t*at is, be"in to a)t
se)retly: T*en t*e soldiers a22ear Abayonets lo.ered:
0nxio#sly t*e .or8ers as8 t*em: A!omrades, yo# *a5en;t
)ome to *el2 t*e 2oli)e@B 0 r#de AMo5e alon"OB or
ans.er: 0not*er attem2t ends t*e same .ay: T*e soldiers
are s#llen: 0 .orm is "na.in" t*em, and t*ey )annot
stand it .*en a G#estion *its t*e 5ery )entre o t*e 2ain:
Mean.*ile disarmament o t*e 3*arao*s be)omes a
#ni5ersal slo"an: T*e 2oli)e are ier)e, im2la)able, *ated
and *atin" oes: To .in t*em o5er is o#t o t*e G#estion:
'eat t*em #2 and 8ill t*em: It is dierent .it* t*e soldiers:
t*e )ro.d ma8es e5ery eort to a5oid *ostile en)o#nters
.it* t*emJ on t*e )ontrary, see8s .ays to dis2ose t*em in
its a5o#r, )on5in)e, attra)t, raternise, mer"e t*em in
itsel: In s2ite o t*e a#s2i)io#s r#mo#rs abo#t t*e
!ossa)8s, 2er*a2s sli"*tly exa""erated, t*e )ro.d;s
attit#de to.ard t*e mo#nted men remains )a#tio#s: 0
*orseman sits *i"* abo5e t*e )ro.dJ *is so#l is se2arated
rom t*e so#l o t*e demonstrator by t*e o#r le"s o *is
beast: 0 i"#re at .*i)* one m#st "a<e rom belo. al.ays
seems more si"nii)ant, more t*reatenin": T*e inantry are
beside one on t*e 2a5ement D )loser, more a))essible: T*e
masses try to "et near t*em, loo8 into t*eir eyes, s#rro#nd
t*em .it* t*eir *ot breat*: 0 "reat ro1e is 2layed by
.omen .or8ers in relations*i2 bet.een .or8ers and
soldiers: T*ey "o #2 to t*e )ordons more boldly t*an men,
ta8e *old o t*e riles, besee)*, almost )ommand: A3#t
do.n yo#r bayonets D Eoin #s:B T*e soldiers are ex)ited,
as*amed, ex)*an"e anxio#s "lan)es, .a5erJ someone
ma8es #2 *is mind irst, and t*e bayonets rise "#iltily
abo5e t*e s*o#lders o t*e ad5an)in" )ro.d: T*e barrier is
o2ened, a Eoyo#s and "rate#l AI#rra*OB s*a8es t*e air:
T*e soldiers are s#rro#nded: E5ery.*ere ar"#ments,
re2roa)*es, a22eals t*e re5ol#tion ma8es anot*er or.ard
ste2:
Ni)*olas rom *eadG#arters sent 9*abalo5 a tele"ra2*i)
)ommand to 2#t an end to t*e disorders Atomorro.:B T*e
)<ar;s .ill ell in .it* t*e next ste2 in 9*abalo5;s A2lan,B
and t*e tele"ram ser5ed merely as an extra stim#l#s:
Tomorro. t*e troo2s .ill say t*eir say: Isn;t it too late@ Co#
)an;t tell yet: T*e G#estion is 2osed, b#t ar rom
ans.ered: T*e ind#l"en)e o t*e !ossa)8s, t*e .a5erin"
o )ertain inantry lines D t*ese are b#t m#)*?2romisin"
e2isodes re2eated by t*e t*o#sand 5oi)ed e)*o o t*e
sensiti5e street: Eno#"* to ins2ire t*e re5ol#tionary )ro.d,
b#t too little or 5i)tory: Es2e)ially sin)e t*ere are e2isodes
o an o22osite 8ind: In t*e aternoon a deta)*ment o
dra"oons, s#22osedly in res2onse to re5ol5er s*ots rom
t*e )ro.d, irst o2ened ire on t*e demonstrators near
-ostinny 45or: 0))ordin" to 9*abalo5;s re2ort to
*eadG#arters t*ree .ere 8illed and ten .o#nded: 0 serio#s
.arnin"O 0t t*e same time 9*abalo5 iss#ed a t*reat t*at
all .or8ers re"istered in t*e drat .o#ld be sent to t*e
ront i t*ey did not "o to .or8 beore t*e 2$t*: T*e
"eneral iss#ed a t*ree?day #ltimat#m D t*at is, *e "a5e
t*e re5ol#tion more time t*an it needed to o5ert*ro.
9*abalo5 and t*e monar)*y into t*e bar"ain: '#t t*at .ill
be)ome 8no.n only ater t*e 5i)tory: On t*e e5enin" o
t*e 2=t* nobody "#essed .*at t*e next day *ad in its
.omb:
Let #s try to "et a )learer idea o t*e inner lo"i) o t*e
mo5ement: On >ebr#ary 23, #nder t*e la" o A+oman;s
4ay,B be"an t*e lon"?ri2e and lon"?.it**eld #2risin" o
t*e 3etro"rad .or8in" masses: T*e irst ste2 o t*e
ins#rre)tion .as t*e stri8e: In t*e )o#rse o t*ree days it
broadened and be)ame 2ra)ti)ally "eneral: T*is alone
"a5e ass#ran)e to t*e masses and )arried t*em or.ard:
'e)omin" more and more a""ressi5e, t*e stri8e mer"ed
.it* t*e demonstrations, .*i)* .ere brin"in" t*e
re5ol#tionary mass a)e to a)e .it* t*e troo2s: T*is raised
t*e 2roblem as a .*ole to t*e *i"*er le5el .*ere t*in"s
are sol5ed by or)e o arms: T*e irst days bro#"*t a
n#mber o indi5id#al s#))esses, b#t t*ese .ere more
sym2tomati) t*an s#bstantial:
0 re5ol#tionary #2risin" t*at s2reads o5er a n#mber o
days )an de5elo2 5i)torio#sly only in )ase it as)ends ste2
by ste2, and s)ores one s#))ess ater anot*er: 0 2a#se in
its "ro.t* is dan"ero#sJ a 2rolon"ed mar8in" o time,
atal: '#t e5en s#))esses by t*emsel5es are not eno#"*J
t*e masses m#st 8no. abo#t t*em in time, and *a5e time
to #nderstand t*eir 5al#e: It is 2ossible to let sli2 a 5i)tory
at t*e 5ery moment .*en it is .it*in arm;s rea)*: T*is *as
*a22ened in *istory:
T*e irst t*ree days .ere days o #ninterr#2ted in)rease in
t*e extent and a)#teness o t*e strie: '#t or t*is 5ery
reason t*e mo5ement *ad arri5ed at a le5el .*ere mere
sym2tomati) s#))esses .ere not eno#"*: T*e entire
a)ti5e mass o t*e 2eo2le *ad )ome o#t on t*e streets: It
.as settlin" a))o#nts .it* t*e 2oli)e s#))ess#lly and
easily: In t*e last t.o days t*e troo2s *ad been dra.n into
t*e e5ents D on t*e se)ond day, )a5alry, on t*e t*ird, t*e
inantry too: T*ey barred t*e .ay, 2#s*ed and )ro.ded
ba)8 t*e masses, sometimes )onni5ed .it* t*em, b#t
almost ne5er resorted to irearms: T*ose in )ommand
.ere slo. to )*an"e t*eir 2lan, 2artly be)a#se t*ey #nder?
estimated .*at .as *a22enin" D t*e a#lty 5ision o t*e
rea)tion s#22lemented t*at o t*e leaders o t*e
re5ol#tion D 2artly be)a#se t*ey la)8ed )oniden)e in t*e
troo2s: '#t exa)tly on t*e t*ird day, t*e or)e o t*e
de5elo2in" str#""le, as .ell as t*e )<ar;s )ommand, made
it ne)essary or t*e "o5ernment to send t*e troo2s into
a)tion in dead earnest: T*e .or8ers #nderstood t*is,
es2e)ially t*eir ad5an)e ran8sJ t*e dra"oons *ad already
done some s*ootin" t*e day beore: 'ot* sides no. a)ed
t*e iss#e #neG#i5o)ally:
On t*e ni"*t o t*e 2(t* abo#t a *#ndred 2eo2le .ere
arrested in dierent 2arts o t*e )ity D 2eo2le belon"in" to
5ario#s re5ol#tionary or"anisations, and amon" t*em i5e
members o t*e 3etro"rad !ommittee o t*e 'ols*e5i8s:
T*is also meant t*at t*e "o5ernment .ere ta8in" t*e
oensi5e: +*at .ill *a22en today@ In .*at mood .ill t*e
.or8ers .a8e #2 ater yesterday;s s*ootin"@ 0nd most
im2ortant: .*at .ill t*e troo2s say@ T*e s#n o >ebr#ary
2( )ame #2 in a o" o #n)ertainty and a)#te anxiety:
In 5ie. o t*e arrest o t*e 3etro"rad !ommittee, t*e
"#idan)e o t*e entire .or8 in t*e )ity ell into t*e *ands
o t*e Vybor" rayon: Maybe t*is .as E#st as .ell: T*e
#22er leaders*i2 in t*e 2arty .as *o2elessly slo.: Only on
t*e mornin" o t*e 2=t*, t*e, '#rea# o t*e 'ols*e5i8
!entral !ommittee a last de)ided to iss#e a *andbill
)allin" or an all?R#ssian -eneral stri8e: 0t t*e moment o
iss#e, i indeed it e5er did iss#e, t*e "eneral stri8e in
3etro"rad .as a)in" an armed #2risin": T*e leaders .ere
.at)*in" t*e mo5ement rom abo5eJ t*ey *esitated, t*ey
la""ed D in ot*er .ords, t*ey did not lead: T*ey dra""ed
ater t*e mo5ement:
T*e nearer one )omes to t*e a)tories, t*e "reater t*e
de)isi5eness: Today *o.e5er, t*e 2(t*, t*ere is anxiety
e5en in t*e rayons: I#n"ry, tired, )*illed, .it* a mi"*ty
*istori) res2onsibility #2on t*eir s*o#lders, t*e Vybor"
leaders "at*er o#tside t*e )ity limits, amid 5e"etable
"ardens, to ex)*an"e im2ressions o t*e day and 2lan t*e
)o#rse ::: o .*at@ O a ne. demonstration@ '#t .*ere .ill
an #narmed demonstration lead, no. t*e "o5ernment *as
de)ided to "o t*e limit@ T*is G#estion bores into t*eir
minds: AOne t*in" seems e5ident: t*e ins#rre)tion is
dissol5in":B Iere .e re)o"nise t*e 5oi)e o 9ay#ro5,
already amiliar to #s, and at irst it seems *ardly *is
5oi)e: T*e barometer alls so lo. beore t*e storm:
In t*e *o#rs .*en *esitation sei<ed e5en t*ose
re5ol#tionists )losest to t*e mass, t*e mo5ement itsel *ad
"one m#)* art*er t*an its 2arti)i2ants realised: E5en t*e
day beore, to.ards e5enin" o t*e 2=t*, t*e Vybor" side
.as .*olly in t*e *ands o t*e ins#rre)tion: T*e 2oli)e
stations .ere .re)8ed, indi5id#al oi)ers *ad been 8illed,
and t*e maEority *ad led: T*e )ity *eadG#arters *ad
)om2letely lost )onta)t .it* t*e "reater 2art o t*e )a2ital:
On t*e mornin" o t*e 2(t* it be)ame e5ident t*at not
only t*e Vybor" side, b#t also 3es8i almost #2 to Liteiny
3ros2e)t, .as in )ontrol o t*e ins#rre)tion: 0t least so t*e
2oli)e re2orts deined t*e sit#ation: 0nd it .as tr#e in a
sense, alt*o#"* t*e re5ol#tionists )o#ld *ardly realise it:
t*e 2oli)e in so many )ases abandoned t*eir lairs beore
t*ere .as any t*reat rom t*e .or8ers: '#t e5en aside
rom t*at, riddin" t*e a)tory distri)ts o t*e 2oli)e )o#ld
not *a5e de)isi5e si"nii)an)e in t*e eyes o t*e .or8ers:
t*e troo2s *ad not yet said t*eir inal .ord: T*e #2risin" is
Adissol5in",B t*o#"*t t*e boldest o t*e bold: Mean.*ile it
.as only be"innin" to de5elo2:
T*e 2(t* o >ebr#ary ell on a S#ndayJ t*e a)tories .ere
)losed, and t*is 2re5ented meas#rin" t*e stren"t* o t*e
mass 2ress#re in terms o t*e extent o t*e stri8e:
Moreo5er t*e .or8ers )o#ld not assemble in t*e a)tories,
as t*ey *ad done on t*e 2re)edin" days, and t*at
*indered t*e demonstrations: In t*e mornin" t*e Ne5s8y
.as G#iet: In t*ose *o#rs t*e )<arina tele"ra2*ed t*e )<ar:
AT*e )ity is )alm:B
'#t t*is )almness does not last lon": T*e .or8ers
"rad#ally )on)entrate, and mo5e rom all s#b#rbs to t*e
)entre: T*ey are sto22ed at t*e brid"es: T*ey lo)8 a)ross
t*e i)e: it is only >ebr#ary and t*e Ne5a is one solid brid"e
o i)e: T*e irin" at t*eir )ro.ds on t*e i)e is not eno#"* to
sto2 t*em: T*ey ind t*e )ity transormed: 3osses,
)ordons, *orse?2atrols e5ery.*ere: T*e a22roa)*es to t*e
Ne5s8y are es2e)ially .ell "#arded: E5ery no. and t*en
s*ots rin" o#t rom amb#s*: T*e n#mber o 8illed and
.o#nded "ro.s: 0mb#lan)es dart *ere and t*ere: Co#
)annot al.ays tell .*o is s*ootin" and .*ere t*e s*ots
)ome rom: One t*in" is )ertain: ater t*eir )r#el lesson,
t*e 2oli)e *a5e de)ided not to ex2ose t*emsel5es a"ain:
T*ey s*oot rom .indo.s, t*ro#"* bal)ony doors, rom
be*ind )ol#mns, rom atti)s: Iy2ot*eses are ormed,
.*i)* easily be)ome le"ends: T*ey say t*at in order to
intimidate t*e demonstrators, many soldiers are dis"#ised
in 2oli)e #niorms: T*ey say t*at 3roto2o2o5 *as 2la)ed
n#mero#s ma)*ine?"#n nests in t*e "arrets o *o#ses: 0
)ommission )reated ater t*e re5ol#tion did not dis)o5er
s#)* nests, b#t t*is does not mean t*at t*ere .ere none:
Io.e5er, t*e 2oli)e on t*is day o))#2y a s#bordinate
2la)e: T*e troo2s )ome de)isi5ely into a)tion: T*ey are
"i5en stri)t orders to s*oot, and t*e soldiers, mostly
trainin" sG#ads D t*at is, non?)ommissioned oi)ers;
re"imental s)*ools D do s*oot: 0))ordin" to t*e oi)ial
i"#res, on t*is day abo#t orty are 8illed and as many
.o#nded, not )o#ntin" t*ose led or )arried a.ay by t*e
)ro.d: T*e str#""le arri5es at a de)isi5e sta"e: +ill t*e
mass ebb beore t*e lead and lo. ba)8 to its s#b#rbs@ No,
it does not ebb: It is bo#nd to *a5e its o.n:
'#rea#)rati), bo#r"eois, liberal 3etersb#r" .as in a ri"*t:
On t*at day Rod<ian8o, t*e 3resident o t*e State 4#ma,
demanded t*at reliable troo2s be sent rom t*e rontJ later
*e Are)onsideredB and re)ommended to t*e +ar Minister
'elyae5 t*at t*e )ro.ds be dis2ersed, not .it* lead, b#t
.it* )old .ater o#t o a ire?*ose: 'elyae5, *a5in"
)ons#lted -eneral 9*abalo5, ans.ered t*at a do.se o
.ater .o#ld 2rod#)e 2re)isely t*e o22osite ee)t
Abe)a#se it ex)ites:B T*#s in t*e liberal and b#rea#)rati)
#22er )ir)les t*ey dis)#ssed t*e relati5e ad5anta"es o *ot
and )old do#)*es or t*e 2eo2le in re5olt: 3oli)e re2orts or
t*at day testiy t*at t*e ire?*ose .as inadeG#ate: A In t*e
)o#rse o t*e disorders it .as obser5ed as a "eneral
2*enomenon, t*at t*e riotin" mobs s*o.ed extreme
deian)e to.ards t*e military 2atrols, at .*om, .*en
as8ed to dis2erse, t*ey t*re. stones and l#m2s o i)e d#"
#2 rom t*e street: +*en 2reliminary s*ots .ere ired into
t*e air, t*e )ro.d not only did not dis2erse b#t ans.ered
t*ese 5olleys .it* la#"*ter: Only .*en loaded )artrid"es
.ere ired into t*e 5ery midst o t*e )ro.d, .as it o#nd
2ossible to dis2erse t*e mob, t*e 2arti)i2ants, in .*i)*,
*o.e5er, .o#ld most o t*em *ide in t*e yards o nearby
*o#ses, and as soon as, t*e s*ootin" sto22ed )ome o#t
a"ain into t*e street:B T*is 2oli)e re2ort s*o.s t*at t*e
tem2erat#re o t*e masses *ad risen 5ery *i"*: To be s#re,
it is *ardly 2robable t*at t*e )ro.d .o#ld *a5e be"#n o
itsel to bombard t*e troo2s D e5en t*e trainin" sG#ads D
.it* stones and i)e: t*at .o#ld too m#)* )ontradi)t t*e
2sy)*olo"y o t*e ins#rre)tionary masses, and t*e .ise
strate"y t*ey *ad s*o.n .it* re"ard to t*e army: >or t*e
sa8e o s#22lementary E#stii)ation or mass m#rders, t*e
)olo#rs in t*e re2ort are not exa)tly .*at t*ey .ere, and
are not laid on t*e .ay t*ey .ere, in a)t#al a)t: '#t t*e
essentials are re2orted tr#ly and .it* remar8able
5i5idness: t*e masses .ill no lon"er retreat, t*ey resist
.it* o2timisti) brillian)e, t*ey stay on t*e street e5en ater
m#rdero#s 5olleys, t*ey )lin", not to t*eir li5es, b#t to t*e
2a5ement, to stones, to 2ie)es o i)e: T*e )ro.d is not
only bitter, b#t a#da)io#s: T*is is be)a#se, in s2ite o t*e
s*ootin", it 8ee2s its ait* in t*e army: It )o#nts on 5i)tory
and intends to *a5e it at any )ost:
T*e 2ress#re o t*e .or8ers #2on t*e army is in)reasin"
)o#nterin" t*e 2ress#re rom t*e side o t*e a#t*orities:
T*e 3etro"rad "arrison )omes into t*e o)#s o e5ents: T*e
ex2e)tant 2eriod, .*i)* *as lasted almost t*ree days,
d#rin" .*i)* it .as 2ossible or t*e main mass o t*e
"arrison to 8ee2 #2 riendly ne#trality to.ard t*e
ins#rre)tion, *as )ome to an end: AS*oot t*e enemyOB t*e
monar)*y )ommands: A4on;t s*oot yo#r brot*ers and
sistersOB )ry t*e .or8ers: 0nd not only t*at: A!ome .it*
#sOB T*#s in t*e streets and sG#ares, by t*e brid"es, at t*e
barra)8?"ates, is .a"ed a )easeless str#""le no.
dramati), no. #nnoti)eable D b#t al.ays a des2erate
str#""le, or t*e *eart o t*e soldier: In t*is str#""le, in
t*ese s*ar2 )onta)ts bet.een .or8in" men and .omen
and t*e soldiers, #nder t*e steady )ra)8lin" o riles and
ma)*ine?"#ns, t*e ate o t*e "o5ernment, o t*e .ar, o
t*e )o#ntry, is bein" de)ided:
T*e s*ootin" o demonstrators in)reased t*e #n)ertainty
amon" t*e leaders: T*e 5ery s)ale o t*e mo5ement be"an
to seem dan"ero#s: E5en at t*e meetin" o t*e Vybor"
)ommittee t*e e5enin" o t*e 2(t* D t*at is, t.el5e *o#rs
beore t*e 5i)tory D arose dis)#ssions as to .*et*er it .as
not time to end t*e stri8e: T*is may seem astonis*in": '#t
remember, it is ar easier to re)o"nise 5i)tory t*e day
ater, t*an t*e day beore: 'esides, moods )*an"e
reG#ently #nder t*e im2a)t o e5ents and t*e ne.s o
t*em: 4is)o#ra"ement G#i)8ly "i5es .ay to a lo. o
ent*#siasm: 9ay#ro5s and !*#"#rins *a5e 2lenty o
2ersonal )o#ra"e, b#t at moments a eelin" o
res2onsibility or t*e masses )l#t)*es t*em: 0mon" t*e
ran8?and?ile .or8ers t*ere .ere e.er os)illations:
Re2orts abo#t t*eir moods .ere made to t*e a#t*orities
by a .ell inormed a"ent in t*e 'ols*e5i8 or"anisation,
S*#r8ano5: ASin)e t*e army #nits *a5e not o22osed t*e
)ro.d, .rote t*is 2ro5o)ate#r,B and in indi5id#al )ases
*a5e e5en ta8en meas#res 2aralysin" t*e initiati5e o t*e
2oli)e oi)ers, t*e masses *a5e "ot a sense o im2#nity,
and no., ater t.o days o #nobstr#)ted .al8in" t*e
streets, .*en t*e re5ol#tionary )ir)les *a5e ad5an)ed t*e
slo"ans A4o.n .it* .arB and A4o.n .it* t*e a#to)ra)yOB
t*e 2eo2le *a5e be)ome )on5in)ed t*at t*e re5ol#tion *as
be"#n, t*at s#))ess is .it* t*e masses, t*at t*e
a#t*orities are 2o.erless to s#22ress t*e mo5ement
be)a#se t*e troo2s are .it* it, t*at a de)isi5e 5i)tory is
near, sin)e t*e troo2s .ill soon o2enly Eoin t*e side o t*e
re5ol#tionary or)es, t*at t*e mo5ement be"#n .ill not
s#bside, b#t .ill )easelessly "ro. to a )om2lete 5i)tory
and a state re5ol#tion:B 0 )*ara)terisation remar8able or
)om2a)tness and )larityO T*e re2ort is a most 5al#able
*istori) do)#ment: T*is did not, o )o#rse, 2re5ent t*e
5i)torio#s .or8ers rom exe)#tin" its a#t*or:
T*ese 2ro5o)ate#rs, .*ose n#mber .as enormo#s,
es2e)ially in 3etro"rad, eared, more t*an anyone else did,
t*e 5i)tory o t*e re5ol#tion: T*ey ollo.ed a 2oli)y o t*eir
o.n: in t*e 'ols*e5i8 )oneren)es S*#r8ano5 deended t*e
most extreme a)tionsJ in *is re2orts to t*e se)ret 2oli)e *e
s#""ested t*e ne)essity o a de)isi5e resort to irearms: It
is 2ossible t*at .it* t*is aim, S*#r8ano5 tried e5en to
exa""erate t*e a""ressi5e )oniden)e o t*e .or8ers: '#t
in t*e main *e .as ri"*t e5ents .o#ld soon )onirm *is
E#d"ement:
T*e leaders in bot* )am2s "#essed and 5a)illated, or not
one o t*em )o#ld estimate a riori t*e relation o or)es:
External indi)ations )eased absol#tely to ser5e as a
meas#re: Indeed one o t*e )*ie eat#res o a
re5ol#tionary )risis )onsists in t*is s*ar2 )ontradi)tion
bet.een t*e 2resent )ons)io#sness and t*e old orms o
so)ial relations*i2: 0 ne. relation o or)es .as
mysterio#sly im2lantin" itsel in t*e )ons)io#sness o t*e
.or8ers and soldiers: It .as 2re)isely t*e "o5ernment;s
oensi5e, )alled ort* by t*e 2re5io#s oensi5e o t*e
re5ol#tionary masses, .*i)* transormed t*e ne. relation
o or)es rom a 2otential to an a)ti5e state: T*e .or8er
loo8ed t*irstily and )ommandin"ly into t*e eyes o t*e
soldier, and t*e soldier anxio#sly and diidently loo8ed
a.ay: T*is meant t*at, in a .ay, t*e soldier )o#ld no
lon"er ans.er or *imsel: T*e .or8er a22roa)*ed t*e
soldier more boldly: T*e soldier s#llenly, b#t .it*o#t
*ostility D "#iltily rat*er D re#sed to ans.er: Or sometimes
no. more and more oten D *e ans.ered .it* 2retended
se5erity in order to )on)eal *o. anxio#sly *is *eart .as
beatin" in *is breast: T*#s t*e )*an"e .as a))om2lis*ed:
T*e soldier .as, )learly s*a8in" o *is soldiery: In doin" so
*e )o#ld not immediately re)o"nise *imsel: T*e
a#t*orities said t*at t*e re5ol#tion intoxi)ated t*e soldier:
To t*e soldier it seemed, on t*e )ontrary, t*at *e .as
soberin" #2 rom t*e o2i#m o t*e barra)8s: T*#s t*e
de)isi5e day .as 2re2ared D t*e 27t* o >ebr#ary:
Io.e5er, on t*e e5e o t*at day an in)ident o))#rred
.*i)* in s2ite o its e2isodi) nat#re 2aints .it* a ne.
)olo#r all t*e e5ents o t*e 2(t*: To.ards e5enin" t*e
o#rt* )om2any o t*e 3a5lo5s8y re"iment o t*e Im2erial
-#ard m#tinied: In t*e .ritten re2ort o a 2oli)e ins2e)tor
t*e )a#se o t*e m#tiny is )ate"ori)ally stated:
AIndi"nation a"ainst t*e trainin" sG#ad o t*e same
re"iment .*i)*, .*ile on d#ty in t*e Ne5s8y, ired on t*e
)ro.d:B +*o inormed t*e o#rt* )om2any o t*is@ 0
re)ord *as been a))identally 2reser5ed: 0bo#t t.o o;)lo)8
in t*e aternoon, a *and#l o .or8ers ran #2 to t*e
barra)8s o t*e 3a5lo5s8y re"iment: Interr#2tin" ea)*
ot*er, t*ey told abo#t a s*ootin" on t*e Ne5s8y: ATell yo#r
)omrades t*at t*e 3a5lo5tsi, too, are s*ootin" at #s D .e
sa. soldiers in yo#r #niorm on t*e Ne5s8y:B T*at .as a
b#rnin" re2roa)*, a lamin" a22eal: A0ll loo8ed distressed
and 2ale:B
T*e seed ell not #2on t*e ro)8: 'y six o;)lo)8 t*e o#rt*
)om2any *ad let t*e barra)8s .it*o#t 2ermission #nder
t*e )ommand o a non?)ommissioned oi)er D +*o .as
*e@ Iis name is dro.ned ore5er amon" *#ndreds and
t*o#sands o eG#ally *eroi) names D and mar)*ed to t*e
Ne5s8y to re)all its trainin" sG#ad: T*is .as not a mere
soldiers; m#tiny o5er .ormy meatJ it .as an a)t o *i"*
re5ol#tionary initiati5e: On t*eir .ay do.n, t*e )om2any
*ad an en)o#nter .it* a deta)*ment o mo#nted 2oli)e:
T*e soldiers o2ened ire: One 2oli)eman and one *orse
.ere 8illedJ anot*er 2oli)eman and anot*er *orse .ere
.o#nded: T*e #rt*er 2at* o t*e m#tineers in t*e
*#rri)ane o t*e streets is #n8no.n: T*e )om2any
ret#rned to t*e barra)8s and aro#sed t*e entire re"iment:
'#t t*eir arms *ad been *idden: 0))ordin" to some
so#r)es, t*ey ne5ert*eless "ot *old o t*irty riles: T*ey
.ere soon s#rro#nded by t*e 3reobra<*entsi: Nineteen
3a5lo5tsi .ere arrested and im2risoned in t*e ortressJ t*e
rest s#rrendered: 0))ordin" to ot*er inormation, t*e
oi)ers on t*at e5enin" o#nd t.enty?one soldiers .it*
riles missin": 0 dan"ero#s lea8O T*ese t.enty?one
soldiers .o#ld be see8in" allies and deenders all ni"*t
lon": Only t*e 5i)tory o t*e re5ol#tion )o#ld sa5e t*em:
T*e .or8ers .o#ld s#rely learn rom t*em .*at *ad
*a22ened: T*is .as not a bad omen or tomorro.;s
battles:
Nabo8o5, one o t*e most 2rominent liberal leaders, .*ose
tr#t*#l memoirs seem at times to be t*e 5ery diary o *is
2arty and o *is )lass, .as ret#rnin" *ome rom a 5isit at
one o;)lo)8 in t*e mornin" alon" t*e dar8 and .at)*#l
streets: Ie .as A2ert#rbed and illed .it* dar8
orebodin"s:B It is 2ossible t*at at one o t*e )rossin"s *e
met a #"iti5e 3a5lo5et<: 'ot* *#rried 2ast: t*ey *ad
not*in" to say to ea)* ot*er: In t*e .or8ers; G#arters and
t*e barra)8s some 8e2t .at)* or )onerred, ot*ers sle2t
t*e *al?slee2 o t*e bi5o#a), or dreamed e5eris*ly abo#t
tomorro.: Iere t*e #"iti5e 3a5lo5et< o#nd s*elter:
Io. s)ant are t*e re)ords o t*e mass i"*tin" in t*e
>ebr#ary days?s)ant e5en in )om2arison .it* t*e slim
re)ords o t*e O)tober i"*ts: In O)tober t*e 2arty dire)ted
t*e ins#rre)tion rom day to dayJ in its arti)les,
2ro)lamations, and re2orts, at least t*e external )ontin#ity
o t*e str#""le is re)orded: Not so in >ebr#ary: T*e masses
*ad almost no leaders*i2 rom abo5e: T*e ne.s2a2ers
.ere silen)ed by t*e stri8e: +it*o#t a loo8 ba)8, t*e
masses made t*eir o.n *istory: To re)onstr#)t a li5in"
2i)t#re o t*e t*in"s t*at *a22ened in t*e streets, is
almost #nt*in8able: It .o#ld be .ell i .e )o#ld re)reate at
least t*e "eneral )ontin#ity and inner order o e5ents:
T*e "o5ernment, .*i)* *ad not yet lost *old o t*e
ma)*inery o 2o.er, obser5ed t*e e5ents on t*e .*ole
e5en less ably t*an t*e let 2arties, .*i)*, as .e 8no.,
.ere ar rom brilliant in t*is dire)tion: 0ter t*e
As#))ess#lB s*ootin"s o t*e 2(t*, t*e ministers too8
*eart or an instant: 0t da.n o t*e 27t* 3roto2o2o5
reass#rin"ly re2orted t*at, a))ordin" to inormation
re)ei5ed, A2art o t*e .or8ers intend to ret#rn to .or8:B
'#t t*e .or8ers; ne5er t*o#"*t o "oin" ba)8 to t*e s*o2s:
Cesterday;s s*ootin"s and ail#res *ad not dis)o#ra"ed t*e
masses: Io. ex2lain t*is@ 022arently t*e losses .ere o#t?
balan)ed by )ertain "ains: 3o#rin" t*ro#"* t*e streets,
)ollidin" .it* t*e enemy, 2#llin" at t*e arms o soldiers,
)ra.lin" #nder *orses; bellies, atta)8in", s)atterin",
lea5in" t*eir )or2ses on t*e )rossin"s, "rabbin" a e.
irearms, s2readin" t*e ne.s, )at)*in" at r#mo#rs, t*e
ins#rre)tionary mass be)omes a )olle)ti5e entity .it*
n#mberless eyes, ears and antennae: 0t ni"*t, ret#rnin"
*ome rom t*e arena o str#""le to t*e .or8ers; G#arter, it
"oes o5er t*e im2ressions o t*e day, and sitin" a.ay
.*at is 2etty and a))idental, )asts its o.n t*o#"*t#l
balan)e: On t*e ni"*t o t*e 27t*, t*is balan)e .as
2ra)ti)ally identi)al .it* t*e re2ort made to t*e a#t*orities
by t*e 2ro5o)ate#r, S*#r8ano5:
In t*e mornin" t*e .or8ers streamed a"ain to t*e
a)tories, and in o2en meetin"s resol5ed to )ontin#e t*e
str#""le: Es2e)ially resol#te, as al.ays, .ere t*e
Vybor"tsi: '#t in ot*er distri)ts too t*ese mornin"
meetin"s .ere ent*#siasti): To )ontin#e t*e str#""leO '#t
.*at .o#ld t*at mean to day@ T*e "eneral stri8e *ad
iss#ed in re5ol#tionary demonstrations by immense
)ro.ds, and t*e demonstrations *ad led to a )ollision .it*
t*e troo2s: To )ontin#e t*e str#""le to day .o#ld mean to
s#mmon an armed ins#rre)tion: '#t nobody *ad
orm#lated t*is s#mmons: It *ad "ro.n irresistibly o#t o
t*e e5ents, b#t it .as ne5er 2la)ed on t*e order o t*e day
by a re5ol#tionary 2arty:
T*e art o re5ol#tionary leaders*i2 in its most )riti)al
moments )onsists nine?tent*s in 8no.in" *o. to sense t*e
mood o t*e masses?E#st as 9ay#ro5 dete)ted t*e
mo5ement o t*e !ossa)8Xs eyebro., t*o#"* on a lar"er
s)ale: 0n #nex)elled ability to dete)t t*e mood o t*e
masses .as Lenin;s "reat 2o.er: '#t Lenin .as not in
3etro"rad: T*e le"al and semi?le"al Aso)ialisti)B stas,
9erens8y, !*eid<e, S8obele5, and all t*ose .*o )ir)led
aro#nd t*em, 2rono#n)ed .arnin"s and o22osed t*e
mo5ement: '#t e5en t*e )entral 'ols*e5i8 sta, )om2osed
o S*lia2ni8o5, Wal#ts8y and Moloto5 .as ama<in" in its
*el2lessness and la)8 o initiati5e: In a)t, t*e distri)ts and
barra)8s .ere let to t*emsel5es: T*e irst 2ro)lamation to
t*e army .as released only on t*e 2(t* by one o t*e
So)ial 4emo)rati) or"anisations )lose to t*e 'ols*e5i8s:
T*is 2ro)lamation, rat*er *esitant in )*ara)ter D not e5en
)ontainin" an a22eal to )ome o5er to t*e 2eo2le D .as
distrib#ted t*ro#"*o#t all t*e )ity distri)ts on t*e mornin"
o t*e 27t*: AIo.e5er,B testiies C#rene5, t*e leader o t*is
or"anisation, At*e tem2o o t*e re5ol#tionary e5ents .as
s#)* t*at o#r slo"ans .ere already la""in" be*ind it: 'y
t*e time t*e lealets *ad 2enetrated into t*e t*i)8 o t*e
troo2s, t*e latter *ad already )ome o5er:B 0s t*e 'ols*e5i8
)entre D S*lia2ni8o5, at t*e demand o !*#"#rin one o t*e
best .or8er?leaders o t*e >ebr#ary days, inally .rote an
a22eal to t*e soldiers on t*e mornin" o t*e 27t*: +as it
e5en 2#blis*ed@ 0t best it mi"*t *a5e )ome in at t*e
inis*: It )o#ld not 2ossibly *a5e inl#en)ed t*e e5ents o
>ebr#ary 27: +e m#st lay it do.n as a "eneral r#le or
t*ose days t*at t*e *i"*er t*e leaders, t*e #rt*er t*ey
la""ed be*ind:
'#t t*e ins#rre)tion, not yet so named by anyone, too8 its
o.n 2la)e on t*e order o t*e day: 0ll t*e t*o#"*ts o t*e
.or8ers .ere )on)entrated on t*e army: A4on;t yo# t*in8
.e )an "et t*em started@B Today *a2*a<ard a"itation
.o#ld no lon"er do: T*e Vybor" se)tion sta"ed a meetin"
near t*e barra)8s o t*e Mos)o. re"iment: T*e enter2rise
2ro5ed a ail#re: Is it dii)#lt or some oi)er or ser"eant
maEor to .or8 t*e *andle o a ma)*ine "#n@ T*e .or8ers
.ere s)attered by )r#el ire: 0 similar attem2t .as made
at t*e barra)8s o Reser5e re"iment: 0nd t*ere too:
oi)ers .it* ma)*ine "#n interered bet.een t*e .or8ers
and soldiers: T*e leaders o t*e .or8ers #med, loo8ed or
irearms, demanded t*em rom t*e 2arty: 0nd t*e ans.er
.as: AT*e soldiers *a5e t*e irearms, "o "et t*em:B T*at
t*ey 8ne. t*emsel5es: '#t *o. to "et t*em@ Isn;t
e5eryt*in" "oin" to )olla2se all at on)e to day@ T*#s )ame
on t*e )riti)al 2oint o t*e str#""le: Eit*er t*e ma)*ine
"#n .ill .i2e o#t t*e ins#rre)tion, or t*e ins#rre)tion .ill
)a2t#re t*e ma)*ine "#n:
In *is re)olle)tions, S*lia2ni8o5, t*e )*ie i"#re in t*e
3etro"rad )entre o t*e 'ols*e5i8s, tells *o. *e re#sed
t*e demands o t*e .or8ers or irearms D or e5en
re5ol5ers D sendin" t*em to t*e barra)8s to "et t*em: Ie
.is*ed in t*is .ay to a5oid bloody )las*es bet.een
.or8ers and soldiers, sta8in" e5eryt*in" on a"itation D
t*at is, on t*e )onG#est o t*e soldiers by .or8 and
exam2le: +e 8no. o no ot*er testimony .*i)* )onirms
or re#tes t*is statement o a 2rominent leader o t*ose
days D a statement .*i)* testiies to side?ste22in" rat*er
t*an oresi"*t: It .o#ld be sim2ler to )oness t*at t*e
leaders *ad no irearms:
T*ere is no do#bt t*at t*e ate o e5ery re5ol#tion at a
)ertain 2oint is de)ided by a brea8 in t*e dis2osition o t*e
dis2osition o t*e army: 0"ainst a n#mero#s, dis)i2lined,
.ell?armed and ably led military or)e, #narmed or almost
#narmed masses o t*e 2eo2le )annot 2ossibly "ain a
5i)tory: '#t no dee2 national )risis )an ail to ae)t t*e
army to some extent: T*#s alon" .it* t*e )onditions o a
tr#ly 2o2#lar re5ol#tion t*ere de5elo2s a 2ossibility D not,
o )o#rse, a "#arantee D o its 5i)tory: Io.e5er, t*e "oin"
o5er o t*e army to t*e ins#rre)tion does not *a22en o
itsel, nor as a res#lt o mere a"itation: T*e army is
*etero"eneo#s, and its anta"onisti) elements are *eld
to"et*er by t*e terror o dis)i2line: On t*e 5ery e5e o t*e
de)isi5e *o#r, t*e re5ol#tionary soldiers do not 8no. *o.
m#)* 2o.er t*ey *a5e, or .*at inl#en)e t*ey )an exert:
T*e .or8in" masses, o )o#rse, are also *etero"eneo#s:
'#t t*ey *a5e immeas#rably more o22ort#nity or testin"
t*eir ran8s in t*e 2ro)ess o 2re2aration or t*e de)isi5e
en)o#nter: Stri8es, meetin"s, demonstrations, are not only
a)ts in t*e str#""le, b#t also meas#res o its or)e: T*e
.*ole mass does not 2arti)i2ate in t*e stri8e: Not all t*e
stri8ers are ready to i"*t: In t*e s*ar2est moments t*e
most darin" a22ear in t*e streets: T*e *esitant, t*e tired,
t*e )onser5ati5e, sit at *ome: Iere a re5ol#tionary
sele)tion ta8es 2la)e o itselJ 2eo2le are sited t*ro#"*
t*e sie5e o e5ents: It is ot*er.ise .it* t*e army: T*e
re5ol#tionary soldiers D sym2at*eti), .a5erin" or
anta"onisti) D are all tied to"et*er by a )om2#lsory
dis)i2line .*ose t*reads are *eld, #2 to t*e last moment,
in t*e oi)er;s ist: T*e soldiers are told o daily into irst
and se)ond iles, b#t *o. are t*ey to be di5ided into
rebellio#s and obedient@
T*e 2sy)*olo"i)al moment .*en t*e soldiers "o o5er to
t*e re5ol#tion is 2re2ared by a lon" mole)#lar 2ro)ess,
.*i)*, li8e ot*er 2ro)esses o nat#re, *as its 2oint o
)limax: '#t *o. determine t*is 2oint@ 0 military #nit may
be .*olly 2re2ared to Eoin t*e 2eo2le, b#t may not re)ei5e
t*e needed stim#l#s: T*e re5ol#tionary leaders*i2 does
not yet belie5e in t*e 2ossibility o *a5in" t*e army on its
side, and lets sli2 t*e 5i)tory: 0ter t*is ri2ened b#t
#nrealised m#tiny, a rea)tion may sei<e t*e army: T*e
soldiers lose t*e *o2e .*i)* lared in t*eir breastsJ t*ey
bend t*eir ne)8s a"ain to t*e yo8e o dis)i2line, and in a
ne. en)o#nter .it* t*e .or8ers, es2e)ially at a distan)e,
.ill stand o22osed to t*e ins#rre)tion: In t*is 2ro)ess t*ere
are many elements im2onderable or dii)#lt to .ei"*,
many )ross)#rrents, )olle)ti5e s#""estions and
a#tos#""estions: '#t o#t o t*is )om2li)ated .eb o
material and 2sy)*i) or)es one )on)l#sion emer"es .it*
irre#table )larity: t*e more t*e soldiers in t*eir mass are
)on5in)ed t*at t*e rebels are really rebellin" D t*at t*is is
not a demonstration ater .*i)* t*ey .ill *a5e to "o ba)8
to t*e barra)8s and re2ort, t*at t*is is a str#""le to t*e
deat*, t*at t*e 2eo2le may .in i t*ey Eoin t*em, and t*at
t*is .innin" .ill not only "#arantee im2#nity, b#t alle5iate
t*e lot o all D t*e more t*ey realise t*is, t*e more .illin"
t*ey are to t#rn aside t*eir bayonets, or "o o5er .it* t*em
to t*e 2eo2le: In ot*er .ords, t*e re5ol#tionises )an )reate
a brea8 in t*e soldiers; mood only i t*ey t*emsel5es are
a)t#ally ready to sei<e t*e 5i)tory at any 2ri)e .*ate5er,
e5en t*e 2ri)e o blood: 0nd t*e *i"*est determination
ne5er )an, or .ill, remain #narmed:
T*e )riti)al *o#r o )onta)t bet.een t*e 2#s*in" )ro.d
and t*e soldiers .*o bar t*eir .ay *as its )riti)al min#te:
T*at is .*en t*e "rey barrier *as not yet "i5en .ay, still
*olds to"et*er s*o#lder to s*o#lder, b#t already .a5ers,
and t*e oi)er, "at*erin" *is last stren"t* o .ill, "i5es t*e
)ommand: A>ireOB T*e )ry o t*e )ro.d, t*e yell o terror
and t*reat, dro.ns t*e )ommand, b#t not .*olly: T*e riles
.a5er: T*e )ro.d 2#s*es: T*en t*e oi)er 2oints t*e
barrel o *is re5ol5er at t*e most s#s2i)io#s soldier: >rom
t*e de)isi5e min#te no. stands o#t t*e de)isi5e se)ond:
T*e deat* o t*e boldest soldier, to .*om t*e ot*ers *a5e
in5ol#ntarily loo8ed or "#idan)e, a s*ot into t*e )ro.d by
a )or2oral rom t*e dead man;s rile, and t*e barrier
)loses, t*e "#ns "o o o t*emsel5es, s)atterin" t*e )ro.d
into t*e alleys and ba)8yards: '#t *o. many times sin)e
19%= it *as *a22ened ot*er.iseO 0t t*e )riti)al moment,
.*en t*e oi)er is ready to 2#ll t*e tri""er, a s*ot rom
t*e )ro.d D .*i)* *as its 9ay#ro5s and !*#"#rins D
orestalls *im: T*is de)ides not only t*e ate o t*e street
s8irmis*, b#t 2er*a2s t*e .*ole day, or t*e .*ole
ins#rre)tion:
T*e tas8 .*i)* S*lia2ni8o5 set *imsel o 2rote)tin" t*e
.or8ers rom *ostile )las*es .it* t*e troo2s by not "i5in"
irearms to t*e ins#rre)tionists, )o#ld not in any )ase be
)arried o#t: 'eore it )ame to t*ese )las*es .it* t*e
troo2s, inn#merable )las*es *ad o))#rred .it* t*e 2oli)e:
T*e street i"*tin" be"an .it* t*e disarmin" o t*e *ated
3*arao*s, t*eir re5ol5ers 2assin" into t*e *ands o t*e
rebels: T*e re5ol5er by itsel is a .ea8, almost toy?li8e
.ea2on a"ainst t*e m#s8ets, riles, ma)*ine "#ns and
)annon o t*e enemy: '#t are t*ese .ea2ons "en#inely in
t*e *ands o t*e enemy@ To settle t*is G#estion t*e
.or8ers demanded arms: It .as a 2sy)*olo"i)al G#estion:
'#t e5en in an ins#rre)tion 2sy)*i) 2ro)esses are
inse2arable rom material ones: T*e .ay to t*e soldier;s
rile leads t*ro#"* t*e re5ol5er ta8en rom t*e 3*arao*:
T*e eelin"s o t*e soldiers in t*ose *o#rs .ere less a)ti5e
t*an t*ose o t*e .or8ers, b#t not less dee2: Let #s re)all
a"ain t*at t*e "arrison )onsisted mainly o reser5e
battalions many t*o#sands stron", destined to ill #2 t*e
ran8s o t*ose at t*e ront: T*ese men, most o t*em
at*ers o amilies, *ad t*e 2ros2e)t o "oin" to t*e
tren)*es .*en t*e .ar .as lost and t*e )o#ntry r#ined:
T*ey did not .ant .ar, t*ey .anted to "o *ome to t*eir
arms: T*ey 8ne. .ell eno#"* .*at .as "oin" on at )o#rt,
and *ad not t*e sli"*test eelin" o atta)*ment to t*e
monar)*y: T*ey did not .ant to i"*t .it* t*e -ermans,
and still less .it* t*e 3etro"rad .or8ers: T*ey *ated t*e
r#lin" )lass o t*e )a2ital, .*o *ad been *a5in" a "ood
time d#rin" t*e .ar: 0mon" t*em .ere .or8ers .it* a
re5ol#tionary 2ast, .*o 8ne. *o. to "i5e a "eneralised
ex2ression to all t*ese moods:
To brin" t*e soldiers rom a dee2 b#t as yet *idden
re5ol#tionary dis)ontent to o5ert m#tino#s a)tion D or, at
least, irst to a m#tino#s re#sal to a)t D t*at .as t*e tas8:
On t*e t*ird day o t*e str#""le t*e soldiers totally )eased
to be able to maintain a bene5olent ne#trality to.ard t*e
ins#rre)tion: Only a))idental ra"ments o .*at *a22ened
in t*ose *o#rs alon" t*e line o )onta)t bet.een .or8ers
and soldiers *a5e )ome do.n to #s: +e *eard *o.
yesterday t*e .or8ers )om2lained 2assionately to t*e
3a5lo5s8y re"iment abo#t t*e be*a5io#r o its trainin"
sG#ad: S#)* s)enes, )on5ersations, re2roa)*es, a22eals,
.ere o))#rrin" in e5ery )orner o t*e )ity: T*e soldiers *ad
no more time or *esitation: T*ey .ere )om2elled to s*oot
yesterday, and t*ey .o#ld be a"ain to day: T*e .or8ers
.ill not s#rrender or retreatJ #nder ire t*ey are still
*oldin" t*eir o.n: 0nd .it* t*em t*eir .omen?.i5es,
mot*ers, sisters, s.eet*earts: Ces, and t*is is t*e 5ery
*o#r t*ey *ad so oten .*is2ered abo#t: AI only .e )o#ld
all "et to"et*er :::B 0nd t*e moment o s#2reme a"ony, in
t*e #nbearable ear o t*e )omin" day, t*e )*o8in" *atred
o t*ose .*o are im2osin" #2on t*em t*e exe)#tioner;s
rHle, t*ere rin" o#t in t*e barra)8 room t*e irst 5oi)es o
o2en indi"nation, and in t*ose 5oi)es D to be ore5er
nameless D t*e .*ole army .it* relie and ra2t#re
re)o"nises itsel: T*#s da.ned #2on t*e eart* t*e day o
destr#)tion o t*e Romano5 monar)*y:
0t a mornin" )oneren)e in t*e *ome o t*e indeati"able
9ay#ro5, .*ere o5er orty s*o2 and a)tory
re2resentati5es *ad assembled, a maEority s2o8e or
)ontin#in" t*e mo5ement: 0 maEority, b#t not all: Too bad
.e )annot establis* .*at maEority, b#t in t*ose *o#rs
t*ere .as no time or re)ords: 0ny.ay, t*e de)ision .as
belated: T*e meetin" .as interr#2ted by t*e intoxi)atin"
ne.s o t*e soldiers; ins#rre)tion and t*e o2enin" o t*e
"aols: S*#r8ano5 8issed all t*ose 2resent: 0 8iss o ,#das,
b#t not, ort#nately, to be ollo.ed by a )r#)iixion:
One ater anot*er, rom early mornin", t*e Reser5e -#ard
battalions m#tinied beore t*ey .ere led o#t o t*e
barra)8s, )ontin#in" .*at t*e &t* !om2any o t*e
3a5lo5s8y re"iment *ad be"#n t*e day beore: In t*e
do)#ments, re)ords, memoirs, t*is "randiose e5ent o
*#man *istory *as let b#t a 2ale, dim im2rint: T*e
o22ressed masses, e5en .*en t*ey rise to t*e 5ery
*ei"*ts o )reati5e a)tion, tell little o t*emsel5es and
.rite less: 0nd t*e o5er2o.erin" ra2t#re o t*e 5i)tory
later erases memory;s .or8: Let #s ta8e #2 .*at re)ords
t*ere are:
T*e soldiers o t*e Volyns8y re"iment .ere t*e irst to
re5olt: 0s early as se5en o;)lo)8 in t*e mornin" a battalion
)ommander dist#rbed 9*abalo5 .it* a tele2*one )all and
t*is t*reatenin" ne.s: t*e trainin" sG#ad D t*at is, t*e #nit
es2e)ially relied on to 2#t do.n t*e ins#rre)tion D *ad
re#sed to mar)* o#t, its )ommander .as 8illed, or *ad
s*ot *imsel in ront o t*e troo2s: T*e latter 5ersion, by
t*e .ay, .as soon reEe)ted: Ia5in" b#rned t*eir brid"es
be*ind t*em, t*e Volint<i *astened to broaden t*e base o
t*e ins#rre)tion: In t*at lay t*eir only sal5ation: T*ey
r#s*ed into t*e nei"*bo#rin" barra)8s o t*e Lito5s8y and
3reobra<*ens8y re"iments A)allin" o#tB t*e soldiers, as
stri8ers "o rom a)tory to a)tory )allin" o#t t*e .or8ers:
Some time ater, 9*abalo5 re)ei5ed a re2ort t*at t*e
Volyns8y re"iment *ad not only re#sed to s#rrender t*eir
riles .*en ordered by t*e "eneral, b#t to"et*er .it* t*e
Lito5s8y and 3reobra<*ens8y re"iments D and .*at is e5en
more alarmin", A*a5in" Eoined t*e .or8ersB D *ad .re)8ed
t*e barra)8s o t*e 2oliti)al 2oli)e: T*is meant t*at
yesterday;s ex2eriment o t*e 3a5lo5tsi *ad not been in
5ain: t*e ins#rre)tion *ad o#nd leaders, and at t*e same
time a 2lan o a)tion:
In t*e early *o#rs o t*e 27t*, t*e .or8ers t*o#"*t t*e
sol#tion o t*e 2roblem o t*e ins#rre)tion ininitely more
distant t*an it really .as: It .o#ld be tr#er to say t*at t*ey
sa. t*e 2roblem as almost entirely a*ead o t*em, .*en it
.as really, nine?tent*s be*ind: T*e re5ol#tionary 2ress#re
o t*e .or8ers on t*e barra)8s ell in .it* t*e existin"
re5ol#tionary mo5ement o t*e soldiers to t*e streets:
4#rin" t*e day t*ese t.o mi"*ty )#rrents #nited to .as*
o#t )lean and )arry a.ay t*e .alls, t*e roo, and later t*e
.*ole "ro#nd.or8 o t*e old str#)t#re:
!*#"#rin .as amon" t*e irst to a22ear at t*e 'ols*e5i8
*eadG#arters, a rile in *is *ands, a )artrid"e belt o5er *is
s*o#lder,B all s2attered #2, b#t beamin" and tri#m2*ant:B
+*y s*o#ldn;t *e beam@ Soldiers .it* riles in t*eir *ands
are )omin" o5er to #sO In some 2la)es t*e .or8ers *ad
s#))eeded in #nitin" .it* t*e soldiers, 2enetratin" t*e
barra)8s and re)ei5in" riles and )artrid"es: T*e Vybor"tsi
K2L to"et*er .it* t*e most darin" o t*e soldiers, o#tlined
a 2lan o a)tion: sei<e t*e 2oli)e stations .*ere t*e armed
2oli)e *a5e entren)*ed t*emsel5esJ disarm all 2oli)emenJ
ree t*e .or8ers *eld in t*e 2oli)e stations, and t*e
2oliti)al 2risoners in t*e "aolsJ ro#t t*e "o5ernment troo2s
in t*e )ity 2ro2erJ #nite .it* t*e still ina)ti5e troo2s and
.it* t*e .or8ers o ot*er distri)ts:
T*e Mos)o. re"iment Eoined t*e #2risin" not .it*o#t inner
str#""le: 0ma<in" t*at t*ere .as so little str#""le amon"
t*e re"iments: T*e monar)*ist )ommand im2otently ell
a.ay rom t*e soldier mass, and eit*er *id in t*e )ra)8s or
*astened to )*an"e its )olo#rs: A0t t.o o;)lo)8,B
remembers 9orHle5, a .or8er rom t*e A0rsenalB a)tory,
A.*en t*e Mos)o. re"iment mar)*ed o#t, .e armed
o#rsel5es ::: +e too8 a re5ol5er and rile a2ie)e, 2i)8ed o#t
a "ro#2 o soldiers .*o )ame #2 some o t*em as8ed #s to
ta8e )ommand and tell t*em .*at to do, and set o#t or
Ti8*5ins8aia street to s*oot #2 t*e 2oli)e station:B T*e
.or8ers, it seems, did not *a5e a moment;s tro#ble tellin"
t*e soldiers A.*at to do:B
One ater anot*er )ame t*e Eoy#l re2orts o 5i)tories: O#r
o.n armo#red )ars *a5e a22earedO +it* red la"s lyin",
t*ey are s2readin" terror t*ro#"* t*e distri)ts to all .*o
*a5e not yet s#bmitted: No. it .ill no lon"er be ne)essary
to )ra.l #nder t*e belly o a !ossa)8;s *orse: T*e
re5ol#tion is standin" #2 to its #ll *ei"*t:
To.ard noon 3etro"rad a"ain be)ame t*e ield o military
a)tionJ riles and ma)*ine "#ns ran" o#t e5ery.*ere: It
.as not easy to tell .*o .as s*ootin" or .*ere: One t*in"
.as )lear: t*e 2ast and t*e #t#re .ere ex)*an"in" s*ots:
T*ere .as m#)* )as#al irin"J yo#n" boys .ere s*ootin"
o re5ol5ers #nex2e)tedly a)G#ired: T*e arsenal .as
.re)8ed: AT*ey say t*at se5eral tens o t*o#sands o
'ro.nin"s alone .ere )arried oB >rom t*e b#rnin"
b#ildin"s o t*e 4istri)t !o#rt and t*e 2oli)e stations
2illars o smo8e rolled to t*e s8y: 0t some 2oints )las*es
and s8irmis*es t*i)8ened into real battles: On
Sam2sonie5s8y bo#le5ard t*e .or8ers )ame #2 to a
barra)8 o))#2ied by t*e bi)y)le men, some o .*om
)ro.ded into t*e "ate:B +*y don;t yo# "et on t*e mo5e,
)omrades@B T*e soldiers smiled Anot a "ood smile,B one o
t*e 2arti)i2ants testiies and remained silent, .*ile t*e
oi)ers r#dely )ommanded t*e .or8ers to mo5e on: T*e
bi)y)lists, alon" .it* t*e )a5alry, 2ro5ed to be t*e most
)onser5ati5e 2art o, t*e army in t*e >ebr#ary, as in t*e
O)tober re5ol#tion: 0 )ro.d o .or8ers and re5ol#tionary
soldiers soon "at*ered ro#nd t*e en)e: A+e m#st 2#ll o#t
t*e s#s2i)io#s battalionOB Someone re2orted t*at t*e
armo#red )ars *ad been sent orJ 2er*a2s t*ere .as no
ot*er .ay o "ettin" t*ese bi)y)lists, .*o *ad set #2 t*e
ma)*ine "#ns: '#t it is *ard or a )ro.d to .aitJ it is
anxio#sly im2atient, and G#ite ri"*t in its im2atien)e:
S*ots ran" o#t rom bot* sides: '#t t*e board en)e stood
in t*e .ay, di5idin" t*e soldiers rom t*e re5ol#tion: T*e
atta)8ers de)ided to brea8 do.n t*e en)e: T*ey bro8e
do.n 2art o it and set ire to t*e rest: 0bo#t t.enty
barra)8s )ame into 5ie.: T*e bi)y)lists .ere )on)entrated
in t.o or t*ree o t*em: T*e em2ty barra)8s .ere set ire
to at on)e: Six years later 9ay#ro5 .o#ld re)all: AT*e
lamin" barra)8s and t*e .re)8a"e o t*e en)e aro#nd
t*em, t*e ire o ma)*ine "#ns and riles, t*e ex)ited a)es
o t*e besie"ers, a tr#)8 load o armed re5ol#tionists
das*in" #2, and inally an armo#red )ar arri5in" .it* its
"leamin" "#n mo#t*s, made a memorable and
ma"nii)ent 2i)t#re:B T*is .as t*e old )<arist, e#dal,
2riestly, 2oli)e R#ssia b#rnin" do.n, barra)8s and en)es
and all, ex2irin" in ire and smo8e, s2e.in" o#t its so#l
.it* t*e )o#"* o ma)*ine?"#n s*ots: No .onder 9ay#ro5,
and tens, *#ndreds, t*o#sands o 9ay#ro5s, reEoi)edO T*e
arri5in" armo#red )ar ired se5eral s*ells at t*e barra)8s
.*ere t*e bi)y)lists and oi)ers .ere barri)aded: T*e
)ommander .as 8illed: T*e oi)ers, tearin" o t*eir
e2a#lettes and ot*er insi"nia, led t*ro#"* t*e 5e"etable
"ardens adEoinin" t*e barra)8sJ t*e rest "a5e t*emsel5es
#2: T*is .as 2robably t*e bi""est en)o#nter o t*e day:
T*e military re5olt *ad mean.*ile be)ome e2idemi): Only
t*ose did not m#tiny t*at day .*o did not "et aro#nd to it:
To.ard e5enin" t*e Semeno5s8y re"iment Eoined in, a
re"iment notorio#s or its br#tal 2#ttin" do.n o t*e
Mos)o. #2risin" o 19%=: Ele5en years *ad not 2assed in
5ain: To"et*er .it* t*e )*asse#rs, t*e Semeno5tsi late at
ni"*t A)alled o#tB t*e I<mailo5tsi, .*om t*e )ommand
.ere *oldin" lo)8ed #2 in t*eir barra)8s: T*is re"iment,
.*i)* on 4e)ember 3, 19%= *ad s#rro#nded and arrested
t*e irst 3etro"rad so5iet, .as e5en no. )onsidered one o
t*e most ba)8.ard:
T*e )<arist "arrison o t*e )a2ital, n#mberin" 1=%,%%%
soldiers, .as d.indlin", meltin", disa22earin": 'y ni"*t it
no lon"er existed:
0ter t*e mornin";s ne.s o t*e re5olt o t*e re"iments,
9*abalo5 still tried to oer resistan)e, sendin" a"ainst t*e
re5ol#tion a )om2osite re"iment o abo#t a t*o#sand men
.it* t*e most drasti) orders: '#t t*e ate o t*at re"iment
*as be)ome G#ite a mystery: ASomet*in" im2ossible
be"ins to *a22en on t*at day,B t*e in)om2arable 9*abalo5
relates ater t*e re5ol#tion, A::: t*e re"iment starts, starts
#nder a bra5e, a resol#te oi)er /meanin" !olonel
9#tye2o51, b#t ::: t*ere are no res#lts:B !om2anies sent
ater t*at re"iment also 5anis*ed, lea5in" no tra)e: T*e
"eneral be"an to dra. #2 reser5es on 3ala)e SG#are, Ab#t
t*ere .ere no )artrid"es and no.*ere to "et t*em:B T*is is
ta8en rom 9*abalo5;s a#t*enti) testimony beore t*e
!ommission o InG#iry o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment:
+*at be)ame o t*e 2#niti5e re"iments@ It is not *ard to
"#ess t*at as soon as t*ey mar)*ed o#t t*ey .ere
dro.ned in t*e ins#rre)tion: +or8ers, .omen, yo#t*s,
rebel soldiers, s.armed aro#nd 9*abalo5;s troo2s on all
sides, eit*er )onsiderin" t*e re"iment t*eir o.n or stri5in"
to ma8e it so, and did not let t*em mo5e any .ay b#t .it*
t*e m#ltit#de: To i"*t .it* t*is t*i)8 s.armin",
inex*a#stible, all?2enetratin" mass, .*i)* no. eared
not*in", .as as easy as to en)e in do#"*:
To"et*er .it* re2orts o more and more military re5olts,
)ame demands or reliable troo2s to 2#t do.n t*e rebels,
to deend t*e tele2*one b#ildin", t*e Lito5s8y !astle, t*e
Mariins8y 3ala)e, and ot*er e5en more sa)red 2la)es:
9*abalo5 demanded by tele2*one t*at loyal troo2s be sent
rom 9ronstadt, b#t t*e )ommandant re2lied t*at *e
*imsel eared or t*e ortress: 9*abalo5 did not yet 8no.
t*at t*e ins#rre)tion *ad s2read to t*e nei"*bo#rin"
-arrisons: T*e "eneral attem2ted, or 2retended to
attem2t, to )on5ert t*e +inter 3ala)e into a redo#bt, b#t
t*e 2lan .as immediately abandoned as #nrealisable, and
t*e last *and#l o AloyalB troo2s .as transerred to t*e
0dmiralty: Iere at last t*e di)tator o))#2ied *imsel .it* a
most im2ortant and #r"ent b#siness *e 2rinted or
2#bli)ation t*e last t.o "o5ernmental de)rees on t*e
retirement o 3roto2o2o5 Ao.in" to illness,B and on t*e
state o sie"e in 3etro"rad: +it* t*e latter *e really *ad to
*#rry, or se5eral *o#rs later 9*abalo5;s army lited t*e
Asie"eB and de2arted rom t*e 0dmiralty or t*eir *omes:
It .as d#e only to i"noran)e t*at t*e re5ol#tion *ad not
already on t*e e5enin" o t*e 27t* arrested t*is ormidably
em2o.ered b#t not at all ormidable "eneral: T*is .as
done .it*o#t any )om2li)ations t*e next day:
!an it be t*at t*at .as t*e .*ole resistan)e 2#t #2 by t*e
redo#btable R#ssian Em2ire in t*e a)e o mortal dan"er@
Cet t*at .as abo#t all?in s2ite o its "reat ex2erien)e in
)r#s*in" t*e 2eo2le and its meti)#lo#sly elaborated 2lans:
+*en t*e )ame to t*emsel5es later, t*e monar)*ists
ex2lained t*e )ase o t*e >ebr#ary 5i)tory o t*e 2eo2le by
t*e 2e)#liar )*ara)ter o t*e 3etro"rad "arrison: '#t t*e
.*ole #rt*er )o#rse o t*e re5ol#tion re#tes t*is
ex2lanation: Tr#e, at t*e be"innin" o t*e atal year, t*e
)amarilla *ad already s#""ested to t*e )<ar t*e
ad5isability o reno5atin" t*e "arrison: T*e )<ar *ad easily
allo.ed *imsel to be 2ers#aded t*at t*e )a5alry o t*e
-#ard, )onsidered es2e)ially loyal, A*ad been #nder ire
lon" eno#"*B and *ad earned a rest in its 3etro"rad
barra)8s: Io.e5er, ater res2e)t#l re2resentations rom
t*e ront, t*e )<ar a"reed t*at o#r re"iments o t*e
)a5alry -#ard s*o#ld be re2la)ed by t*ree )re.s o t*e
na5al -#ard: 0))ordin" to 3roto2o2o5;s 5ersion, t*is
re2la)ement .as made by t*e )ommand .it*o#t t*e
)<ar;s )onsent, and .it* trea)*ero#s desi"n: A::: T*e
sailors are re)r#ited rom amon" t*e .or8ers and
)onstit#te t*e most re5ol#tionary element o; t*e or)es:B
'#t t*is is s*eer nonsense: T*e *i"*est oi)ers o t*e
-#ard, and 2arti)#larly t*e )a5alry, .ere sim2ly )#ttin"
o#t too "ood a )areer or t*emsel5es at t*e ront to .ant
to )ome ba)8: 'esides t*at, t*ey m#st *a5e t*o#"*t .it*
some dread o t*e 2#niti5e #n)tions to be allotted to
t*em: In t*ese t*ey .o#ld be at t*e *ead o troo2s totally
dierent ater t*eir ex2erien)e at t*e ront rom .*at t*ey
#sed to be on t*e 2arade "ro#nds o t*e )a2ital: 0s e5ents
at t*e ront soon 2ro5ed, t*e *orse -#ard at t*is time no
lon"er diered rom t*e rest o t*e )a5alry, and t*e na5al
-#ard, .*i)* .as transerred to t*e )a2ital, did not 2lay
an a)ti5e 2art in t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion: T*e .*ole tr#t*
is t*at t*e abri) o t*e rF"ime *ad )om2letely de)ayedJ
t*ere .as not a li5e t*read let:
4#rin" t*e 27t* o >ebr#ary t*e )ro.d liberated .it*o#t
bloods*ed rom t*e many "aols o t*e )a2ital, all 2oliti)al
2risoners?amon" t*em t*e 2atrioti) "ro#2 o t*e Military
and Ind#strial !ommittee, .*i)* *ad been arrested on t*e
2(t* o ,an#ary, and t*e members o t*e 3etro"rad
!ommittee o t*e 'ols*e5i8s, sei<ed by 9*abalo5 orty
*o#rs earlier: 0 2oliti)al di5ision o))#rred immediately
o#tside t*e 2rison "ates: T*e Mens*e5i8?2atriots set o#t
or t*e 4#ma, .*ere #n)tions and 2la)es .ere to be
assi"nedJ t*e 'ols*e5i8s mar)*ed to t*e distri)ts, to t*e
.or8ers and soldiers, to inis* .it* t*em t*e )onG#est o
t*e )a2ital: T*e enemy m#st *a5e no time to breat*e: 0
re5ol#tion, more t*an any ot*er enter2rise, *as to be
)arried t*ro#"* to t*e end:
It is im2ossible to say .*o t*o#"*t o leadin" t*e m#tino#s
troo2s to t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e: T*is 2oliti)al line o mar)*
.as di)tated by t*e .*ole sit#ation: Nat#rally all t*e
elements o radi)alism not bo#nd #2 .it* t*e masses
"ra5itated to.ard t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e as t*e )entre o
o22ositional inormation: Y#ite 2robably t*ese elements,
*a5in" ex2erien)ed on t*e 27t* a s#dden inEe)tion o 5ital
or)e, be)ame t*e "#ides o t*e m#tino#s soldiers: T*is
.as an *ono#rable ro1e and no. *ardly a dan"ero#s one:
In 5ie. o its lo)ation, 3otem8in;s 2ala)e .as .ell itted to
be t*e )entre o t*e re5ol#tion: T*e Ta#ride is se2arated
by E#st one street rom t*e .*ole military )omm#nity,
)ontainin" t*e barra)8s o t*e -#ard and a series o
military instit#tions: It is tr#e t*at or many years t*is 2art
o t*e )ity .as )onsidered bot* by t*e "o5ernment and
t*e re5ol#tionises to be t*e military stron"*old o t*e
monar)*y: 0nd so it .as: '#t no. e5eryt*in" *ad )*an"ed:
T*e soldiers; rebellion *ad be"#n in t*e -#ard se)tor: T*e
m#tino#s troo2s *ad only to )ross t*e street in order to
rea)* t*e 2ar8 o t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e, .*i)* in t#rn .as
only one blo)8 rom t*e Ne5a Ri5er: 0nd beyond t*e Ne5a
lies t*e Vybor" distri)t, t*e 5ery )a#ldron o t*e re5ol#tion:
T*e .or8ers need only )ross 0lexander;s 'rid"e, or i t*at
is #2, .al8 o5er t*e i)e o t*e ri5er, to rea)* t*e -#ards;
barra)8s or t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e: T*#s t*e *etero"eneo#s,
and in its ori"ins )ontradi)tory, nort* east trian"le o
3etro"rad D t*e -#ards, 3otem8in;s 2ala)e, and t*e "iant
a)tories D )losely interlo)8ed Dbe)ame t*e ield o a)tion
o t*e re5ol#tion:
In t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e 5ario#s )entres are already )reated,
or at least s8et)*ed o#t?amon" t*em t*e ield sta o t*e
ins#rre)tion: It *as no 5ery serio#s )*ara)ter: T*e
re5ol#tionary oi)ers D t*at is, t*ose oi)ers .*o *ad
some*o. or ot*er, e5en t*o#"* by mista8e, "ot )onne)ted
.it* t*e re5ol#tion in t*e 2ast, b#t .*o *a5e saely sle2t
t*ro#"* t*e ins#rre)tion D *asten ater t*e 5i)tory to )all
attention to t*emsel5es, or #2on s#mmons rom ot*ers
arri5e Ato ser5e t*e re5ol#tion:B T*ey s#r5ey t*e sit#ation
.it* 2roo#nd t*o#"*t and 2essimisti)ally s*a8e t*eir
*eads: T*ese t#m#lt#o#s )ro.ds o soldiers, oten
#narmed, are totally #nit or battle: No artillery, no
ma)*ine "#ns, no )omm#ni)ations, no )ommanders: One
stron" re"iment is all t*e enemy needsO To be s#re, E#st
no. t*e re5ol#tionary )ro.ds 2re5ent any 2lanned
manoe#5res in t*e streets: '#t t*e .or8ers .ill "o *ome
or t*e ni"*t, t*e residents .ill G#iet do.n, t*e to.n .ill
be em2tied: I 9*abalo5 .ere to stri8e .it* a stron"
re"iment at t*e barra)8s, *e mi"*t be)ome master o t*e
sit#ation: T*is idea, by t*e .ay, .ill meet #s in dierent
5ersions t*ro#"*o#t all t*e sta"es o t*e re5ol#tion: A-i5e
me a stron" re"iment,B "allant )olonels .ill more t*an
on)e ex)laim to t*eir riends, Aand in t.o se)onds I .ill
)lean #2 all t*is messOB 0nd some o t*em, as .e s*all
see, .ill ma8e t*e attem2t: '#t t*ey .ill all *a5e to re2eat
9*abalo5;s .ords: AT*e re"iment starts, starts #nder a
bra5e oi)er, b#t ::: t*ere are no res#lts:B
Ces, and *o. )o#ld t*ere be res#lts@ T*e most reliable o
all 2ossible or)es *ad been t*e 2oli)e and t*e "endarmes,
and t*e trainin" sG#ads o )ertain re"iments: '#t t*ese
2ro5ed as 2iti#l beore t*e assa#lt o t*e real masses as
t*e 'attalion o St: -eor"e and t*e oi)ers; trainin"
s)*ools .ere to 2ro5e ei"*t mont*s later in O)tober:
+*ere )o#ld t*e monar)*y "et t*at sal5ation re"iment,
ready and able to enter a 2rolon"ed and des2erate d#el
.it* a )ity o t.o million@ T*e re5ol#tion seems
deen)eless to t*ese 5erbally so enter2risin" )olonels,
be)a#se it is still terrii)ally )*aoti): E5ery.*ere aimless
mo5ements, )onli)tin" )#rrents, .*irl2ools o 2eo2le,
indi5id#als asto#nded as t*o#"* s#ddenly "one dea,
#nastened tren)* )oats, "esti)#latin" st#dents, soldiers
.it*o#t riles, riles .it*o#t soldiers, boys irin" into t*e
air, a t*o#sand?5oi)ed t#m#lt, *#rri)anes o .ild r#mo#r,
alse alarms, alse reEoi)in": Eno#"*, yo# .o#ld t*in8, to
lit a s.ord o5er all t*at )*aos, and it .o#ld s)atter a2art
and lea5e ne5er a tra)e: '#t t*at is a )r#de error o 5ision:
It is only seemin" )*aos: 'eneat* it is 2ro)eedin" an
irresistible )rystallisation o t*e masses aro#nd ne. axes:
T*ese inn#merable )ro.ds *a5e not yet )learly deined
.*at t*ey .ant, b#t t*ey are sat#rated .it* an a)id *atred
o .*at t*ey do not .ant: 'e*ind t*em is an irre2arable
*istori) a5alan)*e: T*ere is no .ay ba)8: E5en i t*ere
.ere someone to s)atter t*em, t*ey .o#ld be "at*erin"
a"ain in an *o#r, and t*e se)ond lood .o#ld be more
#rio#s and bloodier t*an t*e irst: 0ter t*e >ebr#ary days
t*e atmos2*ere o 3etro"rad be)omes so red *ot t*at
e5ery *ostile military deta)*ment arri5in" in t*at mi"*ty
or"e, or e5en )omin" near to it, s)or)*ed by its breat*, is
transormed, loses )oniden)e, be)omes 2aralysed, and
t*ro.s itsel #2on t*e mer)y o t*e 5i)tor .it*o#t a
str#""le: Tomorro. -eneral I5ano5, sent rom t*e ront by
t*e )<ar .it* a battalion o t*e: 9ni"*ts o St: -eor"e, .ill
ind t*is o#t: In i5e mont*s t*e same ate .ill beall
-eneral 9ornilo5, and in ei"*t mont*s it .ill *a22en to
9erens8y:
On t*e streets in t*e 2re)edin" days t*e !ossa)8s *ad
seemed t*e most o2en to 2ers#asionJ it .as be)a#se t*ey
.ere t*e most ab#sed: '#t .*en it )ame to t*e a)t#al
ins#rre)tion, t*e )a5alry on)e more E#stiied its
)onser5ati5e re2#tation and la""ed be*ind t*e inantry: On
t*e 27t*, it .as still 2reser5in" t*e a22earan)e o .at)*#l
ne#trality: T*o#"* 9*abalo5 no lon"er relied #2on it, t*e
re5ol#tion still eared it:
T*e ortress o 3eter and 3a#l, .*i)* stands on an island in
t*e Ne5a o22osite t*e +inter 3ala)e and t*e 2ala)es o
t*e "rand d#8es, remained a 2#<<le: 'e*ind its .alls t*e
"arrison o t*e ortress .as, or seemed to be, a little .orld
)om2letely s*ielded rom o#tside inl#en)es: T*e ortress
*ad no 2ermanent artillery ex)e2t or t*at antiG#ated
)annon .*i)* daily anno#n)ed t*e noon, *o#r to
3etro"rad: '#t to day ield "#ns are set #2 on t*e .alls
and aimed at t*e brid"e: +*at are t*ey "ettin" ready or@
T*e Ta#ride sta *as .orried all ni"*t .*at to do abo#t t*e
ortress, and in t*e ortress t*ey .ere .orryin" .*at .ill
t*e re5ol#tion do .it* #s@ 'y mornin" t*e 2#<<le is sol5ed:
AOn )ondition t*at oi)ers remain in5iolable,B t*e ortress
.ill s#rrender to t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e: Ia5in" analysed t*e
sit#ation D not so dii)#lt a t*in" to do D t*e oi)ers o t*e
ort *astened to orestall t*e ine5itable mar)* o e5ents:
To.ards e5enin" o t*e 27t*, a stream o soldiers, .or8ers,
st#dents and mis)ellaneo#s 2eo2le lo.s to.ard t*e
Ta#ride, 3ala)e: Iere t*ey *o2e to ind t*ose .*o 8no.
e5eryt*in" D to "et inormation and instr#)tions: >rom all
sides amm#nition is bein" )arried by arm#ls into t*e
2ala)e, and de2osited in a room t*at *as been )on5erted
into an arsenal: 0t ni"*tall, t*e re5ol#tionary sta settles
do.n to .or8: It sends o#t deta)*ments to "#ard t*e
rail.ay stations, and des2at)*es re)onnoitrin" sG#ads
.*ere5er dan"er l#r8s: T*e soldiers )arry o#t ea"erly and
.it*o#t a m#rm#r, alt*o#"* 5ery #nsystemati)ally, t*e
orders o t*e ne. a#t*orities: '#t t*ey al.ays demand a
.ritten order: T*e initiati5e in t*is 2robably )ame rom t*e
ra"ments o t*e military sta .*i)* *ad remained .it*
t*e troo2s, or rom t*e military )ler8s: '#t t*ey .ere ri"*tJ
it is ne)essary to brin" order immediately into t*e )*aos:
T*e sta, as .ell as t*e ne. born So5iet, *ad as yet no
seals: T*e re5ol#tion *as still to it itsel o#t .it* t*e
im2lements o b#rea#)rati) mana"ement: In time t*is .ill
be done D alas, too .ell:
T*e re5ol#tion be"ins a sear)* or enemies: 0rrests are
made all o5er t*e )ity D Aarbitrarily,B as t*e liberals .ill say
re2roa)*#lly later: '#t t*e .*ole re5ol#tion is arbitrary:
Streams o 2eo2le are bro#"*t into t*e Ta#ride #nder
arrest s#)* 2eo2le as t*e !*airman o t*e State !o#n)il,
ministers, 2oli)emen, se)ret ser5i)e men, t*e A2ro?
-ermanB )o#ntess, .*ole broods o "endarme oi)ers:
Se5eral statesmen, s#)* as 3roto2o2o5, .ill )ome o t*eir
o.n 5olition to be arrested: it is saer so: AT*e .alls o t*e
)*amber .*i)* *ad reso#nded to *ymns in 2raise o
absol#tism, no. *eard b#t sobbin" and si"*s,B t*e
)o#ntess .ill s#bseG#ently relate: A0n arrested "eneral
san8 do.n ex*a#sted on a nearby )*air: Se5eral members
o t*e 4#ma 8indly oered me a )#2 o tea: S*a8en to t*e
de2t*s o *is so#l, t*e "eneral .as sayin" ex)itedly:
!o#ntess, .e are .itnessin" t*e deat* o a "reat )o#ntry:B
Mean.*ile, t*e "reat )o#ntry, .*i)* *ad no intention o
dyin", mar)*ed by t*ese 2eo2le o t*e 2ast, stam2in" its
boots, )lan"in" t*e b#tts o its riles, rendin" t*e air .it*
its s*o#ts, and ste22in" all o5er t*eir eet: 0 re5ol#tion is
al.ays distin"#is*ed by im2oliteness, 2robably be)a#se
t*e r#lin" )lasses did not ta8e t*e tro#ble in "ood season
to tea)* t*e 2eo2le ine manners:
T*e Ta#ride be)ame t*e tem2orary ield *eadG#arters,
"o5ernmental )entre, arsenal, and 2rison?ortress o t*e
re5ol#tion, .*i)* *ad not yet .i2ed t*e blood and s.eat
rom its a)e: Into t*is .*irl2ool some enter2risin"
enemies also made t*eir .ay: 0 dis"#ised )a2tain o
"endarmes .as a))identally dis)o5ered ta8in" do.n notes
in a )orner D not or *istory, b#t or t*e )o#rt?martials: T*e
soldiers and .or8ers .anted to end *im ri"*t t*ere: '#t
2eo2le rom t*e AstaB interered, and easily led t*e
"endarme o#t o t*e )ro.d: T*e re5ol#tion .as t*en still
"ood?nat#red, tr#st#l and 8ind?*earted: It .ill be)ome
r#t*less only ater a lon" series o treasons, de)eits and
bloody trials:
T*e irst ni"*t o t*e tri#m2*ant re5ol#tion .as #ll o
alarms: T*e im2ro5ised )ommissars o t*e rail.ay
terminals and ot*er 2oints, most o t*em )*osen
*a2*a<ard rom t*e intelli"entsia t*ro#"* 2ersonal
)onne)tion, #2starts and )*an)e a)G#aintan)es o t*e
re5ol#tion?non?)ommissioned oi)ers, es2e)ially o .or8er
ori"in, .o#ld *a5e been more #se#l?"ot ner5o#s, sa.
dan"er on all sides, na""ed t*e soldiers and )easelessly
tele2*oned to t*e Ta#ride as8in" or reinor)ements: '#t in
t*e Ta#ride too t*ey .ere ner5o#s: T*ey .ere tele2*onin":
T*ey .ere sendin" o#t reinor)ements .*i)* or t*e most
2art did not arri5e: AT*ose .*o re)ei5e orders,B said a
member o t*e Ta#ride ni"*t sta, Ado not exe)#te t*emJ
t*ose .*o a)t, a)t .it*o#t orders:B
T*e .or8ers; distri)ts a)t .it*o#t orders: T*e
Re5ol#tionary )*ies .*o *a5e led o#t t*eir a)tories,
sei<ed t*e 2oli)e stations, A)alled o#tB t*e soldiers and
.re)8ed t*e stron"*olds o t*e )o#nter?re5ol#tion, do not
*#rry to t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e, to t*e stas, to t*e
administrati5e )entres: On t*e )ontrary, t*ey Eer8 t*eir
*eads in t*at dire)tion .it* irony and distr#st: AT*ose
bra5e boys are "ettin" in early to di5ide t*e "ame t*ey
didn;t 8ill D beore it;s e5en 8illed:B +or8er?'ols*e5i8s, as
.ell as t*e best .or8ers o t*e ot*er Let 2arties, s2end
t*eir days on t*e streets, t*eir ni"*ts in t*e distri)t
*eadG#arters, 8ee2in" in to#)* .it* t*e barra)8s and
2re2arin" tomorro.;s .or8: On t*e irst ni"*t o 5i)tory
t*ey )ontin#e, and t*ey enlar"e, t*e same .or8 t*ey *a5e
been at or t*e .*ole i5e days and ni"*ts: T*ey are t*e
yo#n" bones o t*e re5ol#tion, still sot, as all re5ol#tions
are in t*e irst days:
On t*e 27t*, Nabo8o5, already 8no.n to #s as a member
o t*e 9adet )entre, and at t*at time .or8in" D a le"alised
deserter D at -eneral IeadG#arters, .ent to *is oi)e as
#s#al and stayed #ntil t*ree o;)lo)8, 8no.in" not*in" o
t*e e5ents: To.ard e5enin" s*ots .ere *eard on t*e
Mors8aia: Nabo8o5 listened to t*em rom *is a2artment:
0rmo#red )ars das*ed alon", indi5id#al soldiers and
sailors ran 2ast, sidlin" alon" t*e .all: T*e res2e)ted
liberal obser5ed t*em rom t*e side .indo.s o *is
5estib#le: AT*e tele2*one )ontin#ed to #n)tion, and my
riends, I remember, 8e2t me in to#)* .it* .*at .as "oin"
on d#rin" t*e day: 0t t*e #s#al time .e .ent to bed:B T*is
man .ill soon be)ome one o t*e ins2irators o t*e
re5ol#tionary /O1 3ro5isional -o5ernment, o))#2yin" t*e
2osition o -eneral 0dministrator: Tomorro. an #n8no.n
old man .ill a22roa)* *im on t*e street D a boo8?8ee2er,
2er*a2s, or a tea)*er D bo. lo. and remo5e *is *at, and
say to *im: AT*an8 yo# or all t*at yo# *a5e done or t*e
2eo2le:B Nabo8o5, .it* modest 2ride, .ill relate t*e
in)ident *imsel:
1: Ne5s8y 3ros2e)t, t*e main a5en#e o t*e )ity: KTrans$L
2: Vybor"tsi means t*e men o t*e Vybor" distri)t D t*e
.or8ers D E#st as 3a5lo5tsi means men o t*e 3a5lo5s8y
re"iment: In t*e sin"#lar, 3a5lo5ets: KTrans$L
Chapter /: Who 0ed the )ebruar
#nsurrection1
La.yers and Eo#rnalists belon"in" to t*e )lasses dama"ed
by t*e re5ol#tion .asted a "ood deal o in8 s#bseG#ently
tryin" to 2ro5e t*at .*at *a22ened in >ebr#ary .as
essentially a 2etti)oat rebellion, ba)8ed #2 ater.ards by a
soldiers; m#tiny and "i5en o#t or a re5ol#tion: Lo#is VVI in
*is day also tried to t*in8 t*at t*e )a2t#re o t*e 'astille
.as a rebellion, b#t t*ey res2e)t#lly ex2lained to *im t*at
it .as a re5ol#tion: T*ose .*o lose by a re5ol#tion are
rarely in)lined to )all it by its real name: >or t*at name, in
s2ite o t*e eorts o s2ite#l rea)tionaries, is s#rro#nded
in t*e *istori) memory o man8ind .it* a *alo o liberation
rom all s*a)8les and all 2reE#di)es: T*e 2ri5ile"ed )lasses
o e5ery a"e, as also t*eir la)8eys, *a5e al.ays tried to
de)lare t*e re5ol#tion .*i)* o5ert*re. t*em, in )ontrast
to 2ast re5ol#tions, a m#tiny, a riot, a re5olt o t*e rabble:
!lasses .*i)* *a5e o#tli5ed t*emsel5es are not
distin"#is*ed by ori"inality:
Soon ater t*e 27t* o >ebr#ary attem2ts .ere also made
to li8en t*e re5ol#tion to t*e military cou d-etat o t*e
Co#n" T#r8s, o .*i)*, as .e 8no., t*ey *ad been
dreamin" not a little in t*e #22er )ir)les o t*e R#ssian
bo#r"eoisie: T*is )om2arison .as so *o2eless, *o.e5er,
t*at it .as serio#sly o22osed e5en in one o t*e bo#r"eois
2a2ers: T#"an?'arano5s8y, an e)onomist .*o *ad st#died
Marx in *is yo#t*, a R#ssian 5ariety o Sombart, .rote on
Mar)* 1% in t*e $ir%hevoe &edomosti: AT*e T#r8is*
re5ol#tion )onsisted in a 5i)torio#s #2risin" o t*e army,
2re2ared and )arried o#t by t*e leaders o t*e armyJ t*e
soldiers .ere merely obedient exe)#ti5es o t*e 2lans o
t*eir oi)ers: '#t t*e re"iments o t*e -#ard .*i)* on
>ebr#ary 27 o5ert*re. t*e R#ssian t*rone, )ame .it*o#t
t*eir oi)ers: Not t*e army b#t t*e .or8ers be"an t*e
ins#rre)tionJ not t*e "enerals b#t t*e soldiers )ame to t*e
State 4#ma: T*e soldiers s#22orted t*e .or8ers not
be)a#se t*ey .ere obediently #lillin" t*e )ommands o
t*eir oi)ers, b#t be)a#se ::: t*ey elt t*emsel5es blood
brot*ers o t*e .or8ers as a )lass )om2osed o toilers li8e
t*emsel5es: T*e 2easants and t*e .or8ers D t*ose are t*e
t.o so)ial )lasses .*i)* made t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion:B
T*ese .ords reG#ire neit*er )orre)tion, nor s#22lement:
T*e #rt*er de5elo2ment o t*e re5ol#tion s#i)iently
)onirmed a reinor)ed t*eir meanin": In 3etro"rad t*e last
day o >ebr#ary .as t*e irst day ater t*e 5i)tory: a day o
ra2t#res, embra)es Eoy#l tears, 5ol#ble o#t2o#rin"sJ b#t
at t*e same time a day o inal blo.s at t*e enemy: S*ots
.ere still )ra)8lin" in t*e streets: It .as said t*at
3roto2o2o5;s 3*arao*s, not inormed o t*e 2eo2le;s
5i)tory, .ere still s*ootin" rom t*e roos: >rom belo. t*ey
.ere irin" into atti)s, alse .indo.s a belries .*ere t*e
armed 2*antoms o )<arism mi"*t still l#r8in": 0bo#t o#r
o;)lo)8 t*ey o))#2ied t*e 0dmiralty .*ere t*e last
remnants o .*at .as ormerly t*e state 2o.er *ad ta8en
re#"e: Re5ol#tionary or"anisations and im2ro5ised "ro#2s
.ere ma8in" arrests t*ro#"*o#t t*e to.n: T*e
S)*l#sselb#r" *ard?labo#r 2rison .as ta8en .it*o#t a s*ot:
More and more re"iments .ere Eoinin" t*e re5ol#tion, bot*
in t*e )a2ital and in t*e en5irons:
T*e o5ert#rn in Mos)o. .as only an e)*o o t*e
ins#rre)tion in 3etro"rad: T*e same moods amon" t*e
.or8ers and soldiers, b#t less )learly ex2ressed: 0 sli"*tly
more let.ard tenden)y amon" t*e bo#r"eoisie: 0 still
"reater .ea8ness amon" re5ol#tionary or"anisations t*an
in 3etro"rad: +*en e5ents be"an on t*e Ner5e, t*e
Mos)o. radi)al intelli"entsia )alled a )oneren)e on t*e
G#estion .*at to do, and )ame to no )on)l#sion: Only on
t*e 27t* o >ebr#ary stri8es be"an in s*o2s and a)tories
o Mos)o., and t*en demonstrations: T*e oi)ers told t*e
soldiers in t*e barra)8s t*at a rabble .as riot in t*e streets
and t*ey m#st be 2#t do.n: A'#t by t*is timeB relates t*e
soldier S*is*ilin, At*e soldiers #nderstood .ord rabble in
t*e o22osite sense:B To.ards t.o o;)lo)8 t*ere arri5ed at
t*e b#ildin" o t*e )ity d#ma many soldiers o 5ario#s
re"iments inG#irin" *o. to Eoin t*e re5ol#tion: On t*e next
day t*e stri8es in)reased: !ro.ds lo.ed to.ard t*e d#ma
.it* la"s: 0 soldier o an a#tomobile )om2any, M#ralo5,
old 'ols*e5i8, an a"ri)#lt#rist, a "ood?nat#red and
)o#ra"eo#s "iant, bro#"*t to t*e d#ma t*e irst )om2lete
and dis)i2lined military deta)*ment, .*i)* o))#2ied t*e
.ireless station and ot*er 2oints: Ei"*t mont*s later
M#ralo5, .ill be in )ommand o t*e troo2s o t*e Mos)o.
military distri)t:
T*e 2risons .ere o2ened: T*e same M#ralo5 .as dri5in"
an a#tomobile tr#)8 illed .it* reed 2oliti)al 2risoners: a
2oli)e oi)er .it* *is *and at *is 5isor as8ed t*e
re5ol#tionist .*et*er it .as ad5isable to let o#t t*e ,e.s
also: 4<er<*ins8y, E#st liberated rom a *ard labo#r 2rison
and .it*o#t )*an"in" *is 2rison dress, s2o8e in t*e d#ma
b#ildin" .*ere a so5iet o de2#ties .as already ormed:
T*e artillerist 4oroee5 relates *o. on Mar)* 1 .or8ers
rom t*e Sio# )andy a)tory )ame .it* banners to t*e
barra)8s o an artillery bri"ade to raternise .it* t*e
soldiers, and *o. many )o#ld not )ontain t*eir Eoy, and
.e2t: T*ere .ere )ases o sni2in" in t*e to.n, b#t in
"eneral neit*er armed en)o#nters nor )as#alties:
3etro"rad ans.ered or Mos)o.:
In a series o 2ro5in)ial )ities t*e mo5ement be"an only on
Mar)* 1, ater t*e re5ol#tion .as already a)*ie5ed e5en in
Mos)o.: In T5er t*e .or8ers .ent rom t*eir .or8 to t*e
barra)8s in a 2ro)ession and *a5in" mixed .it* t*e
soldiers mar)*ed t*ro#"* t*e streets o t*e )ity: 0t t*at
time t*ey .ere still sin"in" t*e Marseillaise, not t*e
*nternational: In Ni<*ni?No5"orod t*o#sands o .or8ers
"at*ered ro#nd t*e )ity d#ma b#ildin", .*i)* in a maEority
o t*e )ities 2layed t*e rHle o t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e: 0ter a
s2ee)* rom t*e mayor t*e .or8ers mar)*ed o .it* red
banners to ree t*e 2oliti)als rom t*e Eails: 'y e5enin",
ei"*teen o#t o t*e t.enty?one military di5isions o t*e
"arrison *ad 5ol#ntarily )ame o5er to t*e re5ol#tion: In
Samara and Sarato5 meetin"s .ere *eld, so5iets o
.or8ers; de2#ties or"anised: In 9*ar8o5 t*e )*ie o 2oli)e,
*a5in" "one to t*e railroad station and "ot ne.s o t*e
re5ol#tion, stood #2 in *is )arria"e beore an ex)ited
)ro.d and, litin" *is *at, s*o#ted at t*e to2 o *is l#n"s:
ALon" li5e t*e re5ol#tion: I#rra*OB T*e ne.s )ame to
E8aterinosla5 rom 9*ar8o5: 0t t*e *ead o t*e
demonstration strode t*e assistant )*ie o 2oli)e, )arryin"
in *is *and a lon" sabre as in t*e "rand 2arades on saints;
days: +*en it be)ame inally )lear t*at t*e monar)*y
)o#ld not rise, t*ey be"an )a#tio#sly to remo5e t*e )<ar;s
2ortraits rom t*e "o5ernment instit#tions and *ide t*em
in t*e atti)s: 0ne)dotes abo#t t*is, bot* a#t*enti) and
ima"inary, .ere m#)* 2assed aro#nd in liberal )ir)les,
.*ere t*ey *ad not yet lost a taste or t*e Eo)#lar tone
.*en s2ea8in" o t*e re5ol#tion: T*e .or8ers, and t*e
soldier barra)8s as .ell, too8 t*e e5ents in a 5ery dierent
.ay: 0s to a series o ot*er 2ro5in)ial )ities /3s8o5, Orel,
Rybins8, 3en<a, 9a<an, !<aritsyn, and ot*ers1, t*e
'hronicle remar8s #nder date o Mar)* 2: ANe.s )ame o
t*e #2risin" and t*e 2o2#lation Eoined t*e re5ol#tion:B T*is
des)ri2tion, not.it*standin" its s#mmary )*ara)ter, tells
.it* #ndamental tr#t* .*at *a22ened:
Ne.s o t*e re5ol#tion tri)8led into t*e 5illa"es rom t*e
nearby )ities, 2artly t*ro#"* t*e a#t*orities, b#t )*iely
t*ro#"* t*e mar8ets, t*e .or8ers, t*e soldiers on #rlo#"*:
T*e 5illa"es a))e2ted t*e re5ol#tion more slo.ly and less
ent*#siasti)ally t*an t*e )ities, b#t elt it no less dee2ly:
>or t*em it .as bo#nd #2 .it* t*e G#estion o .ar and
land:
It .o#ld be no exa""eration to say t*at 3etro"rad
a)*ie5ed t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion: T*e rest o t*e )o#ntry
ad*ered to it: T*ere .as no str#""le any.*ere ex)e2t in
3etro"rad: T*ere .ere not to be o#nd any.*ere in t*e
)o#ntry any "ro#2s o t*e 2o2#lation, any 2arties,
instit#tions, or military #nits .*i)* .ere ready to 2#t #2 a
i"*t or t*e old rF"ime: T*is s*o.s *o. ill?o#nded .as
t*e belated tal8 o t*e rea)tionaries to t*e ee)t t*at i
t*ere *ad been )a5alry o t*e -#ard in t*e 3etersb#r"
"arrison, or i I5ano5 *ad bro#"*t a reliable bri"ade rom
t*e ront, t*e ate o t*e monar)*y .o#ld *a5e been
dierent: Neit*er at t*e ront nor at t*e rear .as t*ere a
bri"ade or re"iment to be o#nd .*i)* .as 2re2ared to do
battle or Ni)*olas II:
T*e re5ol#tion .as )arried o#t #2on t*e initiati5e and by
t*e stren"t* o one )ity, )onstit#tin" a22roximately abo#t
1
M7= o t*e 2o2#lation o t*e )o#ntry: Co# may say, i yo#
.ill, t*at t*is most "i"anti) demo)rati) a)t .as a)*ie5ed
in a most #ndemo)rati) manner: T*e .*ole )o#ntry .as
2la)ed beore a fait accomli: T*e a)t t*at a !onstit#ent
0ssembly .as in 2ros2e)t does not alter t*e matter, or
t*e dates and met*ods o )on5o8in" t*is national
re2resentation .ere determined by instit#tions .*i)*
iss#ed rom t*e 5i)torio#s ins#rre)tion o 3etro"rad: T*is
)asts a s*ar2 li"*t on t*e G#estion o t*e #n)tion o
demo)rati) orms in "eneral, and in a re5ol#tionary e2o)*
in 2arti)#lar: Re5ol#tions *a5e al.ays str#)8 s#)* blo.s at
t*e E#di)ial etis*ism o t*e 2o2#lar .ill, and t*e blo.s
*a5e been more r#t*less t*e dee2er, bolder and more
demo)rati) t*e re5ol#tions:
It is oten said, es2e)ially in re"ard to t*e "reat >ren)*
re5ol#tion, t*at t*e extreme )entralisation o a monar)*y
s#bseG#ently 2ermits t*e re5ol#tionary )a2ital to t*in8
and a)t or t*e .*ole )o#ntry: T*at ex2lanation is
s#2eri)ial: I re5ol#tions re5eal a )entralisin" tenden)y,
t*is is not in imitation o o5ert*ro.n monar)*ies, b#t in
)onseG#en)e o irresistible demands o t*e ne. so)iety,
.*i)* )annot re)on)ile itsel to 2arti)#larism: I t*e )a2ital
2lays as dominatin" a rHle in a re5ol#tion as t*o#"* it
)on)entrated in itsel t*e .ill o t*e nation, t*at is sim2ly
be)a#se t*e )a2ital ex2resses most )learly and t*oro#"*ly
t*e #ndamental tenden)ies o t*e ne. so)iety: T*e
2ro5in)es a))e2t t*e ste2s ta8en by t*e )a2ital as t*eir
o.n intentions already materialised: In t*e initiatory rHle
o t*e )entres t*ere is no 5iolation o demo)ra)y, b#t
rat*er its dynami) realisation: Io.e5er, t*e r*yt*m o t*is
dynami) *as ne5er in "reat re5ol#tions )oin)ided .it* t*e
r*yt*m o ormal re2resentati5e demo)ra)y: T*e 2ro5in)es
ad*ere to t*e a)ti5ity o t*e )entre, b#t belatedly: +it* t*e
s.it de5elo2ment o e5ents )*ara)teristi) o a re5ol#tion
t*is 2rod#)es s*ar2 )rises in re5ol#tionary
2arliamentarism, .*i)* )annot be resol5ed by t*e
met*ods o demo)ra)y: In all "en#ine re5ol#tions t*e
national re2resentation *as in5ariably )ome into )onli)t
.it* t*e dynami) or)e o t*e re5ol#tion, .*ose 2rin)i2al
seat *as been t*e )a2ital: It .as so in t*e se5enteent*
)ent#ry in En"land, in t*e ei"*teent* in >ran)e, in t*e
t.entiet* in R#ssia: T*e rHle o t*e )a2ital is determined
not by t*e tradition o a b#rea#)rati) )entralism, b#t by
t*e sit#ation o t*e leadin" re5ol#tionary )lass, .*ose
5an"#ard is nat#rally )on)entrated in t*e )*ie )ityJ t*is is
eG#ally tr#e or t*e bo#r"eoisie and t*e 2roletariat:
+*en t*e >ebr#ary 5i)tory .as #lly )onirmed, t*ey be"an
to )o#nt #2 t*e 5i)tims: In 3etro"rad t*ey )o#nted 1,&&3
8illed and .o#nded, $(9 o t*em soldiers, and (% o t*ese
oi)ers: 'y )om2arison .it* t*e 5i)tims o any battle in
t*e -reat Sla#"*ter t*ese i"#res are s#""esti5ely tiny:
T*e liberal 2ress de)lared t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion
bloodless: In t*e days o "eneral sal#brity and m#t#al
amnesty o t*e 2atrioti) 2arties, nobody too8 t*e tro#ble
to establis* t*e tr#t*: 0lbert T*omas, a riend o
e5eryt*in" 5i)torio#s, e5en a 5i)torio#s ins#rre)tion .rote
at t*at time abo#t t*e As#nniest, most *oliday?li8e, most
bloodless R#ssian re5ol#tion:B To be s#re, *e .as *o2e#l
t*at t*is re5ol#tion .o#ld remain at t*e dis2osal o t*e
>ren)* 'o#rse: '#t ater all T*omas did not in5ent t*is
*abit: On t*e 27t* o ,#ne 17$9, Mirabea# ex)laimed:
AIo. ort#nate t*at t*is "reat re5ol#tion .ill s#))eed
.it*o#t e5il?doin" an .it*o#t tearsO ::: Iistory *as too lon"
been tellin" #s only o t*e a)tions o beasts o 2rey ::: +e
may .ell *o2e t*at .e are be"innin" t*e *istory o *#man
bein"s:B +*en all t*e t*ree estates .ere #nited in t*e
National 0ssembly t*e an)estors o 0lbert T*omas .rote:
AT*e re5ol#tion is ended: It *as not )ost a dro2 o blood:B
+e m#st a)8no.led"e, *o.e5er, t*at at t*at 2eriod blood
*ad really not yet lo.ed: Not so in t*e >ebr#ary days:
Ne5ert*eless t*e le"end o a bloodless re5ol#tion
st#bbornly 2ersisted, ans.erin" t*e need o t*e liberal
bo#r"eois to ma8e t*in"s loo8 as t*o#"* t*e 2o.er *ad
)ome to *im o its o.n a))ord:
0lt*o#"* t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion .as ar rom bloodless
still one )annot b#t be ama<ed at t*e insi"nii)ant n#mber
o 5i)tims, not only at t*e moment o re5ol#tion b#t still
more in t*e irst 2eriod ater it: T*is re5ol#tion, .e m#st
remember .as a 2ayin"?ba)8 or o22ression, 2erse)#tion,
ta#nts, 5ile blo.s, s#ered by t*e masses o t*e R#ssian
2eo2le t*ro#"*o#t t*e a"esO T*e sailors and soldiers did in
some 2la)es, to be s#re ta8e s#mmary re5en"e #2on t*e
most )ontem2tible tort#rer in t*e 2erson o t*eir oi)ers,
b#t t*e n#mber o t*ese a)ts settlement .as at irst
insi"nii)ant in )om2arison .it* t*e n#mber o t*e old
bloody ins#lts: T*e masses s*oo8 o t*eir "ood?
nat#redness only a "ood .*ile later, .*en t*ey .ere
)on5in)ed t*at t*e r#lin" )lasses .anted to dra"
e5eryt*in" ba)8 and a22ro2riate to t*emsel5es a
re5ol#tion not a)*ie5ed by t*em, E#st as t*ey *ad al.ays
a22ro2riated t*e "ood t*in"s o lie not 2rod#)ed by
t*emsel5es:
T#"an?'arano5s8y is ri"*t .*en *e says t*at t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion .as a))om2lis*ed by .or8ers and 2easants D
t*e latter in t*e 2erson o t*e soldiers: '#t t*ere still
remains t*e "reat G#estion: +*o led t*e re5ol#tion@ +*o
raised t*e .or8ers to t*eir eet@ +*o bro#"*t t*e soldiers
into t*e streets@ 0ter t*e 5i)tory t*ese G#estions be)ame
a s#bEe)t o 2arty )onli)t: T*ey .ere sol5ed most sim2ly
by t*e #ni5ersal orm#la: Nobody led t*e re5ol#tion, it
*a22ened o itsel: T*e t*eory o A s2ontaneo#snessB ell
in most o22ort#nely .it* t*e minds not only o all t*ose
"entlemen .*o *ad yesterday been 2ea)e#lly "o5ernin",
E#d"in", )on5i)tin", deendin", tradin", or )ommandin",
and today .ere *astenin" to ma8e #2 to t*e re5ol#tion,
b#t also o many 2roessional 2oliti)ians and ormer
re5ol#tionists, .*o *a5in" sle2t t*ro#"* t*e re5ol#tion
.is*ed to t*in8 t*at in t*is t*ey .ere not dierent rom all
t*e rest:
In *is )#rio#s History of the Russian (isorders,
-eneral 4eni8in, ormer )ommander o t*e +*ite 0rmy,
says o t*e 27t* o >ebr#ary: AOn t*at de)isi5e day t*ere
.ere no leaders, t*ere .ere only t*e elements: In t*eir
t*reatenin" )#rrent t*ere .ere t*en 5isible neit*er aims,
nor 2lans, nor slo"ans:B T*e learned *istorian Mili#8o5
del5es no dee2er t*an t*is "eneral .it* a 2assion or
letters: 'eore t*e re5ol#tion t*e liberal leader *ad
de)lared e5ery t*o#"*t o re5ol#tion a s#""estion o t*e
-erman Sta: '#t t*e sit#ation .as more )om2li)ated
ater a re5ol#tion .*i)* *ad bro#"*t t*e liberals to 2o.er:
Mili#8o5;s tas8 .as no. not to dis*ono#r t*e re5ol#tion
.it* a Io*en<ollern ori"in, b#t on t*e )ontrary to .it**old
t*e *ono#r o its initiation rom re5ol#tionists: Liberalism
t*ereore *as .*ole?*eartedly at*ered t*e t*eory o a
s2ontaneo#s and im2ersonal re5ol#tion: Mili#8o5
sym2at*eti)ally )ites t*e semi?liberal, semi?so)ialist
Stan8e5i)*, a #ni5ersity instr#)tor .*o be)ame 3oliti)al
!ommissar at t*e *eadG#arters o t*e S#2reme
!ommand: AT*e masses mo5ed o t*emsel5es, obeyin"
some #na))o#ntable inner s#mmons :::B .rites Stan8e5i)*
o t*e >ebr#ary days: A+it* .*at slo"ans did t*e soldiers
)ome o#t@ +*o led t*em .*en t*ey )onG#ered 3etro"rad,
.*en t*ey b#rned t*e 4istri)t !o#rt@ Not a 2oliti)al idea,
not a re5ol#tionary slo"an, not a )ons2ira)y, and not a
re5olt, b#t a s2ontaneo#s mo5ement s#ddenly )ons#min"
t*e entire old 2o.er to t*e last remnant:B
S2ontaneo#sness *ere a)G#ires almost mysti) )*ara)ter:
T*is same Stan8e5i)* oers a 2ie)e o testimony in t*e
*i"*est de"ree 5al#able: A0t t*e end o ,an#ary, I
*a22ened in a 5ery intimate )ir)le to meet .it*
9erens8y ::: To t*e 2ossibility o a 2o2#lar #2risin" t*ey all
too8 a deinitely ne"ati5e 2osition, earin" lest a 2o2#lar
mass mo5ement on)e aro#sed mi"*t "et into an extreme
let.ard )*annel and t*is .o#ld )reate 5ast dii)#lties in
t*e )ond#)t o t*e .ar:B T*e 5ie.s o 9erens8y;s )ir)le in
no.ise essentially diered rom t*ose o t*e 9adets: T*e
initiati5e )ertainly did not )ome rom t*ere: AT*e
re5ol#tion ell li8e t*#nder o#t o t*e s8y,B says t*e
2resident o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary 3arty, Wen<ino5: ALet
#s be ran8: it arri5ed Eoy#lly #nex2e)ted or #s too,
re5ol#tionists .*o *ad .or8ed or it t*ro#"* lon" years
and .aited or it al.ays:B
It .as not m#)* better .it* t*e Mens*e5i8s: One o t*e
Eo#rnalists o t*e bo#r"eois emi"ration tells abo#t *is
meetin" in a tram)ar on >ebr#ary 21 .it* S8obele5, a
#t#re minister o t*e re5ol#tionary "o5ernment: AT*is
So)ial 4emo)rat, one o t*e leaders o t*e mo5ement, told
me t*at t*e disorders *ad t*e )*ara)ter o 2l#nderin"
.*i)* it .as ne)essary to 2#t do.n: T*is did not 2re5ent
S8obele5 rom assertin" a mont* later t*at *e and *is
riends *ad made t*e re5ol#tion:B T*e )olo#rs *ere are
2robably laid on a little t*i)8, b#t #ndamentally t*e
2osition o t*e le"al So)ial 4emo)rats, t*e Mens*e5i8s, is
)on5eyed a))#rately eno#"*:
>inally, one o t*e most re)ent leaders o t*e let .in" o
t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, Mstisla5s8y, .*o s#bseG#ently
.ent o5er to t*e 'ols*e5i8s, says o t*e >ebr#ary #2risin":
AT*e re5ol#tion )a#"*t #s, t*e 2arty 2eo2le o t*ose days,
li8e t*e oolis* 5ir"ins o t*e 'ible, na22in":B It does not
matter *o. m#)* t*ey resembled t*e 5ir"ins, b#t it is tr#e
t*ey .ere all ast aslee2:
Io. .as it .it* t*e 'ols*e5i8s@ T*is .e *a5e in 2art
already seen: T*e 2rin)i2al leaders o t*e #nder"ro#nd
'ols*e5i8 or"anisation .ere at t*at time t*ree men: t*e
ormer .or8ers S*lia2ni8o5 and Wal#ts8y, and t*e ormer
st#dent Moloto5: S*lia2ni8o5, *a5in" li5ed or some time
abroad and in )lose asso)iation .it* Lenin, .as in a
2oliti)al sense t*e most mat#re and a)ti5e o t*ese t*ree
.*o )onstit#ted t*e '#rea# o t*e !entral !ommittee:
Io.e5er, S*lia2ni8o5;s o.n memoirs best o all )onirm
t*e a)t t*at t*e e5ents .ere too m#)* or t*e trio: 62 to
t*e 5ery last *o#r t*ese leaders t*o#"*t t*at it .as a
G#estion o a re5ol#tionary maniestation, one amon"
many, and not at all o an armed ins#rre)tion: O#r riend
9ay#ro5, one o t*e leaders o t*e Vybor" se)tion, asserts
)ate"ori)ally: A0bsol#tely no "#idin" initiati5e rom t*e
2arty )entres .as elt ::: t*e 3etro"rad !ommittee *ad
been arrested and t*e re2resentati5e o t*e !entral
!ommittee, !omrade S*lia2ni8o5, .as #nable to "i5e any
dire)ti5es or t*e )omin" day:B
T*e .ea8ness o t*e #nder"ro#nd or"anisations .as a
dire)t res#lt o 2oli)e raids, .*i)* *ad "i5en ex)e2tional
res#lts amid t*e 2atrioti) moods at t*e be"innin" o t*e
.ar: E5ery or"anisation, t*e re5ol#tionary in)l#ded, *as a
tenden)y to all be*ind its so)ial basis: T*e #nder"ro#nd
or"anisation o t*e 'ols*e5i8s at t*e be"innin" o 1917
*ad not yet re)o5ered rom its o22ressed and s)attered
)ondition, .*ereas in t*e masses t*e 2atrioti) *ysteria *ad
been abr#2tly re2la)ed by re5ol#tionary indi"nation:
In order to "et a )lear )on)e2tion o t*e sit#ation in t*e
s2*ere o re5ol#tionary leaders*i2 it is ne)essary to
remember t*at t*e most a#t*oritati5e re5ol#tionists, t*e
leaders o t*e let 2arties, .ere abroad, and, some o
t*em, in 2rison and exile: T*e more dan"ero#s a 2arty .as
to t*e old rF"ime, t*e more )r#elly be*eaded it a22eared
at t*e moment o re5ol#tion: T*e Narodni8s *ad a 4#ma
a)tion *eaded by t*e non?2arty radi)al 9erens8y: T*e
oi)ial leader o t*e So)ial?Re5ol#tionaries, !*erno5, .as
abroad: T*e Mens*e5i8s *ad a 2arty a)tion in t*e 4#ma
*eaded by !*eid<e and S8obele5J Marto5 .as abroadJ 4an
and Tseretelli, in exile: 0 )onsiderable n#mber o so)ialisti)
intelle)t#als .it* a re5ol#tionary 2ast .ere "ro#2ed
aro#nd t*ese let a)tions D Narodni8 and Mens*e5i8: T*is
)onstit#ted a 8ind o 2oliti)al sta, b#t one .*i)* .as
)a2able o )omin" to t*e ront only ater t*e 5i)tory: T*e
'ols*e5i8s *ad no 4#ma a)tion: t*eir i5e .or8er?
de2#ties, in .*om t*e )<arist "o5ernment *ad seen t*e
or"anisin" )entre o t*e re5ol#tion, *ad been arrested
d#rin" t*e irst e. mont*s o t*e .ar: Lenin .as abroad,
Wino5ie5 .it* *imJ 9amene5 .as in exileJ in exile also, t*e
t*en little 8no.n 2ra)ti)al leaders: S5erdlo5, Ry8o5, Stalin:
T*e 3olis* so)ial?demo)rat, 4<er<*ins8y, .*o did not yet
belon" to t*e 'ols*e5i8s, .as at *ard labo#r: T*e leaders
a))identally 2resent, or t*e 5ery reason t*at t*ey *ad
been a))#stomed to a)t #nder #n)onditionally
a#t*oritati5e s#2er5isors, did not )onsider t*emsel5es and
.ere not )onsidered by ot*ers )a2able o 2layin" a "#idin"
rHle in re5ol#tionary e5ents:
'#t i t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty )o#ld not "#arantee t*e
ins#rre)tion an a#t*oritati5e leaders*i2, t*ere is no #se
tal8in" o ot*er or"anisations: T*is a)t *as stren"t*ened
t*e )#rrent )on5i)tion as to t*e s2ontaneo#s )*ara)ter o
t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion: Ne5ert*eless t*e )on5i)tion is
dee2ly mista8en, or at least meanin"less:
T*e str#""le in t*e )a2ital lasted not an *o#r, or t.o
*o#rs, b#t i5e days: T*e leaders tried to *old it ba)8J t*e
masses ans.ered .it* in)reased 2ress#re and mar)*ed
or.ard: T*ey *ad a"ainst t*em t*e old state, be*ind
.*ose traditional aZade a mi"*ty 2o.er .as still ass#med
to exist, t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie .it* t*e State 4#ma, t*e
Land and !ity 6nions, t*e military?ind#strial or"anisations,
a)ademies, #ni5ersities, a *i"*ly de5elo2ed 2ress, and
inally t*e t.o stron" so)ialist 2arties .*o 2#t #2 a
2atrioti) resistan)e to t*e assa#lt rom belo.: In t*e 2arty
o t*e 'ols*e5i8s t*e ins#rre)tion *ad its nearest
or"anisation, b#t a *eadless or"anisation .it* a s)attered
sta and .it* .ea8 ille"al n#)lei: 0nd ne5ert*eless t*e
re5ol#tion, .*i)* nobody in t*ose days .as ex2e)tin",
#nolded, and E#st .*en it seemed rom abo5e as t*o#"*
t*e mo5ement .as already dyin" do.n, .it* an abr#2t
re5i5al, a mi"*ty )on5#lsion, it sei<ed t*e 5i)tory:
+*en)e )ame t*is #nexam2led or)e o a""ression and
sel?restraint@ It is not eno#"* to reer to bitter eelin"s:
'itterness alone is little: T*e 3etersb#r" .or8ers, no
matter *o. dil#ted d#rin" t*e .ar years .it* *#man ra.
material, *ad in t*eir 2ast a "reat re5ol#tionary
ex2erien)e: In t*eir a""ression and sel?restraint, in t*e
absen)e o leaders*i2 and in t*e a)e o o22osition rom
abo5e, .as re5ealed a 5itally .ell?o#nded, alt*o#"* not
al.ays ex2ressed, estimate o or)es and a strate"i)
)al)#lation o t*eir o.n:
On t*e e5e o t*e .ar t*e re5ol#tionary layers o t*e
.or8ers *ad been ollo.in" t*e 'ols*e5i8s, and leadin"
t*e masses ater t*em: +it* t*e be"innin" o t*e .ar t*e
sit#ation *ad s*ar2ly )*an"ed: )onser5ati5e "ro#2s lited
t*eir *eads, dra""in" ater t*em a )onsiderable 2art o t*e
)lass: T*e re5ol#tionary elements o#nd t*emsel5es
isolated, and G#ieted do.n: In t*e )o#rse o t*e .ar t*e
sit#ation be"an to )*an"e, at irst slo.ly, b#t ater t*e
deeats aster and more radi)ally: 0n a)ti5e dis)ontent
sei<ed t*e .*ole .or8in" )lass: To be s#re, it .as to an
extent 2atrioti)ally )olo#red, b#t it *ad not*in" )ommon
.it* t*e )al)#latin" and )o.ardly 2atriotism o t*e
2ossessin" )lasses, .*o .ere 2ost2onin" all domesti)
G#estions #ntil ater t*e 5i)tory: T*e .ar itsel, its 5i)tims,
its *orror, its s*ame bro#"*t not only t*e old, b#t also t*e
ne. layers o .or8ers into )onli)t .it* t*e )<arist rF"ime:
It did t*is .it* a ne. in)isi5eness and led t*em to t*e
)on)l#sion: .e )an no lon"er end#re it: T*e )on)l#sion
.as #ni5ersalJ it .elded t*e masses to"et*er and "a5e
t*em a mi"*ty dynami) or)e:
T*e army *ad s.ollen, dra.in" into itsel millions o
.or8ers and 2easants: E5ery indi5id#al *as *is o.n 2eo2le
amon" t*e troo2s: a son, a *#sband, a brot*er, a relati5e:
T*e army .as no lon"er ins#lated, as beore t*e .ar, rom
t*e 2eo2le: One met .it* soldiers no. ar otenerJ sa.
t*em o to t*e ront, li5ed .it* t*em .*en t*ey )ame
*ome on lea5e, )*atted .it* t*em on t*e streets and in
t*e tram.ays abo#t t*e ront, 5isited t*em in t*e
*os2itals: T*e .or8ers; distri)ts, t*e barra)8s, t*e ront,
and to an extent t*e 5illa"es too, be)ame )omm#ni)atin"
5essels: T*e .or8ers .o#ld 8no. .*at t*e soldiers .ere
t*in8in" and eelin": T*ey *ad inn#merable )on5ersations
abo#t t*e .ar, abo#t t*e 2eo2le .*o .ere "ettin" ri)* o#t
o t*e .ar, abo#t t*e "enerals, "o5ernment, )<ar and
)<arina: T*e soldier .o#ld say abo#t t*e .ar: To *ell .it*
itO 0nd t*e .or8er .o#ld ans.er abo#t t*e "o5ernment: To
*ell .it* itO T*e soldier .o#ld say: +*y t*en do yo# sit still
*ere in t*e )entre@ T*e .or8er .o#ld ans.er: +e )an;t do
anyt*in" .it* bare *andsJ .e st#bbed o#r toe a"ainst t*e
army in 19%=: T*e soldier .o#ld rele)t: +*at i .e s*o#ld
all start at on)eO T*e .or8er: T*at;s it, all at on)eO
!on5ersations o t*is 8ind beore t*e .ar .ere
)ons2irational and )arried on by t.osJ no. t*ey .ere
"oin" on e5ery.*ere, on e5ery o))asion, and almost
o2enly, at least in t*e .or8ers; distri)ts:
T*e )<ar;s intelli"en)e ser5i)e e5ery on)e in a .*ile too8
its so#ndin"s 5ery s#))ess#lly: T.o .ee8s beore t*e
re5ol#tion a s2y, .*o si"ned *imsel .it* t*e name
9restianino5, re2orted a )on5ersation in a tram)ar
tra5ersin" t*e .or8ers; s#b#rb: T*e soldier .as tellin" *o.
in *is re"iment ei"*t men .ere #nder *ard labo#r be)a#se
last a#t#mn t*ey re#sed to s*oot at t*e .or8ers o t*e
Nobel a)tory, b#t s*ot at t*e 2oli)e instead: T*e
)on5ersation .ent on G#ite o2enly, sin)e in t*e .or8ers;
distri)ts t*e 2oli)e and t*e s2ies 2reerred to remain
#nnoti)ed: A; +e;ll "et e5en .it* t*em,; t*e soldier
)on)l#ded:B T*e re2ort reads #rt*er: A0 s8illed .or8er
ans.ered *im: ;>or t*at it is ne)essary to or"anise so t*at
all .ill be li8e one:; T*e soldier ans.ered: ;4on;t yo#
.orry, .e;5e been or"anised a lon" time ::: T*ey;5e dr#n8
eno#"* blood: Men are s#erin" in t*e tren)*es and *ere
t*ey are attenin" t*eir belliesO ;::: No s2e)ial dist#rban)e
o))#rred: >ebr#ary 1%, 1917: 9restianino5:B In)om2arable
s2y;s e2i): ANo s2e)ial dist#rban)e o))#rred:B T*ey .ill
o))#r, and t*at soon: t*is tram.ay )on5ersation si"nalises
t*eir inexorable a22roa)*:
T*e s2ontaneo#sness o t*e ins#rre)tion Mstisla5s8y
ill#strates .it* a )#rio#s exam2le: +*en t*e A6nion o
Oi)ers o >ebr#ary 27,B ormed E#st ater t*e re5ol#tion,
tried to determine .it* a G#estionnaire .*o irst led o#t
t*e Volyns8y re"iment, t*ey re)ei5ed se5en ans.ers
namin" se5en initiators o t*is de)isi5e a)tion: It is 5ery
li8ely, .e may add, t*at a 2art o t*e initiati5e really did
belon" to se5eral soldiers, nor is it im2ossible t*at t*e
)*ie initiator ell in t*e street i"*tin", )arryin" *is name
.it* *im into obli5ion: '#t t*at does not diminis* t*e
*istori) im2ortan)e o *is nameless initiati5e: Still more
im2ortant is anot*er side o t*e matter .*i)* .ill )arry #s
beyond t*e .alls o t*e barra)8 room: T*e ins#rre)tion o
t*e battalions o t*e -#ard, larin" #2 a )om2lete s#r2rise
to t*e liberal and le"al so)ialist )ir)les, .as no s#r2rise at
all to t*e .or8ers: +it*o#t t*e ins#rre)tion o t*e .or8ers
t*e Volyns8y re"iment, .o#ld not *a5e "one into t*e
street: T*at street en)o#nter o t*e .or8ers .it* t*e
!ossa)8s, .*i)* a la.yer obser5ed rom *is .indo. and
.*i)* *e )omm#ni)ated by tele2*one to t*e de2#ty, .as
to t*em bot* an e2isode in an im2ersonal 2ro)ess: a
a)tory lo)#st st#mbled a"ainst a lo)#st rom t*e barra)8s:
'#t it did not seem t*at .ay to t*e !ossa)8 .*o *ad dared
.in8 to t*e .or8er, nor to t*e .or8er .*o instantly
de)ided t*at t*e !ossa)8 *ad A.in8ed in a riendly
manner:B T*e mole)#lar inter2enetration o t*e army .it*
t*e 2eo2le .as "oin" on )ontin#o#sly: T*e .or8ers
.at)*ed t*e tem2erat#re o t*e army and instantly sensed
its a22roa)* to t*e )riti)al mar8: Exa)tly t*is .as .*at
"a5e s#)* #n)onG#erable or)e to t*e assa#lt o t*e
masses, )onident o 5i)tory:
Iere .e m#st introd#)e t*e 2ointed remar8 o a liberal
oi)ial tryin" to s#mmarise *is >ebr#ary obser5ations: AIt
is )#stomary to say t*at t*e mo5ement be"an
s2ontaneo#sly, t*e soldiers t*emsel5es .ent into t*e
street: I )annot at all a"ree .it* t*is: 0ter all, .*at does
t*e .ord ; s2ontaneo#sly ;mean@ ::: S2ontaneo#s
)on)e2tion is still more o#t o 2la)e in so)iolo"y t*an in
nat#ral s)ien)e: O.in" to t*e a)t t*at none o t*e
re5ol#tionary leaders .it* a name .as able to *an" *is
label on t*e mo5ement, it be)omes not im2ersonal b#t
merely nameless:B T*is orm#lation o t*e G#estion,
in)om2arably more serio#s t*an Mili#8o5;s reeren)es to
-erman a"ents and R#ssian s2ontaneo#sness, belon"s to
a ormer 3ro)#ror .*o met t*e re5ol#tion in t*e 2osition o
a )<arist senator: It is G#ite 2ossible t*at *is ex2erien)e in
t*e )o#rts 2ermitted Wa5ads8y to realise t*at a
re5ol#tionary ins#rre)tion )annot arise eit*er at t*e
)ommand o orei"n a"ents, or in t*e manner o an
im2ersonal 2ro)ess o nat#re:
T*e same a#t*or relates t.o in)idents .*i)* 2ermitted
*im to loo8 as t*ro#"* a 8ey*ole into t*e laboratory o t*e
re5ol#tionary 2ro)ess: On >riday, >ebr#ary 2&, .*en
nobody in t*e #22er )ir)les as yet ex2e)ted a re5ol#tion in
t*e near #t#re, a tram)ar in .*i)* a senator .as ridin"
t#rned o G#ite #nex2e)tedly, .it* s#)* a Ear t*at t*e
.indo.s rattled and one .as bro8en, rom t*e Liteiny into
a side street, and t*ere sto22ed: T*e )ond#)tor told
e5erybody to "et o: AT*e )ar isn;t "oin" any art*er:B T*e
2assen"ers obEe)ted, s)olded, b#t "ot o: AI )an still see
t*e a)e o t*at #nans.erin" )ond#)tor: an"rily resol#te, a
sort o .ol loo8:B T*e mo5ement o t*e tram.ays sto22ed
e5ery.*ere as ar as t*e eye )o#ld see: T*at resol#te
)ond#)tor, in .*om t*e liberal oi)ial )o#ld already )at)*
a "lim2se o t*e A.ol loo8,B m#st *a5e been dominated
by a *i"* sense o d#ty in order all by *imsel to sto2 a )ar
)ontainin" oi)ials on t*e streets o im2erial 3etersb#r" in
time o .ar: It .as E#st s#)* )ond#)tors .*o sto22ed t*e
)ar o t*e monar)*y and .it* 2ra)ti)ally t*e same .ords D
t*is )ar does not "o any art*erO D and .*o #s*ered o#t
t*e b#rea#)ra)y, ma8in" no distin)tion in t*e r#s* o
b#siness bet.een a "eneral o "endarmes and a liberal
senator: T*e )ond#)tor on t*e Liteiny bo#le5ard .as a
)ons)io#s a)tor o *istory: It *ad been ne)essary to
ed#)ate *im in ad5an)e:
4#rin" t*e b#rnin" o t*e 4istri)t !o#rt a liberal E#rist rom
t*e )ir)le o t*at same, senator started to ex2ress in t*e
street *is re"ret t*at a room#l o E#di)ial de)isions and
notarial ar)*i5es .as 2eris*in": 0n elderly man o sombre
as2e)t dressed as a .or8er an"rily obEe)ted: A+e .ill be
able to di5ide t*e *o#ses and t*e lands o#rsel5es, and
.it*o#t yo#r ar)*i5es:B 3robably t*e e2isode is ro#nded
o#t in a literary manner: '#t t*ere .ere 2lenty o elderly
.or8ers li8e t*at in t*e )ro.d, )a2able o ma8in" t*e
ne)essary retort: T*ey t*emsel5es *ad not*in" to do .it*
b#rnin" t*e 4istri)t !o#rt: .*y b#rn it@ '#t at least yo#
)o#ld not ri"*ten t*em .it* Aex)essesB o t*is 8ind: T*ey
.ere armin" t*e masses .it* t*e ne)essary ideas not only
a"ainst t*e )<arist 2oli)e, b#t a"ainst liberal E#rists .*o
eared most o all lest t*ere s*o#ld b#rn #2 in t*e ire o
t*e re5ol#tion t*e notarial deeds o 2ro2erty: T*ose
nameless, a#stere statesmen o t*e a)tory and street did
not all o#t o t*e s8y: t*ey *ad to be ed#)ated:
In re"isterin" t*e e5ents o t*e last days o >ebr#ary t*e
Se)ret Ser5i)e also remar8ed t*at t*e mo5ement .as
As2ontaneo#s,B t*at is, *ad no 2lanned leaders*i2 rom
abo5eJ b#t t*ey immediately added: A.it* t*e "enerally
2ro2a"andised )ondition o t*e 2roletariat:B T*is a22raisal
*its t*e b#ll;s?eye: t*e 2roessionals o t*e str#""le .it*
t*e re5ol#tion, beore enterin" t*e )ells 5a)ated by t*e
re5ol#tionists, too8 a m#)* )loser 5ie. o .*at .as
*a22enin" t*an t*e leaders o liberalism:
T*e mysti) do)trine o s2ontaneo#sness ex2lains not*in":
In order )orre)tly to a22raise t*e sit#ation and determine
t*e moment or a blo. at t*e enemy, it .as ne)essary
t*at t*e masses or t*eir "#idin" layers s*o#ld ma8e t*eir
examination o *istori)al e5ents and *a5e t*eir )riteria or
estimatin" t*em: In ot*er .ords, it .as ne)essary t*at
t*ere s*o#ld be not masses in t*e abstra)t, b#t masses o
3etro"rad .or8ers and R#ssian .or8ers in "eneral, .*o
*ad 2assed t*ro#"* t*e re5ol#tion o 19%=, t*ro#"* t*e
Mos)o. ins#rre)tion o 4e)ember 19%=, s*attered a"ainst
t*e Semeno5s8y re"iment o t*e -#ard: It .as ne)essary
t*at t*ro#"*o#t t*is mass s*o#ld be s)attered .or8ers
.*o *ad t*o#"*t o5er t*e ex2erien)e o 19%=, )riti)ised
t*e )onstit#tional ill#sions o t*e liberals and Mens*e5i8s,
assimilated t*e 2ers2e)ti5es o t*e re5ol#tion, meditated
*#ndreds o times abo#t t*e G#estion o t*e army,
.at)*ed attenti5ely .*at .as "oin" on in its midst?
.or8ers )a2able o ma8in" re5ol#tionary ineren)es rom
.*at t*ey obser5ed and )omm#ni)atin" t*em to ot*ers:
0nd inally, it .as ne)essary t*at t*ere s*o#ld be in t*e
troo2s o t*e "arrison itsel 2ro"ressi5e soldiers, sei<ed, or
at least to#)*ed, in t*e 2ast by re5ol#tionary 2ro2a"anda:
In e5ery a)tory, in ea)* "#ild, in ea)* )om2any, in ea)*
ta5ern, in t*e military *os2ital, at t*e transer stations,
e5en in t*e de2o2#lated 5illa"es, t*e mole)#lar .or8 o
re5ol#tionary t*o#"*t .as in 2ro"ress: E5ery.*ere .ere to
be A+*at;s t*e ne.sB@ and rom .*om one a.aited t*e
needed .ords: T*ese leaders *ad oten been let to
t*emsel5es, *ad no#ris*ed t*emsel5es #2on ra"ments o
re5ol#tionary "eneralisations arri5in" in t*eir bands by
5ario#s ro#tes, *ad st#died o#t by t*emsel5es bet.een
t*e lines o t*e liberal 2a2ers .*at t*ey needed: T*eir
)lass instin)t .as reined by a 2oliti)al )riterion, and
t*o#"* t*ey did not t*in8 all t*eir ideas t*ro#"* to t*e
end, ne5ert*eless t*eir t*o#"*t )easelessly and st#bbornly
.or8ed its .ay in a sin"le dire)tion: Elements o
ex2erien)e, )riti)ism, initiati5e, sel?sa)rii)e, see2ed do.n
t*ro#"* t*e mass and )reated, in5isibly to a s#2eri)ial
"lan)e b#t no less de)isi5ely, an inner me)*ani)s o t*e
re5ol#tionary mo5ement as a )ons)io#s 2ro)ess: To t*e
sm#" 2oliti)ians o liberalism and tamed so)ialism
e5eryt*in" t*at *a22ens amon" masses is )#stomarily
re2resented as an instin)ti5e 2ro)ess, no matter .*et*er
t*ey are dealin" .it* an ant*ill or a bee*i5e: In reality t*e
t*o#"*t .*i)* .as drillin" t*ro#"* t*e t*i)8 o t*e .or8in"
)lass .as ar bolder, more 2enetratin", more )ons)io#s,
t*an t*ose little ideas by .*i)* t*e ed#)ated )lasses li5e:
Moreo5er, t*is t*o#"*t .as more s)ientii): not only
be)a#se it .as to a )onsiderable de"ree ertilised .it* t*e
met*ods o Marxism, b#t still more be)a#se it .as e5er
no#ris*in" itsel on t*e li5in" ex2erien)e o t*e masses
.*i)* .ere soon to ta8e t*eir 2la)e on t*e re5ol#tionary
arena: T*o#"*ts are s)ientii) i t*ey )orres2ond to an
obEe)ti5e 2ro)ess and ma8e it 2ossible to inl#en)e t*at
2ro)ess and "#ide it: +ere t*ese G#alities 2ossessed in t*e
sli"*test de"ree by t*e ideas o t*ose "o5ernment )ir)les
.*o .ere ins2ired by t*e 02o)aly2se and belie5ed in t*e
dreams o Ras2#tin@ Or maybe t*e ideas o t*e liberals
.ere s)ientii)ally "ro#nded, .*o *o2ed t*at a ba)8.ard
R#ssia, *a5in" Eoined t*e s)rimma"e o t*e )a2italist
"iants, mi"*t .in at one and t*e same time 5i)tory and
2arliamentarism@ Or maybe t*e intelle)t#al lie o t*ose
)ir)les o t*e intelli"entsia .as s)ientii), .*o sla5is*ly
ada2ted t*emsel5es to t*is liberalism, senile sin)e
)*ild*ood, 2rote)tin" t*eir ima"inary inde2enden)e t*e
.*ile .it* lon"?dead meta2*ors@ In tr#t* *ere .as a
8in"dom o s2irit#al inertness, s2e)tres, s#2erstition and
i)tions, a 8in"dom, i yo# .ill, o As2ontaneo#sness:B '#t
*a5e .e not in t*at )ase a ri"*t to t#rn t*is liberal
2*iloso2*y o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion exa)tly #2side
do.n@ Ces, .e *a5e a ri"*t to say: 0t t*e same time t*at
t*e oi)ial so)iety, all t*at many?storied s#2erstr#)t#re o
r#lin" )lasses, layers, "ro#2s, 2arties and )liG#es, li5ed
rom day to day by inertia and a#tomatism, no#ris*in"
t*emsel5es .it* t*e reli)s o .orn?o#t ideas, dea to t*e
inexorable demands o e5ol#tion, latterin" t*emsel5es
.it* 2*antoms and oreseein" not*in"?at t*e same time,
in t*e .or8in" masses t*ere .as /ta8in" 2la)e an
inde2endent and dee2 2ro)ess o "ro.t*, not only o
*atred or t*e r#lers, b#t o )riti)al #nderstandin" o t*eir
im2oten)e, an a))#m#lation o ex2erien)e and )reati5e
)ons)io#sness .*i)* t*e re5ol#tionary ins#rre)tion and its
5i)tory only )om2leted:
To t*e G#estion, +*o led t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion@ .e )an
t*en ans.er deinitely eno#"*: !ons)io#s and tem2ered
.or8ers ed#)ated or t*e most 2art by t*e 2arty o Lenin:
'#t .e m#st *ere immediately add: T*is leaders*i2 2ro5ed
s#i)ient to "#arantee t*e 5i)tory o t*e ins#rre)tion, b#t
it .as not adeG#ate to transer immediately into t*e *ands
o t*e 2roletarian 5an"#ard t*e leaders*i2 o t*e
re5ol#tion:
Chapter -: The Parado2 of the
)ebruar Revolution
T*e ins#rre)tion tri#m2*ed: '#t to .*om did it *and o5er
t*e 2o.er snat)*ed rom t*e monar)*y@ +e )ome *ere to
t*e )entral 2roblem o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion: +*y and
*o. did t*e 2o.er t#rn #2 in t*e *ands o t*e liberal
bo#r"eoisie@
In 4#ma )ir)les and in bo#r"eois Aso)ietyB no si"nii)an)e
.as attrib#ted to t*e a"itation be"innin" t*e 23rd o
>ebr#ary: T*e liberal de2#ties and 2atrioti) Eo#rnalists .ere
assemblin" in dra.in" rooms as beore, tal8in" o5er t*e
G#estions o Trieste and >i#me, and a"ain )onirmin"
R#ssia;s need o t*e 4ardanelles: +*en t*e de)ree
dissol5in" t*e 4#ma .as already si"ned, a 4#ma
)ommission .as still *astily )onsiderin" t*e G#estion o
t#rnin" o5er t*e ood 2roblem to t*e )ity administration:
Less t*an t.el5e *o#rs beore t*e ins#rre)tion o t*e
battalions o t*e -#ard, t*e So)iety or Sla5i) Re)i2ro)ity
.as 2ea)e#lly listenin" to its ann#al re2ort: AOnly .*en I
*ad ret#rned *ome on oot rom t*at meetin",B
remembers one o t*e de2#ties, AI .as str#)8 by some
sort o a.esome silen)e and em2tiness in t*e #s#ally
li5ely streets:B T*at a.esome em2tiness .as ormin"
aro#nd t*e old r#lin" )lasses and already o22ressin" t*e
*earts o t*eir #t#re in*eritors:
'y t*e 2(t* t*e serio#sness o t*e mo5ement *ad be)ome
)lear bot* to t*e "o5ernment and to t*e liberals: On t*at
day ne"otiations abo#t a )om2romise .ere "oin" on
bet.een t*e )<ar;s ministers and members o t*e 4#ma,
ne"otiations rom .*i)* e5en s#bseG#ently t*e liberals
ne5er lited t*e )#rtain: 3roto2o2o5 states in *is testimony
t*at t*e leaders o t*e 4#ma blo) demanded as ormerly
t*e namin" o ne. ministers rom amon" 2eo2le enEoyin"
so)ial )oniden)e: AT*is meas#re 2er*a2s .ill 2a)iy t*e
2eo2le:B '#t t*e 2(t* )reated, as .e 8no., a )ertain
sto22a"e in t*e de5elo2ment o t*e re5ol#tion, and or a
brie moment t*e "o5ernment elt irmer: +*en Rod<ian8o
)alled on -olytsin to 2ers#ade *im to resi"n, t*e 3remier
2ointed in ans.er to a 2ortolio on *is des8 in .*i)* lay
t*e )om2leted edi)t dissol5in" t*e 4#ma, .it* t*e
si"nat#re o Ni)*olas b#t .it*o#t a date: -olytsin 2#t in
t*e date: Io. )o#ld t*e "o5ernment de)ide #2on s#)* a
ste2 at t*e moment o "ro.in" 2ress#re rom t*e
re5ol#tion@ 62on t*is G#estion t*e r#lin" b#rea#)rats lon"
a"o arri5ed at a irm )on5i)tion: A +*et*er .e *a5e a blo)
or not, it is all t*e same to t*e .or8ers; mo5ement: +e )an
*andle t*at mo5ement by ot*er means, and #2 till no. t*e
Ministry o t*e Interior *as mana"ed to deal .it* it:B T*#s
-oremy8in *ad s2o8en in 0#"#st 191=: On t*e ot*er *and,
t*e b#rea#)ra)y belie5ed t*at t*e 4#ma, in )ase o its
dissol#tion, .o#ld not 5ent#re #2on any bold ste2: 0"ain
in 0#"#st 191=, in dis)#ssin" t*e G#estion o dissol5in" a
dis)ontented 4#ma, t*e Minister o t*e Interior, 3rin)e
S*erbato5, *ad said: AT*e 4#ma .ill *ardly 5ent#re #2on
dire)t disobedien)e: T*e 5ast maEority are ater all )o.ards
and are tremblin" or t*eir *ides:B T*e 2rin)e ex2ressed
*imsel none too ni)ely, b#t in t*e lon" r#n )orre)tly: In its
str#""le .it* t*e liberal o22osition, t*en, t*e b#rea#)ra)y
elt 2lenty o irm "ro#nd #nder its eet:
On t*e mornin" o t*e 27t*, t*e 4e2#ties, alarmed at t*e
mo#ntin" e5ents, assembled at a re"#lar session: T*e
maEority learned only *ere t*at t*e 4#ma *ad been
dissol5ed: T*e ne.s seemed t*e more s#r2risin" as on t*e
5ery day beore t*ey *ad been )arryin" on 2ea)e
ne"otiations .it* t*e ministers: A0nd ne5ert*eless,B .rites
Rod<ian8o .it* 2ride, At*e 4#ma s#bmitted to t*e la., still
*o2in" to ind a .ay o#t o t*e tan"led sit#ation, and
2assed no resol#tion t*at it .o#ld not dis2erse, or t*at it
.o#ld ille"ally )ontin#e its sessions:B T*e de2#ties
"at*ered at a 2ri5ate )oneren)e in .*i)* t*ey made
)onessions o im2oten)e to ea)* ot*er: T*e moderate
liberal S*idlo5s8y s#bseG#ently remembered, not .it*o#t
a mali)io#s 2leas#re, a 2ro2osal made by an extreme let
9adet, Ne8raso5, a #t#re )ollea"#e o 9erens8y, A to
establis* a military di)tators*i2 *andin" o5er t*e .*ole
2o.er to a 2o2#lar "eneral:B 0t t*at time a 2ra)ti)al
attem2t at sal5ation .as #nderta8en by t*e leaders o t*e
3ro"ressi5e 'lo), not 2resent at t*is 2ri5ate )oneren)e o
t*e 4#ma: Ia5in" s#mmoned t*e -rand 4#8e Mi8*ail to
3etro"rad, t*ey 2ro2osed to *im to ta8e #2on *imsel t*e
di)tators*i2, to Aim2elB t*e 2ersonal sta o t*e
"o5ernment to resi"n, and to demand o t*e )<ar by dire)t
.ire t*at *e A"rantB a res2onsible ministry: In t*ose *o#rs,
.*en t*e #2risin" o t*e irst -#ard re"iments .as
be"innin", t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie .ere ma8in" a last eort
to 2#t do.n t*e ins#rre)tion .it* t*e *el2 o a dynasti)
di)tator, and at t*e same time at t*e ex2ense o t*e
re5ol#tion to enter into an a"reement .it* t*e monar)*y:
AT*e *esitation o t*e "rand d#8e,B )om2lains Rod<ian8o,
A)ontrib#ted to t*e lettin" sli2 o t*e a5o#rable moment:B
Io. easily a radi)al intelli"entsia belie5es .*ate5er it
.ants to, is testiied by a non?2arty so)ialist, S#8*ano5,
.*o be"ins in t*is 2eriod to 2lay a )ertain 2oliti)al rHle in
t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e: AT*ey told me t*e #ndamental 2oliti)al
ne.s o t*ose mornin" *o#rs o t*at #nor"ettable day,B
*e relates in *is extensi5e memoirs: AT*e de)ree
dissol5in" t*e State 4#ma *ad been 2rom#l"ated, and t*e
4#ma *ad ans.ered .it* a re#sal to dis2erse, ele)tin" a
3ro5isional !ommittee:B T*is is .ritten by a man .*o
*ardly e5er let t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e, and .as t*ere
)ontin#ally b#tton?*olin" *is de2#ty riends: Mili#8o5 in *is
*istory o t*e re5ol#tion, ollo.in" Rod<ian8o, )ate"ori)ally
de)lares: AT*ere .as ado2ted ater a series o *ot
s2ee)*es a resol#tion not to lea5e 3etro"rad, b#t no
resol#tion t*at t*e State 4#ma s*o#ld as an instit#tion
[not dis2erse,; as t*e le"end r#nsB ANot to dis2erseB .o#ld
*a5e meant to ta8e #2on t*emsel5es, *o.e5er belatedly,
a )ertain initiati5e: ANot to lea5e 3etro"radB meant to
.as* t*eir *ands o t*e matter and .ait to see .*i)* .ay
t*e )o#rse o e5ents .o#ld t#rn: T*e )red#lo#sness o
S#8*ano5 *as, by t*e .ay, miti"atin" )ir)#mstan)es: T*e
r#mo#r t*at t*e 4#ma *ad ado2ted a re5ol#tionary
resol#tion not to s#bmit to t*e )<ar;s de)ree .as sli22ed in
*#rriedly by t*e 4#ma Eo#rnalists in t*eir inormation
b#lletin, t*e only 2a2er 2#blis*ed at t*at time o.in" to t*e
"eneral stri8e: Sin)e t*e ins#rre)tion tri#m2*ed d#rin"
t*at day t*e de2#ties .ere in no *#rry to )orre)t t*is
mista8e, bein" G#ite .illin" to s#stain t*e ill#sions o t*eir
AletB riends: T*ey did not in a)t #nderta8e to establis*
t*e a)ts o t*e matter #ntil t*ey .ere o#t o t*e )o#ntry:
T*e e2isode seems se)ondary, b#t it is #ll o meanin":
T*e re5ol#tionary ro1e o t*e 4#ma on t*e 27t* o
>ebr#ary .as a )om2lete myt*, born o t*e 2oliti)al
)red#lity o t*e radi)al intelli"entsia deli"*ted and
ri"*tened by t*e re5ol#tion, distr#stin" t*e ability o t*e
masses to )arry t*e b#siness t*ro#"*, and ea"er to lean
as G#i)8ly as 2ossible to.ard t*e enran)*ised
bo#r"eoisie:
In t*e memoirs o t*e de2#ties belon"in" to t*e 4#ma
maEority, t*ere is 2reser5ed by "ood l#)8 a story o *o.
t*e 4#ma did meet t*e re5ol#tion: 0))ordin" to t*e
a))o#nt o 3rin)e Mansyre5, one o t*e ri"*t 9adets,
amon" t*e de2#ties .*o assembled in "reat n#mbers on
t*e mornin" o t*e 27t* t*ere .ere no members o t*e
2r\sidi#m, no leaders o 2arties, nor *eads o t*e
3ro"ressi5e 'lo): t*ey already 8ne. o t*e dissol#tion and
t*e ins#rre)tion and *ad 2reerred as lon" as 2ossible to
rerain rom s*o.in" t*eir *eads: Moreo5er, at E#st t*at
time t*ey .ere, it seems, ne"otiatin" .it* Mi8*ail abo#t
t*e di)tators*i2: A0 "eneral )onsternation and
be.ilderment 2re5ailed in t*e 4#ma,B says Mansyre5:
AE5en li5ely )on5ersations )eased, and in t*eir 2la)e .ere
*eard si"*s and brie eEa)#lations li8e [It;s )ome,; or
indeed ran8 ex2ressions o ear or lie:B T*#s s2ea8s a
5ery moderate de2#ty .*o si"*ed t*e lo#dest o all: 0t
t.o o;)lo)8 in t*e aternoon, .*en t*e leaders *ad o#nd
t*emsel5es obli"ed to a22ear in t*e 4#ma, t*e se)retary
o t*e 2r\sidi#m bro#"*t in t*e Eoy#l b#t ill?o#nded
ne.s: AT*e disorders .ill soon be 2#t do.n, be)a#se
meas#res *a5e been ta8en:B It is 2ossible t*at by
Ameas#resB .as meant t*e ne"otiations or a di)tators*i2,
b#t t*e 4#ma .as do.n)ast and a.aited a de)isi5e .ord
rom t*e leader o t*e 3ro"ressi5e 'lo): A+e )annot ado2t
any de)ision at t*e 2resent moment,B Mili#8o5 anno#n)ed,
Abe)a#se t*e extent o t*e disorders is #n8no.n to #sJ
li8e.ise it is #n8no.n #2on .*i)* side a maEority o t*e
lo)al troo2s, .or8ers and so)ial or"anisations .ill ta8e
t*eir stand: It is ne)essary to "at*er a))#rate inormation
abo#t t*is, and t*en .ill be time eno#"* to E#d"e t*e
sit#ation: 0t 2resent it is too soon:B 0t t.o o;)lo)8 in t*e
aternoon o >ebr#ary 27 it is still or liberalism Atoo soonBO
A-at*er inormationB means .as* yo#r o.n *ands and
a.ait t*e o#t)ome o t*e str#""le: '#t Mili#8o5 *ad not
ended *is s2ee)* D .*i)*, by t*e .ay, *e be"an .it* a
5ie. to endin" in not*in" D .*en 9erens8y )ame r#nnin"
into t*e *all in *i"* ex)itement: 0n enormo#s )ro.d o
2eo2le and soldiers is )omin" to t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e, *e
anno#n)es, and intends to demand o t*e 4#ma t*at it
sei<e t*e 2o.er in its *andsO T*e radi)al de2#ty 8no.s
a))#rately E#st .*at t*e enormo#s )ro.d o 2eo2le is
"oin" to demand: In reality it is 9erens8y *imsel .*o irst
demands t*at t*e 2o.er s*all be sei<ed by a 4#ma .*i)*
is still *o2in" in its so#l t*at t*e ins#rre)tion may yet be
2#t do.n: 9erens8y;s anno#n)ement is met .it* A"eneral
be.ilderment and dismayed loo8s:B Ie *as *o.e5er not
inis*ed s2ea8in" .*en a ri"*tened 4#ma attendant,
r#s*in" in, interr#2ts *im: t*e ad5an)ed deta)*ment o
t*e soldiers *as already rea)*ed t*e 3ala)e, a deta)*ment
o sentries sto22ed t*em at t*e entran)e, t*e )*ie o t*e
sentries, it seems, .as *ea5ily .o#nded: 0 min#te later it
trans2ires t*at t*e soldiers *a5e entered t*e 3ala)e: It .ill
be de)lared later in s2ee)*es and arti)les t*at t*e soldiers
)ame to "reet t*e 4#ma and s.ear loyalty to it, b#t ri"*t
no. e5eryt*in" is in mortal 2ani): T*e .ater is #2 to t*eir
ne)8s: T*e leaders .*is2er to"et*er: +e m#st "et a
breat*in" s2a)e: Rod<ian8o *astily introd#)es a 2ro2osal,
s#""ested to *im by somebody, t*at t*ey orm a
3ro5isional !ommittee: 0irmati5e )ries: '#t t*ey all .ant
to "et o#t t*ere as G#i)8ly as 2ossible: No time or 5otin":
T*e 2resident, no less ri"*tened t*an t*e ot*ers,
2ro2oses t*at t*ey t#rn o5er t*e ormation o t*e
)ommittee to t*e )o#n)il o elders: 0"ain airmati5e )ries
rom t*e e. still remainin" in t*e *all: T*e maEority *a5e
already 5anis*ed: S#)* .as t*e irst rea)tion o t*e 4#ma,
dissol5ed by t*e )<ar, to t*e 5i)tory o t*e ins#rre)tion:
0t t*at time t*e re5ol#tion .as )reatin" in t*e same
b#ildin" only in a less s*o.y 2art o it, anot*er instit#tion:
T*e re5ol#tionary leaders did not *a5e to in5ent itJ t*e
ex2erien)e o the .oviets o 19%= .as ore5er )*iselled
into t*e )ons)io#sness o t*e .or8ers: 0t e5ery lit o t*e
mo5ement, e5en in, .artime, t*e idea o so5iets .as
almost a#tomati)ally reborn: 0nd alt*o#"* t*e a22raisal o
t*e ro1e o t*e so5iets .as dierent amon" 'ols*e5i8s
and Mens*e5i8s D t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries *ad in "eneral
no stable a22raisals D t*e orm o or"anisation itsel stood
)lear o all debate: T*e Mens*e5i8s liberated rom 2rison,
members o t*e Military?Ind#strial !ommittee, meetin" in
t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e .it* leaders o t*e Trade 6nion and !o?
o2erati5e mo5ements, li8e.ise o t*e ri"*t .in", and .it*
t*e Mens*e5i8 de2#ties o t*e 4#ma, !*eid<e and
S8obele5, strai"*t.ay ormed a A3ro5isional Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee o t*e So5iet o +or8ers; 4e2#ties,B .*i)* in
t*e )o#rse o t*e day .as illed o#t 2rin)i2ally .it* ormer
re5ol#tionists .*o *ad lost )onne)tion .it* t*e masses b#t
still 2reser5ed t*eir Anames:B T*is Exe)#ti5e !ommittee,
in)l#din" also 'ols*e5i8s in its sta s#mmoned t*e
.or8ers to ele)t de2#ties at on)e: T*e irst session .as
a22ointed or t*e same e5enin" in t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e: It
a)t#ally met at nine o;)lo)8 and ratiied t*e sta o t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, s#22lementin" it .it* oi)ial
re2resentati5es rom all t*e so)ialist 2arties: '#t not *ere
lay t*e si"nii)an)e o t*is irst meetin" o re2resentati5es
o t*e 5i)torio#s 2roletariat o t*e )a2ital: 4ele"ates rom
t*e m#tinied re"iments made s2ee)*es o "reetin" at t*is
meetin": 0mon" t*eir n#mber .ere )om2letely "rey
soldiers, s*ell?s*o)8ed as it .ere by t*e ins#rre)tion, and
still *ardly in )ontrol o t*eir ton"#es: '#t t*ey .ere E#st
t*e ones .*o o#nd t*e .ords .*i)* no orator )o#ld ind:
T*at .as one o t*e most mo5in" s)enes o t*e re5ol#tion,
no. irst eelin" its 2o.er, eelin" t*e #nn#mbered
masses it *as aro#sed, t*e )olossal tas8s, t*e 2ride in
s#))ess, t*e Eoy#l ailin" o t*e *eart at t*e t*o#"*t o t*e
morro. .*i)* is to be still more bea#ti#l t*an today: T*e
re5ol#tion still *as no rit#al, t*e streets are in smo8e, t*e
masses *a5e not yet learned t*e ne. son"s: T*e meetin"
lo.s on .it*o#t order, .it*o#t s*ores, li8e a ri5er at lood:
T*e So5iet )*o8es in its o.n ent*#siasm: T*e re5ol#tion is
mi"*ty b#t still na]5e, .it* a )*ild;s na]5eness:
0t t*e irst session it .as de)ided to #nite t*e "arrison
.it* t*e .or8ers in a "eneral So5iet o +or8ers; arid
Soldiers; 4e2#ties: +*o irst 2ro2osed t*is resol#tion@ It
2robably arose rom 5ario#s, or rat*er rom all sides, as an
e)*o o t*at raternisation o .or8ers and soldiers .*i)*
*ad t*is day de)ided t*e ate o t*e re5ol#tion: >rom t*e
moment o its ormation t*e So5iet in t*e 2erson o its
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, be"ins to #n)tion as a so5erei"n It
ele)ts a tem2orary ood )ommission and 2la)es it in
)*ar"e o t*e m#tineers and o t*e "arrison in "eneral: It
or"anises 2arallel .it* itsel a 3ro5isional re5ol#tionary
sta D e5eryt*in" .as )alled 2ro5isional in t*ose days D o
.*i)* .e *a5e already s2o8en abo5e: In order to remo5e
inan)ial reso#r)es rom t*e *ands o t*e oi)ials o t*e
old 2o.er, t*e So5iet de)ides to o))#2y t*e State 'an8,
t*e Treas#ry, t*e Mint and t*e 3rintin" Oi)e .it* a
re5ol#tionary "#ard: T*e tas8s and #n)tions o t*e So5iet
"ro. #n)easin"ly #nder 2ress#re rom t*e masses: T*e
re5ol#tion inds *ere its ind#bitable )entre: T*e .or8ers,
t*e soldiers, and soon also t*e 2easants, .ill rom no. on
t#rn only to t*e So5iet: In t*eir eyes t*e So5iet be)omes
t*e o)#s o all *o2es and all a#t*ority, an in)arnation o
t*e re5ol#tion itsel: '#t re2resentati5es o t*e 2ossessin"
)lasses .ill also see8 in t*e So5iet, .it* .*ate5er
"rindin"s o teet*, 2rote)tion and )o#nsel in t*e resol5in"
o )onli)ts:
Io.e5er, e5en in t*ose 5ery irst days o 5i)tory, .*en t*e
ne. 2o.er o t*e re5ol#tion .as ormin" itsel .it*
ab#lo#s s2eed and #n)onG#erable stren"t*, t*ose
so)ialists .*o stood at t*e *ead o t*e So5iet .ere already
loo8in" aro#nd .it* alarm to see i t*ey )o#ld ind a real
Aboss:B T*ey too8 it or "ranted t*at 2o.er o#"*t to 2ass
to t*e bo#r"eoisie: Iere t*e )*ie 2oliti)al 8not o t*e ne.
rF"ime is tied: one o its t*reads leads into t*e )*amber o
t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee o .or8ers and soldiers, t*e
ot*er into t*e )entral *eadG#arters o t*e bo#r"eois
2arties:
T*e !o#n)il o Elders at t*ree o;)lo)8 in t*e aternoon,
.*en t*e 5i)tory .as already #lly ass#red in t*e )a2ital,
ele)ted a A3ro5isional !ommittee o Members o t*e
4#maB made #2 rom t*e 2arties o t*e 3ro"ressi5e 'lo)
.it* t*e addition o !*eid<e and 9erens8y: !*eid<e
de)lined, 9erens8y .i""le?.a""led: T*e desi"nation
2r#dently indi)ated t*at it .as not a G#estion o an oi)ial
)ommittee o t*e State 4#ma, b#t a 2ri5ate )ommittee o
a )oneren)e o members o t*e 4#ma: T*e leaders o t*e
3ro"ressi5e 'lo) t*o#"*t to t*e 5ery end o b#t one t*in":
*o. to a5oid res2onsibility and not tie t*eir o.n *ands:
T*e tas8 o t*e )ommittee .as deined .it* meti)#lo#s
eG#i5o)ation: AT*e restoration o order and )ond#)tin" o
ne"otiations .it* instit#tions and 2ersons:B Not a .ord as
to t*e 8ind o order .*i)* t*ose "entlemen intended to
restore, nor .it* .*at instit#tions t*ey intended to
ne"otiate: T*ey .ere not yet o2enly rea)*in" o#t t*eir
*ands to.ard t*e bear;s *ide: .*at i *e is not 8illed b#t
only badly .o#nded@ Only at ele5en o;)lo)8 in t*e e5enin"
o t*e 27t*, .*en, as Mili#8o5 a)8no.led"ed, At*e .*ole
s)o2e o t*e re5ol#tionary mo5ement *ad be)ome )lear,
did t*e 3ro5isional !ommittee de)ide #2on a #rt*er ste2,
and ta8e in its *ands t*e 2o.er .*i)* *ad allen rom t*e
*ands o t*e "o5ernment:B Im2er)e2tibly t*e ne.
instit#tion *ad )*an"ed rom a )ommittee o t*e members
o t*e 4#ma to a )ommittee o t*e 4#ma itsel: T*ere is no
better means o 2reser5in" t*e state E#ridi)al s#))ession
t*an or"ery: '#t Mili#8o5 remains silent abo#t t*e )*ie
t*in": t*e leaders o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee o t*e
So5iet, )reated d#rin" t*at day, *ad already a22eared
beore t*e 3ro5isional?!ommittee and insistently
demanded t*at it ta8e t*e 2o.er into its *ands: T*is
riendly 2#s* *ad its ee)t: Mili#8o5 s#bseG#ently
ex2lained t*e de)ision o t*e 4#ma !ommittee by sayin"
t*at t*e "o5ernment .as s#22osed to be sendin" loyal
troo2s a"ainst t*e ins#rre)tionists, Aand on t*e streets o
t*e )a2ital it t*reatened to )ome to a)t#al battle:B In
reality t*e "o5ernment .as already .it*o#t troo2s, t*e
re5ol#tion .as .*olly in t*e 2ast Rod<ian8o s#bseG#ently
.rote t*at in )ase t*ey *ad de)lined t*e 2o.er, At*e
4#ma .o#ld *a5e been arrested and 8illed o to t*e last
man by t*e m#tinied troo2s, and t*e 2o.er .o#ld "a5e
"one immediately to t*e 'ols*e5i8s:B T*at is, o )o#rse, an
ine2t exa""eration, .*olly in t*e )*ara)ter o t*e
res2e)ted Lord !*amberlainJ b#t it #nmista8ably rele)ts
t*e eelin"s o t*e 4#ma, .*i)* re"arded t*e transer o
2o.er to itsel as an a)t o 2oliti)al ra2e:
+it* s#)* eelin"s t*e de)ision .as not easily arri5ed at:
Rod<ian8o es2e)ially stormed and 5a)illated, 2#ttin" a
G#estion to t*e ot*ers A+*at .ill t*is be@ Is it a rebellion
or not a rebellion@B T*e monar)*ist de2#ty S*#l"in
ans.ered *im, a))ordin" to *is o.n re2ort: AT*ere is no
rebellion in t*is at allJ ta8e t*e 2o.er as a loyal s#bEe)t :::
I t*e ministers *a5e r#n a.ay somebody *as "ot to ta8e
t*eir 2la)e ::: T*ere may be t.o res#lts: E5eryt*in" G#iets
do.n D t*e so5erei"n names a ne. "o5ernment, .e t#rn
o5er t*e 2o.er to *im: Or it doesn;t G#iet do.n: In t*at
)ase i .e don;t ta8e t*e 2o.er, ot*ers .ill ta8e it, t*ose
.*o *a5e already ele)ted some sort o s)o#ndrels in t*e
a)tories :::B +e need not ta8e oen)e at t*e lo.?)lass
ab#se dire)ted by t*e rea)tionary "entleman to.ard t*e
.or8ers: t*e re5ol#tion *ad E#st irmly ste22ed on t*e tails
o all t*ese "entlemen: T*e moral is )lear: i t*e monar)*y
.in .e are .it* itJ i t*e re5ol#tion .ins, .e .ill try to
2l#nder it:
T*e )oneren)e lasted lon": T*e demo)rati) leaders .ere
anxio#sly .aitin" or a de)ision: >inally, Mili#8o5 )ame o#t
o t*e oi)e o Rod<ian8o: Ie .ore a solemn ex2ression:
022roa)*in" t*e So5iet dele"ation Mili#8o5 anno#n)ed:
AT*e de)ision is rea)*ed, .e .ill ta8e t*e 2o.er :::B AI did
not inG#ire .*om *e meant by we,B relates S#8*ano5 .it*
ra2t#re, AI as8ed not*in" #rt*er, b#t I elt .it* all my
bein", as t*ey say, a ne. sit#ation: I elt t*at t*e s*i2 o
t*e re5ol#tion, tossed in t*e sG#all o t*ose *o#rs by t*e
)om2lete )a2ri)e o t*e elements, *ad 2#t #2 a sail,
a)G#ired stability and re"#larity in its mo5ements amid t*e
terrible storm and t*e ro)8in":B +*at a *i"*?lyin" orm#la
or a 2rosai) re)o"nition o t*e sla5is* de2enden)e o t*e
2etty bo#r"eois demo)ra)y #2on )a2italisti) liberalismO
0nd .*at a deadly mista8e in 2oliti)al 2ers2e)ti5e: T*e
*andin" o5er o 2o.er to T*e *andin" o5er o 2o.er to t*e
liberals not only .ill not "i5e stability to t*e s*i2 o state,
b#t, on t*e )ontrary, .ill be)ome rom t*at moment a
so#r)e o *eadlessness o t*e re5ol#tion, enormo#s )*aos,
embitterment o t*e masses, )olla2se o t*e ront, and in
t*e #t#re extreme bitterness o t*e )i5il .ar:
I yo# loo8 only ba)8.ard to 2ast a"es, t*e transer o
2o.er to t*e bo#r"eoisie seems s#i)iently re"#lar: in all
2ast re5ol#tions .*o o#"*t on t*e barri)ades .ere
.or8ers, a22renti)es, in 2art st#dents, and t*e soldiers
)ame o5er to t*eir aside: '#t ater.ards t*e solid
bo#r"eoisie, *a5in" )a#tio#sly .at)*ed t*e barri)ades
t*ro#"* t*eir .indo.s, "at*ered #2 t*e 2o.er: '#t t*e
>ebr#ary re5ol#tion o 1917 .as distin"#is*ed rom ormer
re5ol#tions by t*e in)om2arably *i"*er so)ial )*ara)ter
and 2oliti)al le5el o t*e re5ol#tionary )lass, by t*e *ostile
distr#st o t*e ins#rre)tionists to.ard t*e liberal
bo#r"eoisie, and t*e )onseG#ent ormation at t*e 5ery
moment o 5i)tory o a ne. or"an o re5ol#tionary 2o.er,
So5iet, based #2on t*e armed stren"t* o t*e masses: In
t*ese )ir)#mstan)es t*e transer o 2o.er to a 2oliti)ally
isolated and #narmed bo#r"eoisie demands ex2lanation:
>irst o all .e m#st examine more )losely t*e )orrelation o
or)es .*i)* res#lted rom t*e re5ol#tion: +as not t*e
So5iet demo)ra)y )om2elled by t*e obEe)ti5e sit#ation to
reno#n)e t*e 2o.er in a5o#r o t*e bi" bo#r"eoisie@ T*e
bo#r"eoisie itsel did not t*in8 so: +e *a5e already seen
t*at it not only did not ex2e)t 2o.er rom t*e re5ol#tion,
b#t on t*e )ontrary oresa. in it a mortal dan"er to its
.*ole so)ial sit#ation: AT*e moderate 2arties not only did
not desire a re5ol#tion,B .rites Rod<ian8o, Ab#t .ere
sim2ly araid, o it: In 2arti)#lar t*e 3arty o t*e 3eo2le;s
>reedom, [t*e 9adets,; as a 2arty standin" at t*e let .in"
o t*e moderate "ro#2, and t*ereore *a5in" more t*an
t*e rest a 2oint o )onta)t .it* t*e re5ol#tionary 2arties o
t*e )o#ntry, .as more .orried by t*e ad5an)in"
)atastro2*e t*an all t*e rest:B T*e ex2erien)e o 19%= *ad
too si"nii)antly *inted to t*e liberals t*at a 5i)tory o t*e
.or8ers and 2easants mi"*t 2ro5e no less dan"ero#s to
t*e bo#r"eoisie t*an to t*e monar)*y: It .o#ld seem t*at
t*e )o#rse o t*e >ebr#ary ins#rre)tion *ad only )onirmed
t*is oresi"*t: Io.e5er ormless in many res2e)ts may
*a5e been t*e 2oliti)al ideas o t*e re5ol#tionary masses
in t*ose days, t*e di5idin" line bet.een t*e toilers and t*e
bo#r"eoisie .as at any rate im2la)ably dra.n:
Instr#)tor Stan8e5i)* .*o .as )lose to liberal )ir)les D a
riend, not an enemy o t*e 3ro"ressi5e 'lo) D
)*ara)terises in t*e ollo.in" .ay t*e mood o t*ose
)ir)les on t*e se)ond day ater t*e o5ert#rn .*i)* t*ey
*ad not s#))eeded in 2re5entin": AOi)ially t*ey
)elebrated, e#lo"ised t*e re5ol#tion, )ried [I#rra*O; to t*e
i"*ters or reedom, de)orated t*emsel5es .it* red
ribbons and mar)*ed #nder red banners ::: '#t in t*eir
so#ls, t*eir )on5ersations t/te#&#t/te, t*ey .ere *orriied,
t*ey s*#ddered, t*ey elt t*emsel5es )a2ti5es in t*e
*ands o *ostile elements tra5ellin" an #n8no.n road:
6nor"ettable is t*e i"#re Rod<ian8o, t*at 2ortly lord and
im2osin" 2ersona"e, .*en, 2reser5in" a maEesti) di"nity
b#t .it* an ex2ression o dee2 s#erin" des2air ro<en on
*is 2ale a)e, *e made *is .ay t*ro#"* a )ro.d o
dis*e5elled soldiers in t*e )orridor o t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e:
Oi)ially it .as re)orded: T*e soldiers *a5e )ome to
s#22ort t*e 4#ma in its str#""le .it* t*e "o5ernment: '#t
a)t#ally t*e 4#ma *ad been abolis*ed rom t*e 5ery irst
day: 0nd t*e same ex2ression .as on t*e a)es o t*e
members o t*e 3ro5isional !ommittee o t*e 4#ma and
t*ose )ir)les .*i)* s#rro#nded it: T*ey say t*at t*e
re2resentati5es o t*e 3ro"ressi5e 'lo) in t*eir o.n *omes
.e2t .it* im2otent des2air:B
T*is li5in" testimony is more 2re)io#s t*an any
so)iolo"i)al resear)* into t*e )orrelation o or)es:
0))ordin" to *is o.n tale, Rod<ian8o trembled .it*
im2otent indi"nation .*en *e sa. #n8no.n soldiers, Aat
.*ose orders is not re)ordedB arrestin" t*e oi)ials o t*e
old rF"ime and brin"in" t*em to t*e 4#ma: T*e Lord
!*amberlain t#rned o#t to be somet*in" in t*e nat#re o a
Eailer in relation to 2eo2le, .it* .*om *e *ad, to be s#re,
*is dieren)es, b#t .*o ne5er t*e less remained 2eo2le o
*is o.n )ir)le: S*o)8ed by *is AarbitraryB a)tion Rod<ian8o
in5ited t*e arrested Minister S*e"lo5ito5 into *is oi)e, b#t
t*e soldiers br#sG#ely re#sed to t#rn o5er to *im t*e
*ated oi)ial: A+*en I tried to s*o. my a#t*orityB, relates
Rod<ian8o, At*e soldiers s#rro#nded t*eir )a2ti5e and .it*
t*e most )*allen"in" and insolent ex2ression 2ointed to
t*eir riles, ater .*i)* more ado t*ey led S*e"lo5ito5
a.ay I 8no. not .*ere:B +o#ld it be 2ossible to )onirm
more absol#tely San8e5i)*Xs assertion t*at t*e re"iments
s#22osedly )omin" to s#22ort t*e 4#ma, in reality
abolis*ed it@
T*e 2o.er .as rom t*e 5ery irst moment in t*e *ands o
t*e so5iet D #2on t*at G#estion t*e 4#ma members less
t*an anybody else )o#ld )*eris* t*at ill#sion: T*e
O)tobrist de2#ty S*idlo5s8y, one o t*e leaders o t*e
3ro"ressi5e 'lo), relates *o., AT*e So5iet sei<ed all t*e
3ost and Tele"ra2* b#rea#x, t*e .ireless, all t*e 3etro"rad
railroad stations, all t*e 2rintin" establis*ments, so t*at
.it*o#t its 2ermission it .as im2ossible to send a
tele"ram, to lea5e 3etro"rad, or to 2rint an a22eal:B In t*is
#neG#i5o)al )*ara)terisation o t*e )orrelation o or)es, it
is ne)essary to introd#)e one sli"*t )orre)tion: t*e
Asei<#reB o t*e So5iet o t*e tele"ra2*, railroad stations,
2rintin" establis*ments, et):, meant merely t*at t*e
.or8ers and )ler8s in t*ose enter2rises re#sed to s#bmit
to anybody b#t t*e So5iet:
T*e 2laint o S*idlo5s8y is admirably ill#strated by an
in)ident .*i)* o))#rred at t*e 5ery *ei"*t o t*e
ne"otiations abo#t t*e 2o.er bet.een t*e leaders o t*e
So5iet and t*e 4#ma: T*eir Eoint session .as interr#2ted
my an #r"ent )omm#ni)ation rom 3s8o5, .*ere ater *is
railroad .anderin"s t*e )<ar *ad no. )ome to a stand,
statin" t*at t*ey .anted Rod<ian8o on t*e dire)t .ire: T*e
all?2o.er#l 3resident o t*e 4#ma de)lared t*at *e .o#ld
not "o to t*e tele"ra2* oi)e: Loo8 *ere, yo#U5e "ot t*e
2o.er and t*e so5erei"nty,B *e )ontin#ed ex)itedly: Ayo#
)an, o )o#rse, arrest me ^ maybe yo# are "oin" to arrest
#s all, *o. do .e 8no.@B T*is *a22ened on t*e 1st o
Mar)*, less t*an t.enty?*o#rs ater t*e 2o.er .as Ata8en
o5erB by t*e 3ro5isional !ommittee .it* Rod<ian8o at its
*ead:
Io. did it *a22en t*en t*at in s#)* a sit#ation t*e liberals
t#rned o#t to be in 2o.er@ Io. and by .*om .ere t*ey
a#t*orised to orm a "o5ernment as t*e res#lt o a
re5ol#tionary .*i)* t*ey *ad dreaded, .*i)* t*ey *ad
resisted, .*i)* t*ey tried to 2#t do.n, .*i)* .as
a))om2lis*ed by masses )om2letely *ostile to t*em, and
a))om2lis*ed .it* s#)* a#da)ity and de)isi5eness t*at
t*e So5iet o +or8ers and Soldiers arisin" rom t*e
ins#rre)tion be)ame t*e nat#ral, and by all #neG#i5o)ally
re)o"nised, master o t*e sit#ation@
Let #s listen no. to t*e ot*er side, to t*ose .*o
s#rrendered t*e 2o.er: AT*e 2eo2le did not "ra5itate
to.ard t*e State 4#ma,B .rites S#8*ano5 o t*e >ebr#ary
days, At*ey .ere not interested in it, and ne5er t*o#"*t o
ma8in" it eit*er 2oliti)ally or te)*ni)ally t*e )entre o t*e
mo5ement:B T*is a)8no.led"ement is t*e more
remar8able in t*at its a#t*or .ill soon de5ote all *is or)e
to "ettin" t*e 2o.er *anded o5er to a )ommittee o t*e
Sate 4#ma: AMili#8o5 2ere)tly #nderstood,B says
S#8*ano5 #rt*er, s2ea8in" o t*e ne"otiations o Mar)*,
At*at t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .as in a 2ere)t 2osition
eit*er to "i5e t*e 2o.er to t*e bo#r"eois "o5ernment, or
not to "i5e it:B !o#ld it be more )ate"ori)ally ex2ressed@
!o#ld a 2oliti)al sit#ation be )learer@ 0nd ne5ert*eless
S#8*ano5, in dire)t )ontradi)tion to t*e sit#ation and to
*imsel, immediately adds: AT*e 2o.er destined to re2la)e
)<arism m#st be only a bo#r"eois 2o.er ::: .e m#st steer
o#r )o#rse by t*is 2rin)i2le: Ot*er.ise t*e #2risin" .ill not
s#))eed and t*e re5ol#tion .ill )olla2se:B T*e re5ol#tion
.ill )olla2se .it*o#t Rod<ian8oO
T*e 2roblem o t*e li5in" relations o so)ial or)es is *ere
re2la)ed by an a 2riori s)*eme and a )on5entional
terminolo"y: and t*is is t*e 5ery essen)e o t*e
do)trinairism o t*e intelli"entsia: '#t .e s*all see later
t*at t*is do)trinairism .as by no means 3latoni): it #lilled
a 5ery real 2oliti)al #n)tion, alt*o#"* .it* blindolded
eyes:
+e *a5e G#oted S#8*ano5 or a reason: In t*at irst 2eriod
t*e ins2irer o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .as not its
2resident, !*eid<e, an *onest and limited 2ro5in)ial, b#t
t*is 5ery S#8*ano5, a man, "enerally s2ea8in", totally
#ns#ited or re5ol#tionary leaders*i2: Semi?Narodni8,
semi?Marxist, a )ons)ientio#s obser5er rat*er t*an a
statesman, a Eo#rnalist rat*er t*an a re5ol#tionist, a
rationaliser rat*er t*an a Eo#rnalist D *e .as )a2able o
standin" by a re5ol#tionary )on)e2tion only #2 to t*e time
.*en it .as ne)essary to )arry it into a)tion: 0 2assi5e
internationalist d#rin" t*e .ar, *e de)ided on t*e 5ery irst
day o t*e re5ol#tion t*at it .as ne)essary E#st as G#i)8ly
as 2ossible to toss t*e 2o.er and t*e .ar o5er to t*e
bo#r"eoisie: 0s a t*eorist D t*at is, at least in *is eelin"s
o t*e need t*at t*in"s s*o#ld be reasoned o#t, i not in
*is ability to #lil it D *e stood abo5e all t*e t*en members
o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee: '#t *is )*ie stren"t* lay in
*is ability to translate into a lan"#a"e o do)trinairism t*e
or"ani) traits o all t*at many?)olo#red and yet
ne5ert*eless *omo"eneo#s brot*er*ood: distr#st o t*eir
o.n 2o.ers, ear o t*e masses, and a *eartily res2e)t#l
attit#de to.ard t*e bo#r"eoisie: Lenin des)ribed S#8*ano5
as one o t*e best re2resentati5es o t*e 2etty
bo#r"eoisie, and t*at is t*e most latterin" t*in" t*at )an
be said o *im:
Only in t*is )onne)tion it m#st not be or"otten t*at t*e
G#estion is *ere o a ne. )a2italist ty2e o 2etty
bo#r"eoisie, o ind#strial, )ommer)ial and ban8 )ler8s, t*e
#n)tionaries o )a2ital on one side, and t*e .or8ers;
b#rea#)ra)y on t*e ot*er D t*at is o t*at ne. middle
caste, in .*ose name t*e .ell 8no.n -erman so)ial
demo)rat Ed.ard 'ernstein #ndertoo8 at t*e end o t*e
last )ent#ry a re5ision o t*e re5ol#tionary )on)e2tions o
Marx: In order to ans.er t*e G#estion *o. a re5ol#tion o
.or8ers and 2easants )ame to s#rrender t*e 2o.er to t*e
bo#r"eoisie, it is ne)essary to introd#)e into t*e 2oliti)al
)*ain an intermediate lin8: t*e 2etty bo#r"eoisie
demo)rats and so)ialists o t*e S#8*ano5 ty2e, Eo#rnalists
and 2oliti)ians o t*e ne. middle )aste, .*o *ad ta#"*t
t*e masses t*at t*e bo#r"eoisie is an enemy, b#t
t*emsel5es eared more t*an any t*in" else to release t*e
masses rom t*e )ontradi)tion bet.een t*e )*ara)ter o
t*e re5ol#tion and t*e )*ara)ter o t*e 2o.er t*at iss#ed
rom it, is ex2lained by t*e )ontradi)tory )*ara)ter o t*is
ne. 2etty bo#r"eois 2artition .all bet.een t*e
re5ol#tionary masses and t*e )a2italist bo#r"eoisie: In t*e
)o#rse o #rt*er e5ents t*e 2oliti)al ro1e o t*is 2etty
bo#r"eois demo)ra)y o t*e ne. ty2e .ill #lly o2en beore
#s: >or t*e time bein" .e .ill limit o#rsel5es to a e.
.ords:
0 minority o t*e re5ol#tionary )lass a)t#ally 2arti)i2ates
in t*e ins#rre)tion, b#t t*e stren"t* o t*at minority lies in
t*e s#22ort, or at least sym2at*y, o t*e maEority: T*e
a)ti5e and militant minority ine5itably 2#ts or.ard #nder
ire rom t*e enemy its more re5ol#tionary and sel?
sa)rii)in" element: It is t*#s nat#ral t*at in t*e >ebr#ary
i"*ts t*e .or8er?'ols*e5i8 o))#2ied t*e leadin" 2la)e: '#t
t*e sit#ation )*an"es t*e moment t*e 5i)tory is .on and
its 2oliti)al ortii)ation be"ins: T*e ele)tions to t*e or"ans
and instit#tions o t*e 5i)torio#s re5ol#tion attra)t and
)*allen"e ininitely broader masses t*an t*ose .*o battled
.it* arms in t*eir *ands: T*is is tr#e not only o "eneral
demo)rati) instit#tions li8e t*e )ity d#mas and <emst5os,
or later on, t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly, b#t also o )lass
instit#tions, li8e t*e So5iet o +or8ers; 4e2#ties: 0n
o5er.*elmin" maEority o t*e .or8ers, Mens*e5i8, So)ial
Re5ol#tionary and non?2arty, s#22orted t*e 'ols*e5i8s at
t*e moment o dire)t "ra22le .it* )<arism: '#t only a
small minority o t*e .or8ers #nderstood t*at t*e
'ols*e5i8s .ere dierent rom ot*er so)ialist 2arties: 0t
t*e same time, *o.e5er, all t*e .or8ers dre. a s*ar2 line
bet.een t*emsel5es and t*e bo#r"eoisie: T*is a)t
determined t*e 2oliti)al sit#ation ater t*e 5i)tory: T*e
.or8ers ele)ted so)ialists, t*at is, t*ose .*o .ere not only
a"ainst t*e monar)*y, b#t a"ainst t*e bo#r"eoisie: In
doin" t*is t*ey made almost no distin)tion bet.een t*e
t*ree so)ialist 2arties: 0nd sin)e t*e Mens*e5i8s and
So)ial Re5ol#tionaries )om2rised ininitely lar"er ran8s o
t*e intelli"entsia D .*o )ame 2o#rin" in rom all sides D
and t*#s "ot into t*eir *ands immediately an immense
sta o a"itators, t*e ele)tions, e5en in s*o2s and
a)tories, "a5e t*em an enormo#s maEority: 0n im2#lse in
t*e same dire)tion, b#t an in)om2arably stron"er one,
)ame rom t*e a.a8enin" army: On t*e it* day o t*e
ins#rre)tion t*e 3etro"rad "arrison ollo.ed t*e .or8ers:
0ter t*e 5i)tory it o#nd itsel s#mmoned to *old ele)tions
or t*e So5iet: T*e soldiers tr#st#lly ele)ted t*ose .*o
*ad been or t*e re5ol#tion a"ainst monar)*ist oi)ers,
and .*o 8ne. *o. to say t*is o#t lo#d: t*ese .ere
5ol#nteers, )ler8s, assistant s#r"eons, yo#n" .ar?time
oi)ers rom t*e intelli"entsia, 2etty military oi)ials D t*at
is, t*e lo.est layers o t*at ne. middle caste: 0ll o t*em
almost to t*e last man ins)ribed t*emsel5es, be"innin" in
Mar)*, in t*e 2arty o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, .*i)*
.it* its intelle)t#al ormlessness 2ere)tly ex2ressed t*eir
intermediate so)ial sit#ation and t*eir limited 2oliti)al
o#tloo8: T*e re2resentation o t*e "arrison t*#s t#rned o#t
to be in)om2arably more moderate and bo#r"eois t*an
t*e soldier masses: '#t t*e latter .ere not )ons)io#s o
t*is dieren)e: it .o#ld re5eal itsel to t*em only d#rin"
t*e ex2erien)e o t*e )omin" mont*s: T*e .or8ers, on
t*eir 2art, .ere tryin" to )lin" as )losely as 2ossible to t*e
soldiers, in order to stren"t*en t*eir blood?bo#"*t #nion
and more 2ermanently arm t*e re5ol#tion: 0nd sin)e t*e
s2o8esmen o t*e army .ere 2redominantly *al?ba8ed
So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, t*is a)t )o#ld not *el2 raisin" t*e
a#t*ority o t*at 2arty alon" .it* its ally, t*e Mens*e5i8s,
in t*e eyes o t*e .or8ers t*emsel5es: T*#s res#lted t*e
2redominan)e in t*e so5iets o t*e t.o !om2romise
2arties: It is s#i)ient to remar8 t*at e5en in t*e so5iet o
t*e Vybor" distri)t t*e leadin" ro1e in t*ose irst times
belon"ed to t*e .or8er?Mens*e5i8s: 'ols*e5ism in t*at
2eriod .as still only simmerin" in t*e de2t*s o t*e
re5ol#tion: T*#s t*e oi)ial 'ols*e5i8s, e5en in t*e
3etro"rad So5iet, re2resented an insi"nii)ant minority,
.*o *ad moreo5er none too )learly deined its tas8s:
T*#s arose t*e 2aradox o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion: T*e
2o.er .as in t*e *ands o t*e demo)rati) so)ialists: It *ad
not been sei<ed by t*em a))identally by .ay o a
'lanG#ist )o#2J no, it .as o2enly deli5ered to t*em by t*e
5i)torio#s masses o t*e 2eo2le: T*ose masses not only
did not tr#st or s#22ort t*e bo#r"eoisie, b#t t*ey did not
e5en distin"#is* t*em rom t*e nobility and t*e
b#rea#)ra)y: T*ey 2#t t*eir .ea2ons at t*e dis2osal only
o t*e so5iets: Mean.*ile t*e so)ialists, *a5in" so easily
arri5ed at t*e *ead o t*e so5iets, .ere .orryin" abo#t
only one G#estion: +ill t*e bo#r"eoisie, 2oliti)ally isolated,
*ated by t*e masses and *ostile t*ro#"* and t*ro#"* to
t*e re5ol#tion, )onsent to a))e2t t*e 2o.er rom o#r
*ands@ Its )onsent m#st be .on at any )ost: 0nd sin)e
ob5io#sly a bo#r"eoisie )annot reno#n)e its bo#r"eois
2ro"ramme, .e, t*e Aso)ialists,B .ill *a5e to reno#n)e
o#rs: .e .ill *a5e to 8ee2 still abo#t t*e monar)*y, t*e
.ar, t*e land, i only t*e bo#r"eoisie .ill a))e2t t*e "it o
2o.er: In )arryin" o#t t*is o2eration, t*e Aso)ialists,B as
t*o#"* to ridi)#le t*emsel5es, )ontin#ed to desi"nate t*e
bo#r"eoisie no ot*er.ise t*an as t*eir )lass enemy: In t*e
)eremonial orms o t*eir .ors*i2 .as t*#s introd#)ed an
a)t o arrant blas2*emy: 0 )lass str#""le )arried to its
)on)l#sion is a str#""le or state 2o.er: T*e #ndamental
)*ara)ter o a re5ol#tion lies in its )arryin" t*e )lass
str#""le to its )on)l#sion: 0 re5ol#tion is a dire)t str#""le
or 2o.er: Ne5ert*eless, o#r Aso)ialistsB are not .orried
abo#t "ettin" t*e 2o.er a.ay rom t*e )lass enemy .*o
does not 2ossess it, and )o#ld not .it* *is o.n or)es
sei<e it, b#t, E#st t*e o22osite, .it* or)in" t*is 2o.er
#2on *im at any )ost: Is not t*is indeed a 2aradox@ It
seems all t*e more stri8in", be)a#se t*e ex2erien)e o t*e
-erman re5ol#tion o 191$ did not t*en exist, and
*#manity *ad not yet .itnessed a )olossal and still more
s#))ess#l o2eration o t*is same ty2e )arried o#t by t*e
Ane. middle )asteB led by t*e -erman so)ial demo)ra)y:
Io. did t*e !om2romisers ex2lain t*eir )ond#)t@ One
ex2lanation *ad a do)trinaire )*ara)ter: Sin)e t*e
re5ol#tion is bo#r"eois, t*e so)ialists m#st not
)om2romise t*emsel5es .it* t*e 2o.er D let t*e
bo#r"eoisie ans.er or itsel: T*is so#nded 5ery
im2la)able: In reality, *o.e5er, t*e 2etty bo#r"eoisie
dis"#ised .it* t*is alse im2la)ability its obseG#io#sness
beore t*e 2o.er o .ealt*, ed#)ation, enran)*ised
)iti<ens*i2: T*e ri"*t o t*e bi" bo#r"eoisie to 2o.er, t*e
2etty bo#r"eois a)8no.led"ed as a ri"*t o 2rimo"enit#re,
inde2endent o t*e )orrelation o or)es: >#ndamentally .e
*ad *ere t*e same almost instin)ti5e mo5ement .*i)* *as
)om2elled t*e small mer)*ant or tea)*er to ste2 aside
res2e)t#lly in t*e stations or t*eatres to let a Rot*s)*ild
2ass: 4o)trinaire ar"#ments ser5ed as a )om2ensation or
t*e )ons)io#sness o a 2ersonal insi"nii)an)e: In only t.o
mont*s, .*en it be)ame e5ident t*at t*e bo#r"eoisie .as
totally #nable .it* its o.n or)e to 8ee2 t*e 2o.er t*#s
deli5ered to it, t*e !om2romisers *ad no dii)#lty in
tossin" a.ay t*eir Aso)ialisti)B 2reE#di)es and enterin" a
)oalition ministry D not in order to )ro.d o#t t*e
bo#r"eoisie b#t, on t*e )ontrary, in order to sa5e it D not
a"ainst its .ill b#t, on t*e )ontrary, at its in5itation, .*i)*
so#nded almost li8e a )ommand: Indeed, t*e bo#r"eoisie
t*reatened t*e demo)rats, i t*ey re#sed, to let t*e 2o.er
dro2 on t*eir *eads:
T*e se)ond ar"#ment or re#sin" t*e 2o.er, alt*o#"* no
more serio#s in essen)e, *ad a more 2ra)ti)al a22earan)e:
O#r riend S#8*ano5 made t*e most o t*e
As)atterednessB o demo)rati) R#ssia: AT*e demo)rats *ad
at t*at time no stable or inl#ential or"anisations, 2arty,
2roessional or m#ni)i2al:B T*at so#nds almost li8e a Eo8eO
Not a .ord abo#t t*e so5iets o .or8ers; and soldiers;
de2#ties rom t*is so)ialist .*o is a)tin" in t*e name o
t*e so5iets: 0s a matter o a)t, t*an8s to t*e tradition o
19%=, t*e so5iets s2ran" #2 as t*o#"* rom #nder t*e
eart*, and immediately be)ame in)om2arably more
2o.er#l t*an all t*e ot*er or"anisations .*i)* later tried
to )om2ete .it* t*em /t*e m#ni)i2alities, t*e )o?
o2erati5es, and in 2art t*e trade #nions1: 0s or t*e
2easantry, a )lass by its 5ery nat#re s)attered, t*an8s to
t*e .ar and re5ol#tion it .as exa)tly at t*at moment
or"anised as ne5er beore: T*e .ar *ad assembled t*e
2easants into an army, and t*e re5ol#tion *ad "i5en t*e
army a 2oliti)al )*ara)terO No e.er t*an ei"*t million
2easants .ere #nited in )om2anies and sG#adrons, .*i)*
*ad immediately )reated t*eir re5ol#tionary
re2resentation and )o#ld t*ro#"* it at any moment be
bro#"*t to t*eir eet by a tele2*one )all: Is t*is at all
similar to As)atterednessB@
Co# may say to be s#re, t*at at t*e moment o de)idin"
t*e G#estion o 2o.er, t*e demo)ra)y did not 8no. .*at
.o#ld be t*e attit#de o t*e army at t*e ront: +e .ill not
raise t*e G#estion .*et*er t*ere .as t*e sli"*test basis
or earin" or *o2in" t*at t*e soldiers at t*e ront, .orn
o#t .it* t*e .ar, .o#ld .ant to s#22ort t*e im2erialist
bo#r"eoisie: It is s#i)ient to remar8 t*at t*is G#estion
.as #lly de)ided d#rin" t*e next t.o or t*ree days, .*i)*
t*e !om2romisers 2assed in t*e ba)8sta"e 2re2aration o
a bo#r"eois "o5ernment: AT*e re5ol#tion .as s#))ess#lly
a)*ie5ed by t*e 3rd o Mar)*,B )on)edes S#8*ano5: In
s2ite o t*e ad*eren)e o t*e .*ole army to t*e so5iets,
t*e leaders o t*e latter )ontin#ed .it* all t*eir stren"t* to
2#s* a.ay t*e 2o.er: t*ey eared it t*e more, t*e more
)om2letely it be)ame )on)entrated in t*eir *ands:
'#t .*y@ Io. )o#ld t*ose demo)rats, Aso)ialists,B dire)tly
s#22orted by s#)* *#man masses as no demo)ra)y in
*istory e5er *ad be*ind it D masses, moreo5er, .it* a
)onsiderable ex2erien)e, dis)i2lined and armed, and
or"anised in so5iets D *o. )o#ld t*at all?2o.er#l and
a22arently #n)onG#erable demo)ra)y ear t*e 2o.er@ T*is
a22arently intri)ate eni"ma is ex2lained by t*e a)t t*at
t*e demo)ra)y did not tr#st its o.n s#22ort, eared t*ose
5ery masses, did not belie5e in t*e stability o t*eir
)oniden)e in itsel, and .orst o all dreaded .*at t*ey
)alled Aanar)*y,B t*at is, t*at *a5in" sei<ed t*e 2o.er,
t*ey mi"*t alon" .it* t*e 2o.er 2ro5e a mere 2layt*in" o
t*e so )alled #nbridled elements: In ot*er .ords, t*e
demo)ra)y elt t*at it .as not )alled to be t*e leader o
t*e 2eo2le at t*e moment o its re5ol#tionary #2risin", b#t
t*e let .in" o a bo#r"eois order, its eeler stret)*ed o#t
to.ard t*e masses: It )alled itsel, and e5en deemed itsel
Aso)ialisti),B in order to dis"#ise not only rom t*e masses,
b#t rom itsel too, its a)t#al rHle: .it*o#t t*is sel?
inebriation it )o#ld rot *a5e #lilled t*is rHle: T*is is t*e
sol#tion o t*e #ndamental 2aradox o t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion:
On t*e e5enin" o Mar)* 1, re2resentati5es o t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, !*eid<e, Ste8lo5, S#8*ano5 and
ot*ers, a22eared at a meetin" o t*e 4#ma !ommittee, in
order to dis)#ss t*e )onditions #2on .*i)* t*e so5iets
.o#ld s#22ort t*e ne. "o5ernment: T*e 2ro"ramme o
t*e demo)rats latly i"nored t*e G#estion o .ar, re2#bli),
land, ei"*t?*o#r day, and )onined itsel to one sin"le
demand: to "i5e t*e let 2arties reedom o a"itation: 0n
exam2le o disinterestedness or all 2eo2les and a"esO
So)ialists, *a5in" all t*e 2o.er in t*eir *ands, and #2on
.*om alone it de2ended .*et*er reedom o a"itation
s*o#ld be "i5en to ot*ers or not, *anded o5er t*e 2o.er to
t*eir A)lass enemyB #2on t*e )ondition t*at t*e latter
s*o#ld 2romise t*em ::: reedom o a"itationO Rod<ian8o
.as araid to "o to t*e tele"ra2*; oi)e and said to
!*eid<e and S#8*ano5: ACo# *a5e t*e 2o.er, yo# )an
arrest #s all:B !*eid<e and S#8*ano5 ans.ered *im: ATa8e
t*e 2o.er, b#t don;t arrest #s or 2ro2a"anda:B +*en yo#
st#dy t*e ne"otiations o t*e !om2romisers .it* t*e
liberals, and in "eneral all t*e in)idents o t*e interrelation
o t*e let and ri"*t .in"s at t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e in t*ose
days, it seems as t*o#"* #2on t*at "i"anti) sta"e #2on
.*i)* t*e *istori) drama o a 2eo2le is de5elo2in", a
"ro#2 o 2ro5in)ial a)tors, a5ailin" t*emsel5es o a 5a)ant
)orner and .ere 2layin" o#t a )*ea2 G#i)8?)*an"e
5a#de5ille a)t:
T*e leaders o t*e bo#r"eoisie, .e m#st do t*em E#sti)e,
ne5er ex2e)ted anyt*in" o t*e 8ind: T*ey .o#ld s#rely
*a5e less dreaded t*e re5ol#tion i t*ey *ad )o#nted #2on
t*is 8ind s rom its leaders: To be s#re, t*ey .o#ld *a5e
mis)al)#lated e5en in t*at )ase, b#t at least to"et*er .it*
t*e latter: >earin", ne5ert*eless, t*at t*e bo#r"eoisie
mi"*t not a"ree to ta8e t*e 2o.er on t*e 2ro2osed
)onditions, S#8*ano5 deli5ered a t*reatenin" #ltimat#m:
AEit*er .e or nobody )an )ontrol t*e elements ::: t*ere is
b#t one .ay o#t D a"ree to o#r terms:B In ot*er .ords:
a))e2t t*e 2ro"ramme, .*i)* is yo#r 2ro"rammeJ or t*is
.e 2romise to s#bd#e or yo# t*e masses .*o "a5e #s t*e
2o.er: 3oor s#bd#ers o t*e elementsO
Mili#8o5 .as astonis*ed: AIe did not try to )on)eal,B
remembers S#8*ano5, A*is satisa)tion and *is a"reeable
astonis*ment:B +*en t*e So5iet dele"ates, to ma8e it
so#nd more im2ortant, added t*at t*eir )onditions .ere
Ainal,B Mili#8o5 e5en be)ame ex2ansi5e and 2atted t*em
on t*e *ead .it* t*e remar8: ACes, I .as listenin" and I
.as t*in8in" *o. ar or.ard o#r .or8ers; mo5ement *as
2ro"ressed sin)e t*e days o 19%= :::B In t*e same tone o
t*e "ood?nat#red )ro)odile t*e Io*en<ollern di2lomat at
'rest?Lito5s8 )on5ersed .it* t*e dele"ates o t*e 68ranian
Rada, )om2limentin" t*em #2on t*eir statesman?li8e
mat#rity E#st beore s.allo.in" t*em #2: I t*e So5iet
demo)ra)y .as not s.allo.ed #2 by t*e bo#r"eoisie, it
.as not Mili#8o5;s a#lt, and no t*an8s to S#8*ano5: T*e
bo#r"eoisie re)ei5ed t*e 2o.er be*ind t*e ba)8s o t*e
2eo2le: It *ad no s#22ort in t*e toilin" )lasses: '#t alon"
.it* t*e 2o.er it re)ei5ed a sim#la)r#m o s#22ort
se)ond?*and: T*e Mens*e5i8s and So)ial Re5ol#tionaries,
lited alot by t*e masses, deli5ered as i rom t*emsel5es
a testimonial o )oniden)e to t*e bo#r"eoisie: I yo# loo8
at t*is o2eration o ormal demo)ra)y in )ross?se)tion yo#
*a5e a 2i)t#re o a t.oold ele)tion, in .*i)* t*e
Mens*e5i8s and So)ial Re5ol#tionaries 2lay t*e te)*ni)al
rHle o a middle lin8, t*at is, 9adet ele)tors: I yo# ta8e t*e
G#estion 2oliti)ally, it m#st be )on)eded t*at t*e
!om2romisers betrayed t*e )oniden)e o t*e masses by
)allin" to 2o.er t*ose a"ainst .*om t*ey t*emsel5es
.ere ele)ted: 0nd inally rom a dee2er, more so)ial 2oint
o 5ie., t*e G#estion 2resents itsel t*#s: t*e 2etty
bo#r"eois 2arties, *a5in" in e5eryday )ir)#mstan)es
s*o.n an extraordinary 2retentio#sness and satisa)tion
.it* t*emsel5es, as soon as t*ey .ere raised by a
re5ol#tion to t*e *ei"*ts o 2o.er, .ere ri"*tened by
t*eir o.n inadeG#a)y and *astened to s#rrender t*e *elm
to re2resentati5es o )a2ital: In t*is a)t o 2rostration is
immediately re5ealed t*e terrible s*a8iness o t*e ne.
middle )aste and its *#miliatin" de2enden)e #2on t*e bi"
bo#r"eoisie: Realisin" or only eelin" t*at t*e 2o.er in
t*eir *ands .o#ld not last lon" any.ay, t*at t*ey .o#ld
soon *a5e to s#rrender it eit*er to t*e ri"*t or t*e let, t*e
demo)rats de)ided t*at it .as better to "i5e it today to
t*e solid liberals t*an tomorro. to t*e extreme
re2resentati5es o t*e 2roletariat: '#t in t*is 5ie. also, t*e
rHle o t*e !om2romisers, in s2ite o its so)ial )onditionin",
does not )ease to be a trea)*ery to t*e masses:
In "i5in" t*eir )oniden)e to t*e so)ialists t*e .or8ers and
soldiers o#nd t*emsel5es, G#ite #nex2e)tedly,
ex2ro2riated 2oliti)ally: T*ey .ere be.ildered, alarmed,
b#t did not immediately ind a .ay o#t: T*eir o.n
betrayers deaened t*em rom abo5e .it* ar"#ments to
.*i)* t*ey *ad no ready ans.er, b#t .*i)* )onli)ted .it*
all t*eir eelin"s and intentions: T*e re5ol#tionary
tenden)ies o t*e masses, e5en at t*e moment o t*e
>ebr#ary re5ol#tion, did not at all )oin)ide .it* t*e
!om2romise tenden)ies o t*e 2etty bo#r"eois 2arties:
T*e 2roletariat and t*e 2easantry 5oted or t*e
Mens*e5i8s and t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries not as
)om2romisers, b#t as o22onents o t*e )<ar, t*e )a2italists
and t*e lando.ners: '#t in 5otin" or t*em t*ey )reated a
2artition?.all bet.een t*emsel5es and t*eir o.n aims:
T*ey )o#ld not no. mo5e or.ard at all .it*o#t b#m2in"
into t*is .all ere)ted by t*emsel5es, and 8no)8in" it o5er:
S#)* .as t*e stri8in" 0uid ro 0uo )om2rised in t*e )lass
relations as t*ey .ere #n)o5ered by t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion:
To t*is #ndamental 2aradox a s#22lementary one .as
immediately added: T*e liberals a"reed to ta8e t*e 2o.er
rom t*e *ands o t*e so)ialists only on )ondition t*at t*e
monar)*y s*o#ld a"ree to ta8e it rom t*eir *ands: 4#rin"
t*e time .*en -#)*8o5, .it* t*e monar)*ist S*#l"in,
already 8no.n to #s, .as tra5ellin" o#t to 3s8o5 to sa5e
t*e dynasty, t*e 2roblem o a )onstit#tional monar)*y .as
at t*e )entre o ne"otiation bet.een t*e t.o )ommittees
in t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e: Mili#8o5 .as tryin" to )on5in)e t*e
demo)rats .*o *ad )ome to *im .it* t*e 2o.er in t*e
2alms o t*eir *ands, t*at t*e Romano5s )o#ld no. no
lon"er be dan"ero#s, t*at Ni)*olas, to be s#re, .o#ld *a5e
to be remo5ed, b#t t*at t*e )<are5i)* 0lexei, .it* Mi8*ail
as re"ent, )o#ld #lly "#arantee t*e .elare o t*e )o#ntry:
AT*e one is a si)8 )*ild, t*e ot*er an #tterly st#2id man:B
+e .ill add also a )*ara)terisation .*i)* t*e liberal
monar)*ist S*idlo5s8y "a5e o t*e )andidate or )<ar:
AMi8*ail 0lexandro5i)* *as tried e5ery .ay 2ossible to
a5oid intererin" in any aairs o state, de5otin" *imsel
.*ole*eartedly to *orse?ra)in":B 0 stri8in"
re)ommendation, es2e)ially i it .ere re2eated beore t*e
masses: 0ter t*e li"*t o Lo#is VVI to Varennes, 4anton
2ro)laimed in t*e ,a)obin !l#b t*at on)e a man is .ea8?
minded *e )an no lon"er be 8in": T*e R#ssian liberals
t*o#"*t on t*e )ontrary t*at t*e .ea8?mindedness o a
monar)* .o#ld ser5e as t*e best 2ossible de)oration or a
)onstit#tional rF"ime: Io.e5er, t*is .as a random
ar"#ment )al)#lated to im2ress t*e mentality o t*e AletB
sim2letons a little too )r#de, *o.e5er, e5en or t*em: It
.as s#""ested to broad )ir)les o t*e liberal 3*ilistines
t*at Mi8*ail .as an A0n"lomania)B D .it*o#t ma8in" )lear
.*et*er in t*e matter o *orsera)in" or 2arliamentarism:
'#t t*e main ar"#ment .as t*at t*ey needed a
A)#stomary symbol o 2o.er:B Ot*er.ise t*e 2eo2le .o#ld
ima"ine t*at anar)*y *ad )ome:
T*e demo)rats listened, .ere 2olitely s#r2rised and tried
to 2ers#ade t*em ::: to de)lare a re2#bli)@ No: Only not to
de)ide t*e G#estion in ad5an)e: T*e t*ird 2oint o t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee;s )onditions read: AT*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment s*all not #nderta8e any ste2s .*i)* .o#ld
deine in ad5an)e t*e #t#re orm o "o5ernment:B
Mili#8o5, made o t*e G#estion o t*e monar)*y an
#ltimat#m: T*e demo)rats .ere in des2air: '#t *ere t*e
masses )ame to t*eir *el2: 0t t*e meetin"s in t*e Ta#ride
3ala)e absol#tely nobody, not only amon" t*e .or8ers, b#t
amon" t*e soldiers, .anted a )<ar, and t*ere .as no
means o im2osin" one #2on t*em: Ne5ert*eless, Mili#8o5
tried to s.im a"ainst t*e )#rrent, and to sa5e t*e t*rone
and dynasty o5er t*e *eads o *is let allies: In *is *istory
o t*e re5ol#tion *e *imsel )a#tio#sly remar8s t*at
to.ards t*e end o t*e 2nd o Mar)* t*e ex)itement
2rod#)ed by *is anno#n)ement o t*e Re"en)y o Mi8*ail
A*ad )onsiderably in)reased:B Rod<ian8o ar more
)olo#r#lly 2aints t*e ee)t #2on t*e masses 2rod#)ed by
t*is monar)*ist manoe#5re o t*e liberals: T*e moment *e
arri5ed rom 3s8o5 .it* t*e )<ar;s abdi)ation in a5o#r o
Mi8*ail, -#)*8o5, #2on t*e demand o t*e .or8ers, .ent
rom t*e station to t*e railroad s*o2s to tell .*at *ad
*a22ened, and *a5in" read t*e a)t o abdi)ation *e
)on)l#ded: ALon" li5e t*e Em2eror Mi8*ailOB T*e res#lt .as
#nex2e)ted: T*e orator .as, a))ordin" to Rod<ian8o,
immediately arrested by t*e .or8ers, and e5en a22arently
t*reatened .it* exe)#tion: AIe .as liberated .it* "reat
dii)#lty, .it* t*e *el2 o a sentry )om2any o t*e nearest
re"iment:B Rod<ian8o, as al.ays, exa""erates a little, b#t
t*e essen)e o t*e matter is )orre)tly stated: T*e )o#ntry
*ad so radi)ally 5omited #2 t*e monar)* t*at it )o#ld not
e5er )ra.l do.n t*e 2eo2le;s t*roat a"ain: T*e
re5ol#tionary masses did not 2ermit e5en t*e t*o#"*t o a
ne. )<ar:
>a)in" s#)* a sit#ation t*e members o t*e 3ro5isional
!ommittee sidled a.ay rom Mi8*ail one ater anot*er D
not de)isi5ely, b#t A#ntil t*e !onstit#ent 0ssemblyB and
t*en .e s*all see: Only Mili#8o5 and -#)*8o5 stood o#t or
monar)*y to t*e end, )ontin#in" to ma8e it a )ondition o
t*eir enterin" t*e )abinet: +*at to do@ T*e demo)rats
t*o#"*t t*at .it*o#t Mili#8o5 it .as im2ossible to )reate a
bo#r"eois "o5ernment, and .it*o#t a bo#r"eois
"o5ernment to sa5e t*e re5ol#tion, 'i)8erin"s and
2ers#asions .ent on .it*o#t end: 0t a mornin" )oneren)e
on Mar)* 3, a )on5i)tion o t*e ne)essity o A2ers#adin"
t*e "rand d#8e to abdi)ateB D t*ey )onsidered *im )<ar
t*en, ater allO D seemed to "ain t*e #22er *and
)om2letely in t*e 3ro5isional !ommittee: T*e let 9adet
Ne8raso5 e5en dre. #2 a text o t*e abdi)ation: '#t sin)e
Mili#8o5 st#bbornly re#sed to yield, a de)ision .as inally
rea)*ed ater #rt*er 2assionate G#arrels: A'ot* sides s*all
2resent beore t*e "rand d#8e t*eir o2inions and .it*o#t
#rt*er ar"#ment lea5e t*e de)ision to t*e "rand d#8e
*imsel:B T*#s an A#tterly st#2id man,B to .*om *is older
brot*er o5ert*ro.n by t*e ins#rre)tion *ad tried, in
)onli)t e5en .it* t*e dynasti) stat#te, to sli2 t*e t*rone,
#nex2e)tedly be)ame t*e s#2er?#m2ire on t*e G#estion o
t*e state str#)t#re o t*e re5ol#tionary )o#ntry: Io.e5er
im2robable it may seem, a bettin" )om2etition *ad arisen
o5er t*e ate o t*e state: In order to ind#)e t*e d#8e to
tear *imsel a.ay rom t*e stables or t*e t*rone, Mili#8o5
ass#red *im t*at t*ere .as an ex)ellent 2ossibility o
)olle)tin" o#tside o 3etro"rad a military or)e to deend
*is ri"*ts: In ot*er .ords, *a5in" barely re)ei5ed t*e
2o.er rom t*e *ands o t*e so)ialists, Mili#8o5 ad5an)ed
a 2lan or a monar)*ist )o#2 dUetat 0t t*e end o t*e
s2ee)*es or and a"ainst, o .*i)* t*ere .ere not a e.,
t*e "rand d#8e reG#ested time or rele)tion: In5itin"
Rod<ian8o into anot*er room Mi8*ail latly as8ed *im:
+o#ld t*e ne. a#t*orities "#arantee *im only t*e )ro.n,
or also *is *ead@ T*e in)om2arable Lord !*amberlain
ans.ered t*at *e )o#ld only 2romise t*e monar)* in )ase
o need to die .it* *im: T*is did not at all satisy t*e
)andidate: !omin" o#t to t*e de2#ties ater an embra)e
.it* Rod<ian8o, Mi8*ail Romano5 A2retty irmlyB de)lared
t*at *e .o#ld de)line t*e loty b#t ris8y 2osition oered to
*im: Iere 9erens8y, .*o 2ersoniied in t*ese ne"otiations
t*e )ons)ien)e o t*e demo)ra)y, e)stati)ally E#m2ed #2
rom *is )*air .it* t*e .ords: ACo#r Ii"*ness, yo# are a
noble manOB D and s.ore t*at rom t*at time on *e .o#ld
2ro)laim t*is e5ery.*ere: A9erens8y;s "randiloG#en)e,B
)omments Mili#8o5 dryly, A*armonised badly .it* t*e
2rose o t*e de)ision E#st ta8en:B It is im2ossible to
disa"ree: T*e text o t*is interl#de tr#ly let no 2la)e or
2at*os: To o#r )om2arison .it* a 5a#de5ille 2layed in t*e
)orner o an an)ient am2*it*eatre, it is ne)essary to add
t*at t*e sta"e .as di5ided by s)reens into t.o *al5es: in
one t*e re5ol#tionises .ere be""in" t*e liberals to sa5e
t*e re5ol#tion, in t*e ot*er t*e liberals .ere be""in" t*e
monar)*y to sa5e liberalism:
T*e re2resentati5es o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .ere
sin)erely 2er2lexed as to .*y s#)* a )#lt#red and ar?
si"*ted man as Mili#8o5 s*o#ld be obstinate abo#t some
old monar)*y, and e5en be ready to reno#n)e t*e 2o.er i
*e )o#ld not "et a Romano5 t*ro.n in: Mili#8o5;s
monar)*ism, *o.e5er, .as neit*er do)trinaire, nor
romanti)J on t*e )ontrary, it .as a res#lt o t*e na8ed
)al)#lation o t*e ri"*tened 2ro2erty?o.ners: In its
na8edness indeed lay its *o2eless .ea8ness: Mili#8o5 t*e,
*istorian, mi"*t, it is tr#e, )ite t*e exam2le o t*e leader
o t*e >ren)* re5ol#tionary bo#r"eoisie, Mirabea#, .*o
also in *is day stro5e to re)on)ile t*e re5ol#tion .it* t*e
8in": T*ere too at t*e bottom it .as t*e ear o t*e
2ro2erty?o.ners or t*eir 2ro2erty: t*e more 2r#dent
2oli)y .as to dis"#ise it .it* t*e monar)*y, E#st as t*e
monar)*y *ad dis"#ised itsel .it* t*e )*#r)*: '#t in 17$9
t*e tradition o 8in"ly 2o.er in >ran)e *ad still a #ni5ersal
2o2#lar re)o"nition, to say not*in" o t*e a)t t*at all
s#rro#ndin" E#ro2e .as monar)*ist: In )lin"in" to t*e 8in"
t*e >ren)* bo#r"eoisie .as still on )ommon "ro#nd .it*
t*e 2eo2le D at least in t*e sense t*at it .as #sin" a"ainst
t*e 2eo2le t*eir o.n 2reE#di)es: T*e sit#ation .as .*olly
dierent in R#ssia in 1917: 0side rom t*e s*i2.re)8 o t*e
monar)*ist rF"ime in 5ario#s ot*er )o#ntries o t*e .orld,
t*e R#ssian monar)*y itsel *ad been irremediably
dama"ed already in 19%=: 0ter t*e 9t* o ,an#ary, >at*er
-a2on *ad )#rsed t*e )<ar and *is Aser2ent os2rin":B
T*e So5iet o +or8ers; 4e2#ties o 19%= *ad stood o2enly
or a re2#bli): T*e monar)*ist eelin"s o t*e 2easantry,
#2on .*i)* t*e monar)*y itsel *ad lon" )o#nted, and
.it* reeren)es to .*i)* t*e bo#r"eoisie )amo#la"ed its
o.n monar)*ism, sim2ly did not exist: T*e militant
)o#nter?re5ol#tion .*i)* arose later, be"innin" .it*
9ornilo5, alt*o#"* *y2o)riti)ally, ne5ert*eless all t*e more
demonstrati5ely, disa5o.ed t*e )<arist 2o.er D so little
.as let o t*e monar)*ist roots in t*e 2eo2le: '#t t*at
same re5ol#tion o 19%=, .*i)* mortally .o#nded t*e
monar)*y, *ad #ndermined ore5er t*e #nstable
re2#bli)an tenden)ies o t*e Aad5an)edB bo#r"eoisie: In
)ontradi)tin" ea)* ot*er, t*ese t.o 2ro)esses
s#22lemented ea)* ot*er: >eelin" in t*e irst *o#rs o t*e
>ebr#ary re5ol#tion t*at it .as dro.nin", t*e bo#r"eoisie
"rabbed at a stra.: It needed t*e monar)*y, not be)a#se
t*at .as a ait* )ommon to it and t*e 2eo2leJ on t*e
)ontrary, t*e bo#r"eoisie *ad not*in" let to set a"ainst
t*e ait* o t*e 2eo2le b#t a )ro.ned 2*antom: T*e
Aed#)atedB )lasses o R#ssia entered t*e arena o t*e
re5ol#tion not as t*e anno#n)ers o a rational state, b#t as
deenders o medie5al instit#tions: Ia5in" no s#22ort
eit*er in t*e 2eo2le or in t*emsel5es, t*ey so#"*t it abo5e
t*emsel5es: 0r)*imedes #ndertoo8 to mo5e t*e eart* i
t*ey .o#ld "i5e *im a 2oint o s#22ort: Mili#8o5 .as
loo8in" or a 2oint o s#22ort in order to 2re5ent t*e
o5ert*ro. o t*e landlord;s eart*: K1L Ie elt in t*is
o2eration m#)* nearer to t*e )allo#sed R#ssian "enerals
and t*e *ierar)*s o t*e ort*odox )*#r)*, t*an to t*ese
tame demo)rats .*o .ere .orried abo#t not*in" b#t t*e
a22ro5al o t*e liberals: Not bein" in a 2osition to brea8
t*e re5ol#tion, Mili#8o5 irmly de)ided to o#t.it it: Ie .as
ready to s.allo. a "reat deal: )i5il liberty or soldiers,
demo)rati) m#ni)i2alities, !onstit#ent 0ssembly, b#t on
one )ondition: t*at t*ey s*o#ld "i5e *im an 0r)*imedian
2oint o s#22ort in t*e orm o monar)*y: Ie intended
"rad#ally and ste2 by ste2 to ma8e t*e monar)*y t*e axis
o a "ro#2 o "enerals, a 2at)*ed?#2 b#rea#)ra)y, 2rin)es
o t*e )*#r)*, 2ro2erty?o.ners, all t*ose .*o .ere
dissatisied .it* t*e re5ol#tion, and startin" .it* a
Asymbol,B to )reate "rad#ally a real monar)*ist bridle or
t*e masses as soon as t*e latter s*o#ld "et tired o t*e
re5ol#tion: I only *e )o#ld "ain time: 0not*er leader o t*e
9adet 3arty, Nabo8o5, ex2lained later .*at a )a2ital
ad5anta"e .o#ld *a5e been "ained i Mi8*ail *ad
)onsented to ta8e t*e t*rone: AT*e atal G#estion o
)on5o8in" a !onstit#ent 0ssembly in .ar time .o#ld *a5e
been remo5ed:B +e m#st bear t*ose .ords in mind: T*e
)onli)t abo#t t*e date o t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly
o))#2ied a "reat 2la)e bet.een >ebr#ary and O)tober,
d#rin" .*i)* time t*e 9adets )ate"ori)ally denied t*eir
intention to delay t*e s#mmonin" o t*e 2eo2le;s
re2resentati5es, .*ile insistently and st#bbornly )arryin"
o#t a 2oli)y o 2ost2onement in a)t: 0las, t*ey *ad only
t*emsel5es to rely on in t*is eort: t*e monar)*ist
)amo#la"e t*ey ne5er "ot: 0ter t*e desertion o Mi8*ail,
Mili#8o5 *ad not e5en a stra. to "rab:
Note
1: In R#ssian, t*e .ords earth and land are t*e same:
KTrans$L
Chapter 13: The 4e5 Po5er
T*e belated R#ssian bo#r"eoisie, se2arated rom t*e
2eo2le, bo#nd #2 m#)* more )losely .it* orei"n inan)e
)a2ital t*an .it* its o.n toilin" masses, *ostile to t*e
re5ol#tion .*i)* *ad tri#m2*ed, )o#ld not in its o.n name
ind a sin"le E#stii)ation or its 2reten)e to 2o.er: 0nd yet
some E#stii)ation .as ne)essary, or t*e re5ol#tion .as
s#bEe)tin" to a r#t*less examination not only in*erited
ri"*ts b#t ne. )laims: Least o all )a2able o 2resentin"
)on5in)in" ar"#ments to t*e masses .as t*e 3resident o
t*e 3ro5isional !ommittee, Rod<ian8o, .*o arri5ed at t*e
*ead o t*e re5ol#tionary nation d#rin" t*e irst days o
t*e #2risin":
0 2a"e in t*e )o#rt o 0lexander II, an oi)er o t*e
!a5alier -#ard, *ead o t*e nobles o *is 2ro5in)e, Lord
!*amberlain #nder Ni)*olas II, a monar)*ist t*ro#"* and
t*ro#"*, a ri)* landlord and a"rarian administrator, a
member o t*e O)tobrist 3arty, a de2#ty in t*e State
4#ma, Rod<ian8o .as inally ele)ted its 2resident: T*is
*a22ened ater t*e resi"nation o -#)*8o5, .*o .as *ated
by t*e )o#rt as a ACo#n" T#r8:B T*e 4#ma *o2ed t*at
t*ro#"* t*e mediation o t*e Lord !*amberlain it .o#ld
ind easier a))ess to t*e *eart o t*e monar)*: Rod<ian8o
did .*at *e )o#ld: sin)erely eno#"* ass#red t*e )<ar o
*is loyalty to t*e dynasty, be""ed t*e *ono#r o bein"
2resented to t*e Ieir 022arent, and introd#)ed *imsel to
t*e latter as At*e bi""est and attest man in R#ssia:B In
s2ite o all *is 'y<antine )lo.nin", t*e Lord !*amberlain
did not .in o5er t*e )<ar to t*e )onstit#tion, and t*e
)<arina briely reerred to Rod<ian8o in *er letters as a
s)o#ndrel: 4#rin" t*e .ar t*e 3resident o t*e 4#ma
#ndo#btedly "a5e t*e )<ar not a e. #n2leasant moments,
)ornerin" *im .*en ma8in" 2ersonal re2orts and illin" *is
ears .it* 2rolix ex*ortations, 2atrioti) )riti)isms and
"loomy orebodin"s: Ras2#tin )onsidered Rod<ian8o a
2ersonal enemy: 9#rlo5, .*o .as )lose to t*e )o#rt "an",
s2ea8s o Rod<ian8o;s Ainsolen)e )ombined .it* ob5io#s
limitations:B +itte s2o8e in better terms, alt*o#"*
)ondes)endin"ly, o t*e 3resident o t*e 4#ma: ANot a
st#2id man, rat*er sensibleJ b#t still Rod<ian8o;s )*ie
talent lies not in *is mind b#t *is 5oi)e?*e *as an ex)ellent
bass:B 0t irst Rod<ian8o tried to 2#t do.n t*e re5ol#tion
.it* t*e *el2 o t*e ire?*oseJ *e .e2t .*en *e o#nd o#t
t*at t*e "o5ernment o !o#nt -olytsin *ad abandoned its
2ostJ de)lined .it* terror t*e 2o.er .*i)* t*e so)ialists
oered *imJ ater.ards de)ided to ta8e it, b#t only in
order as a loyal s#bEe)t to restore t*e lost 2ro2erty as soon
as 2ossible to t*e monar)*: It .asn;t Rod<ian8o;s a#lt i
t*at o22ort#nity ne5er arri5ed: Io.e5er t*e re5ol#tion D
.it* t*e *el2 o t*e so)ialists D did oer t*e Lord
!*amberlain a "rand o22ort#nity to exer)ise *is
t*#ndero#s bass beore t*e re5oltin" troo2s: 0s early as
t*e 27t* o >ebr#ary t*is retired !a2tain o t*e -#ard said
to a )a5alier re"iment .*i)* *ad )ome to t*e Ta#ride
3ala)e: A!*ristian .arriors, *ear8en to my )o#nsel: I am an
old manJ I .ill not de)ei5e yo# D obey yo#r oi)ers D t*ey
.ill not tea)* yo# e5il, and .ill a)t in #ll a"reement .it*
t*e State 4#ma: Lon" li5e *oly R#ssiaOB S#)* a re5ol#tion
as t*at .o#ld *a5e been a"reeable to all t*e -#ard
oi)ers, b#t t*e soldiers )o#ldn;t *el2 .onderin" .*at .as
t*e #se ma8in" s#)* a re5ol#tion: Rod<ian8o eared t*e
soldiersJ eared t*e .or8ers, )onsidered !*eid<e and ot*er
let de2#ties -erman a"ents, and .*ile *e stood at t*e
*ead o t*e re5ol#tion 8e2t loo8in" aro#nd e5ery e.
min#tes to see .*et*er t*e So5iet .as "oin" to arrest *im:
T*e i"#re o Rod<ian8o .as a little #nny, b#t by no
means a))idental: T*is Lord !*amberlain .it* an ex)ellent
bass 2ersoniied t*e #nion o t*e t.o r#lin" )lasses o
R#ssia, t*e landlords and t*e bo#r"eoisie, .it* t*e
2ro"ressi5e 2riest*ood ad*erin" to t*em: Rod<ian8o
*imsel .as 5ery 2io#s and ex2ert in *ymn sin"in" D and
t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie, .*ate5er its attit#de to.ards
-ree8 ort*odoxy, )onsidered a #nion .it* t*e )*#r)* E#st
as ne)essary to la. and order as a #nion .it* t*e
monar)*y: T*e 5enerable monar)*ist, *a5in" re)ei5ed t*e
2o.er rom t*e *ands o )ons2irators, rebels and
tyranni)ides, .ore a *a#nted ex2ression in t*ose days:
0nd t*e ot*er members o t*e 3ro5isional )ommittee elt
b#t little better: Some o t*em ne5er a22eared at t*e
Ta#ride 3ala)e at all, )onsiderin" t*at t*e sit#ation *ad not
yet s#i)iently deined itsel: T*e .isest o t*em snea8ed
on ti2toe ro#nd t*e bla<e o t*e re5ol#tion, )*o8in" rom
t*e smo8e, and sayin" to t*emsel5es: let it b#rn do.n to
t*e )oals, t*en .e;ll try to )oo8 #2 somet*in": 0lt*o#"* it
a"reed to a))e2t t*e 2o.er, t*e !ommittee did not
immediately de)ide to orm a ministry: A0.aitin" t*e
2ro2er moment or t*e ormation o a "o5ernmentB D as
Mili#8o5 ex2resses it D t*e !ommittee )onined itsel to t*e
namin" o )ommissars rom t*e members*i2 o t*e 4#ma
to t*e 2rin)i2al "o5ernmental de2artments: T*at let t*em
a )*an)e to retreat:
To t*e Ministry o t*e Interior t*ey dele"ated t*e de2#ty
9ara#lo5, insi"nii)ant b#t rat*er less )o.ardly t*an t*e
ot*ers, and *e iss#ed on Mar)* 1 an order or t*e arrest o
all 2oli)e oi)ials, 2#bli), se)ret and 2oliti)al: T*is
ero)io#s re5ol#tionary "est#re .as 2#rely 2latoni) in
)*ara)ter, or t*e 2oli)e .ere already bein" arrested and
t*e Eails .ere t*eir only re#"e rom massa)re: It .as some
time later t*at t*e rea)tion be"an to re"ard t*is
demonstrati5e a)t o 9ara#lo5 as t*e be"innin" o all t*eir
tro#bles:
0s )ommander o 3etro"rad, t*ey a22ointed !olonel
En"el*ardt, an oi)er o t*e !a5alier -#ard, o.ner o a
ra)in" st#d and 5ast landed 2ro2erties: Instead o
arrestin" t*e Adi)tatorB I5ano5, sent rom t*e ront to
2a)iy t*e )a2ital, En"el*ardt 2#t at *is dis2osition a
rea)tionary oi)er in t*e )a2a)ity o )*ie o sta: It .as
all a matter bet.een riends:
To t*e Ministry o ,#sti)e t*ey dele"ated a bri"*t li"*t o
t*e Mos)o. liberal bar, t*e eloG#ent and em2ty Ma8la8o5,
.*o be"an by "i5in" t*e rea)tionary b#rea#)rats to
#nderstand t*at *e did not .ant to a))e2t t*e ministry as
a a5o#r rom t*e re5ol#tion, and A"lan)in" aro#nd at a
messen"er boy .*o *ad E#st )ome in,B said in >ren)*: ALe
dan"er est & "auche$B T*e .or8ers and soldiers did not
*a5e to #nderstand >ren)* in order to re)o"nise in all
t*ese "entlemen t*eir mortal enemies:
Rod<ian8o;s re5erberations at t*e *ead o t*e !ommittee
did not last 5ery lon": Iis )andida)y or 2resident o t*e
re5ol#tion aded a.ay o itsel: T*e mediator bet.een t*e
monar)*y and t*e 2ro2erty o.ners .as too ob5io#sly
#seless as a mediator bet.een t*e 2ro2erty o.ners and
t*e re5ol#tion:
'#t *e did not disa22ear rom t*e s)ene: Ie st#bbornly
attem2ted to re5i5e t*e 4#ma as a )o#nter?.ei"*t to t*e
So5iet, and in5ariably a22ears in t*e )entre o all attem2ts
to solidiy t*e )a2italist?landlord )o#nter?re5ol#tion: +e
s*all *ear o *im a"ain:
On t*e 1st Mar)* t*e 3ro5isional !ommittee #ndertoo8 t*e
ormation o a ministry, a22ointin" to it t*ose men .*om
t*e 4#ma *ad been re)ommendin" to t*e )<ar sin)e 191=
as enEoyin" t*e )oniden)e o t*e )o#ntry: T*ey .ere bi"
landlords and ind#strialists, o22osition de2#ties in t*e
4#ma, leaders o t*e 3ro"ressi5e 'lo): T*e a)t is t*at,
.it* one sin"le ex)e2tion, t*e re5ol#tion a))om2lis*ed by
.or8ers and soldiers o#nd no rele)tion .*ate5er in t*e
sta o t*e re5ol#tionary "o5ernment: T*e ex)e2tion .as
9erens8y: T*e distan)e rom Rod<ian8o to 9erens8y
a22eared oi)ially to re2resent t*e .*ole "am#t o t*e
>ebr#ary re5ol#tion:
9erens8y entered t*e "o5ernment some.*at in t*e
)*ara)ter o a 2leni2otentiary ambassador: Iis )onne)tion
.it* t*e re5ol#tion, *o.e5er, .as t*at o a 2ro5in)ial
la.yer .*o *ad deended 2oliti)al )ases: 9erens8y .as not
a re5ol#tionistJ *e merely *#n" aro#nd t*e re5ol#tion:
0rri5in" in t*e o#rt* 4#ma t*an8s to *is le"al 2osition,
9erens8y be)ame t*e 2resident o a "rey and
)*ara)terless a)tion, t*e Tr#do5i8s, anaemi) r#it o a
)ross?breedin" bet.een liberalism and Narodni8ism: Ie
*ad no t*eoreti)al 2re2aration, no 2oliti)al s)*oolin", no
ability to t*in8, no 2oliti)al .ill: T*e 2la)e o t*ese G#alities
.as o))#2ied by a nimble s#s)e2tibility, an inlammable
tem2erament, and t*at 8ind o eloG#en)e .*i)* o2erates
neit*er #2on mind nor .ill, b#t #2on t*e ner5es: Iis
s2ee)*es in t*e 4#ma, )o#)*ed in a s2irit o de)lamatory
radi)alism .*i)* *ad no la)8 o o))asions, "a5e 9erens8y,
i not 2o2#larity, at least a )ertain notoriety: 4#rin" t*e
.ar 9erens8y, a 2atriot, *ad loo8ed .it* t*e liberals #2on
t*e 5ery idea o re5ol#tion as r#ino#s: Ie a)8no.led"ed
t*e re5ol#tion only ater it *ad )ome and )at)*in" *im #2
by *is 2se#do?2o2#larity lited *im alot: T*e re5ol#tion
nat#rally identiied itsel or *im .it* t*e ne. 2o.er: T*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee de)ided, *o.e5er, t*at .as a
bo#r"eois re5ol#tion and t*e 2o.er s*o#ld belon" to t*e
bo#r"eoisie: T*is orm#la seemed alse to 9erens8y, i only
be)a#se it slammed t*e doors o t*e ministry in *is a)e:
9erens8y .as G#ite ri"*tly )on5in)ed t*at *is so)ialism
.o#ld not tro#ble t*e bo#r"eois re5ol#tion, nor .o#ld t*e
bo#r"eois re5ol#tion do any dama"e to *is so)ialism: T*e
3ro5isional !ommittee o t*e 4#ma de)ided to try to dra.
t*is radi)al de2#ty a.ay rom t*e So5iet, and a)*ie5ed it
.it* no dii)#lty by oerin" *im t*e 2ortolio o ,#sti)e,
.*i)* *ad already been re#sed by Ma8la8o5: 9erens8y
b#tton*oled *is riends in t*e couloirs, and as8ed: S*all I
ta8e it or not@ Iis riends *ad no do#bt .*ate5er t*at *e
.o#ld ta8e it: S#8*ano5, .*o .as 5ery riendly to.ards
9erens8y at t*at 2eriod, attrib#tes to *im in *is
s#bseG#ent memoirs, Aa )oniden)e in some mission o *is
o.n ::: and an enormo#s 5exation .it* t*ose .*o *ad not
yet o#nd o#t abo#t t*at mission:B In t*e lon" r#n *is
riends, and S#8*ano5 amon" t*em, ad5ised 9erens8y to
ta8e t*e 2ortolio: +e .ill be saer t*is .ay D .e .ill *a5e
o#r o.n man to tell #s .*at is "oin" on amon" t*ose oxy
liberals: '#t .*ile 2#s*in" 9erens8y su! rosa to.ard t*at
sin to .*i)* *e *imsel as2ired .it* all *is *eart, t*e
leaders o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee re#sed *im t*eir
oi)ial san)tion: 0s S#8*ano5 reminded 9erens8y, t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee *ad already ex2ressed itsel a"ainst
its members enterin" t*e "o5ernment, and to raise t*e
G#estion a"ain in t*e So5iet .o#ld be Anot .it*o#t
dan"er,B or t*e So5iet mi"*t sim2ly ans.er: AT*e 2o.er
o#"*t to belon" to t*e so5iet demo)ra)yB: T*ose are t*e
5ery .ords o S#8*ano5 *imsel, an #nbelie5able mixt#re
o na]5etF and )yni)ism: T*e ins2irer o t*is .*ole
"o5ernmental mystii)ation t*#s o2enly a)8no.led"es
t*at, as easily as t*e 2nd o Mar)*, t*e 3etro"rad So5iet
.as in a mood or t*e formal sei<#re o t*at 2o.er .*i)*
*ad belon"ed to it in fact sin)e t*e e5enin" o >ebr#ary 27
D t*at only be*ind t*e ba)8s o t*e .or8ers and soldiers,
.it*o#t t*eir 8no.led"e, and a"ainst t*eir a)t#al .ill, *ad
t*e so)ialist leaders been able to ex2ro2riate t*is 2o.er
or t*e beneit o t*e bo#r"eoisie: In S#8*ano5;s a))o#nt
t*is deal bet.een t*e demo)rats and t*e liberals a)G#ires
all t*e ne)essary E#ridi)al mar8s o a )rime a"ainst t*e
re5ol#tion, a 5eritable se)ret )ons2ira)y a"ainst t*e
so5erei"nty and ri"*ts o t*e 2eo2le: 4is)#ssin"
9erens8y;s im2atien)e, t*e leaders o t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee .*is2ered t*at it .o#ld be embarrassin" or
t*e so)ialists to ta8e ba)8 rom t*e members o t*e 4#ma
a small 2ie)e o t*e 2o.er .*en t*ey *ad only E#st *anded
t*e .*ole t*in" o5er to t*em: 'etter let 9erens8y do it on
*is o.n res2onsibility: Tr#ly t*ose "entlemen *ad an
inallible instin)t or indin" in e5ery sit#ation t*e most
alse and tan"led?#2 sol#tion 2ossible: '#t 9erens8y did
not .ant to enter t*e "o5ernment in t*e b#siness s#it o a
radi)al de2#tyJ *e .anted to .ear t*e )loa8 o a
2leni2otentiary o t*e tri#m2*ant re5ol#tion: In order to
a5oid obsta)les, *e did not a22eal or san)tion eit*er to
t*at 2arty o .*i)* *e 2roessed *imsel a member, nor to
t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee o .*i)* *e .as one o t*e 5i)e?
2residents: +it*o#t .arnin" t*e leaders, *e a22eared at a
2lenary session o t*e So5iet D )*aoti) meetin"s in t*ose
days D reG#ested t*e loor or a s2e)ial anno#n)ement,
and in a s2ee)* .*i)* some des)ribe as in)o*erent, ot*ers
as *ysteri)al in .*i)*, to be s#re, t*ere is no )ontradi)tion
demanded t*e 2ersonal )oniden)e o t*e de2#ties, and
s2o8e o *is "eneral readiness to die or t*e re5ol#tion,
and *is more immediate readiness to ta8e t*e 2ortolio o
Minister o ,#sti)e: Ie *ad only to mention t*e ne)essity o
)om2lete 2oliti)al amnesty and a 2rose)#tion o t*e )<ar;s
oi)ials, in order to .in t#m#lt#o#s a22la#se rom t*at
inex2erien)ed and leaderless assembly: AT*is ar)e,B
S*lia2ni8o5 remembers, A2rod#)ed in many a dee2
indi"nation and dis"#st or 9erens8y:B '#t nobody o22osed
*im: Ia5in" t#rned o5er t*e 2o.er to t*e bo#r"eoisie, t*e
so)ialists, as .e *a5e *eard, .anted to a5oid raisin" t*at
G#estion beore t*e masses: T*ere .as no 5ote: 9erens8y
de)ided to inter2ret t*e a22la#se as a 5ote o )oniden)e:
In a .ay *e .as ri"*t: T*e So5iet .as #ndo#btedly in
a5o#r o so)ialists enterin" t*e ministry, seein" in t*at a
ste2 to.ard t*e liG#idation o t*e bo#r"eois "o5ernment
.it* .*i)* it *ad not or a moment re)on)iled itsel: 0t any
rate, 9erens8y, lo#tin" t*e oi)ial do)trine o t*e
so5erei"nty, a))e2ted on Mar)* 2 t*e 2ost o Minister o
,#sti)e: AIe .as *i"*ly 2leased .it* *is a22ointment,B t*e
O)tobrist S*idlo5s8y relates, Aand I distin)tly remember
*im in t*e )*ambers o t*e 3ro5isional !ommittee, lyin" in
an arm)*air, tellin" #s *eatedly #2on .*at an #nattainably
*i"* 2edestal *e .as "oin" to 2la)e E#sti)e in R#ssia:B Ie
demonstrated t*is some mont*s later in *is 2rose)#tion o
t*e 'ols*e5i8s:
T*e Mens*e5i8 !*eid<e, #2on .*om t*e liberals D "#ided
by a too sim2le )al)#lation and an international tradition D
.anted in a *ard moment to #nload t*e Ministry o Labo#r,
)ate"ori)ally re#sed, and remained 3resident o t*e
So5iet: 0lt*o#"* less brilliant t*an 9erens8y, !*eid<e .as
made o more serio#s material:
T*e axis o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment, alt*o#"* not
ormally its *ead, .as Mili#8o5, t*e ind#bitable leader o
t*e 9adet 3arty: AMili#8o5 .as in)om2arably abo5e *is
)ollea"#es in t*e )abinet,B .rote t*e 9adet Nabo8o5, ater
*e *ad bro8en .it* Mili#8o5, Aas an intelle)t#al or)e, as a
man o enormo#s, almost inex*a#stible 8no.led"e and
.ide intelli"en)e:B S#8*ano5, .*ile blamin" Mili#8o5
2ersonally or t*e .re)8 o R#ssian liberalism,
ne5ert*eless .rote: AMili#8o5 .as t*en t*e )entral i"#re,
t*e so#l and brain o all t*e bo#r"eois 2oliti)al )ir)les :::
+it*o#t *im t*ere .o#ld *a5e been no bo#r"eois 2oli)y in
t*e irst 2eriod o t*e re5ol#tion:B In s2ite o t*eir sli"*tly
exalted tone, t*ese re2orts tr#ly indi)ate t*e s#2eriority o
Mili#8o5 to t*e ot*er 2oliti)al men o t*e R#ssian
bo#r"eoisie: Iis stren"t* lay, and *is .ea8ness too, in
t*is: *e ex2ressed more #lly and ele"antly t*an ot*ers in
t*e lan"#a"e o 2oliti)s t*e ate o t*e R#ssian bo#r"eoisie
D t*e a)t t*at it )a#"*t *istori)ally in a blind alley: T*e
Mens*e5i8s .e2t be)a#se Mili#8o5 r#ined liberalism, b#t it
.o#ld be tr#er to say t*at liberalism r#ined Mili#8o5:
In s2ite o *is Neo?Sla5ism .armed o5er or im2erialisti)
2#r2oses, Mili#8o5 al.ays remained a bo#r"eois
A+esterner:B T*e "oal o *is 2arty .as al.ays t*e tri#m2*
in R#ssia o E#ro2ean )i5ilisation: '#t t*e art*er *e .ent,
t*e more *e eared t*ose re5ol#tionary 2at*s #2on .*i)*
t*e +estern 2eo2les .ere tra5ellin": Iis A+esternismB
t*ereore red#)ed itsel to an im2otent en5y o t*e +est:
T*e En"lis* and >ren)* bo#r"eoisie )reated a ne. so)iety
in t*eir o.n ima"e: T*e -ermans )ame later, and t*ey
.ere )om2elled to li5e or a lon" time on t*e 2ale "r#el o
2*iloso2*y: T*e -ermans in5ented t*e 2*rase As2e)#lati5e
.orld,B .*i)* does not exist in En"lis* or >ren)*: +*ile
t*ese nations .ere )reatin" a ne. .orld t*e -ermans
.ere t*in8in" one #2: '#t t*e -erman bo#r"eoisie,
alt*o#"* 2oor in 2oliti)al a)ti5ity, )reated t*e )lassi)al
2*iloso2*y, and t*at is no small a)*ie5ement: R#ssia )ame
m#)* later: To be s#re, s*e translated t*e -erman 2*rase
As2e)#lati5e .orldB into R#ssian, and t*at .it* se5eral
5ariations, b#t t*is only t*e more )learly ex2osed bot* *er
2oliti)al im2oten)e and *er deadly 2*iloso2*i)al 2o5erty:
S*e im2orted ideas as .ell as ma)*ines, establis*in" *i"*
taris or t*e latter, and or t*e ormer a G#arantine o
ear: To t*ese )*ara)teristi)s o *is )lass Mili#8o5 .as
)alled to "i5e a 2oliti)al ex2ression:
0 ormer Mos)o. 2roessor o *istory, a#t*or o si"nii)ant
s)*olarly .or8s, o#nder o t*e 9adet 3arty D a #nion o t*e
liberal landlords and t*e let intelli"entsia D Mili#8o5 .as
)om2letely ree rom t*at ins#erable, *al?aristo)rati) and
*al?intelle)t#al 2oliti)al dilettantism .*i)* is 2ro2er to t*e
maEority o R#ssian liberal men o 2oliti)s: Mili#8o5 too8 *is
2roession 5ery serio#sly and t*at alone distin"#is*ed *im:
'eore 19%=, t*e R#ssian liberals .ere )#stomarily
embarrassed abo#t bein" liberal: 0 tin"e o Narodni8ism,
and later o Marxism, lon" ser5ed t*em as a deensi5e
)olo#ration: T*is rat*er s*allo., s*amea)ed )a2it#lation
to so)ialism on t*e 2art o .ide bo#r"eois )ir)les, amon"
t*em a n#mber o yo#n" ind#strialists, ex2ressed t*e la)8
o sel?)oniden)e o a )lass .*i)* a22eared soon eno#"*
to )on)entrate millions in its *ands, b#t too late to stand
at t*e *ead o t*e nation: T*e bearded at*ers, .ealt*y
2easants and s*o28ee2ers, *ad 2iled #2 t*eir money,
t*in8in" not*in" o t*eir so)ial rHle: T*eir sons "rad#ated
rom t*e #ni5ersity in t*e 2eriod o 2re?re5ol#tionary
intelle)t#al erment, and .*en t*ey tried to ind t*eir
2la)e in so)iety, t*ey .ere in no *#rry to ado2t t*e banner
o liberalism, already .orn o#t in ad5an)ed )o#ntries,
2at)*ed and *al aded: >or a 2eriod o time t*ey "a5e a
2art o t*eir so#ls, and e5en a 2art o t*eir in)omes, to t*e
re5ol#tionists: T*is is es2e)ially tr#e o t*e re2resentati5es
o t*e liberal 2roessions: 0 5ery )onsiderable n#mber o
t*em 2assed t*ro#"* a sta"e o so)ialisti) sym2at*y in
t*eir yo#t*: 3roessor Mili#8o5 ne5er *ad t*ese measles:
Ie .as or"ani)ally bo#r"eois and not as*amed o it:
It is tr#e t*at at t*e time o t*e irst re5ol#tion, Mili#8o5
did not .*olly reno#n)e t*e idea o #tilisin" t*e
re5ol#tionary masses D .it* t*e *el2 o tame and .ell?
trained so)ialist 2arties: +itte relates t*at .*en *e .as
ormin" *is )onstit#tional )abinet in O)tober 19%=, and
a22ealed to t*e 9adets to A)#t o t*eir re5ol#tionary tail,B
t*e ans.er .as t*at t*ey )o#ld no more "et alon" .it*o#t
t*e armed or)es o t*e re5ol#tion t*an +itte )o#ld
.it*o#t t*e army: In t*e essen)e o t*e matter, t*is .as a
bl# e5en t*en: in order to raise t*eir o.n 2ri)e, t*e
9adets tried to ri"*ten +itte .it* t*e masses .*om t*ey
t*emsel5es eared: It .as 2re)isely t*e ex2erien)e o 19%=
.*i)* )on5in)ed Mili#8o5 t*at, no matter *o. stron" t*e
liberal sym2at*ies o t*e so)ialist "ro#2s o t*e
intelli"entsia mi"*t be, t*e "en#ine or)es o t*e
re5ol#tion, t*e masses, .o#ld ne5er "i5e #2 t*eir .ea2ons
to t*e bo#r"eoisie, and .o#ld be t*e more dan"ero#s t*e
better armed t*ey .ere: +*en *e de)lared o2enly t*at t*e
red la" is a red ra", Mili#8o5 ended to e5erybody;s relie a
roman)e .*i)* in reality nobody *ad serio#sly be"#n: T*e
isolation o t*e so?)alled intelli"entsia rom t*e 2eo2le *as
been one o t*e traditional t*emes o R#ssian Eo#rnalism D
and by Aintelli"entsiaB t*e liberals, in )ontrast .it* t*e
so)ialists, mean all t*e Aed#)ated,B t*at is, 2ossessin",
)lasses: E5er sin)e t*at isolation 2ro5ed s#)* a )alamity to
t*e liberals in t*e irst re5ol#tion, t*e ideolo"#es o t*e
Aed#)atedB masses *a5e li5ed in a 8ind o 2er2et#al
ex2e)tation o t*e E#d"ement day: One o t*e liberal
.riters, a 2*iloso2*er not restrained by t*e exi"en)ies o
2oliti)s, *as ex2ressed t*is ear o t*e masses .it* an
e)stati) or)e .*i)* reminds #s o t*e e2ile2ti)
rea)tionism o 4ostoye5s8y: A+*ate5er .e stand or, .e
m#st not dream o #nitin" .it* t*e 2eo2le D .e m#st ear
t*em more t*an all t*e 2erse)#tions o t*e "o5ernment,
and .e m#st "i5e t*an8s to t*e "o5ernment .*i)* alone
2rote)ts #s .it* its 2risons and bayonets rom t*e ero)ity
o t*e 2eo2le:B +it* s#)* 2oliti)al eelin"s, )o#ld t*e
liberals 2ossibly dream o leadin" a re5ol#tionary nation@
Mili#8o5;s .*ole 2oli)y is mar8ed .it* a stam2 o
*o2elessness: 0t t*e moment o national )risis *is 2arty
t*in8s abo#t dod"in" t*e blo., not dealin" it:
0s a .riter, Mili#8o5 is *ea5y, 2rolix and .earisome: Ie
*as t*e same G#ality as an orator: 4e)orati5eness is
#nnat#ral to *im: T*at mi"*t *a5e been an ad5anta"e, i
t*e ni""ardly 2oli)ies o Mili#8o5 *ad not so ob5io#sly
needed a dis"#ise or i t*ey *ad *ad, at least, an obEe)ti5e
dis"#ise in t*e s*a2e o a "reat tradition: T*ere .as not
e5en a little tradition: T*e oi)ial 2oli)y in >ran)e D
G#intessen)e o bo#r"eois 2eridy and e"otism D *as t.o
mi"*ty allies: tradition and r*etori): Ea)* 2romotin" t*e
ot*er, t*ey s#rro#nd .it* a deensi5e )o5erin" any
bo#r"eois 2oliti)ian, e5en s#)* a 2rosai) )ler8 o t*e bi"
2ro2rietors as 3oin)are: It is not Mili#8o5;s a#lt i *e *ad
no "lorio#s an)estors, and i *e .as )om2elled to )ond#)t
a 2oli)y o bo#r"eois e"otism on t*e borders o E#ro2e and
0sia:
A0lon" .it* a sym2at*y or 9erens8y,B .e read in t*e
memoirs o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary, So8olo5, Aone elt
rom t*e be"innin" an immense and #n)on)ealed, and yet
rat*er stran"e, anti2at*y or Mili#8o5: I did not #nderstand,
and do not no., .*y t*at res2e)table so)ial reormer .as
so #n2o2#lar:B I t*e 3*ilistines *ad #nderstood t*e )a#se
o t*eir admiration or 9erens8y and t*eir distaste or
Mili#8o5, t*ey .o#ld *a5e )eased to be 3*ilistines: T*e
e5eryday bo#r"eois did not li8e Mili#8o5, be)a#se Mili#8o5
too 2rosai)ally and soberly, .it*o#t adornment, ex2ressed
t*e 2oliti)al essen)e o t*e R#ssian bo#r"eoisie: 'e*oldin"
*imsel in t*e Mili#8o5 mirror, t*e bo#r"eois sa. t*at *e
.as "rey, sel?interested and )o.ardlyJ and, as so oten
*a22ens, *e too8 oen)e at t*e mirror:
On *is side, obser5in" t*e dis2leased "rima)es o t*e
liberal bo#r"eois, Mili#8o5 G#ietly and )onidently
remar8ed: AT*e e5eryday man is a ool:B Ie 2rono#n)ed
t*ese .ords .it*o#t irritation, almost )aressin"ly, as
t*o#"* to say: Ie does not #nderstand me to day, b#t
ne5er mind, *e .ill #nderstand later: Mili#8o5 .as dee2ly
)onident t*at t*e bo#r"eoisie .o#ld not betray *im, t*at
it .o#ld obey t*e lo"i) o t*e sit#ation and ollo., or it
*ad no ot*er .ay to "o: 0nd in reality, ater t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion, all t*e bo#r"eois 2arties, e5en t*ose to, t*e
ri"*t, ollo.ed t*e 9adet leader, ab#sin" and e5en )#rsin"
*im:
It .as 5ery dierent .it* t*e demo)rati) 2oliti)ians o a
so)ialist )olo#rin", men o t*e ty2e o S#8*ano5: T*is .as
no ordinary 3*ilistine, b#t on t*e )ontrary a 2roessional
man?o?2oliti)s, s#i)iently ex2ert in *is small trade: Ie
)o#ld ne5er loo8 intelli"ent, be)a#se one sa. too 2lainly
t*e )ontin#al )ontrast bet.een .*at *e .anted, and .*at
*e arri5ed at: '#t *e intelle)t#alised and bl#ndered and
bored: In order to lead *im ater yo#, it .as ne)essary to
de)ei5e *im by a)8no.led"in" *is "en#ine inde2enden)e,
e5en a))#sin" *im o bein" sel?.illed, ex)essi5ely "i5en
to )ommand: T*at lattered *im and re)on)iled *im to t*e
rHle o *el2er: It .as in )on5ersation .it* E#st t*ese
so)ialisti) *i"*bro.s t*at Mili#8o5 tossed o#t t*at 2*rase:
AT*e e5eryday man is a ool:B T*is .as deli)ate lattery:
AOnly yo# and I are intelli"ent:B 0s a matter o a)t, at t*at
5ery moment Mili#8o5 .as *oo8in" a rin" in t*e noses o
*is demo)rati) riends: 'y t*at rin" t*ey .ere
s#bseG#ently led o#t o t*e .ay:
Iis 2ersonal #n2o2#larity 2re5ented Mili#8o5 rom
standin" at t*e *ead o t*e "o5ernment: Ie too8 t*e
Ministry o >orei"n 0airs, .*i)* *ad been *is s2e)iality in
t*e 4#ma:
T*e +ar Minister o t*e re5ol#tion .as t*e bi" Mos)o.
ind#strialist, -#)*8o5, already 8no.n to #s D in *is yo#t* a
liberal .it* an ad5ent#ro#s tem2erament, b#t ater.ards,
in t*e 2eriod o t*e deeat o t*e irst re5ol#tion, t*e
tr#sted man o t*e bi" bo#r"eoisie #nder Stoly2in: T*e
dissol#tion o t*e t.o irst 4#mas, dominated by t*e
9adets, led to t*e "o5ernmental o5ert#rn o t*e 3rd o ,#ne
19%7, .*i)* )*an"ed t*e ele)tion la. to t*e beneit o t*e
2arty o -#)*8o5: It be)ame t*e leader o t*e t.o
s#bseG#ent 4#mas and )ontin#ed so ri"*t #2 to t*e day o
t*e re5ol#tion: In 9ie5 in 1911, at t*e #n5eilin" o a
mon#ment to Stoly2in .*o .as 8illed by a terrorist,
-#)*8o5, in 2la)in" a .reat*, bo.ed silently do.n to t*e
"ro#nd: a "est#re in t*e name o *is )lass: In t*e 4#ma,
-#)*8o5 dedi)ated *imsel )*iely to t*e G#estion o
Amilitary mi"*t,B and in 2re2arin" or .ar .al8ed *and?in?
*and .it* Mili#8o5: In t*e 2osition o 3resident o t*e
!entral Military Ind#strial !ommittee, -#)*8o5 #nited t*e
ind#strialists #nder t*e banner o a 2atrioti) o22osition D
not *o.e5er 2re5entin" t*e leaders o t*e 3ro"ressi5e
'lo), in)l#din" Rod<ian8o, rom "ettin" a ra8e?o on
military )ontra)ts: >or re5ol#tionary re)ommendation
t*ere .as atta)*ed to -#)*8o5;s name t*at semi?le"end
abo#t t*e 2lot o a 2ala)e re5ol#tion: 0 ormer )*ie o
2oli)e asserted, moreo5er, t*at -#)*8o5 A*ad 2ermitted
*imsel in 2ri5ate )on5ersations abo#t t*e monar)* to
em2loy an e2it*et ins#ltin" in t*e *i"*est de"ree:B T*at
.as 5ery li8ely tr#e, b#t in t*at -#)*8o5 .as no ex)e2tion:
T*e 2io#s )<arina *ated -#)*8o5, la5is*ed )r#de ab#se
#2on *im in *er letters, and ex2ressed t*e *o2e t*at *e
.o#ld *an" Aon a *i"* tree:B '#t t*e )<arina *ad many
ot*ers in 5ie. or t*is same *i"* 2osition: Some*o., at
any rate, t*is man .*o bo.ed to t*e eart* in *ono#r o
t*e *an"man o t*e irst re5ol#tion be)ame t*e +ar
Minister o t*e se)ond:
T*e Minister o 0"ri)#lt#re .as t*e 9adet S*in"are5, a
2ro5in)ial do)tor .*o *ad s#bseG#ently be)ome a de2#ty
in t*e 4#ma: Iis )lose asso)iates in t*e 2arty )onsidered
*im an *onest medio)rity or, as Nabo8o5 ex2ressed it, Aa
R#ssian 2ro5in)ial intelle)t#al, desi"ned on a small?to.n or
)o#nty, rat*er t*an a national, s)ale:B T*e indeinite
radi)alism o *is early years *ad lon" .as*ed a.ay, and
t*e )*ie anxiety o S*in"are5 .as to demonstrate *is
statesmanli8e mat#rity to t*e 2ossessin" )lasses: 0lt*o#"*
t*e old 9adet 2ro"ram s2o8e o t*e A)onis)ation .it* E#st
indemnity o t*e landed estates,B none o t*e 2ro2erty
o.ners too8 t*is 2ro"ram serio#sly es2e)ially no. in t*e
years o t*e .ar inlation: 0nd S*in"are5 made it *is )*ie
tas8 to delay t*e de)ision o t*e a"rarian 2roblem,
del#din" t*e 2easants .it* t*e mira"e o a !onstit#ent
0ssembly .*i)* t*e 9adets did not .ant to s#mmon: On
t*e land G#estion and t*e G#estion o .ar, t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion .as destined to brea8 its ne)8: S*in"are5
*el2ed all *e )o#ld:
T*e 2ortolio o >inan)e .as "i5en to a yo#n" man named
Teres*)*en8o: A+*ere did t*ey "et *im@B e5erybody .as
inG#irin" .it* be.ilderment in t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e: T*e
.ell?inormed ex2lained t*at t*is .as an o.ner o s#"ar
a)tories, estates, orests, and ot*er inn#merable
2ro2erties, .ort* some ei"*ty million ro#bles in "old,
2resident o t*e Military?Ind#strial !ommittee o 9ie5,
2ossessed o a "ood >ren)* 2ron#n)iation, and on to2 o it
all a )onnoisse#r o t*e ballet: 0nd t*ey added D more
im2ortantly D t*at as t*e a5o#rite o -#)*8o5,
Teres*)*en8o *ad almost ta8en 2art in t*e "reat
)ons2ira)y .*i)* .as to *a5e o5ert*ro.n Ni)*olas II: T*e
re5ol#tion .*i)* 2re5ented t*at )ons2ira)y .as o "reat
*el2 to Teres*)*)en8o:
In t*e )o#rse o t*ose i5e >ebr#ary days .*en t*e
re5ol#tionary i"*t .as bein" .a"ed in t*e )old streets o
t*e )a2ital, t*ere litted beore #s se5eral times li8e a
s*ado. t*e i"#re o a liberal o noble amily, t*e son o a
ormer )<arist minister, Nabo8o5 D almost symboli) in *is
sel?satisied )orre)tness and dry e"otism: Nabo8o5 2assed
t*e de)isi5e days o t*e ins#rre)tion .it*in t*e o#r .alls
o t*e )*an)ellery, or *is *ome, Ain d#ll and anxio#s
ex2e)tan)y:B Ie no. be)ame -eneral 0dministrator o t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment, a)t#ally a minister .it*o#t
2ortolio: In *is 'erlin exile .*ere *e .as inally 8illed by
t*e stray b#llet o a +*ite -#ard, *e let memoirs o t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment .*i)* are not .it*o#t interest: Let
#s 2la)e t*at to *is )redit:
'#t .e *a5e or"otten to mention t*e 3rime Minister D
.*om, by t*e .ay, in t*e most serio#s moments o *is
brie term e5erybody or"ot: On Mar)* 2, in re)ommendin"
t*e ne. "o5ernment to a meetin" at t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e,
Mili#8o5 des)ribed 3rin)e L5o5 as At*e in)arnation o t*e
R#ssian so)ial )ons)io#sness so 2erse)#ted by t*e )<arist
rF"ime:B Later, in *is *istory o t*e re5ol#tion, Mili#8o5
2r#dently remar8s t*at at t*e *ead o t*e "o5ernment .as
2la)ed 3rin)e L5o5, A2ersonally little 8no.n to t*e maEority
o t*e 3ro5isional !ommittee:B T*e *istorian *ere tries to
relie5e t*e 2oliti)ian o res2onsibility or t*is )*oi)e: 0s a
matter o a)t, t*e 2rin)e *ad lon" been a member o t*e
9adet 3arty, belon"in" to its ri"*t .in": 0ter t*e
dissol#tion o t*e irst 4#ma, at t*at amo#s meetin" o
t*e de2#ties at Vybor" .*i)* addressed t*e 2o2#lation
.it* t*e rit#al o oended liberalism: ARe#se to 2ay t*e
taxesOB 3rin)e L5o5 attended b#t did not si"n t*e a22eal:
Nabo8o5 relates t*at immediately #2on *is arri5al at
Vybor" t*e 2rin)e ell si)8, and *is si)8ness .as
Aattrib#ted to t*e emotional )ondition in .*i)* *e o#nd
*imsel:B T*e 2rin)e .as e5idently not b#ilt or
re5ol#tionary ex)itement: T*is moderate 2rin)e, o.in" to a
2oliti)al indieren)e t*at loo8ed li8e broad?mindedness,
tolerated in t*e or"anisations .*i)* *e administered a
lar"e n#mber o let intelle)t#als, ormer re5ol#tionists,
so)ialisti) 2atriots, and drat?dod"ers: T*ey .or8ed E#st as
.ell as t*e b#rea#)rats, did not "rat, and moreo5er
)reated or t*e 2rin)e a sim#la)r#m o 2o2#larity: 0 2rin)e,
a ri)* man, and a liberal t*at .as 5ery im2ressi5e to t*e
a5era"e bo#r"eois: >or t*at reason 3rin)e L5o5 .as
mar8ed or t*e 2remiers*i2 e5en #nder t*e )<ar: To s#m it
all #2 in a .ord, t*e *ead o t*e "o5ernment o t*e
>ebr#ary re5ol#tion .as an ill#strio#s b#t notorio#sly
em2ty s2ot: Rod<ian8o .o#ld at least *a5e been more
)olo#r#l:
T*e le"endary *istory o t*e R#ssian state be"ins .it* a
tale in t*e 'hronicle to t*e ee)t t*at dele"ates o t*e
Sla5i) tribes .ent to t*e S)andina5ian 2rin)es .it* t*e
reG#est: A!ome and r#le and be 2rin)es o5er #s:B T*e
2itiable re2resentati5es o t*e so)ial demo)ra)y
transormed t*is *istori) le"end into a a)t D not in t*e
nint* b#t in t*e t.entiet* )ent#ry, and .it* t*is dieren)e,
t*at t*ey did not address t*emsel5es to 2rin)es o5er t*e
sea, b#t to t*eir o.n *ome 2rin)es: T*#s as a res#lt o a
5i)torio#s ins#rre)tion o .or8ers and soldiers, t*ere
a22eared at t*e *elm o "o5ernment a *and#l o t*e 5ery
ri)*est landlords and ind#strialists, remar8able or less
t*an not*in", 2oliti)al dilettantes .it*o#t a 2ro"ram and at
t*e *ead o t*em a 2rin)e .it* a stron" disli8e or
ex)itement:
T*e )om2osition o t*e ne. "o5ernment .as "reeted .it*
satisa)tion in t*e 0llied embassies, in t*e bo#r"eois and
b#rea#)rati) salons, and in t*e broader )ir)les o t*e
middle, and 2art o t*e 2etty, bo#r"eoisie: 3rin)e L5o5,
O)tobrist -#)*8o5, 9adet Mili#8o5 D t*ose names so#nded
reass#rin": T*e name o 9erens8y 2er*a2s )a#sed some
eyebro.s to rise amon" t*e 0llies, b#t t*ey .ere not badly
ri"*tened: T*e more ar?seein" #nderstood: ater all, t*ere
is a re5ol#tion in t*e )o#ntryJ .it* s#)* a steady .*eel?
*orse as Mili#8o5, a mettlesome team?mate )an only be
*el2#l: T*#s t*e >ren)* ambassador 3alFolo"#e, a "reat
lo5er o R#ssian meta2*ors, m#st *a5e ex2ressed it:
0mon" t*e .or8ers and soldiers t*e )om2osition o t*e
"o5ernment )reated an immediate eelin" o *ostility, or at
t*e best a d#mb be.ilderment: T*e name o Mili#8o5 or
-#)*8o5 did not e5o8e one 5oi)e o "reetin" in eit*er
a)tory or barra)8: T*ere exists no little testimony to t*is:
Oi)er Mstisla5is8y re2orts t*e s#llen alarm o *is soldiers
at t*e ne.s t*at t*e 2o.er *ad 2assed rom )<ar to
2rin)e: Is t*at .ort* s*eddin" blood or@ Stan8e5i)*, one
o 9erens8y;s intimate )ir)le, made t*e ro#nds o *is
sa22er battalion, )om2any by )om2any, re)ommendin"
t*e ne. "o5ernment, .*i)* *e *imsel )onsidered best
2ossible and o .*i)* *e s2o8e .it* "reat ent*#siasm:
A'#t I elt a )oolness in t*e a#dien)e:B Only .*en t*e
oi)er mentioned 9erens8y did t*e soldiers A8indle .it*
sin)ere satisa)tion:B 'y t*at time t*e bo#r"eois so)ial
o2inion o t*e )a2ital *ad already )on5erted 9erens8y into
t*e )entral *ero o t*e re5ol#tion: T*e soldiers e5en more
t*an t*e .or8ers desired to see in 9erens8y a )o#nter2oise
to t*e bo#r"eois "o5ernment, and only .ondered .*y *e
.as t*ere alone: 9erens8y .as not a )o#nter2oise,
*o.e5er, b#t a inis*in" to#)*, a s)reen, a de)oration: Ie
.as deendin" t*e same interests as Mili#8o5, b#t .it*
ma"nesi#m las*li"*ts:
+*at .as t*e real )onstit#tion o t*e )o#ntry ater t*e
ina#"#ration o t*e ne. 2o.er@
T*e monar)*ist rea)tion .as *idin" in t*e )ra)8s: +it* t*e
5ery irst ebb o t*e .a5e, 2ro2erty o.ners o all 8inds and
tenden)ies "at*ered aro#nd t*e banner o t*e 9adet 3arty,
.*i)* *ad s#ddenly be)ome t*e only non?so)ialist 2arty D
and at t*e same time t*e extreme ri"*t 2arty D ill t*e
o2en arena:
T*e masses .ent o5er in dro5es to t*e so)ialists, .*om
t*ey identiied .it* t*e So5iet: Not only t*e .or8ers and
soldiers o t*e enormo#s "arrisons in t*e rear, b#t all t*e
many?)olo#red small 2eo2le o t*e to.ns D me)*ani)s,
street 2eddlers, 2etty oi)ials, )ab?dri5ers, Eanitors,
ser5ants o all 8inds D eelin" alien to t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment and its b#rea#x, .ere see8in" a )loser and
more a))essible a#t*ority: In )ontin#ally in)reasin"
n#mbers, 2easant dele"ates .ere a22earin" at t*e Ta#ride
3ala)e: T*e masses 2o#red into t*e So5iet as t*o#"* into
t*e tri#m2*al "ates o t*e re5ol#tion: 0ll t*at remained
o#tside t*e bo#ndaries o t*e So5iet seemed to all a.ay
rom t*e re5ol#tion, seemed some*o. to belon" to a
dierent .orld: 0nd so it .as in reality: 'eyond t*e
bo#ndaries o t*e So5iet remained t*e .orld o t*e
2ro2erty o.ner, in .*i)* all )olo#rs min"led no. in one
"reyis*?2in8 deensi5e tint:
Not all t*e toilin" masses )*ose t*e So5ietJ not all
a.a8ened at on)eJ not e5ery layer o t*e o22ressed dared
instantly belie5e t*at t*e re5ol#tion )on)erned t*em: In
t*e )ons)io#sness o many only an #ndis)riminatin" *o2e
.as stirrin": '#t all t*e a)ti5e elements o t*e masses
2o#red into t*e So5iet, and a)ti5ity 2re5ails in times o
re5ol#tion: Moreo5er, sin)e mass a)ti5ity .as "ro.in"
rom day to day, t*e basis o t*e So5iet .as )ontin#ally
broadenin": It .as t*e sole "en#ine basis o t*e re5ol#tion:
In t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e t*ere .ere t.o *al5es: t*e 4#ma and
t*e So5iet: T*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .as at irst )ro.ded
into some narro. se)retarial )*ambers, t*ro#"* .*i)*
lo.ed an #ninterr#2ted *#man lood: T*e de2#ties o t*e
4#ma tried to eel li8e 2ro2rietors in t*eir s#m2t#o#s
)*ambers: '#t t*e barriers .ere soon s.e2t a.ay by t*e
o5erlo. o t*e re5ol#tion: In s2ite o all t*e inde)isi5eness
o its leaders, t*e So5iet s2read o#t irresistibly, and t*e
4#ma .as )ro.ded a.ay into t*e ba)8 yard: T*e ne.
)orrelation o or)es bro8e its 2at* e5ery.*ere:
4e2#ties in t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e, oi)ers in t*eir re"iments,
)ommanders in t*e stas, dire)tors and mana"ers in
a)tories, on t*e railroads, in t*e tele"ra2* oi)es,
landlords or mana"ers o estates D all elt t*emsel5es
d#rin" t*ose irst days o t*e re5ol#tion to be #nder t*e
s#s2i)io#s and tireless s)r#tiny o t*e masses: In t*e eyes
o t*ose masses t*e So5iet .as an ex2ression o t*eir
distr#st o all .*o *ad o22ressed t*em: Ty2esetters .o#ld
Eealo#sly ollo. t*e text o t*e arti)les .*i)* t*ey *ad set
#2, railroad .or8ers .o#ld anxio#sly and 5i"ilantly .at)*
o5er t*e military trains, tele"ra2*ers .o#ld be)ome
absorbed in re?readin" t*e texts o tele"rams, soldiers
.o#ld "lan)e aro#nd s#s2i)io#sly e5ery time t*eir oi)er
made a mo5e, .or8ers .o#ld dismiss rom t*e a)tory an
o5erseer belon"in" to t*e 'la)8 I#ndreds and ta8e in
#nder obser5ation a liberal mana"er: T*e 4#ma rom t*e
irst *o#rs o t*e re5ol#tion, and t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment rom its irst days, be)ame reser5oirs into
.*i)* lo.ed a )ontin#o#s stream o )om2laints and
obEe)tions rom t*e #22er layers o so)iety, t*eir 2rotests
a"ainst Aex)esses,B t*eir .oe#l )omments and dar8
orebodin"s:
A+it*o#t t*e bo#r"eoisie .e )annot mana"e t*e state
a22arat#s,B reasoned t*e so)ialisti) 2etty bo#r"eois,
timidly loo8in" #2 at t*e oi)ial b#ildin"s .*ere t*e
s8eleton o t*e old "o5ernment loo8ed o#t .it* em2ty
eyes: T*e 2roblem .as sol5ed by settin" some sort o a
liberal *ead on t*e instit#tion .*i)* t*e re5ol#tion *ad
be*eaded: T*e ne. ministers entered into t*e )<arist
b#rea#x, too8 2ossession o t*e a22arat#s o ty2e.riters,
tele2*ones, )o#riers, steno"ra2*ers and )ler8s, and o#nd
o#t rom day to day t*at t*e ma)*ine .as r#nnin" em2ty:
9erens8y s#bseG#ently related *o. t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment Atoo8 t*e 2o.er in its *ands on t*e t*ird day
o all R#ssian anar)*y, .*en t*ro#"*o#t t*e .*ole extent
o t*e R#ssian land t*ere existed not only no "o5ernmental
2o.er, b#t literally not one 2oli)eman:B T*e so5iets o
.or8ers; and soldiers; de2#ties standin" at t*e *ead o
millions o 2eo2le, )o#nted or not*in"J t*at o )o#rse .as
merely one element o t*e anar)*y: T*e or2*aned
)ondition o t*e )o#ntry is s#mmed #2 or 9erens8y in t*e
disa22earan)e o 2oli)emen: In t*at )onession o ait* o
t*e most let.ard o t*e ministers, yo# *a5e t*e 8ey to t*e
.*ole 2oli)y o t*e "o5ernment:
T*e 2la)e o t*e "o5ernors o 2ro5in)es .as o))#2ied, on
t*e order o 3rin)e L5o5, by t*e 2residents o t*e 2ro5in)ial
<emst5os, .*o diered b#t little rom t*eir 2rede)essors:
Oten eno#"* t*ey .ere e#dal landlords .*o re"arded
e5en t*e "o5ernors as ,a)obins: 0t t*e *ead o t*e
)o#nties stood t*e 2residents o t*e )o#nty <emst5os:
6nder t*e ne. name o A)ommissarsB t*e 2o2#lation
re)o"nised t*eir old enemies: ANe. 3resbyter is b#t Old
3riest .rit lar"e,B as Milton on)e said o t*e )o.ardly
3resbyterian reormation: T*e 2ro5in)ial and distri)t
)ommissars too8 2ossession o t*e ty2e.riters,
)orres2onden)e, and )ler8s o t*e "o5ernors and )*ies o
2oli)e, only to ind o#t t*at t*ey *ad in*erited no real
2o.er: Real lie bot* in t*e 2ro5in)es and in t*e )o#nties
)on)entrated aro#nd t*e So5iet: 0 t.o?2o.er system t*#s
rei"ned rom to2 to bottom: '#t in t*e 2ro5in)es t*e So5iet
leaders, t*ose same So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and
Mens*e5i8s, .ere a little sim2ler and by no means
e5ery.*ere reno#n)ed t*at 2o.er .*i)* t*e .*ole
sit#ation .as im2osin" #2on t*em: 0s a res#lt o t*is, t*e
a)ti5ity o t*e 2ro5in)ial )ommissars )onsisted mainly o
s#bmittin" )om2laints as to t*e )om2lete im2ossibility o
#lillin" t*e d#ties o t*eir oi)e: T.o days ater t*e
ormation o t*e liberal ministry t*e bo#r"eoisie .ere
eelin" t*at t*ey *ad not a)G#ired t*e 2o.er, b#t lost it: In
s2ite o all t*e antasti) )a2ri)es o t*e Ras2#tin )liG#e
beore t*e re5ol#tion, its real 2o.er *ad been limited: T*e
inl#en)e o t*e bo#r"eoisie #2on t*e "o5ernment *ad
been enormo#s: T*e 5ery 2arti)i2ation o R#ssia in t*e .ar
.as more t*e .or8 o t*e bo#r"eoisie t*an t*e monar)*y:
'#t t*e main t*in" .as t*at t*e )<arist "o5ernment *ad
"#aranteed to t*e 2ro2erty o.ners t*eir a)tories, land,
ban8s, *o#ses, ne.s2a2ersJ it .as )onseG#ently #2on t*e
most 5ital G#estions their "o5ernment: T*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion )*an"ed t*e sit#ation in t.o )ontrary dire)tions
it solemnly *anded o5er to t*e bo#r"eoisie t*e external
attrib#tes o 2o.er, b#t at t*e same time it too8 rom
t*em t*at s*are in t*e a)t#al r#lers*i2 .*i)* t*ey *ad
enEoyed beore t*e re5ol#tion: T*e ormer em2loyees o
t*e <emst5os .*ere 3rin)e L5o5 .as t*e boss, and o t*e
Military?Ind#strial !ommittee .*ere -#)*8o5 .as in
)ommand, be)ame today, #nder t*e name o So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries and Mens*e5i8s, lords o t*e sit#ation in
t*e )o#ntry and on t*e ront, in t*e )ity and in t*e 5illa"e:
T*ey a22ointed L5o5 and -#)*8o5 to t*e ministry, and laid
do.n t*e )onditions o t*eir .or8 as t*o#"* t*ey .ere
*irin" ste.ards:
On t*e ot*er *and, t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, *a5in"
)reated a bo#r"eois "o5ernment, )o#ld not ma8e #2 its
mind li8e t*e 'ible -od to )all t*e )reation "ood: On t*e
)ontrary, it made "reat *aste to in)rease t*e distan)e
bet.een itsel and t*e .or8 o its *ands, and anno#n)ed
t*at it intended to s#22ort t*e ne. 2o.er only in so ar as
it s*o#ld tr#ly ser5e t*e demo)rati) re5ol#tion: T*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment 5ery .ell 8ne. t*at it )o#ld not
s#r5i5e an *o#r .it*o#t t*e s#22ort o t*e oi)ial
demo)ra)y: '#t t*is s#22ort .as 2romised only as a
re.ard or "ood be*a5io#r?t*at is, or #lillin" tas8s alien
to it, and .*i)* t*e demo)ra)y itsel *ad E#st de)lined to
#lil: T*e "o5ernment ne5er 8ne. .it*in .*at limits it
mi"*t dare to re5eal its semi?)ontraband so5erei"nty: T*e
leaders o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee )o#ld not al.ays
ad5ise it, be)a#se it .as *ard or t*em to "#ess E#st .*ere
some dissatisa)tion .o#ld brea8 o#t in t*eir o.n midst,
ex2ressin" t*e dissatisa)tion o t*e masses: T*e
bo#r"eoisie 2retended t*at t*e so)ialists .ere de)ei5in"
t*em: T*e so)ialists in t*eir t#rn .ere araid t*at t*e
liberals, .it* t*eir 2remat#re demands, .o#ld stir #2 t*e
masses and )om2li)ate a sit#ation dii)#lt eno#"* as it
.as: A*n so far asB D t*at eG#i5o)al orm#la laid its im2rint
on t*e .*ole 2re?O)tober 2eriod: It be)ame t*e E#ridi)al
orm#lation o t*e inner lie )ontained in t*e *ybrid rF"ime
o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion:
To brin" 2ress#re #2on t*e "o5ernment, t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee ele)ted a s2e)ial )ommission .*i)* it 2olitely
b#t l#di)ro#sly named A!onta)t !ommission:B T*e
or"anisation o t*e re5ol#tionary 2o.er .as t*#s #2on t*e
2rin)i2le o m#t#al 2ers#asion: T*e mysti) .riter
Mere<*8o5s8y )o#ld ind a 2re)edent or s#)* a rF"ime
only in t*e Old Testament: t*e 8in"s o Israel *ad t*eir
2ro2*ets: '#t t*e 2ro2*ets o t*e 'ible, li8e t*e 2ro2*ets
o t*e last Romano5, #sed at least to re)ei5e s#""estions
dire)tly rom *ea5en, and t*e 8in"s did not dare to
)ontradi)t: In t*at .ay a sin"le so5erei"nty .as ass#red: It
.as G#ite dierent .it* t*e 2ro2*ets o t*e So5iet: t*ey
2ro2*esied only #nder t*e stim#l#s o t*eir o.n limited
intelli"en)e: T*e liberal ministers moreo5er belie5ed t*at
not*in" "ood )o#ld )ome o#t o t*e So5iet: !*eid<e,
S8obele5, S#8*ano5 and ot*ers .o#ld r#n to t*e
"o5ernment and "arr#lo#sly try to 2ers#ade it to ma8e
some )on)essionJ t*e ministers .o#ld obEe)tJ t*e
dele"ates .o#ld ret#rn to t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, try to
inl#en)e it .it* t*e a#t*ority o t*e "o5ernmentJ a"ain
"et into )onta)t .it* t*e ministersJ and so be"in o5er
a"ain rom t*e be"innin": T*is )om2li)ated mill?.*eel
ne5er did any "rindin":
In t*e !onta)t !ommission e5erybody )om2lained:
-#)*8o5 es2e)ially .e2t o5er t*e disorders in t*e army
)a#sed by t*e )onni5an)es o t*e So5iet: 0t times t*e +ar
Minister o t*e re5ol#tion Ain t*e literal sense o t*e
.ord ::: 2o#red o#t tears, or at least earnestly .i2ed *is
eyes .it* *is *and8er)*ie:B Ie .as G#ite ri"*t in t*in8in"
t*at to dry t*e tears o t*e anointed is one o t*e #n)tions
o a 2ro2*et:
On t*e nint* o Mar)* -eneral 0lexeie5, t*e !*ie o Sta,
tele"ra2*ed t*e +ar Minister: AT*e -erman yo8e is near i
only .e ind#l"e t*e So5iet:B -#)*8o5 ans.ered *im
tear#lly: AT*e "o5ernment, alas, *as no real 2o.er: t*e
troo2s, t*e railroads, t*e 2ost and tele"ra2* are in t*e
*ands o t*e So5iet: T*e sim2le a)t is t*at t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment exists only so lon" as t*e So5iet 2ermits it:B
+ee8 ollo.ed .ee8, b#t t*e sit#ation did not im2ro5e in
t*e least: Early in 02ril .*en t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment
sent de2#ties o t*e 4#ma to t*e ront, it dire)ted t*em,
"rittin" its teet*, not to re5eal any disa"reements .it* t*e
dele"ates o t*e So5iet: T*ro#"*o#t t*e .*ole Eo#rney t*e
liberal de2#ties elt as t*o#"* t*ey .ere #nder )on5oy,
b#t t*ey also 8ne. t*at .it*o#t t*is, not.it*standin" t*eir
loty )redentials, t*ey not only )o#ld not a22roa)* t*e
soldiers, b#t t*ey )o#ld not e5en ind seats in t*e trains:
T*at 2rosai) detail in t*e memoirs o 3rin)e Mansyre5
ex)ellently s#22lements -#)*8o5;s )orres2onden)e .it*
t*e sta as to t*e essen)e o t*e >ebr#ary )onstit#tion:
One o t*e rea)tionary .its 2retty .ell )*ara)terised t*e
sit#ation t*#s: AT*e old "o5ernment is in 2rison, I and t*e
ne. one #nder *o#se arrest:B
'#t did t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment *a5e no ot*er s#22ort
b#t t*is eG#i5o)al one o t*e So5iet leaders@ +*at *ad
be)ome o t*e 2ossessin" )lasses@ T*e G#estion is a
#ndamental one: 6nited by t*eir 2ast .it* t*e monar)*y,
t*e 2ossessin" )lasses *ad *astened to "ro#2 t*emsel5es
aro#nd a ne. axis ater t*e re5ol#tion: On t*e 2nd o
Mar)*, t*e !o#n)il o Trade and Ind#stry, re2resentin" t*e
#nited )a2ital o t*e .*ole )o#ntry, sal#ted t*e a)t o t*e
State 4#ma, and de)lared itsel A.*olly at t*e dis2ositionB
o its !ommittee:
T*e <emst5os and t*e to.n d#mas ado2ted t*e same
)o#rse: On Mar)* 1%, e5en t*e !o#n)il o t*e 6nited
Nobility, t*e mainstay o t*e t*rone, s#mmoned all t*e
2eo2le o R#ssia a lan"#a"e o eloG#ent )o.ardi)e Ato
#nite aro#nd t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment as no. t*e sole
la.#l 2o.er in R#ssia:B 0lmost at t*e same time t*e
instit#tions and or"ans o t*e 2ossessin" )lasses be"an to
deno#n)e t*e d#al 2o.er, and to lay t*e blame or t*e
disorders #2on t*e So5iet D at irst )a#tio#sly b#t t*en
bolder and bolder: T*e em2loyers .ere soon ollo.ed by
t*e )ler8s, t*e #nited liberal 2roessions, t*e "o5ernment
em2loyees: >rom t*e army )ame tele"rams, addresses and
resol#tions o t*e same )*ara)ter D man#a)t#red in t*e
sta: T*e liberal 2ress o2ened a )am2ai"n Aor a sin"le
so5erei"nty,B .*i)* in t*e )omin" mont*s a)G#ired t*e
)*ara)ter o a *#rri)ane o ire aro#nd t*e *eads o t*e
So5iet: 0ll t*ese t*in"s to"et*er loo8ed ex)eedin"ly
im2ressi5e: T*e enormo#s n#mber o instit#tions, .ell?
8no.n names, resol#tions, arti)les, t*e de)isi5eness o
tone D it *ad an ind#bitable ee)t #2on t*e s#""estible
*eads o t*e !ommittee: 0nd yet t*ere .as no serio#s
or)e be*ind t*is t*reatenin" 2arade o t*e 2ro2ertied
)lasses: Io. abo#t t*e or)e o 2ro2erty@ said t*e 2etty
bo#r"eois so)ialists, ans.erin" t*e 'ols*e5i8s: 3ro2erty is
a relation amon" 2eo2le: It re2resents an enormo#s 2o.er
so lon" as it is #ni5ersally re)o"nised and s#22orted by
t*at system o )om2#lsion )alled La. and t*e State: '#t
t*e 5ery essen)e o t*e 2resent sit#ation .as t*at t*e old
state *ad s#ddenly )olla2sed, and t*e entire old system o
ri"*ts *ad been )alled in G#estion by t*e masses: In t*e
a)tories t*e .or8ers .ere more and more re"ardin"
t*emsel5es as t*e 2ro2rietors, and t*e bosses as #nin5ited
"#ests: Still less ass#red .ere t*e eelin"s o t*e landlords
in t*e 2ro5in)es, a)e to a)e .it* t*ose s#rly 5en"e#l
m#<*i8s, and ar rom t*at "o5ernmental 2o.er in .*ose
existen)e t*ey did or a time, o.in" to t*eir distan)e rom
t*e )a2ital, belie5e: T*e 2ro2erty?*olders, de2ri5ed o t*e
2ossibility o #sin" t*eir 2ro2erty, or 2rote)tin" it, )eased
to be real 2ro2erty *olders and be)ame badly ri"*tened
3*ilistines .*o )o#ld not "i5e any s#22ort to t*e
"o5ernment or t*e sim2le reason t*at t*ey needed
s#22ort t*emsel5es: T*ey soon be"an to )#rse t*e
"o5ernment or its .ea8ness, b#t t*ey .ere only )#rsin"
t*eir o.n ate
In t*ose days t*e Eoint a)ti5ity o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee
and t*e ministry seemed to *a5e or its "oal to
demonstrate t*at t*e art o "o5ernment in time o
re5ol#tion )onsists in a "arr#lo#s .aste o time: +it* t*e
liberals t*is .as a )ons)io#sly ado2ted 2lan: It .as t*eir
irm )on5i)tion t*at all meas#res demanded 2ost2onement
ex)e2t one: t*e oat* o loyalty to t*e Entente:
Mili#8o5 a)G#ainted *is )ollea"#es .it* t*e se)ret treaties:
9erens8y let t*em in one ear and o#t t*e ot*er: 022arently
only t*e 3ro)#ror o t*e Ioly Synod, a )ertain L5o5, ri)* in
s#r2rises, a namesa8e o t*e 3remier b#t not a 2rin)e,
.ent into a storm o indi"nation and e5en )alled t*e
treaties Abri"anda"e and s.indle B D .*i)* #ndo#btedly
2ro5o8ed a )ondes)endin" smile rom Mili#8o5 /AT*e
e5eryday man is a oolB1 and a G#iet 2ro2osal to ret#rn to
t*e order o b#siness: T*e oi)ial 4e)laration o t*e
"o5ernment 2romised to s#mmon a !onstit#ent 0ssembly
at t*e earliest 2ossible date D .*i)* date, *o.e5er, .as
intentionally not stated: Not*in" .as said abo#t t*e orm
o "o5ernment: t*ey still *o2ed to ret#rn to t*e lost
2aradise o monar)*y: '#t t*e real meat o t*e 4e)laration
lay in its 2romise to )arry t*e .ar t*ro#"* to 5i)tory, and
A#ns.er5in"ly )arry o#t t*e a"reements made .it* o#r
0llies:B So ar as )on)erned t*e most t*reatenin" 2roblems
o t*e 2eo2le;s existen)e, t*e re5ol#tion *ad a22arently
been a)*ie5ed only in order to ma8e t*e anno#n)ement:
e5eryt*in" remains as beore: Sin)e t*e demo)rats
attrib#ted an almost mysti) im2ortan)e to re)o"nition by
t*e Entente D a small trader amo#nts to not*in" #ntil t*e
ban8 re)o"nises *is )redit D t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee
s.allo.ed in silen)e t*e im2erialist de)laration o Mar)* (:
ANot one oi)ial or"an o t*e demo)ra)y,B "rie5es
S#8*ano5 a year later, A2#bli)ly rea)ted to t*e 4e)laration
o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment, .*i)* dis"ra)ed o#r
re5ol#tion at its 5ery birt* in t*e eyes o demo)rati)
E#ro2e:B
0t last, on t*e $t* o Mar)*, t*ere iss#ed rom t*e
ministerial laboratory a 4e)ree o 0mnesty: 'y t*at time
t*e doors o t*e 2risons *ad been o2ened by t*e 2eo2le
t*ro#"*o#t t*e .*ole )o#ntry, 2oliti)al exiles .ere
ret#rnin" in a solid stream .it* meetin"s, *#rra*s, military
s2ee)*es, lo.ers: T*e de)ree so#nded li8e a belated e)*o
rom t*e "o5ernment b#ildin"s: On t*e t.elt* t*ey
anno#n)ed t*e abolition o t*e deat* 2enalty: >o#r mont*s
later it .as restored in t*e army: 9erens8y 2romised to
ele5ate E#sti)e to #n*eard?o *ei"*ts: In a moment o *eat
*e a)t#ally did )arry o#t a resol#tion o t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee introd#)in" re2resentati5es o t*e .or8ers and
soldiers as members o t*e )o#rts o E#sti)e: T*at .as t*e
sole meas#re in .*i)* )o#ld be elt t*e *eartbeat o t*e
re5ol#tion, and it raised t*e *air on t*e *eads o t*e
e#n#)*s o E#sti)e: '#t t*e matter sto22ed ri"*t t*ere:
La.yer 4emiano5, an im2ortant oi)er in t*e ministry
#nder 9erens8y, and also a Aso)ialist,B de)ided to ado2t
t*e 2rin)i2le o lea5in" all ormer oi)ials at t*eir 2osts: To
G#ote *is o.n .ords: AT*e 2oli)ies o a re5ol#tionary
"o5ernment o#"*t ne5er to oend anybody
#nne)essarily:B T*at .as, at bottom, t*e "#idin" 2rin)i2le
o t*e .*ole 3ro5isional -o5ernment, .*i)* eared most o
all to oend anybody rom t*e )ir)les o t*e 2ossessin"
)lasses, or e5en t*e )<arist b#rea#)ra)y: Not only t*e
E#d"es, b#t e5en t*e 2rose)#tors o t*e )<arist rF"ime
remained at t*eir 2osts: To be s#re, t*e masses mi"*t be
oended: '#t t*at .as t*e So5iet;s b#sinessJ t*e masses
did not enter into t*e ield o 5ision o t*e "o5ernment:
T*e sole t*in" in t*e nat#re o a res* stream .as bro#"*t
in by t*e abo5e?mentioned tem2eramental 3ro)#ror, L5o5,
.*o "a5e an oi)ial re2ort on t*e Aidiots and s)o#ndrelsB
sittin" in t*e Ioly Synod: T*e ministers listened to *is E#i)y
)*ara)terisations .it* some alarm, b#t t*e synod
)ontin#ed a state instit#tion, and -ree8 Ort*odoxy t*e
state reli"ion: E5en t*e members*i2 o t*e Synod
remained #n)*an"ed: 0 re5ol#tion o#"*t not to G#arrel
.it* anybodyO
T*e members o t*e State !o#n)il D ait*#l ser5ants o
t.o or t*ree em2erors )ontin#ed to sit, or at least to dra.
t*eir salaries: 0nd t*is a)t soon a)G#ired a symboli)
si"nii)an)e: >a)tories and barra)8s noisily 2rotested: T*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .orried abo#t it: T*e "o5ernment
s2ent t.o sessions debatin" t*e G#estion o t*e ate and
salaries o t*e members o t*e State !o#n)il, and )o#ld
not arri5e at a de)ision: +*y dist#rb t*ese res2e)table
2eo2le, amon" .*om, by t*e .ay, .e *a5e many "ood
riends@
T*e Ras2#tin ministers .ere still in 2rison, b#t t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment *astened to 5ote t*em a 2ension:
T*is so#nded li8e mo)8ery, or a 5oi)e rom anot*er .orld:
'#t t*e "o5ernment did not .ant to oend its
2rede)essors e5en t*o#"* t*ey .ere lo)8ed #2 in Eail:
T*e senators )ontin#ed to dro.se in t*eir embroidered
Ea)8ets, and .*en a let senator, So8olo5, ne.ly a22ointed
by 9erens8y, dared to a22ear in a bla)8 ro)8 )oat, t*ey
G#ietly remo5ed *im rom t*e *all: T*ese )<arist
le"islators .ere not araid to oend t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion, on)e )on5in)ed t*at its "o5ernment *ad no
teet*:
9arl Marx sa. t*e )a#se o t*e ail#re o t*e Mar)*
re5ol#tion in -ermany in t*e a)t t*at it Areormed only t*e
5ery *i"*est 2oliti)al )ir)les, lea5in" #nto#)*ed all t*e
layers beneat* t*em D t*e old b#rea#)ra)y, t*e old army,
t*e old E#d"es, born and bro#"*t #2 and "ro.n old in t*e
ser5i)e o absol#tism:B So)ialists o t*e ty2e o 9erens8y
.ere see8in" sal5ation exa)tly .*ere Marx sa. t*e )a#se
o ail#re: 0nd t*e Mens*e5i8 Marxists .ere .it* 9erens8y,
not Marx:
T*e sole s2*ere in .*i)* t*e "o5ernment s*o.ed initiati5e
and re5ol#tionary tem2o, .as t*at o le"islation on sto)8
*oldin"s: Ien)e t*e de"ree o reorm .as iss#ed on t*e
17t* o Mar)*: National and reli"io#s limitations .ere
ann#lled only t*ree days later: T*ere .ere G#ite a e.
2eo2le on t*e sta o t*e "o5ernment, yo# see, .*o *ad
s#ered #nder t*e old rF"ime, i at all, only rom a la)8 o
b#siness in sto)8s:
T*e .or8ers .ere im2atiently demandin" an ei"*t?*o#r
day: T*e "o5ernment 2retended to dea in bot* ears:
'esides it is .ar time, and all o#"*t to sa)rii)e
t*emsel5es or t*e "ood o t*e >at*erland: Moreo5er t*at
is t*e so5iet;s b#siness: let t*em 2a)iy t*e .or8ers:
Still more t*reatenin" .as t*e land G#estion: Iere it .as
really ne)essary to do somet*in": S2#rred on by t*e
2ro2*ets, t*e Minister o 0"ri)#lt#re, S*in"are5, ordered
t*e ormation o lo)al land )ommittees D 2r#dently
rerainin", *o.e5er, rom deinin" t*eir tas8s and
#n)tions: T*e 2easants *ad an idea t*at t*ese
)ommittees o#"*t to "i5e t*em t*e land: T*e landlords
t*o#"*t t*e )ommittees o#"*t to 2rote)t t*eir 2ro2erty:
>rom t*e 5ery start t*e muzhik;s noose, more r#t*less
t*an all ot*ers, .as ti"*tenin" ro#nd t*e ne)8 o t*e
>ebr#ary rF"ime:
0"reeably to t*e oi)ial do)trine, all t*ose 2roblems .*i)*
*ad )a#sed t*e re5ol#tion .ere 2ost2oned to t*e
!onstit#ent 0ssembly: Io. )o#ld yo# ex2e)t t*ese
irre2roa)*able demo)rats to anti)i2ate t*e national .ill,
.*en t*ey *ad not e5en s#))eeded in seatin" Mi8*ail
Romano5 astride o it@ T*e 2re2aration o a national
re2resentation .as a22roa)*ed in t*ose days .it* s#)*
b#rea#)rati) *ea5iness and deliberate 2ro)rastination t*at
t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly itsel be)ame a mira"e: Only on
t*e 2=t* o Mar)*, almost a mont* ater t*e ins#rre)tion D
a mont* o re5ol#tionO D t*e "o5ernment de)ided to )all a
l#mberin" S2e)ial !oneren)e or t*e 2#r2ose o .or8in"
o#t an ele)tion la.: '#t t*e )oneren)e ne5er o2ened:
Mili#8o5 in *is History of the Revolution D .*i)* is alse
rom be"innin" to end D )on#sedly states t*at as a res#lt
o 5ario#s dii)#lties At*e .or8 o t*e S2e)ial !oneren)e
.as not be"#n #nder t*e irst "o5ernment:B T*e dii)#lties
.ere in*erent in t*e )onstit#tion o t*e )oneren)e and in
its #n)tion: T*e .*ole idea .as to 2ost2one t*e
!onstit#ent 0ssembly #ntil better times: #ntil 5i)tory, #ntil
2ea)e or #ntil t*e !alends o 9ornilo5:
T*e R#ssian bo#r"eoisie, .*i)* a22eared in t*e .orld too
late, mortally *ated t*e re5ol#tion: '#t its *atred *ad no
stren"t*: It *ad to bide its time and manoe#5re: 'ein"
#nable to o5ert*ro. and stran"le t*e re5ol#tion, t*e
bo#r"eoisie )o#nted on star5in" it o#t:
Chapter 11: Dual Po5er
+*at )onstit#tes t*e essen)e o a d#al 2o.er@ K1L +e
m#st 2a#se #2on t*is G#estion, or an ill#mination o it *as
ne5er a22eared in *istori) literat#re: 0nd yet t*is d#al
2o.er is a distin)t )ondition o so)ial )risis, by no means
2e)#liar to t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion o 1917, alt*o#"* t*ere
most )learly mar8ed o#t:
0nta"onisti) )lasses exist in so)iety e5ery.*ere, and a
)lass, de2ri5ed o 2o.er ine5itably stri5es to some extent
to s.er5e t*e "o5ernmental )o#rse in its a5o#r: T*is does
not as yet mean, *o.e5er, t*at t.o or more 2o.ers are
r#lin" in so)iety: T*e )*ara)ter o 2oliti)al str#)t#re is
dire)tly determined by t*e relation o t*e o22ressed
)lasses to t*e r#lin" )lass: 0 sin"le, "o5ernment, t*e
ne)essary )ondition o stability in any rF"ime, is 2reser5ed
so lon" as t*e r#lin" )lass s#))eeds in 2#ttin" o5er its
e)onomi) and 2oliti)al orms #2on t*e .*ole o so)iety t*e
only orms 2ossible:
T*e sim#ltaneo#s dominion o t*e -erman ,#n8ers and t*e
bo#r"eoisie D .*et*er in t*e Io*en<ollern orm or t*e
re2#bli) D is not a do#ble "o5ernment, no matter *o.
s*ar2 at times may be t*e )onli)t bet.een t*e t.o
2arti)i2atin" 2o.ers: T*ey *a5e a )ommon so)ial basis,
t*ereore t*eir )las* does not t*reaten to s2lit t*e state
a22arat#s: T*e t.o?2o.er rF"ime arises only o#t o
irre)on)ilable )lass )onli)ts D is 2ossible, t*ereore, only in
a re5ol#tionary e2o)*, and )onstit#tes one o its
#ndamental elements:
T*e 2oliti)al me)*anism o re5ol#tion )onsists o t*e
transer o 2o.er rom one )lass to anot*er: T*e or)ible
o5ert#rn is #s#ally a))om2lis*ed in a brie time: '#t no
*istori) )lass lits itsel rom a s#bEe)t 2osition to a 2osition
o r#lers*i2 s#ddenly in one ni"*t, e5en t*o#"* a ni"*t o
re5ol#tion: It m#st already on t*e e5e o t*e re5ol#tion
*a5e ass#med a 5ery inde2endent attit#de to.ards t*e
oi)ial r#lin" )lassJ moreo5er, it m#st *a5e o)#sed #2on
itsel t*e *o2es o intermediate )lasses and layers,
dissatisied .it* t*e existin" state o aairs, b#t not
)a2able o 2layin" an inde2endent rHle: T*e *istori)
2re2aration o a re5ol#tion brin"s abo#t, in t*e 2re?
re5ol#tionary 2eriod, a sit#ation in .*i)* t*e )lass .*i)* is
)alled to realise t*e ne. so)ial system, alt*o#"* not yet
master o t*e )o#ntry, *as a)t#ally )on)entrated in its
*ands a si"nii)ant s*are o t*e state 2o.er, .*ile t*e
oi)ial a22arat#s o t*e "o5ernment is still in: t*e *ands o
t*e old lords: T*at is t*e initial d#al 2o.er in e5ery
re5ol#tion:
'#t t*at is not its only orm: I t*e ne. )lass, 2la)ed in
2o.er by a re5ol#tion .*i)* it did not .ant, is in essen)e
an already old, *istori)ally belated, )lassJ i it .as already
.orn o#t beore it .as oi)ially )ro.nedJ i on )omin" to
2o.er it en)o#nters an anta"onist already s#i)iently
mat#re and rea)*in" o#t its *and to.ard t*e *elm o
stateJ t*en instead o one #nstable t.o?2o.er eG#ilibri#m,
t*e 2oliti)al re5ol#tion 2rod#)es anot*er, still less stable:
To o5er)ome t*e Aanar)*yB o t*is t.oold so5erei"nty
be)omes at e5ery ne. ste2 t*e tas8 o t*e re5ol#tion D or
t*e )o#nter?re5ol#tion:
T*is do#ble so5erei"nty does not 2res#22ose D "enerally
s2ea8in", indeed, it ex)l#des D t*e 2ossibility o a di5ision
o t*e 2o.er into t.o eG#al *al5es, or indeed any ormal
eG#ilibri#m o or)es .*ate5er: It is not a )onstit#tional,
b#t a re5ol#tionary a)t: It im2lies t*at a destr#)tion o t*e
so)ial eG#ilibri#m *as already s2lit t*e state
s#2erstr#)t#re: It arises .*ere t*e *ostile )lasses are
already ea)* relyin" #2on essentially in)om2atible
"o5ernmental or"anisations D t*e one o#tli5ed, t*e ot*er
in 2ro)ess o ormation D .*i)* Eostle a"ainst ea)* ot*er at
e5ery ste2 in t*e s2*ere o "o5ernment: T*e amo#nt o
2o.er .*i)* alls to ea)* o t*ese str#""lin" )lasses in
s#)* a sit#ation is determined by t*e )orrelation o or)es
in t*e )o#rse o t*e str#""le:
'y its 5ery nat#re s#)* a state o aairs )annot be stable:
So)iety needs a )on)entration o 2o.er, and in t*e 2erson
o t*e r#lin" )lass?or, in t*e sit#ation .e are dis)#ssin",
t*e t.o *al?r#lin" )lasses?irresistibly stri5es to "et it: T*e
s2littin" o so5erei"nty oretells not*in" less t*an )i5il .ar:
'#t beore t*e )om2etin" )lasses and 2arties .ill "o to
t*at extreme D es2e)ially in )ase t*ey dread t*e
intereren)e o t*ird or)e D t*ey may eel )om2elled or
G#ite lon" time to end#re, and e5en to san)tion, a t.o?
2o.er system: T*is system .ill ne5ert*eless ine5itably
ex2lode: !i5il .ar "i5es to t*is do#ble so5erei"nty its most
5isible, be)a#se territorial, ex2ression: Ea)* o t*e 2o.ers,
*a5in" )reated its o.n ortiied drill "ro#nd, i"*ts or
2ossession o t*e rest o t*e territory, .*i)* oten *as to
end#re t*e do#ble so5erei"nty in t*e orm o s#))essi5e
in5asions by t*e t.o i"*tin" 2o.ers, #ntil one o t*em
de)isi5ely installs itsel:
T*e En"lis* re5ol#tion o t*e se5enteent* )ent#ry, exa)tly
be)a#se it .as a "reat re5ol#tion s*atterin" t*e nation to
t*e bottom, aords a )lear exam2le o t*is alternatin" d#al
2o.er, .it* s*ar2 transitions in t*e orm o )i5il .ar:
0t irst t*e royal 2o.er, restin" #2on t*e 2ri5ile"ed )lasses
or t*e #22er )ir)les o t*ese )lasses D t*e aristo)rats and
bis*o2s, D is o22osed by t*e bo#r"eoisie and t*e )ir)les o
t*e sG#irear)*y t*at are )lose to it: T*e "o5ernment o t*e
bo#r"eoisie is t*e 3resbyterian 3arliament s#22orted by
t*e !ity o London: T*e 2rotra)ted )onli)t bet.een t*ese
t.o rF"imes is inally settled in o2en )i5il .ar: T*e t.o
"o5ernmental )entres D London and Oxord D )reate t*eir
o.n armies: Iere t*e d#al 2o.er ta8es territorial orm,
alt*o#"*, as al.ays in )i5il .ar, t*e bo#ndaries are 5ery
s*itin": 3arliament )onG#ers: T*e 8in" is )a2t#red and
a.aits *is ate:
It .o#ld seem t*at t*e )onditions are no. )reated or t*e
sin"le r#le o t*e 3resbyterian bo#r"eoisie: '#t beore t*e
royal 2o.er )o#ld be bro8en, t*e 2arliamentary army *as
)on5erted itsel into an inde2endent 2oliti)al or)e: It *as
)on)entrated in its ran8s t*e Inde2endents, t*e 2io#s and
resol#te 2etty bo#r"eoisie, t*e )ratsmen and armers:
T*is army 2o.er#lly intereres in t*e so)ial lie, not
merely as an armed or)e, b#t as a 3raetorian -#ard, and
as t*e 2oliti)al re2resentati5e o a ne. )lass o22osin" t*e
2ros2ero#s and ri)* bo#r"eoisie: !orres2ondin"ly t*e army
)reates a ne. state or"an risin" abo5e t*e military
)ommand: a )o#n)il o soldiers; and oi)ers; de2#ties
/Aa"itatorsB1: 0 ne. 2eriod o do#ble so5erei"nty *as t*#s
arri5ed: t*at o t*e 3resbyterian 3arliament and t*e
Inde2endents; army: T*is leads to o2en )onli)ts: T*e
bo#r"eoisie 2ro5es 3o.erless to o22ose .it* its o.n army
t*e Amodel armyB o !rom.ell D t*at is, t*e armed
2lebeians: T*e )onli)t ends .it* a 2#r"ation o t*e
3resbyterian 3arliament by t*e s.ord o t*e Inde2endents:
T*ere remains b#t t*e r#m2 o a 2arliamentJ t*e
di)tators*i2 o !rom.ell is establis*ed: T*e lo.er ran8s o
t*e army, #nder t*e leaders*i2 o t*e Le5ellers t*e
extreme let .in" o t*e re5ol#tion D try to o22ose to t*e
r#le o t*e #22er military le5els, t*e 2atri)ians o t*e army,
t*eir o.n 5eritably 2lebeian rF"ime: '#t t*is ne. t.o?
2o.er system does not s#))eed in de5elo2in": t*e
Le5ellers, t*e lo.est de2t*s o t*e 2etty bo#r"eoisie, *a5e
not yet, nor )an *a5e, t*eir o.n *istori) 2at*: !rom.ell
soon settles a))o#nts .it* *is enemies: 0 ne. 2oliti)al
eG#ilibri#m, and still by no means a stable one, is
establis*ed or a 2eriod o years:
In t*e "reat >ren)* re5ol#tion, t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly,
t*e ba)8bone o .*i)* .as t*e #22er le5els o t*e T*ird
Estate, )on)entrated t*e 2o.er in its *ands D .it*o#t
*o.e5er #lly ann#llin" t*e 2rero"ati5es o t*e 8in": T*e
2eriod o t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly is a )learly?mar8ed
2eriod o d#al 2o.er, .*i)* ends .it* t*e li"*t o t*e 8in"
to Varennes, and is ormally liG#idated .it* t*e o#ndin" o
t*e Re2#bli):
T*e irst >ren)* )onstit#tion /17911, based #2on t*e i)tion
o a )om2lete inde2enden)e o t*e le"islati5e and
exe)#ti5e 2o.ers, in reality )on)ealed rom t*e 2eo2le, or
tried to )on)eal, a do#ble so5erei"nty: t*at o t*e
bo#r"eoisie, irmly entren)*ed in t*e National 0ssembly
ater t*e )a2t#re by t*e 2eo2le o t*e 'astille, and t*at o
t*e old monar)*y still relyin" #2on t*e #22er )ir)les o t*e
2riest*ood, t*e )ler"y, t*e b#rea#)ra)y, and t*e military,
to say not*in" o t*eir *o2es o orei"n inter5ention: In t*is
sel?)ontradi)tory rF"ime lay t*e "erms o its ine5itable
destr#)tion: 0 .ay o#t )o#ld be o#nd only in t*e abolition
o bo#r"eois re2resentation by t*e 2o.ers o E#ro2ean
rea)tion, or in t*e "#illotine or t*e 8in" and t*e monar)*y:
3aris and !oblen< m#st meas#re t*eir or)es:
'#t beore it )omes to .ar and t*e "#illotine, t*e 3aris
!omm#ne enters t*e s)ene D s#22orted by t*e lo.est )ity
layers o t*e T*ird Estate D and .it* in)reasin" boldness
)ontests t*e 2o.er .it* t*e oi)ial re2resentati5es o t*e
national bo#r"eoisie: 0 ne. do#ble so5erei"nty is t*#s
ina#"#rated, t*e irst maniestation o .*i)* .e obser5e
as early as 179%, .*en t*e bi" and medi#m bo#r"eoisie is
still irmly seated in t*e administration and in t*e
m#ni)i2alities: Io. stri8in" is t*e 2i)t#re D and *o. 5ilely
it *as been slanderedO D o t*e eorts o t*e 2lebeian
le5els to raise t*emsel5es #2 o#t o t*e so)ial )ellars and
)ata)ombs, and stand ort* in t*at orbidden arena .*ere
2eo2le in .i"s and sil8 bree)*es are settlin" t*e ate o t*e
nation: It seemed as t*o#"* t*e 5ery o#ndation o so)iety,
tram2ed #nderoot by t*e )#lt#red bo#r"eoisie, .as
stirrin" and )omin" to lie: I#man *eads lited t*emsel5es
abo5e t*e solid mass, *orny *ands stret)*ed alot, *oarse
b#t )o#ra"eo#s 5oi)es s*o#tedO T*e distri)ts o 3aris,
bastards o t*e re5ol#tion, be"an to li5e a lie o t*eir o.n:
T*ey .ere re)o"nised D it .as im2ossible not to re)o"nise
t*emO D and transormed into se)tions: '#t t*ey 8e2t
)ontin#ally brea8in" t*e bo#ndaries o le"ality and
re)ei5in" a )#rrent o res* blood rom belo., o2enin"
t*eir ran8s in s2ite o t*e la. to t*ose .it* no ri"*ts, t*e
destit#te .ansculottes: 0t t*e same time t*e r#ral
m#ni)i2alities .ere be)omin" a s)reen or a 2easant
#2risin" a"ainst t*at bo#r"eois le"ality .*i)* .as
deendin" t*e e#dal 2ro2erty system: T*#s rom #nder
t*e se)ond nation arises a t*ird:
T*e 3arisian se)tions at irst stood o22osed to t*e
!omm#ne, .*i)* .as still dominated by t*e res2e)table
bo#r"eoisie: In t*e bold o#tbrea8 o 0#"#st 1%, 1792, t*e
se)tions "ained )ontrol o t*e !omm#ne: >rom t*en on t*e
re5ol#tionary !omm#ne o22osed t*e Le"islati5e
0ssembly, and s#bseG#ently t*e !on5ention, .*i)* ailed
to 8ee2 #2 .it* t*e 2roblems and 2ro"ress o t*e
re5ol#tion D re"isterin" its e5ents, b#t not 2erormin"
t*em D be)a#se it did not 2ossess t*e ener"y, a#da)ity
and #nanimity o t*at ne. )lass .*i)* *ad raised itsel #2
rom t*e de2t*s o t*e 3arisian distri)ts and o#nd s#22ort
in t*e most ba)8.ard 5illa"es: 0s t*e se)tions "ained
)ontrol o t*e !omm#ne, so t*e !omm#ne, by .ay o a
ne. ins#rre)tion, "ained )ontrol o t*e !on5ention: Ea)* o
t*e sta"es .as )*ara)terised by a s*ar2ly mar8ed do#ble
so5erei"nty, ea)* .in" o .*i)* .as tryin" to establis* a
sin"le and stron" "o5ernment D t*e ri"*t by a deensi5e
str#""le, t*e let by an oensi5e: T*#s, )*ara)teristi)ally D
or bot* re5ol#tions and )o#nter?re5ol#tions D t*e demand
or a di)tators*i2 res#lts rom t*e intolerable
)ontradi)tions o t*e do#ble so5erei"nty: T*e transition
rom one o its orms to t*e ot*er is a))om2lis*ed t*ro#"*
)i5il .ar: T*e "reat sta"es o re5ol#tion D t*at is, t*e
2assin" o 2o.er to ne. )lasses or layers D do not at all
)oin)ide in t*is 2ro)ess .it* t*e s#))ession o
re2resentati5e instit#tions, .*i)* mar)* alon" ater t*e
dynami) o t*e re5ol#tion li8e a belated s*ado.: In t*e
lon" r#n, to be s#re, t*e re5ol#tionary di)tators*i2 o t*e
Sans)#lottes #nites .it* t*e di)tators*i2 o t*e
!on5ention: '#t .it* .*at !on5ention@ 0 !on5ention
2#r"ed o t*e -irondists, .*o yesterday r#led it .it* t*e
*and o t*e Terror D a !on5ention abrid"ed and ada2ted to
t*e dominion o ne. so)ial or)es: T*#s by t*e ste2s o t*e
d#al 2o.er t*e >ren)* re5ol#tion rises in t*e )o#rse o o#r
years to its )#lmination: 0ter t*e 9t* T*ermidor it be"ins D
a"ain by t*e ste2s o t*e d#al 2o.er D to des)end: 0nd
a"ain )i5il .ar 2re)edes e5ery do.n.ard ste2, E#st as
beore it *ad a))om2anied e5ery rise: In t*is .ay t*e ne.
so)iety see8s a ne. eG#ilibri#m o or)es:
T*e R#ssian bo#r"eoisie, i"*tin" .it* and )o?o2eratin"
.it* t*e Ras2#tin b#rea#)ra)y, *ad enormo#sly
stren"t*ened its 2oliti)al 2osition d#rin" t*e .ar:
Ex2loitin" t*e deeat o )<arism, it *ad )on)entrated in its
*ands, by means o t*e !o#ntry and To.n #nions and t*e
Military?Ind#strial !ommittees, a "reat 2o.er: It *ad at its
inde2endent dis2osition enormo#s state reso#r)es, and
.as in t*e essen)e o t*e matter a 2arallel "o5ernment:
4#rin" t*e .ar t*e )<ar;s ministers )om2lained t*at 3rin)e
L5o5 .as #rnis*in" s#22lies to t*e army, eedin" it,
medi)atin" it, e5en establis*in" barber s*o2s or t*e
soldiers: A+e m#st eit*er 2#t an end to t*is, or "i5e t*e
.*ole 2o.er into *is *ands,B said Minister 9ri5os*ein in
191=: Ie ne5er ima"ined t*at a year and a *al later L5o5
.o#ld re)ei5e At*e .*ole 2o.erB D only not rom t*e )<ar,
b#t rom t*e *ands o 9erens8y, !*eid<e and S#8*ano5:
'#t on t*e se)ond day ater *e re)ei5ed it, t*ere be"an a
ne. do#ble so5erei"nty: alon"side o yesterday;s liberal
*al?"o5ernment?today ormally le"alised D t*ere arose an
#noi)ial, b#t so m#)* t*e more a)t#al "o5ernment o t*e
toilin" masses in t*e orm o t*e so5iets: >rom t*at
moment t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion be"an to "ro. #2 into an
e5ent o .orld?*istori) si"nii)an)e:
+*at, t*en, is t*e 2e)#liarity o t*is d#al 2o.er as it
a22eared in t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion@ In t*e e5ents o t*e
se5enteent* and ei"*teent* )ent#ries, t*e d#al 2o.er .as
in ea)* )ase a nat#ral sta"e in a str#""le im2osed #2on its
2arti)i2ants by a tem2orary )orrelation o or)es, and ea)*
side stro5e to re2la)e t*e d#al 2o.er .it* its o.n sin"le
2o.er: In t*e re5ol#tion o 1917, .e see t*e oi)ial
demo)ra)y )ons)io#sly and intentionally )reatin" a t.o?
2o.er system, dod"in" .it* all its mi"*t t*e transer o
2o.er into its o.n *ands: T*e do#ble so5erei"nty is
)reated, or so it seems at a "lan)e, not as a res#lt o a
str#""le o )lasses or 2o.er, b#t as t*e res#lt o a
5ol#ntary Ayieldin"B o 2o.er by one )lass to anot*er: In so
ar as t*e R#ssian Ademo)ra)yB so#"*t or an es)a2e rom
t*e t.o?2o.er rF"ime, it )o#ld ind one only in its o.n
remo5al rom 2o.er: It is E#st t*is t*at .e *a5e )alled t*e
2aradox o t*e >ebr#ary, re5ol#tion:
0 )ertain analo"y )an be o#nd in 1$&$, in t*e )ond#)t o
t*e -erman bo#r"eoisie .it* relation to t*e monar)*y: '#t
t*e analo"y is not )om2lete: T*e -erman bo#r"eoisie did
try earnestly to di5ide t*e 2o.er .it* t*e monar)*y on t*e
basis o an a"reement: '#t t*e bo#r"eoisie neit*er *ad t*e
#ll 2o.er in its *ands, nor by any means "a5e it o5er
.*olly to t*e monar)*y: AT*e 3r#ssian bo#r"eoisie
nominally 2ossessed t*e 2o.er, it did not or a moment
do#bt t*at t*e or)es o t*e old "o5ernment .o#ld 2la)e
t*emsel5es #nreser5edly at its dis2osition and )on5ert
t*emsel5es into loyal ad*erents o its o.n omni2oten)eB
/Marx and En"els1:
T*e R#ssian demo)ra)y o 1917, *a5in" )a2t#red t*e
2o.er rom t*e 5ery moment o ins#rre)tion tried not only
to di5ide it .it* t*e bo#r"eoisie, b#t to "i5e t*e state o5er
to t*e bo#r"eoisie absol#tely: T*is means, i yo# 2lease,
t*at in t*e irst G#arter o t*e t.entiet* )ent#ry t*e oi)ial
R#ssian demo)ra)y *ad s#))eeded in de)ayin" 2oliti)ally
)om2letely t*an t*e -erman liberal bo#r"eoisie o t*e
nineteent* )ent#ry: 0nd t*at is entirely a))ordin" to t*e
la.s o *istory, or it is merely t*e re5erse as2e)t o
#2"ro.t* in t*ose same de)ades o t*e 2roletariat, .*i)*
no. o))#2ied t*e 2la)e o t*e )ratsmen o !rom.ell and
t*e .ansculottes o Robes2ierre:
I yo# loo8 dee2er, t*e t.oold r#le o t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment and t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee *ad t*e
)*ara)ter o a mere rele)tion: Only t*e 2roletariat )o#ld
ad5an)e a )laim to t*e ne. 2o.er: Relyin" distr#st#lly
#2on t*e .or8ers and soldiers, t*e !om2romisers .ere
)om2elled to )ontin#e t*e do#ble boo88ee2in" D o t*e
8in"s and t*e 2ro2*ets: T*e t.oold "o5ernment o t*e
liberals and t*e demo)rats only rele)ted t*e still
)on)ealed do#ble so5erei"nty o t*e bo#r"eoisie and t*e
2roletariat: +*en t*e 'ols*e5i8s dis2la)e t*e
!om2romisers at t*e *ead o t*e So5iet D and t*is .ill
*a22en .it*in a e. mont*s D t*en t*at )on)ealed do#ble
so5erei"nty .ill )ome to t*e s#ra)e, and t*is .ill be t*e
e5e o t*e O)tober re5ol#tion: 6ntil t*at moment t*e
re5ol#tion .ill li5e in a .orld o 2oliti)al rele)tions:
Rera)ted t*ro#"* t*e rationalisations t*e so)ialist
intelli"entsia, t*e do#ble so5erei"nty, rom bein" a sta"e
in t*e )lass str#""le, be)ame a re"#lati5e 2rin)i2le: It .as
E#st or t*is reason t*at it o))#2ied t*e )entre o all
t*eoreti)al dis)#ssions: E5eryt*in" *as its #ses: t*e mirror?
li8e )*ara)ter o t*e >ebr#ary do#ble "o5ernment *as
enabled #s better to #nderstand t*ose e2o)*s in *istory
.*en t*e same t*in" a22ears as a #ll?blooded e2isode in
a str#""le bet.een t.o rF"imes: T*e eeble and rele)ted
li"*t o t*e moon ma8es 2ossible im2ortant )on)l#sions
abo#t t*e s#nli"*t:
In t*e immeas#rably "reater mat#rity o t*e R#ssian
2roletariat in )om2arison .it* t*e to.n masses o t*e
older re5ol#tions, lies t*e basi) 2e)#liarity o t*e R#ssian
re5ol#tion: T*is led irst to t*e 2aradox o a *al?s2e)tral
do#ble "o5ernment, and ater.ards 2re5ented t*e real
one rom bein" resol5ed in a5o#r o t*e bo#r"eoisie: >or
t*e G#estion stood t*#s: Eit*er t*e bo#r"eoisie .ill
a)t#ally dominate t*e old state a22arat#s, alterin" it a
little or its 2#r2oses, in .*i)* )ase t*e so5iets .ill )ome
to not*in"J or t*e so5iets .ill orm t*e o#ndation o a ne.
state, liG#idatin" not only t*e old "o5ernmental a22arat#s
b#t also t*e dominion o t*ose )lasses .*i)* it ser5ed: T*e
Mens*e5i8s and t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries .ere steerin"
to.ard t*e irst sol#tion, t*e 'ols*e5i8s to.ard t*e
se)ond: T*e o22ressed )lasses, .*o, as Marat obser5ed,
did not 2ossess in t*e 2ast t*e 8no.led"e, or s8ill, or
leaders*i2 to )arry t*ro#"* .*at t*ey *ad be"#n, .ere
armed in t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion o t*e t.entiet* )ent#ry
.it* all t*ree: T*e 'ols*e5i8s .ere 5i)torio#s:
0 year ater t*eir 5i)tory t*e same sit#ation .as re2eated
in -ermany, .it* a dierent )orrelation o or)es: T*e
so)ial demo)ra)y .as steerin" or t*e establis*ment o a
demo)rati) "o5ernment o t*e bo#r"eoisie and t*e
liG#idation o t*e so5iets: L#xemb#r" and Lieb8ne)*t
steered to.ard t*e di)tators*i2 o t*e so5iets: T*e So)ial
4emo)rats .on: Iilerdin" and 9a#ts8y in -ermany, Max
0dler in 0#stria, 2ro2osed t*at t*ey s*o#ld A)ombineB
demo)ra)y .it* t*e so5iet system, in)l#din" t*e .or8ers;
so5iets in t*e )onstit#tion: T*at .o#ld *a5e meant ma8in"
2otential or o2en )i5il .ar a )onstit#ent 2art o t*e state
rF"ime: It .o#ld be im2ossible to ima"ine a more )#rio#s
6to2ia: Its sole E#stii)ation on -erman soil is 2er*a2s an
old tradition: t*e +Prttember" demo)rats o ;&$ .anted a
re2#bli) .it* a d#8e at t*e *ead:
4oes t*is 3*enomenon o t*e d#al 2o.er D *eretoore not
s#i)iently a22re)iated D )ontradi)t t*e Marxian t*eory o
t*e state, .*i)* re"ards "o5ernment as an exe)#ti5e
)ommittee o t*e r#lin" )lass@ T*is is E#st t*e same as
as8in": 4oes t*e l#)t#ation o 2ri)es #nder t*e inl#en)e
o s#22ly and demand )ontradi)t t*e labo#r t*eory o
5al#e@ 4oes t*e sel?sa)rii)e o a emale 2rote)tin" *er
os2rin" re#te t*e t*eory o a str#""le or existen)e@ No,
in t*ese 2*enomena .e *a5e a more )om2li)ated
)ombination o t*e same la.s: I t*e state is an
or"anisation o )lass r#le, and a re5ol#tion is t*e
o5ert*ro. o t*e r#lin" )lass, t*en t*e transer o 2o.er
rom t*e one )lass to t*e ot*er m#st ne)essarily )reate
sel?)ontradi)tory state )onditions, and irst o all in t*e
orm o t*e d#al 2o.er: T*e relation o )lass or)es is not a
mat*emati)al G#antity 2ermittin" a riori )om2#tations:
+*en t*e old rF"ime is t*ro.n o#t o eG#ilibri#m, a ne.
)orrelation o or)es )an be establis*ed only as t*e res#lt
o a trial by battle: T*at is re5ol#tion:
It may seem as t*o#"* t*is t*eoreti)al inG#iry *as led #s
a.ay rom t*e e5ents o 1917: In reality it leads ri"*t into
t*e *eart o t*em: It .as 2re)isely aro#nd t*is 2roblem o
t.oold 2o.er t*at t*e dramati) str#""le o 2arties and
)lasses t#rned: Only rom a t*eoreti)al *ei"*t is it 2ossible
to obser5e it #lly and )orre)tly #nderstand it:
Note
1: 4#al 2o.er is t*e 2*rase settled #2on in )omm#nist
literat#re as an En"lis* renderin" o dvoevlastie: T*e term
is #ntranslatable bot* be)a#se o its orm t.in?2o.erdom
D and be)a#se t*e stem, 5last, means so5erei"nty as .ell
as 2o.er: Vlast is also #sed as an eG#i5alent o
"o5ernment, and in t*e 2l#ral )orres2onds to o#r 2*rase
t*e a#t*orities: In 5ie. o t*is, I *a5e em2loyed some
ot*er terms besides d#al 2o.er: do#ble so5erei"nty, t.o?
2o.er rF"ime, et): KTrans$L
Chapter 12: The 62ecutive
Committee
T*e or"anisation )reated on >ebr#ary 27 in t*e Ta#ride
3ala)e, and )alled AExe)#ti5e !ommittee o T*e So5iet o
+or8ers; 4e2#ties,B *ad little in )ommon .it* its name:
T*e So5iet o 4e2#ties o 19%=, t*e ori"inator o t*e
system, rose o#t o a "eneral stri8e: It dire)tly re2resented
t*e masses in str#""le: T*e leaders o t*e stri8e be)ame
t*e de2#ties o t*e So5ietJ t*e sele)tion o its members*i2
.as )arried o#t #nder ireJ its Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .as
ele)ted by t*e So5iet or t*e #rt*er 2rose)#tion o t*e
str#""le: It .as t*is Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .*i)* 2la)ed on
t*e order o t*e day t*e armed ins#rre)tion:
T*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion, t*an8s to t*e re5olt o t*e troo2s,
.as 5i)torio#s beore t*e .or8ers *ad )reated a so5iet:
T*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .as sel?)onstit#ted, in ad5an)e
o t*e So5iet and inde2endently o t*e a)tories and
re"iments ater t*e 5i)tory o t*e re5ol#tion:
+e *a5e *ere t*e )lassi) initiati5e o t*e radi)als D
standin" aside rom t*e re5ol#tionary str#""le, b#t "ettin"
ready to *ar5est its r#it: T*e real leaders o t*e .or8ers
*ad not yet let t*e streets: T*ey .ere disarmin" some,
armin" ot*ers, ma8in" s#re o t*e 5i)tory: T*e more ar?
si"*ted amon" t*em .ere alarmed by t*e ne.s t*at in t*e
Ta#ride 3ala)e some 8ind o a so5iet o .or8ers; de2#ties
*ad )ome into bein": ,#st as in t*e a#t#mn o 191( t*e
liberal bo#r"eoisie, in ex2e)tation o a 2ala)e re5ol#tion
.*i)* somebody .as s#22osed to 2#t t*ro#"*, *ad "ot
ready a reser5e "o5ernment to im2ose #2on t*e ne. )<ar
in )ase it s#))eeded, so t*e radi)al intelli"entsia "ot ready
its reser5e s#b?"o5ernment at t*e moment o t*e >ebr#ary
5i)tory: Inasm#)* as t*ey *ad been, at least in t*e 2ast,
ad*erents o t*e .or8ers; mo5ement and in)lined to )o5er
t*emsel5es .it* its tradition, t*ey no. named t*eir
os2rin" Exe)#ti5e !ommittee o t*e So5iet: T*at .as one
o t*ose *al?intentional alsii)ations .it* .*i)* all *istory
is illed, es2e)ially t*e *istory o 2o2#lar re5ol#tions: In a
re5ol#tionary t#rn o e5ents in5ol5in" a brea8 in t*e
s#))ession, t*ose Aed#)atedB )lasses .*o *a5e no. to
learn to .ield t*e 2o.er, "ladly sei<e *old o any names
and symbols )onne)ted .it* t*e *eroi) memories o t*e
masses: 0nd .ords not inreG#ently )on)eal t*e essen)e
o t*in"s D es2e)ially .*en t*is is demanded by t*e
interests o inl#ential "ro#2s: T*e immense a#t*ority o
t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee rom t*e 5ery day o its birt*
rested #2on its seemin" )ontin#an)e o t*e So5iet o 19%=:
T*is !ommittee, ratiied by t*e irst )*aoti) meetin" o t*e
So5iet, t*ereater exerted a de)isi5e inl#en)e bot* #2on
t*e members*i2 o t*e So5iet and #2on its 2oli)y: T*is
inl#en)e .as t*e more )onser5ati5e, in t*at t*e nat#ral
sele)tion o re5ol#tionary re2resentati5es .*i)* is
"#aranteed by t*e red?*ot atmos2*ere o a str#""le no
lon"er existed: T*e ins#rre)tion .as already in t*e 2ast: 0ll
.ere dr#n8 .it* 5i)tory, .ere 2lannin" *o. to "et
)omortable on t*e ne. basis, .ere relaxin" t*eir so#ls,
2artly also t*eir *eads: It reG#ired mont*s o ne. )onli)ts
and str#""les in ne. )ir)#mstan)es, .it* t*e )onseG#ent
res*#lin" o 2ersonnel, in order t*at t*e so5iets, rom
bein" or"ans or )onse)ratin" t*e 5i)tory, s*o#ld be)ome
or"ans o str#""le and 2re2aration or a ne. ins#rre)tion:
+e em2*asise t*is as2e)t o matter be)a#se it *as #ntil
no. been let )om2letely in t*e s*ade:
Io.e5er, not only t*e )onditions in .*i)* t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee and t*e So5iet arose determined t*eir
moderate and )om2romisin" )*ara)ter: 4ee2er and more
end#rin" )a#ses .ere o2eratin" in t*e same dire)tion:
T*ere .ere o5er 1=%,%%% soldiers in 3etro"rad: T*ere .ere
at least o#r times as many .or8in" men and .omen o all
)ate"ories: Ne5ert*eless or e5ery t.o .or8er?dele"ates in
t*e So5iet, t*ere .ere i5e soldiers: T*e r#les o
re2resentation .ere extremely elasti), and t*ey .ere
al.ays stret)*ed to t*e ad5anta"e o t*e soldiers:
+*ereas t*e .or8ers ele)ted only one dele"ate or e5ery
t*o#sand, t*e most 2etty military #nit .o#ld reG#ently
send t.o: T*e "rey army )lot* be)ame t*e "eneral "ro#nd
tone o t*e So5iet:
'#t by no means all e5en o t*e )i5ilians .ere sele)ted by
.or8ers: No small n#mber o 2eo2le "ot into t*e So5iet by
indi5id#al in5itation, t*ro#"* 2#ll, or sim2ly t*an8s to t*eir
o.n 2enetrati5e ability: Radi)al la.yers, 2*ysi)ians,
st#dents, Eo#rnalists, re2resentin" 5ario#s 2roblemati)al
"ro#2s D or most oten re2resentin" t*eir o.n ambition:
T*is ob5io#sly distorted )*ara)ter o t*e So5iet .as e5en
.el)omed by t*e leaders, .*o .ere not a bit sorry to
dil#te t*e too )on)entrated essen)e o a)tory and barra)8
.it* t*e l#8e.arm .ater o )#lti5ated 3*ilistia: Many o
t*ese a))idental )ras*ers?in, see8ers o ad5ent#re, sel?
a22ointed Messia*s, and 2roessional b#n8 s*ooters, or a
lon" time )ro.ded o#t .it* t*eir a#t*oritati5e elbo.s t*e
silent .or8ers and irresol#te soldiers:
0nd i t*is .as so in 3etro"rad, it is not *ard to ima"ine
*o. it loo8ed in t*e 2ro5in)es, .*ere t*e 5i)tory )ame
.*olly .it*o#t str#""le: T*e .*ole )o#ntry .as s.armin"
.it* soldiers: T*e "arrisons at 9ie5, Ielsin"ors, Tilis, .ere
as n#mero#s as t*at in 3etro"radJ in Sarato5, Samara,
Tambo5, Oms8, t*ere .ere 7%,%%% to $%,%%% soldiersJ in
Carosla5l, E8aterinosla5, E8aterinb#r" (%,%%%J in a .*ole
series o ot*er )ities, =%,%%%, &%,%%% and $%,%%%: T*e
so5iet re2resentation .as dierently or"anised in dierent
lo)alities, b#t e5ery.*ere it 2#t t*e troo2s in a 2ri5ile"ed
2osition: 3oliti)ally t*is .as )a#sed by t*e .or8ers
t*emsel5es, .*o .anted to "o as ar as 2ossible to meet
t*e soldiers: T*e so5iet leaders .ere eG#ally ea"er to "o
to meet t*e oi)ers: 'esides t*e )onsiderable n#mber o
lie#tenants and ensi"ns at irst ele)ted by t*e soldiers
t*emsel5es, a s2e)ial re2resentation .as oten "i5en,
2arti)#larly in t*e 2ro5in)es, to t*e )ommandin" sta: 0s a
res#lt t*e military *ad in many so5iets an absol#tely
o5er.*elmin" maEority: T*e soldier masses, .*o *ad not
yet *ad time to a)G#ire a 2oliti)al 2*ysio"nomy,
ne5ert*eless determined t*ro#"* t*eir re2resentati5es t*e
2*ysio"nomy o t*e so5iets:
In e5ery re2resentati5e system t*ere is a )ertain la)8 o
)orres2onden)e: It .as es2e)ially "reat on t*e se)ond day
o t*e re5ol#tion: T*e de2#ties o t*e 2oliti)ally *el2less
soldiers oten t#rned o#t in t*ose early days to be 2eo2le
)om2letely alien to t*e soldiers and to t*e re5ol#tion D all
sorts o intelle)t#als and semi?intelle)t#als .*o *ad been
*idin" in t*e rear barra)8s and )onseG#ently )ame o#t as
extreme 2atriots: T*#s .as )reated a di5er"en)e bet.een
t*e mood o t*e barra)8s and t*e mood o t*e so5iet:
Oi)er Stan8e5i)*, .*om t*e soldiers o *is battalion *ad
re)ei5ed ba)8 s#llenly and distr#st#lly ater t*e
re5ol#tion, made a s#))ess#l s2ee)* in t*e soldiers;
se)tion on t*e deli)ate G#estion o dis)i2line: +*y, *e
as8ed, is t*e mood o t*e So5iet "entler and more
a"reeable t*an t*at o t*e battalions@ T*is na]5e 2er2lexity
testiies on)e more *o. *ard it is or t*e real eelin"s o
t*e lo.er ran8s to ind a 2at* to t*e to2:
Ne5ert*eless, as early as Mar)* $, meetin"s o soldiers
and .or8ers be"an to demand t*at t*e So5iet de2ose
ort*.it* t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment o t*e liberal
bo#r"eoisie, and ta8e t*e 2o.er in its o.n *ands: Iere
a"ain t*e initiati5e belon"ed to t*e Vybor" distri)t: 0nd
)o#ld t*ere be, indeed, a demand more intelli"ible and
nearer to t*e *earts o t*e masses@ '#t t*is a"itation .as
soon bro8en o, not only be)a#se t*e 4eensists s*ar2ly
o22osed itJ .orse t*an t*at, t*e maEority leaders*i2 *ad
already in t*e irst *al o Mar)* bo.ed do.n in real a)t to
t*e t.o?2o.er rF"ime: 0nd any.ay, aside rom t*e
'ols*e5i8s, t*ere .as no one to brin" #2 sG#arely t*e
G#estion o 2o.er: T*e Vybor" leaders *ad to ba)8 do.n:
T*e 3etro"rad .or8ers, *o.e5er, did not or one moment
"i5e t*eir )oniden)e to t*e ne. "o5ernment, nor )onsider
it t*eir o.n: T*ey did listen 8eenly, t*o#"*, to t*e soldiers
and try not to o22ose t*em too s*ar2ly: T*e soldiers, on
t*e ot*er *and, E#st learnin" t*e irst syllables o 2oliti)al
lie, alt*o#"* as s*re.d 2easants t*ey .o#ld not tr#st any
master .*o *a22ened alon", ne5ert*eless intently
listened to t*eir re2resentati5es, .*o in t#rn lent a
res2e)t#l ear to t*e a#t*oritati5e leaders o t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommitteeJ and t*ese latter did not*in" b#t listen .it*
alarm to t*e 2#lse o t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie: 62on t*is
system o #ni5ersal listenin" rom t*e bottom to.ard t*e
to2 e5eryt*in" rested D or t*e time bein": Io.e5er, t*e
mood rom belo. *ad to brea8 o#t on t*e s#ra)e: T*e
G#estion o 2o.er, artii)ially sidetra)8ed, 8e2t 2#s*in" #2
ane., alt*o#"* in dis"#ised orm: AT*e soldiers don;t 8no.
.*om to listen to,B )om2lained t*e distri)ts and t*e
2ro5in)es, ex2ressin" in t*is .ay to t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee t*eir dissatisa)tion .it* t*e di5ided
so5erei"nty: 4ele"ations rom t*e 'alti) and 'la)8 Sea
leets anno#n)ed on t*e 1(t* o Mar)* t*at t*ey .ere
ready to re)o"nise t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment in so ar as
it .ent *and in *and .it* t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommitteeJ in
ot*er .ords, t*ey did not intend to re)o"nise it at all: 0s
time "oes on, t*is note so#nds lo#der and lo#der: AT*e
army and t*e 2o2#lation s*o#ld s#bmit only to t*e
dire)tions o t*e So5iet,B resol5es t*e 172nd Reser5e
re"iment, sad t*en immediately orm#lates t*e )ontrary
t*eorem: AT*ose dire)tions o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment
.*i)* )onli)t .it* t*e de)ision o t*e So5iet are not to be
obeyed:B +it* a mixed eelin" o satisa)tion and anxiety
t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee san)tioned t*is sit#ationJ .it*
"rindin" teet* t*e "o5ernment end#red it: T*ere .as
not*in" else or eit*er o t*em to do:
0lready early in Mar)*, so5iets .ere )omin" into bein" in
all t*e 2rin)i2al to.ns and ind#strial )entres: >rom t*ese
s2read in t*e next e. .ee8s t*ro#"*o#t t*e )o#ntry: T*ey
be"an to arri5e in t*e 5illa"es only in 02ril and MayJ at
irst it .as 2ra)ti)ally t*e army alone .*i)* s2o8e in t*e
name o t*e 2easants:
T*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee o t*e 3etro"rad So5iet a)t#ally
a)G#ired a state si"nii)an)e: T*e ot*er so5iets "#ided
t*emsel5es by t*e )a2ital, one ater t*e ot*er ado2tin"
resol#tions o )onditional s#22ort to t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment: 0lt*o#"* in t*e irst mont*s t*e relations
bet.een t*e 3etro"rad and 2ro5in)ial so5iets .or8ed
t*emsel5es o#t smoot*ly, and .it*o#t )onli)t or serio#s
disa"reement, ne5ert*eless t*e ne)essity o a state
or"anisation .as ob5io#s in t*e .*ole sit#ation: 0 mont*
ater t*e o5ert*ro. o t*e a#to)ra)y a irst )oneren)e o
so5iets .as s#mmoned D in)om2lete and one?sided in its
members*i2: 0lt*o#"*, o#t o 1$= or"anisations
re2resented, t.o?t*irds .ere 2ro5in)ial so5iets, t*ese .ere
or t*e most 2art soldiers; so5iets: To"et*er .it* t*e
re2resentati5es o t*e ront or"anisations, t*ese military
dele"ates D or t*e most 2art oi)ers D .ere in an
o5er.*elmin" maEority: S2ee)*es reso#nded abo#t .ar to
)om2lete 5i)tory, and o#t)ries reso#nded a"ainst t*e
'ols*e5i8s, not.it*standin" t*eir more t*an moderate
be*a5io#r: T*e )oneren)e illed o#t t*e 3etro"rad
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .it* sixteen )onser5ati5e
2ro5in)ials, t*#s le"itimisin" its state )*ara)ter:
T*at stren"t*ened t*e ri"*t .in" still more: >rom no. on
t*ey ri"*tened t*e mal)ontents by all#din" to t*e
2ro5in)es: T*e resol#tion on re"#latin" t*e members*i2 o
t*e 3etro"rad So5iet D ado2ted Mar)* 1& D .as *ardly
)arried o#t at all: It is not t*e lo)al so5iet t*at de)ides, b#t
t*e 0ll?R#ssian Exe)#ti5e !ommittee: T*e oi)ial leaders
t*#s o))#2ied an almost #nassailable 2osition: T*e most
im2ortant de)isions .ere made by t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee, or rat*er by its r#lin" n#)le#s, ater a
2reliminary a"reement .it* t*e n#)le#s o t*e
"o5ernment: T*e So5iet remained on one side: T*ey
treated it li8e a meetin": ANot t*ere, not in "eneral
meetin"s, is t*e 2oli)y .ro#"*t o#tJ all t*ese [2lenary
sessions; *ad de)idedly no 2ra)ti)al im2ortan)eB
/S#8*ano51: T*ese )om2la)ent r#lers o destiny t*o#"*t
t*at in entr#stin" t*e leaders*i2 to t*em t*e so5iets *ad
essentially )om2leted t*eir tas8: T*e #t#re .ill soon s*o.
t*em t*at t*is is not so: T*e masses are lon"?s#erin", b#t
t*ey are not )lay o#t o .*i)* yo# )an as*ion anyt*in"
yo# .ant to: Moreo5er, in a re5ol#tionary e2o)* t*ey learn
ast: In t*at lies t*e 2o.er o a re5ol#tion:
In order better to #nderstand t*e #rt*er de5elo2ment o
e5ents, it is ne)essary to 2a#se #2on t*e )*ara)ter o t*e
t.o 2arties .*i)* rom t*e 5ery be"innin" ormed a )lose
2oliti)al blo), dominatin" in t*e so5iets, in t*e demo)rati)
m#ni)i2alities, in t*e )on"resses o t*e so?)alled
re5ol#tionary demo)ra)y, and e5en )arryin" t*eir steadily
d.indlin" maEority to t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly, .*i)*
be)ame t*e last rele)tion o t*eir ormer 2o.er, li8e t*e
"lo. on a *illto2 ill#mined by a s#n already set:
I t*e R#ssian bo#r"eoisie a22eared in t*e .orld too late to
be demo)rati), t*e R#ssian demo)ra)y or t*e same
reason .anted to )onsider itsel so)ialisti): T*e demo)rati)
ideolo"y *ad been *o2elessly 2layed o#t in t*e )o#rse o
t*e nineteent* )ent#ry: 0 radi)al intelli"entsia standin" on
t*e ed"e o t*e t.entiet*, i it .anted to ind a 2at* to t*e
masses, *ad need o a so)ialist )olo#rin": T*is is t*e
"eneral *istori) )a#se .*i)* "a5e rise to t*ose t.o
intermediate 2arties: Mens*e5i8 and So)ial Re5ol#tionary:
Ea)* o t*em, *o.e5er, *ad its o.n "enealo"y and its o.n
ideolo"y:
T*e 5ie.s o t*e Mens*e5i8s .ere b#ilt #2 on a Marxian
basis: In )onseG#en)e o t*at same *istori)al belatedness
o R#ssia, Marxism *ad t*ere be)ome at irst not so m#)*
a )riti)ism o )a2italist so)iety as an ar"#ment or t*e
ine5itability o t*e bo#r"eois de5elo2ment o t*e )o#ntry:
Iistory )le5erly made #se o t*e emas)#lated t*eory o
2roletarian re5ol#tion, in order .it* its *el2 to
E#ro2eanise, in t*e bo#r"eois sense, .ide )ir)les o t*e
mo#ldy ANarodni8B intelli"entsia: In t*is 2ro)ess a 5ery
im2ortant rHle ell to t*e Mens*e5i8s: !onstit#tin" t*e let
.in" o t*e bo#r"eois intelli"entsia, t*ey 2#t t*e
bo#r"eoisie in to#)* .it* t*e more moderate #22er layers
o t*e .or8ers, t*ose .it* a tenden)y to.ards le"al
a)ti5ity aro#nd 4#ma and in t*e trade #nions:
T*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, on t*e )ontrary, str#""led
t*eoreti)ally a"ainst Marxism?alt*o#"* sometimes
s#rrenderin" to it: T*ey )onsidered t*emsel5es a 2arty
.*i)* realised t*e #nion o t*e intelli"entsia, t*e .or8ers
and t*e 2easants?#nder t*e leaders*i2, it "oes .it*o#t
sayin", o t*e !riti)al Reason: In t*e e)onomi) s2*ere t*eir
ideas .ere an indi"estible mess o 5ario#s *istori)al
a))#m#lations, rele)tin" t*e )ontradi)tory lie?)onditions
o t*e 2easantry in a )o#ntry ra2idly be)omin" )a2italisti):
T*e )omin" re5ol#tion 2resented itsel to t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries as neit*er bo#r"eois nor so)ialisti), b#t
Ademo)rati)B: t*ey s#bstit#ted a 2oliti)al orm#la or a
so)ial )ontent: T*ey t*#s laid o#t or t*emsel5es a )o#rse
*al.ay bet.een t*e bo#r"eoisie and t*e 2roletariat, and
)onseG#ently a 2osition o arbiter bet.een t*em: 0ter
>ebr#ary it mi"*t seem as t*o#"* t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries did a)t#ally a22roa)* t*is 2osition:
>rom t*e time o t*e irst re5ol#tion t*ey *ad *ad t*eir
roots in t*e 2easantry: In t*e irst mont*s o 1917, t*e
.*ole r#ral intelli"entsia ado2ted or its o.n t*e
traditional orm#la o t*e Narodni8s: ALand and >reedom:B
In )ontrast to t*e Mens*e5i8s .*o remained al.ays a
2arty o t*e )ities, t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries *ad o#nd, it
seemed, an ama<in"ly 2o.er#l s#22ort in t*e )o#ntry:
More t*an t*at, t*ey dominated e5en in t*e )ities: in t*e
so5iets t*ro#"* t*e soldiers; se)tions, and in t*e irst
demo)rati) m#ni)i2alities .*ere t*ey *ad an absol#te
maEority o t*e 5otes: T*e 2o.er o t*is 2arty seemed
#nlimited: In reality it .as a 2oliti)al aberration: 0 2arty or
.*om e5erybody 5otes ex)e2t t*at minority .*o 8no.
.*at t*ey are 5otin" or, is no more a 2arty, t*an t*e
ton"#e in .*i)* babies o all )o#ntries babble is a national
lan"#a"e: T*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary 3arty )ame or.ard as
a solemn desi"nation or e5eryt*in" in t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion t*at .as immat#re, #norm#lated and )on#sed:
E5erybody .*o *ad not in*erited rom t*e 2re?
re5ol#tionary 2ast s#i)ient reasons to 5ote or t*e 9adets
or t*e 'ols*e5i8s, 5oted or t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries: '#t
t*e 9adets stood inside a )losed )ir)le o 2ro2erty o.nersJ
and t*e 'ols*e5i8s .ere still e., mis#nderstood, and
e5en terriyin": To 5ote or t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries
meant to 5ote or t*e re5ol#tion in "eneral, and in5ol5ed
no #rt*er obli"ation: In t*e )ity it meant t*e desire o t*e
soldiers to asso)iate t*emsel5es .it* a 2arty t*at stood or
t*e 2easants, t*e desire o t*e ba)8.ard 2art o t*e
.or8ers to stand )lose to t*e soldiers, t*e desire o t*e
small to.ns2eo2le not to brea8 a.ay rom t*e soldiers and
t*e 2easants: In t*ose days t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary
members*i2?)ard .as a tem2orary ti)8et o admission to
t*e instit#tions o t*e re5ol#tion, and t*is ti)8et remained
5alid #ntil it .as re2la)ed by anot*er )ard o a more
serio#s )*ara)ter: It *as been tr#ly said o t*is "reat 2arty,
.*i)* too8 in all and e5erybody, t*at it .as only a
"randiose <ero:
>rom t*e time o t*e irst re5ol#tion, t*e Mens*e5i8s *ad
inerred t*e ne)essity o a #nion .it* t*e liberals rom t*e
bo#r"eois )*ara)ter o t*e re5ol#tion: 0nd t*ey 5al#ed t*is
#nion *i"*er t*an )oo2eration .it* t*e 2easantry, .*om
t*ey )onsidered an #nsae ally: T*e 'ols*e5i8s, on t*e
)ontrary, *ad o#nded t*eir 5ie. o t*e re5ol#tion on a
#nion o t*e 2roletariat .it* t*e 2easantry a"ainst t*e
liberal bo#r"eoisie: 0s an a)t#al a)t .e see in t*e
>ebr#ary re5ol#tion an o22osite "ro#2in" D t*e Mens*e5i8s
and So)ial Re5ol#tionaries )ome o#t a )lose #nion,
)om2leted by t*eir )ommon blo) .it* t*e liberal
bo#r"eoisie: T*e 'ols*e5i8s, on t*e oi)ial 2oliti)al ield,
are )om2letely isolated:
T*is a22arently inex2li)able a)t is in reality .*olly in
a))ord .it* t*e la.s o t*in"s: T*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries
.ere not by any means a 2easant 2arty, not.it*standin"
t*e .*olesale sym2at*y or t*eir slo"ans in t*e 5illa"es:
T*e )entral n#)le#s o t*e 2arty D .*at a)t#ally deined its
2oli)ies and )reated ministers and b#rea#)rats rom its
midst D .as ar more )losely asso)iated .it* t*e liberal
and radi)al )ir)les o t*e )ities t*an .it* t*e masses o t*e
2easants in re5olt: T*is r#lin" n#)le#s D monstro#sly
s.elled by t*e )areerist lood o So)ial Re5ol#tionaries o
t*e Mar)* 5inta"e D .as ri"*tened to deat* by t*e s2read
o t*e 2easant mo5ement #nder So)ial Re5ol#tionary
slo"ans: T*ese res*ly ba8ed ANarodni8sB .is*ed t*e
2easants all "ood t*in"s, o )o#rse, b#t did not .ant t*e
red )o)8 to )ro.: 0nd t*e *orror o t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries beore t*e 2easant re5olt .as 2aralleled
by t*e *orror o t*e Mens*e5i8s beore t*e assa#lt o t*e
2roletariat: In its entirety t*is demo)rati) ri"*t .as a
rele)tion o t*e 5ery real dan"er to t*e 2ossessin" )lasses
)a#sed by a mo5ement o t*e o22ressed, a dan"er .*i)*
#nited t*em in a sin"le )am2, t*e bo#r"eois?landlord
rea)tion: T*e blo) o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries .it* t*e
"o5ernment o landlord L5o5 si"nalised t*eir brea8 .it*
t*e a"rarian re5ol#tion, E#st as t*e blo) o t*e Mens*e5i8s
.it* ind#strialists and ban8ers o t*e ty2e o -#)*8o5,
Teres*)*en8o and 9ono5alo5, meant t*eir brea8 .it* t*e
2roletarian mo5ement: In t*ese )ir)#mstan)es t*e #nion o
Mens*e5i8s and So)ial Re5ol#tionaries meant not a
)oo2eration o 2roletariat .it* 2easants, b#t a )oalition o
t*ose 2arties .*i)* *ad bro8en .it* t*e 2roletariat and
t*e 2easants res2e)ti5ely, or t*e sa8e o a blo) .it* t*e
2ossessin" )lasses:
>rom .*at *as been said it is )lear t*at t*e so)ialism o
t*e t.o demo)rati) 2arties .as a i)tion: '#t t*is is ar
rom sayin" t*at t*eir demo)ratism .as real: It is a
bloodless sort o demo)ratism t*at reG#ires a so)ialisti)
dis"#ise: T*e R#ssian 2roletariat *ad .a"ed its str#""le
or demo)ra)y in irre)on)ilable anta"onism to t*e liberal
bo#r"eoisie: T*e demo)rati) 2arties t*ereore, in enterin"
a blo) .it* t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie, *ad ine5itably to enter
into )onli)t .it* t*e 2roletariat: S#)* .ere t*e so)ial roots
o t*e )r#el str#""le to )ome bet.een !om2romisers and
'ols*e5i8s:
I yo# red#)e t*e abo5e o#tlined 2ro)esses to t*eir na8ed
)lass me)*anism D o .*i)* o )o#rse t*e 2arti)i2ants, and
e5en t*e leaders, o t*e t.o )om2romise 2arties .ere not
t*oro#"*ly )ons)io#s D yo# "et a22roximately t*e
ollo.in" distrib#tion o *istori) #n)tions: T*e liberal
bo#r"eoisie .as already #nable to .in o5er t*e masses:
T*ereore it eared a re5ol#tion: '#t a re5ol#tion .as
ne)essary or t*e bo#r"eois de5elo2ment: >rom t*e
enran)*ised bo#r"eoisie t.o "ro#2s s2lit o, )onsistin" o
sons and yo#n"er brot*ers: One o t*ese "ro#2s .ent to
t*e .or8ers, t*e ot*er to t*e 2easants: T*ey tried to
atta)* t*ese .or8ers and 2easants to t*emsel5es,
sin)erely and *otly demonstratin" t*at t*ey .ere so)ialists
and *ostile to t*e bo#r"eoisie: In t*is .ay t*ey a)t#ally
"ained a )onsiderable inl#en)e o5er t*e 2eo2le: '#t 5ery
soon t*e ee)t o t*eir ideas o#tstri22ed t*e ori"inal
intention: T*e bo#r"eoisie sensed a mortal dan"er and
so#nded t*e alarm: 'ot* t*e "ro#2s .*i)* *ad s2lit o
rom it, t*e Mens*e5i8s and t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries,
ea"erly res2onded to t*e s#mmons rom t*e *ead o t*e
amily: Iastily 2at)*in" #2 t*e old disa"reements t*ey all
stood s*o#lder to s*o#lder, abandoned t*e masses, and
r#s*ed to t*e res)#e o bo#r"eois so)iety:
T*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries made a eeble and labby
im2ression e5en in )om2arison .it* t*e Mens*e5i8s: To
t*e 'ols*e5i8s at all im2ortant moments t*ey seemed
merely t*ird?rate 9adets: To t*e 9adets t*ey seemed t*ird?
rate 'ols*e5i8s: /T*e se)ond?rate 2osition .as o))#2ied, in
bot* )ases, by t*e Mens*e5i8s:1 T*eir #nstable s#22ort
and t*e ormlessness o t*eir ideolo"y .ere rele)ted in
t*eir 2ersonnel: on all t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary leaders lay
t*e im2rint o #ninis*edness, s#2eri)iality and
sentimental #nreliability: +e may say .it*o#t any
exa""eration t*at t*e ran8?and?ile 'ols*e5i8 re5ealed
more 2oliti)al a)#men, more #nderstandin" o t*e
relations bet.een )lasses, t*an t*e most )elebrated So)ial
Re5ol#tionary leaders:
Ia5in" no stable )riteria, t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries
s*o.ed a tenden)y to.ard moral im2erati5es: It is *ardly
ne)essary to add t*at t*ese moral 2retensions did not in
t*e least *inder t*em rom em2loyin" in bi" 2oliti)s t*ose
2etty 8na5eries so )*ara)teristi) o intermediate 2arties
la)8in" a stable s#22ort, a )lear do)trine, and a "en#ine
moral axis:
In t*e Mens*e5i8?So)ial Re5ol#tionary blo) t*e dominant
2la)e belon"ed to t*e Mens*e5i8s, in s2ite o t*e .ei"*t o
n#mbers on t*e side o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries: In t*is
distrib#tion o or)es .as ex2ressed in a .ay t*e
*e"emony o t*e to.n o5er t*e )o#ntry, t*e 2redominan)e
o t*e )ity o5er t*e r#ral 2etty bo#r"eoisie, and inally t*e
intelle)t#al s#2eriority o a AMarxistB intelli"entsia o5er an
intelli"entsia .*i)* stood by t*e simon?2#re R#ssian
so)iolo"y, and 2rided itsel on t*e mea"reness o t*e old
R#ssian *istory:
In t*e irst .ee8s ater t*e re5ol#tion not one o t*e let
2arties, as .e 8no., *ad its a)t#al *eadG#arters in t*e
)a2ital: T*e "enerally re)o"nised leaders o t*e so)ialist
2arties .ere abroad: T*e se)ondary leaders .ere on t*eir
.ay to t*e )entre rom t*e >ar East: T*is )reated a mood
o 2r#den)e and .at)*#l .aitin" amon" t*e tem2orary
leaders, .*i)* dre. t*em )loser to"et*er: Not one o t*e
"#idin" "ro#2s in t*ose .ee8s t*o#"*t anyt*in" t*ro#"*
to t*e end: T*e str#""le o 2arties in t*e So5iet .as
extremely 2ea)eable in )*ara)ter: It .as a G#estion,
almost, o mere n#an)es .it*in one and t*e same
Are5ol#tionary demo)ra)y:B It is tr#e t*at .it* t*e arri5al o
Tseretelli rom exile /Mar)* 191 t*e So5iet leaders*i2 too8
a rat*er s*ar2 t#rn to.ard t*e ri"*t D to.ard dire)t
res2onsibility or t*e "o5ernment and t*e .ar: '#t t*e
'ols*e5i8s also to.ard t*e middle o Mar)*, #nder t*e
inl#en)e o 9amene5 and Stalin .*o *ad arri5ed rom
exile, s.#n" s*ar2ly to t*e ri"*t, so t*at t*e distan)e
bet.een t*e So5iet maEority and its let o22osition *ad
be)ome by t*e be"innin" o 02ril e5en less t*an it .as at
t*e be"innin" o Mar)*: T*e real dierentiation be"an a
little later: It is 2ossible to set t*e exa)t date: 02ril &, t*e
day ater t*e arri5al o Lenin in 3etro"rad:
T*e Mens*e5i8 3arty *ad a n#mber o distin"#is*ed
i"#res at t*e *ead o its dierent tenden)ies, b#t not one
re5ol#tionary leader: Its extreme ri"*t .in", led by t*e old
tea)*ers o t*e R#ssian so)ial demo)ra)y D 3le8*ano5,
Wass#li)*, 4e#ts)* D *ad ta8en a 2atrioti) 2osition e5en
#nder t*e a#to)ra)y: On t*e 5ery e5e o t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion, 3le8*ano5, .*o *ad so 2iti#lly o#tli5ed
*imsel, .rote in an 0meri)an ne.s2a2er t*at stri8es and
ot*er orms o .or8in"?)lass str#""le in R#ssia .o#ld no.
be a )rime: T*e broader )ir)les o old Mens*e5i8s D amon"
t*eir n#mber s#)* i"#res as Marto5, 4an, Tseretelli D *ad
ins)ribed t*emsel5es in t*e )am2 o Wimmer.ald and
re#sed to a))e2t res2onsibility or t*e .ar: '#t t*is
internationalism o t*e let Mens*e5i8s, as also o t*e let
So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, )on)ealed in t*e maEority o )ases a
mere demo)rati) o22ositionism: T*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion
re)on)iled a maEority o t*ose Wimmer.aldists K1L to t*e
.ar, .*i)* rom no. on t*ey dis)o5ered to be a str#""le
in deen)e o t*e re5ol#tion: T*e most de)isi5e in t*is
matter .as Tseretelli, .*o )arried 4an and t*e ot*ers
alon" .it* *im: Marto5, .*om t*e .ar *ad o#nd in
>ran)e, and .*o arri5ed rom abroad only on May 9, )o#ld
not *el2 seein" t*at *is ormer 2arty asso)iates *ad ater
t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion arri5ed at t*e same 2osition
o))#2ied by -#esde, Sembat and ot*ers at t*e be"innin"
o 191&, .*en t*ey too8 #2on t*emsel5es t*e deen)e o a
bo#r"eois re2#bli) a"ainst -erman absol#tism: Standin"
at t*e *ead o t*e let .in" o t*e Mens*e5i8s, .*i)* did
not rise to any serio#s rHle in t*e re5ol#tion, Marto5
remained in o22osition to t*e 2oli)y o Tseretelli and 4an D
at t*e same time o22osin" a ra22ro)*ement bet.een t*e
let Mens*e5i8s and t*e 'ols*e5i8s: Tseretelli s2o8e in t*e
name o oi)ial Mens*e5ism and *ad an ind#bitable
maEority D 2re?re5ol#tionary 2atriots *a5in" o#nd it easy
to #nite .it* t*ese 2atriots o t*e >ebr#ary 5inta"e:
3le8*ano5, *o.e5er, *ad *is o.n "ro#2, )om2letely
)*a#5inist and standin" o#tside t*e 2arty and o#tside t*e
So5iet: Marto5;s a)tion, .*i)* did not G#it t*e 2arty, *ad
no 2a2er o its o.n and no 2oli)y o its o.n: 0s al.ays at
times o "reat *istori) a)tion, Marto5 lo#ndered
*o2elessly and s.#n" in t*e air: In 1917, as in 19%=, t*e
re5ol#tion *ardly noti)ed t*is #n#s#ally able man:
T*e 2resident o t*e Mens*e5i8 a)tion o t*e 4#ma,
!*eid<e, be)ame almost a#tomati)ally t*e 2resident o t*e
3etro"rad So5iet, and ater.ards o its Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee: Ie tried to )onse)rate to t*e d#ties o *is
oi)e all t*e reso#r)es o *is )ons)ientio#sness,
)on)ealin" *is 2er2et#al la)8 o )oniden)e in *imsel
#nder an in"en#o#s Eo)#larity: Ie )arried t*e ineradi)able
im2rint o *is 2ro5in)e: Mo#ntaino#s -eor"ia, t*e land o
s#n, 5ineyards, 2easants and 2etty 2rin)es, .it* a small
2er)enta"e o .or8ers, 2rod#)ed a 5ery .ide strat#m o
let intelle)t#als, lexible, tem2eramental, b#t t*e 5ast
maEority o t*em not risin" abo5e t*e 2etty bo#r"eois
o#tloo8: -eor"ia sent Mens*e5i8s as de2#ties to all o#r
4#mas, and in all o#r a)tions *er de2#ties 2layed t*e
rHle o leaders: -eor"ia be)ame t*e -ironde o t*e R#ssian
re5ol#tion: '#t .*ereas t*e -irondists o t*e ei"*teent*
)ent#ry .ere a))#sed o ederalism, t*e -irondists o
-eor"ia, alt*o#"* at irst deendin" a sin"le and indi5isible
R#ssia, ended in se2aratism:
T*e most distin"#is*ed i"#re 2rod#)ed by t*e -eor"ian
-ironde .as #ndo#btedly t*e ormer de2#ty o t*e se)ond
4#ma, Tseretelli, .*o immediately on *is arri5al rom exile
too8 t*e leaders*i2, not only o t*e Mens*e5i8s, b#t o t*e
.*ole So5iet maEority: Not a t*eoreti)ian and not e5en a
Eo#rnalist, b#t a distin"#is*ed orator, Tseretelli remained a
radi)al o t*e so#t*ern >ren)* ty2e: In )onditions o
ordinary 2arliamentary ro#tine *e .o#ld *a5e been a is*
in .ater: '#t *e .as born into a re5ol#tionary e2o)*, and
*ad 2oisoned *imsel in yo#t* .it* a dose o Marxism: 0t
any rate, o all t*e Mens*e5i8s, Tseretelli re5ealed in t*e
e5ents o t*e re5ol#tion t*e .idest *ori<on and t*e desire
to 2#rs#e a )onsistent 2oli)y: >or t*is reason *e, more t*an
any ot*er, *el2ed on .it* t*e destr#)tion o t*e >ebr#ary
rF"ime: !*eid<e .*olly s#bmitted to Tseretelli, alt*o#"* at
moments be .as ri"*tened by t*at do)trinaire
strai"*tor.ardness .*i)* )a#sed t*e re5ol#tionary *ard?
labo#r )on5i)t o yesterday to #nite .it* t*e )onser5ati5e
re2resentati5es o t*e bo#r"eoisie:
T*e Mens*e5i8 S8obele5, indebted or *is ne. 2o2#larity
to *is 2osition as de2#ty in t*e last 4#ma, )on5eyed D and
not only on a))o#nt o *is yo#t*#l a22earan)e D t*e
im2ression o a st#dent 2layin" t*e rHle o statesman on a
*ome?made sta"e: S8obele5 s2e)ialised in 2#ttin" do.n
Aex)esses,B G#ietin" lo)al )onli)ts, and in "eneral
)a#l8in" #2 t*e )ra)8s o t*e t.o?2o.er rF"ime D #ntil *e
.as in)l#ded, in t*e #nl#)8y rHle o Minister o Labo#r, in
t*e !oalition "o5ernment o May:
0 most inl#ential i"#re amon" t*e Mens*e5i8s .as 4an,
an old 2arty .or8er, al.ays )onsidered t*e se)ond i"#re
ater Marto5: I Mens*e5ism in "eneral .as no#ris*ed #2on
t*e les*, blood, tradition, and s2irit o t*e -erman so)ial
demo)ra)y o t*e 2eriod o de)line, 4an a)t#ally seemed
to be a member o t*e -erman 2arty administration D an
Ebert on a smaller s)ale: Ebert, t*e -erman 4an,
s#))ess#lly )arried o#t in -ermany a year later t*at 2oli)y
.*i)* 4an, t*e R#ssian Ebert, *ad ailed to )arry o#t in
R#ssia: T*e )a#se o t*e dieren)e *o.e5er .as not in t*e
men, b#t in t*e )onditions:
I t*e irst 5iolin in t*e or)*estra o t*e So5iet maEority .as
Tseretelli, t*e 2ier)in" )larinet .as 2layed by Lieber D .it*
all *is l#n"2o.er and blood in *is eyes: T*is .as a
Mens*e5i8 rom t*e ,e.is* .or8ers; #nion /T*e '#nd1, .it*
a lon" re5ol#tionary 2ast, 5ery sin)ere, 5ery
tem2eramental, 5ery eloG#ent, 5ery limited, and
2assionately desiro#s o s*o.in" *imsel an inlexible
2atriot and iron statesman: Lieber .as literally beside
*imsel .it* *atred o 'ols*e5i8s:
+e may )lose t*e 2*alanx o Mens*e5i8 leaders .it* t*e
ormer #ltra?let 'ols*e5i8, Voitins8y, a 2rominent
2arti)i2ant in t*e irst re5ol#tion, .*o *ad ser5ed at *ard
labo#r, and .*o bro8e .it* *is 2arty in Mar)* on "ro#nds
o 2atriotism: 0ter Eoinin" t*e Mens*e5i8s, Voitins8y
be)ame, as .as to be ex2e)ted, a 2roessional 'ols*e5i8?
eater: Ie la)8ed only Lieber;s tem2erament in order to
eG#al *im in baitin" *is ormer 2arty )omrades:
T*e "eneral sta o t*e Narodni8s .as eG#ally
*etero"eneo#s, b#t ar less si"nii)ant and bri"*t: T*e so?
)alled 3o2#lar So)ialists, t*e extreme ri"*t lan8, .ere led
by t*e old emi"rant !*ai8o5s8y, .*o eG#alled 3le8*ano5
in military )*a#5inism b#t la)8ed *is talent and *is 2ast:
0lon"side *im stood t*e old .oman 'res*8o?
'res*8o5s8aia, .*om t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries )alled t*e
A"randmot*er o t*e R#ssian Re5ol#tion,B b#t .*o
<ealo#sly or)ed *ersel as "odmot*er on t*e R#ssian
)o#nter?re5ol#tion: T*e s#2erann#ated anar)*ist
9ro2ot8in, .*o *ad *ad a .ea8ness e5er sin)e yo#t* or
t*e Narodni8s made #se o t*e .ar to disa5o. e5eryt*in"
*e *ad been tea)*in" or almost *al a )ent#ry: T*is
deno#n)er o t*e state s#22orted t*e Entente, and i *e
deno#n)ed t*e d#al 2o.er in R#ssia, it .as not in t*e
name o anar)*y, b#t in t*e name o a sin"le 2o.er o t*e
bo#r"eoisie: Io.e5er, t*ese old 2eo2le 2layed mostly a
de)orati5e rHle D alt*o#"* later on in t*e .ar a"ainst t*e
'ols*e5i8s !*ai8o5s8y *eaded one o t*e +*ite
"o5ernments inan)ed by !*#r)*ill: T*e irst 2la)e amon"
t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries D ar in ad5an)e o t*e ot*ers,
t*o#"* not in t*e 2arty b#t abo5e it D .as o))#2ied by
9erens8y, a man .it*o#t any 2arty 2ast .*ate5er: +e s*all
meet oten a"ain t*is 2ro5idential i"#re, .*ose stren"t*
in t*e t.o?2o.er 2eriod lay in *is )ombinin" t*e
.ea8nesses o liberalism .it* t*e .ea8nesses o t*e
demo)ra)y: Iis ormal entran)e into t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionary 3arty did not destroy 9erens8y;s s)orn#l
attit#de to.ard 2arties in "eneral: *e )onsidered *imsel
t*e dire)tly )*osen one o t*e nation: '#t ater all, t*e
So)ial Re5ol#tionary 3arty *ad )eased by t*at time to be a
2arty, and be)ome a "randiose and indeed national <ero:
In 9erens8y t*is 2arty o#nd an adeG#ate leader:
T*e #t#re Minister o 0"ri)#lt#re, and ater.ards 3resident
o t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly, !*erno5, .as ind#bitably t*e
most re2resentati5e i"#re o t*e old So)ial Re5ol#tionary
3arty, and by no a))ident .as )onsidered its ins2irator,
t*eoreti)ian and leader: 0 .ell?read rat*er t*an ed#)ated
man, .it* a )onsiderable b#t #ninte"rated learnin",
!*erno5 al.ays *ad at *is dis2osition a bo#ndless
assortment o a22ro2riate G#otations, .*i)* or a lon"
time )a#"*t t*e ima"ination o t*e R#ssian yo#t* .it*o#t
tea)*in" t*em m#)*: T*ere .as only one sin"le G#estion
.*i)* t*is many?.orded leader )o#ld ans.er: +*om .as
*e leadin" and .*it*er@ T*e e)le)ti) orm#las o !*erno5,
ornamented .it* moralisms and 5erses, #nited or a time
a most 5arie"ated 2#bli) .*o at all )riti)al moments 2#lled
in dierent dire)tions: No .onder !*erno5 )om2la)ently
)ontrasted *is met*ods o ormin" a 2arty .it* Lenin;s
Ase)tarianism:B
!*erno5 arri5ed rom abroad i5e days ater Lenin: En"land
ater some *esitation *ad 2assed *im: To t*e n#mero#s
"reetin"s o t*e So5iet, t*e leader o its bi""est 2arty
ans.ered .it* its lon"est s2ee)* D a s2ee)* abo#t .*i)*
S#8*ano5, *imsel a *al So)ial Re5ol#tionary, )omments
as ollo.s: ANot only I, b#t many ot*er So)ial
Re5ol#tionary 2arty 2atriots .rin8led o#r bro.s and s*oo8
o#r *eads, be)a#se *e )*anted so #n2leasantly and
min)ed and rolled *is eyes D yes, and tal8ed endlessly and
.it*o#t aim or 2#r2ose:B 0ll t*e #rt*er a)ti5ity o !*erno5
in t*e re5ol#tion de5elo2ed in t#ne .it* t*is irst s2ee)*:
0ter some attem2ts to o22ose 9erens8y and Tseretelli
rom t*e let, indin" *imsel 2ressed on all sides, !*erno5
s#rrendered .it*o#t a str#""le, 2#r"ed *imsel o *is
emi"rant Wimmer.aldism, too8 a seat in t*e !onta)t
!ommission, and later also in t*e )oalition "o5ernment:
E5eryt*in" *e did .as ina22ro2riate: Ie de)ided t*ereore
to e5ade all iss#es: 0bstainin" rom t*e 5ote be)ame or
*im a orm o 2oliti)al lie: Iis a#t*ority melted a.ay rom
02ril to O)tober, aster e5en t*an t*e ran8s o *is 2arty:
+it* all t*e dieren)es bet.een !*erno5 and 9erens8y,
.*o *ated ea)* ot*er, t*ey .ere bot* )om2letely rooted
in t*e 2re?re5ol#tionary 2ast D in t*e old labby R#ssian
so)iety, in t*at t*in?blooded and 2retentio#s intelli"entsia,
b#rnin" .it* a desire to tea)* t*e masses o t*e 2eo2le, to
be t*eir "#ardian and benea)tor, b#t )om2letely
in)a2able o listenin" to t*em, #nderstandin" t*em, and
learnin" rom t*em: 0nd .it*o#t learnin" rom t*e masses
t*ere )an be no re5ol#tionary statesmans*i2:
058sentie5, .*o .as raised by *is 2arty to t*e *i"*est
re5ol#tionary 2osts D 2resident o t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee o t*e 3easants; 4e2#ties, Minister o t*e
Interior, 3resident o t*e 3re?3arliament D .as t*e
)om2lete )ari)at#re o a statesman: 0 )*armin" tea)*er o
lan"#a"e in a ladies; seminary in Orel D t*at is really all
yo# )an say abo#t *im, alt*o#"*, to be s#re *is 2oliti)al
a)ti5ity t#rned o#t ar more 2erni)io#s t*an *is 2ersonality:
0 lar"e rHle .as 2layed D alt*o#"* mostly be*ind t*e
s)enes D in t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary a)tion, and in t*e
r#lin" n#)le#s o t*e So5iet, by -ot<: 0 terrorist o .ell?
8no.n re5ol#tionary amily, -ot< .as less 2retentio#s and
more b#siness?li8e t*an *is )losest 2oliti)al riends: '#t in
*is )*ara)ter as a so?)alled A2ra)ti)al,B *e limited *imsel
to 8it)*en matters, lea5in" t*e bi" G#estions to ot*ers: It is
ne)essary to add t*at *e .as neit*er orator nor .riter,
and t*at *is )*ie reso#r)e .as *is 2ersonal a#t*ority
bo#"*t .it* years o im2risonment at *ard labo#r:
+e *a5e named essentially all .*o )an be named amon"
t*e r#lin" )ir)le o t*e Narodni8s: 'elo. t*em are
)om2letely a))idental i"#res li8e >ili2o5s8y, .*ose arri5al
at t*e 5ery *ei"*t o t*e >ebr#ary Olym2#s nobody e5er
)o#ld ex2lain: t*e de)idin" a)tor .o#ld seem to *a5e
been *is na5al oi)er;s #niorm: 0lon"side t*e oi)ial
leaders o t*e t.o r#lin" 2arties in t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee, t*ere .ere G#ite a e. A.ild ones,B solitaries,
2arti)i2ants o t*e 2ast mo5ement at its 5ario#s sta"es,
2eo2le .*o *ad .it*dra.n rom t*e str#""le lon" beore
t*e #2risin", and no., ater a *asty ret#rn #nder t*e
banner o t*e 5i)torio#s re5ol#tion, .ere in no *#rry to
ado2t t*e yo8e o any 2arty: On all #ndamental G#estions
t*e A.ild onesB ollo.ed t*e line o t*e So5iet maEority: >or
t*e irst e. days t*ey 2layed e5en a leadin" rHle, b#t in
2ro2ortion as t*e oi)ial leaders be"an to arri5e rom exile
and rom abroad, t*ese non?2arty men retired to a
se)ondary 2la)e: 3oliti)s be"an to ta8e orm, and 2arty
alle"ian)e entered into its ri"*ts:
Enemies o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee in t*e rea)tionary
)am2 made a "reat 2oint o t*e A2re2onderan)eB in it o
non?R#ssians: ,e.s, -eor"ians, Letts, 3oles, and so ort*:
0lt*o#"* by )om2arison .it* t*e .*ole members*i2 o t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee t*e non?R#ssian elements .ere not
5ery n#mero#s, it is ne5ert*eless tr#e t*at t*ey o))#2ied a
5ery 2rominent 2la)e in t*e 2r\sidi#m, in t*e 5ario#s
)ommittees, amon" t*e orators, et): Sin)e t*e
intelli"entsia o t*e o22ressed nationalities D )on)entrated
as t*ey .ere or t*e most 2art in )ities D *ad lo.ed
)o2io#sly into t*e re5ol#tionary ran8s, it is not s#r2risin"
t*at amon" t*e old "eneration o re5ol#tionaries t*e
n#mber o non?R#ssians .as es2e)ially lar"e: T*eir
ex2erien)e, alt*o#"* not al.ays o a *i"* G#ality, made
t*em irre2la)eable .*en it )ame to ina#"#ratin" ne.
so)ial orms: T*e attem2t, *o.e5er, to ex2lain t*e 2oli)y
o t*e so5iets and t*e )o#rse o t*e .*ole re5ol#tion by an
alle"ed A2redominan)eB o non?R#ssians is 2#re nonsense:
Nationalism in t*is )ase a"ain re5eals its s)orn or t*e real
nation D t*at is, t*e 2eo2le D re2resentin" t*em in t*e
2eriod o t*eir "reat national a.a8enin" as a mere blo)8 o
.ood in alien and a))idental *ands: '#t .*y and *o. did
t*e non?R#ssians a)G#ire s#)* mira)le?.or8in" 2o.er o5er
t*e nati5e millions@ 0s a matter o a)t, at a moment o
dee2 *istori) )*an"e, t*e b#l8 o a nation al.ays 2resses
into its ser5i)e t*ose elements .*i)* .ere yesterday most
o22ressed, and t*ereore are most ready to "i5e
ex2ression to t*e ne. tas8s: It is not t*at aliens lead t*e
re5ol#tion, b#t t*at t*e re5ol#tion ma8es #se o t*e aliens:
It *as been so e5en in "reat reorms introd#)ed rom
abo5e: T*e 2oli)y o 3eter did not )ease to be national
.*en, s.in"in" o#t o t*e old tra)8s, it im2ressed into its
ser5i)e non?R#ssians and orei"ners: T*e master o some
-erman s#b#rb, or some 4#t)* s8i22er, .o#ld ex2ress ar
better at t*at 2eriod t*e demands o t*e nation
de5elo2ment o R#ssia, t*an R#ssian 2riests dra""ed in
lon" a"o by t*e -ree8s, or Mos)o. 'oyars, .*o also
)om2lained o orei"n 2redominan)e, alt*o#"* t*emsel5es
des)ended rom t*ose alien tribes .*o )reated t*e R#ssian
state: In any )ase t*e non?R#ssian intelli"entsia o 1917
.ere distrib#ted amon"st t*e same 2arties as t*e one
*#ndred 2er )ent: R#ssians, s#ered rom t*e same 5i)es,
made t*e same mista8es D and moreo5er t*e non?R#ssians
amon" t*e Mens*e5i8s and So)ial Re5ol#tionaries
dis2layed a most 2arti)#lar <eal or t*e deen)e and #nity
o R#ssia:
S#)* .as t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, t*e *i"*est or"an o
t*e demo)ra)y: T.o 2arties .*i)* *ad lost t*eir ill#sions
b#t 2reser5ed t*eir 2reE#di)es, .it* a sta o leaders .*o
.ere in)a2able o 2assin" rom .ord to deed, arri5ed at
t*e *ead o re5ol#tion )alled to brea8 t*e etters o a
)ent#ry and lay t*e o#ndations o a ne. so)iety: T*e
.*ole a)ti5ity o t*e !om2romisers be)ame one lon" )*ain
o 2ain#l )ontradi)tions ex*a#stin" t*e masses and
leadin" to t*e )on5#lsions o )i5il .ar:
T*e .or8ers, soldiers and 2easants too8 e5ents serio#sly:
T*ey t*o#"*t t*at t*e so5iets .*i)* t*ey *ad )reated
o#"*t to #nderta8e immediately to remo5e t*ose e5ils
.*i)* *ad )a#sed t*e re5ol#tion: T*ey all ran to t*e
So5iet: E5erybody bro#"*t *is 2ains t*ere: 0nd .*o .as
.it*o#t 2ains@ T*ey demanded de)isions, *o2ed or *el2,
a.aited E#sti)e, insisted #2on indemnii)ation: Soli)itors,
)om2lainers, 2etitioners, ex2osers, all )ame ass#min" t*at
at last t*ey *ad re2la)ed a *ostile 2o.er .it* t*eir o.n:
T*e 2eo2le belie5e in t*e So5iet, t*e 2eo2le are armed,
t*ereore t*e So5iet is t*e so5erei"n 2o.er: T*at .as t*e
.ay t*ey #nderstood it: 0nd .ere t*ey not indeed ri"*t@
0n #ninterr#2ted lood o soldiers, .or8ers, soldiers; .i5es,
small traders, )ler8s, mot*ers, at*ers, 8e2t o2enin" and
s*#ttin" t*e doors, so#"*t, G#estioned, .e2t, demanded,
)om2elled a)tion D sometimes e5en indi)atin" .*at a)tion
D and )on5erted t*e So5iet in 5ery tr#t* into a
re5ol#tionary "o5ernment: AT*at .as not all in t*e
interest, or at least did not at all enter into t*e 2lans, o
t*e So5iet itsel,B )om2lains o#r riend S#8*ano5, .*o o
)o#rse str#""led .it* all *is mi"*t a"ainst t*is 2ro)ess:
'#t .it* .*at s#))ess did *e str#""le@ 0las, *e is soon
)om2elled to a)8no.led"e t*at At*e So5iet a22arat#s
be"an in5ol#ntarily, a#tomati)ally, a"ainst t*e .ill o t*e
So5iet, to )ro.d o#t t*e oi)ial "o5ernmental ma)*ine,
.*i)* .as "rindin" more and more .it*o#t "rain:B +*at
did t*e do)trinaires o )a2it#lation do t*e me)*ani)s o
t*is em2ty "rindin"@ AIt be)ame ne)essary to re)on)ile
ones sel and ta8e #2 t*e se2arate #n)tions o
administration,B S#8*ano5 sadly )onesses, Aat t*e same
time 2reser5in" t*e i)tion t*at t*e Mariins8y 3ala)e .as
2erormin" t*em:B T*at is .*at t*ose 2eo2le .ere b#sy
.it* in a s*attered )o#ntry )a#"*t in t*e lames o .ar
and re5ol#tion D 2rote)tin" .it* masG#erade meas#res t*e
2resti"e o a "o5ernment .*i)* t*e 2eo2le *ad or"ani)ally
eEe)ted: T*e re5ol#tion may die, b#t lon" li5e t*e i)tionO
0nd all t*e .*ile t*e 2o.er .*i)* t*ey *ad dri5en o#t o
t*e door, 8e2t )ra.lin" ba)8 t*ro#"* t*e .indo., )at)*in"
t*em e5ery time #na.are and ma8in" t*em loo8 )*ea2 or
l#di)ro#s:
On t*e ni"*t o t*e 2$t* o >ebr#ary, t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee )losed #2 t*e monar)*ist 2ress and
establis*ed a li)ensin" system or ne.s2a2ers: 3rotesters
*eard, t*ose s*o#tin" t*e lo#dest .*o *ad been
a))#stomed to sto2 t*e mo#t*s o ot*ers: 0ter a e. days
t*e !ommittee *ad to ta8e #2 a"ain t*e 2roblem o a ree
2ress: to 2ermit or not to 2ermit t*e 2#bli)ation o
rea)tionary 2a2ers@ 4isa"reements arose: 4o)trinaires o
t*e ty2e o S#8*ano5 stood or absol#te reedom o t*e
2ress: !*eid<e at irst disa"reed: *o. )an .e lea5e
.ea2ons at t*e #n)ontrolled dis2osition o o#r mortal
enemies@ It o))#rred to nobody, by t*e .ay, to t#rn o5er
t*e .*ole G#estion to t*e de)ision o t*e "o5ernment:
0ny.ay, t*at .o#ld *a5e been #selessJ t*e ty2o"ra2*i)al
.or8ers too8 orders only rom t*e So5iet: On Mar)* = t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee )onirmed t*is a)t as ollo.s: AT*e
ri"*t 2ress is )losed and t*e iss#e o ne. 2a2ers .ill
de2end #2on t*e de)ision o t*e So5iet:B '#t as early as
t*e 1%t*, #nder 2ress#re rom bo#r"eois )ir)les, t*at
resol#tion .as ann#lled: AT*ey too8 only t*ree days to
)ome to t*eir senses,B ex#lts S#8*ano5: Ill?o#nded
ex#ltationO T*e 2ress does not stand abo5e so)iety t*e
)onditions o its existen)e d#rin" a re5ol#tion rele)t t*e
2ro"ress o t*e re5ol#tion itsel: +*en t*e latter ass#mes,
or may ass#me, t*e )*ara)ter o a )i5il .ar, not one o t*e
.arrin" )am2s .ill 2ermit t*e existen)e o a *ostile 2ress
.it*in t*e s2*ere o its inl#en)e D no more t*an it .ill let
es)a2e rom its )ontrol t*e arsenals, t*e railroads, t*e
2rintin" establis*ments: In a re5ol#tionary str#""le t*e
2ress is only one 8ind o .ea2on: T*e ri"*t to s2ee)* is
)ertainly not *i"*er t*an t*e ri"*t to lie: 0 re5ol#tion
ta8es t*e latter too into its *ands: +e may lay t*is do.n
as a la.: Re5ol#tionary "o5ernments are t*e more liberal,
t*e more tolerant, t*e more A ma"nanimo#sB to t*e
rea)tion, t*e s*allo.er t*eir 2ro"ramme, t*e more t*ey
are bo#nd #2 .it* t*e 2ast, t*e more )onser5ati5e t*eir
rHle: 0nd t*e )on5erse: t*e more "i"anti) t*eir tas8s and
t*e "reater t*e n#mber o 5ested ri"*ts and interests t*ey
are to destroy, t*e more )on)entrated .ill t*e
re5ol#tionary 2o.er, t*e more na8ed its di)tators*i2:
+*et*er t*is is a "ood t*in" or bad, it is by t*ese roads
t*at *#manity *as t*#s ar mo5ed or.ard: T*e So5iet .as
ri"*t .*en it .anted to retain )ontrol o t*e 2ress: +*y did
it so easily "i5e t*is #2@ 'e)a#se in "eneral it .as re#sin"
to ma8e a serio#s i"*t: It remained silent abo#t 2ea)e,
abo#t t*e land, e5en abo#t a re2#bli): Ia5in" t#rned o5er
t*e 2o.er to t*e )onser5ati5e bo#r"eoisie, it *ad neit*er a
reason or earin" t*e ri"*t 2ress, nor a 2ossibility o
str#""lin" a"ainst it: T*e "o5ernment, on t*e ot*er *and,
be"an ater a e. mont*s, .it* t*e s#22ort o t*e So5iet,
to s#22ress r#t*lessly t*e let 2ress: T*e 'ols*e5i8 2a2ers
.ere s*#t do.n one ater anot*er:
On Mar)* 7 in Mos)o., 9erens8y de)laimed: ANi)*olas II is
in my *ands: I .ill ne5er be t*e Marat o t*e R#ssian
re5ol#tion: Ni)*olas II is to "o #nder my 2ersonal
s#2er5ision to En"land :::B Ladies t*re. lo.ersJ st#dents
a22la#ded: '#t t*e de2t*s bestirred t*emsel5es: Not one
serio#s re5ol#tion yet D not one t*at *ad somet*in" to lose
D *as let t*e de2osed monar)* es)a2e o5er t*e border:
>rom t*e .or8ers and soldiers )ame )ontin#o#s demands:
arrest t*e Romano5s: T*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee sensed
t*e a)t t*at t*ere )o#ld be no Eo8in" *ere: It .as de)ided
t*at t*e So5iet m#st ta8e into its o.n *ands t*e G#estion
o t*e Romano5s: t*e "o5ernment .as t*#s o2enly
2ro)laimed #ndeser5in" o )oniden)e: T*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee "a5e an order to all railroads not to let
Romano5 t*ro#"*: T*at .as .*y t*e )<ar;s train "ot lost in
t*e tra)8s: One o t*e members o t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee, t*e .or8er -5osde5, a ri"*t Mens*e5i8, .as
)ommissioned to arrest Ni)*olas: 9erens8y .as disa5o.ed
D and alon" .it* *im t*e "o5ernment: '#t instead o
resi"nin" it s#bmitted in silen)e: On Mar)* 9 !*eid<e
re2orted to t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee t*at t*e "o5ernment
*ad Areno#n)edB t*e t*o#"*t o sendin" Ni)*olas to
En"land: T*e )<ar;s amily .as 2#t #nder arrest in t*e
+inter 3ala)e:
T*#s t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee stole t*e 2o.er rom #nder
its o.n 2illo.: '#t rom t*e ront t*e demand be)ame
more and more insistent: transer t*e ormer )<ar to t*e
3eter and 3a#l ortress:
Re5ol#tions *a5e al.ays in5ol5ed a res*#lin" o 2ro2erty,
not only by le"islati5e means, b#t also by mass sei<#re: No
a"rarian re5ol#tion in *istory *as e5er 2ro)eeded
ot*er.ise: le"al reorms al.ays trail be*ind t*e red )o)8:
In t*e to.ns, or)ible sei<#res *a5e 2layed a smaller rHle:
bo#r"eois re5ol#tions *a5e not *ad t*e tas8 o #2rootin"
bo#r"eois 2ro2erty relations: '#t t*ere *as ne5er been any
re5ol#tion, it seems, in .*i)* t*e masses *a5e not
a22ro2riated or so)ial 2#r2oses t*e b#ildin"s .*i)*
ormerly belon"ed to t*e enemies o t*e 2eo2le:
Immediately ater t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion t*e 2arties
)ame o#t rom #nder"ro#nd, trade #nions arose,
)ontin#o#s meetin"s .ere *eld, t*ere .ere so5iets in
e5ery distri)tJ or all t*ese t*in"s G#arters .ere needed:
Or"anisations sei<ed t*e #nin*abited s#mmer *omes o
t*e )<arist ministers, or t*e 5a)ant 2ala)es o t*e )<ar;s
ballerinas: T*e 5i)tims )om2lained, or else t*e
"o5ernment interered on its o.n initiati5e: '#t sin)e t*e
ex2ro2riators really 2ossessed t*e so5erei"n 2o.er D t*e
oi)ial 2o.er bein" a "*ost D it be)ame ne)essary or t*e
3rose)#tin" 0ttorney to a22eal in t*e lon" r#n to t*at
same Exe)#ti5e !ommittee to restore t*e ra5is*ed ri"*ts
o a )ertain ballerina, .*ose none too )om2li)ated
#n)tions *ad been so *i"*ly 2aid or by t*e members o
t*e dynasty o#t o t*e 2eo2le;s .ealt*: T*e !onta)t
!ommission o )o#rse .as bro#"*t into o2erationJ t*e
ministers *eld sittin"sJ t*e '#rea# o t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee )onerredJ dele"ations .ere sent to t*e
ex2ro2riators D and t*e aair dra""ed on or mont*s:
S#8*ano5 relates t*at as a ALet B*e *ad not*in" a"ainst
t*e most radi)al le"islati5e in5asions o t*e ri"*ts o
2ro2erty, b#t on t*e ot*er *and *e .as a Abitter o22onent
o all or)ible sei<#res:B +it* r#ses li8e t*is t*e #n*a22y
ALetsB *a5e al.ays )o5ered #2 t*eir ban8r#2t)y: 0
"en#inely re5ol#tionary "o5ernment mi"*t #nG#estionably
*a5e red#)ed t*ese )*aoti) sei<#res to a minim#m by a
timely de)ree on t*e reG#isition o G#arters: '#t t*e let
!om2romisers *ad t#rned o5er t*e 2o.er to t*e anati)s
o 2ro2erty, in order ater.ards )are#lly to 2rea)* to t*e
masses D #nder an o2en s8y D a res2e)t or re5ol#tionary
le"ality: T*e )limate o 3etro"rad is not a5o#rable to
3latonism:
T*e bread?lines *ad "i5en t*e last stim#l#s to t*e
re5ol#tion: T*ey also 2ro5ed t*e irst t*reat to t*e ne.
rF"ime: 0t t*e 5ery irst session o t*e So5iet a ood
)ommission *ad been )reated: T*e "o5ernment bot*ered
little abo#t eedin" t*e )a2ital: It .o#ld not *a5e been
a5erse to *oldin" it do.n .it* *#n"er: T*e tas8 lay on t*e
So5iet: It *ad at its dis2osition e)onomists and statisti)ians
.it* some 2ra)ti)al ex2erien)e, 2eo2le .*o *ad ser5ed
ormerly in t*e e)onomi) and administrati5e or"ans o t*e
bo#r"eoisie: T*ey .ere in most )ases Mens*e5i8s o t*e
ri"*t .in", li8e -ro*man and !*ere5anin, or ormer
'ols*e5i8s li8e 'a<aro5 and 05ilo5, .*o *ad mo5ed ar to
t*e ri"*t: '#t t*ey *ad *ardly a22roa)*ed t*e 2roblem o
eedin" t*e )a2ital, .*en t*ey o#nd t*emsel5es
)om2elled by t*e .*ole sit#ation to a22ly extremely
radi)al meas#res to )ontrol s2e)#lation and or"anise a
mar8et: In a series o sessions o t*e So5iet a .*ole
system o meas#res o Amilitary so)ialismB .as ado2ted,
in)l#din" t*e de)larin" o all "rain stores 2#bli) 2ro2erty,
t*e establis*ment o a deinite 2ri)e or bread, to a))ord
.it* similar 2ri)es or ind#strial 2rod#)ts, state )ontrol o
ind#stry, a re"#lated ex)*an"e o "oods .it* t*e
2easants: T*e leaders o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee loo8ed
at ea)* ot*er in alarmJ not 8no.in" .*at else to 2ro2ose,
*o.e5er, t*ey s#22orted t*ese radi)al resol#tions: T*e
members o t*e !onta)t !ommission ater.ards
)omm#ni)ated t*em, in some embarrassment, to t*e
"o5ernment: T*e "o5ernment 2romised to examine t*em:
'#t 3rin)e L5o5, and -#)*8o5, and 9ono5alo5 *ad not t*e
least desire: to )ontrol, reG#isition, or ot*er.ise )#t do.n
on t*emsel5es and t*eir riends: 0ll t*e e)onomi)
meas#res o t*e So5iet .ent to 2ie)es a"ainst t*e 2assi5e
resistan)e o t*e state a22arat#s D ex)e2t in so ar as t*ey
.ere )arried o#t inde2endently by lo)al so5iets: T*e sole
2ra)ti)al meas#re )arried t*ro#"* by t*e 3etro"rad So5iet
in t*e matter o ood s#22ly .as t*e limitation o t*e
)ons#mer to a stri)t ration: a 2o#nd and a *al o bread or
2eo2le en"a"ed in 2*ysi)al labo#r, a 2o#nd or t*e rest: To
be s#re, t*is limitation introd#)ed almost no )*an"e into
t*e nat#ral ood b#d"et o t*e 2o2#lation o t*e )a2ital:
yo# )an li5e on a 2o#nd, or a 2o#nd and a *al: T*e misery
o daily #nder?no#ris*ment .as still a*ead: >or a 2eriod o
years D not mont*s, b#t years D t*e re5ol#tion .ill *a5e to
ta8e in its belt ti"*ter and on a s*rin8in" stoma)*: It .ill
.eat*er t*e ordeal: 0t 2resent .*at tro#bles it is not
*#n"er b#t do#bt, indeiniteness, #n)ertainty o tomorro.:
E)onomi) dii)#lties t*at *a5e been m#lti2lied by t*irty?
t.o mont*s o .ar, are 8no)8in" at t*e doors and .indo.s
o t*e ne. rF"ime: T*e brea8do.n o trans2ort, t*e la)8 o
5ario#s 8inds o ra. materials, t*e ex*a#stion o a
)onsiderable 2art o t*e eG#i2ment, alarmin" inlation,
dislo)ation o trade, all t*ese t*in"s demand bold and
immediate meas#res: '#t .*ile a22roa)*in" t*ese
2roblems e)onomi)ally, t*e !om2romisers made t*e
sol#tion o t*em im2ossible 2oliti)ally: E5ery e)onomi)
2roblem t*ey en)o#ntered t#rned into a )ondemnation o
t*e d#al 2o.erJ e5ery de)ision t*ey *ad to si"n b#rned
t*eir in"ers #nbearably:
T*e ei"*t?*o#r .or8in" day .as t*e "reat test o stren"t*
and m#t#al relations: T*e ins#rre)tion *ad )onG#ered, b#t
t*e "eneral stri8e )ontin#ed: T*e .or8ers serio#sly
ass#med t*at a )*an"e in t*e rF"ime o#"*t to introd#)e
)*an"es into t*eir li5es: T*is )a#sed instant alarm to t*e
ne. r#lers, bot* liberal and so)ialist: T*e 2atrioti) 2arties
and ne.s2a2ers ado2ted t*e )ry: ASoldiers to t*e
barra)8s, .or8ers to t*e s*o2sOB A4oes t*at mean t*at
e5eryt*in" is "oin" to remain t*e same@ Aas8s t*e .or8er:
A>or t*e time bein",B ans.er t*e Mens*e5i8s,
embarrassed: '#t t*e .or8ers #nderstand: I t*ere isn;t a
)*an"e ri"*t no., t*ere ne5er .ill be:
T*e bo#r"eoisie let t*e tas8 o settlin" t*in"s .it* t*e
.or8ers to t*e so)ialists: Reerrin" to t*e a)t t*at t*e
5i)tory already .on A*as s#i)iently "#aranteed t*e
2osition o t*e .or8in" )lass in its re5ol#tionary str#""leB D
to be s#re, *a5e not t*e liberal landlords )ome into 2o.er@
D t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee desi"nated Mar)* = as t*e date
or res#min" .or8 in t*e 3etro"rad distri)t: +or8ers to t*e
s*o2sO S#)* is t*e iron?)lad e"otism o t*e ed#)ated
)lasses, liberals and so)ialists ali8e: T*ose 2eo2le belie5ed
t*at millions o .or8ers and soldiers lited to t*e *ei"*ts o
ins#rre)tion by t*e #n)onG#erable 2ress#re o dis)ontent
and *o2e, .o#ld ater t*eir 5i)tory tamely s#bmit to t*e
old )onditions o lie: >rom readin" *istori)al .or8s, t*ey
*ad "ot t*e im2ression t*at it *a22ened t*is .ay in
2re5io#s re5ol#tions: '#t no, e5en in t*e 2ast it *as ne5er
been so: I t*e .or8ers *a5e been dri5en ba)8 into t*eir
ormer stalls, it *as been only in a ro#ndabo#t .ay, ater a
.*ole series o deeats and de)e2tions: Marat .as 8eenly
a.are o t*is )r#el so)ial 2er5ersion o 2oliti)al
re5ol#tions: >or t*at reason *e is so .ell slandered by t*e
oi)ial *istorians: A0 re5ol#tion is a))om2lis*ed and
s#stained only by t*e lo.est )lasses o so)iety,B *e .rote
a mont* beore t*e re5ol#tion o 0#"#st 1%, 1792, Aby all
t*e disin*erited, .*om t*e s*ameless ri)* treat as
canaille, and .*om t*e Romans .it* t*eir #s#al )yni)ism
on)e named 2roletarians:B 0nd .*at .ill t*e re5ol#tion
"i5e to t*e disin*erited@ A+innin" a )ertain s#))ess at t*e
be"innin", t*e mo5ement is inally )onG#eredJ it al.ays
la)8s 8no.led"e, s8ill, means, .ea2ons, leaders and a
deinite 2lan o a)tionJ it remains deen)eless in t*e a)e
o )ons2irators 2ossessed o ex2erien)e, adroitness and
)rat:B Is it any .onder t*at 9erens8y did not .ant to be
t*e Marat o t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion@
One o t*e ormer )a2tains o R#ssian ind#stry, V:
0#erba)*, relates .it* indi"nation *o. At*e re5ol#tion .as
#nderstood by t*e lo.er orders as somet*in" in t*e nat#re
o an Easter )arni5al: ser5ants, or exam2le, disa22eared
or .*ole days, 2romenaded in red ribbons, too8 rides in
a#tomobiles, )ame *ome in t*e mornin" only lon" eno#"*
to .as* #2 and a"ain .ent o#t or #n:B It is remar8able
t*at in tryin" to demonstrate t*e demoralisin" ee)t o a
re5ol#tion, t*is a))#ser des)ribes t*e )ond#)t o a ser5ant
in exa)tly t*ose terms .*i)* D .it* t*e ex)e2tion, to be
s#re, o t*e red ribbon D most 2ere)tly re2rod#)e t*e daily
lie o t*e bo#r"eois lady?2atri)ian: Ces, a re5ol#tion is
inter2reted by t*e o22ressed as a *oliday D or t*e e5e o a
*oliday D and t*e irst im2#lse o t*e dr#d"e aro#sed by it
is to loosen t*e yo8e o t*e day?by?day *#miliatin",
an"#is*in", inel#)table sla5ery: T*e .or8in"?)lass as a
.*ole )o#ld not, and did not intend to, )omort t*emsel5es
.it* mere red ribbons as a symbol o 5i)tory D a 5i)tory
.on or ot*ers: T*ere .as a"itation in t*e a)tories o
3etro"rad: 0 )onsiderable n#mber o s*o2s o2enly re#sed
to s#bmit to t*e resol#tion o t*e So5iet: T*e .or8ers .ere
o )o#rse ready to ret#rn to t*e s*o2s, or t*at .as
ne)essary D b#t #2on .*at terms@ T*ey demanded t*e
ei"*t?*o#r day: T*e Mens*e5i8s ans.ered by all#din" to
19%= .*en t*e .or8ers tried to introd#)e t*e ei"*t?*o#r
day by or)ible met*ods and .ere deeated: A0 str#""le on
t.o ronts D a"ainst t*e rea)tion and a"ainst t*e )a2italist
D is too m#)* or t*e 2roletariat:B T*at .as t*e )entral idea
o t*e Mens*e5i8s: T*ey re)o"nised in a "eneral .ay t*e
ine5itability o a brea8 in t*e #t#re .it* t*e bo#r"eoisie:
'#t t*is 2#rely t*eoreti)al re)o"nition did not bind t*em to
anyt*in": T*ey )onsidered t*at it .as .ron" to or)e t*e
brea8: 0nd sin)e t*e bo#r"eoisie is dri5en into allian)e
.it* t*e rea)tion not by *eated 2*rases rom orators and
Eo#rnalists, b#t by t*e inde2endent a)ti5ity o t*e toilin"
)lasses, t*e Mens*e5i8s tried .it* all t*eir 2o.er to
o22ose t*is a)ti5ity D to o22ose t*e e)onomi) str#""le o
t*e .or8ers and 2easants: A>or t*e .or8in" )lass,B t*ey
ta#"*t, Aso)ial G#estions are not no. o t*e irst
im2ortan)e: Its 2resent tas8 is to a)*ie5e 2oliti)al
reedom:B '#t E#st .*at t*is s2e)#lati5e reedom )onsisted
o, t*e .or8ers )o#ld not #nderstand: T*ey .anted in t*e
irst 2la)e a little reedom or t*eir m#s)les and ner5es:
0nd so t*ey bro#"*t 2ress#re on t*eir bosses: 'y t*e irony
o ate it .as exa)tly on t*e 1%t* o Mar)*, .*en t*e
Mens*e5i8s .ere ex2lainin" t*at t*e ei"*t?*o#r day is not
a )#rrent iss#e t*at t*e Man#a)t#rers; 0sso)iation D .*i)*
*ad already been obli"ed to enter into oi)ial relations
.it* t*e So5iet anno#n)ed its readiness to introd#)e t*e
ei"*t?*o#r day and 2ermit t*e or"anisation o a)tory and
s*o2 )ommittees: T*e ind#strialists .ere more ar?seein"
t*an t*e demo)rati) strate"ists o t*e So5iet: 0nd no
.onder: t*ese em2loyers )ame a)e to a)e .it* t*e
.or8ers, and t*e .or8ers in no less t*an *al o t*e
3etro"rad 2lants amon" t*em a maEority o t*e bi""est
ones .ere already lea5in" t*e s*o2s in a body ater ei"*t
*o#rs o .or8: T*ey t*emsel5es too8 .*at t*e so5iet and
t*e "o5ernment re#sed t*em: +*en t*e liberal 2ress
#n)t#o#sly )om2ared t*is "est#re o t*e R#ssian
ind#strialists o Mar)* 1%, 1917 .it* t*at o t*e >ren)*
nobility o 0#"#st &, 17$9, t*ey .ere ar nearer t*e
*istori) tr#t* t*an t*ey t*emsel5es ima"ined: li8e t*e
e#dalists o t*e end o t*e ei"*teent* )ent#ry, t*e
R#ssian )a2italists a)ted #nder t*e )l#b o ne)essity,
*o2in" by t*is tem2orary )on)ession to ma8e s#re o
"ettin" ba)8 in t*e #t#re .*at t*ey *ad lost: One o t*e
9adet 2#bli)ists, brea8in" t*ro#"* t*e oi)ial lie, ran8ly
a)8no.led"ed t*is: A6nort#nately or t*e Mens*e5i8s, t*e
'ols*e5i8s *ad already by means o terror )om2elled t*e
Man#a)t#rers; 0sso)iation to a"ree to an immediate
introd#)tion o t*e ei"*t?*o#r day:B In .*at t*is terror
)onsisted .e already 8no.: +or8er?'ols*e5i8s ind#bitably
o))#2ied t*e ront ran8s in t*e mo5ement, and *ere as in
t*e de)isi5e days o >ebr#ary an o5er.*elmin" maEority o
t*e .or8ers ollo.ed t*em:
T*e So5iet, led by Mens*e5i8s, re)orded .it* mixed
eelin"s t*is "i"anti) 5i)tory "ained essentially a"ainst its
o22osition: T*e dis"ra)ed leaders .ere )om2elled,
*o.e5er, to ma8e a still #rt*er ste2 or.ardJ t*ey *ad to
2ro2ose to t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment t*e 2rom#l"ation in
ad5an)e o t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly o an ei"*t?*o#r la.
or all R#ssia: T*e "o5ernment, *o.e5er, in a"reement
.it* t*e man#a)t#rers, resisted: Io2in" or better days,
t*ey re#sed to #lil t*is demand?2resented to t*em, to be
s#re, .it*o#t any 2arti)#lar insisten)e:
In t*e Mos)o. re"ion t*e same str#""le arose, b#t it
lasted lon"er: Iere too t*e so5iet in s2ite o t*e resistan)e
o t*e .or8ers demanded a ret#rn to .or8: In one o t*e
bi""est a)tories a resol#tion a"ainst )allin" o t*e stri8e
re)ei5ed 7,%%% 5otes a"ainst %: Ot*er a)tories rea)ted in
m#)* t*e same .ay: On t*e 1%t* o Mar)* t*e so5iet a"ain
2ro)laimed t*e d#ty o ret#rnin" immediately to t*e s*o2s:
0lt*o#"* .or8 be"an ater t*at in a maEority o s*o2s,
t*ere de5elo2ed almost e5ery.*ere a str#""le or t*e
s*ortenin" o t*e .or8in" day: T*e .or8ers )orre)ted t*eir
leaders by dire)t a)tion: 0ter a lon" resistan)e t*e
Mos)o. So5iet .as obli"ed on t*e 21st o Mar)* to
introd#)e t*e ei"*t?*o#r day by its o.n a)t: T*e
ind#strialists immediately s#bmitted: In t*e 2ro5in)es t*e
same str#""le .as )arried o5er into 02ril: 0lmost
e5ery.*ere t*e so5iets at irst rerained and resisted, and
ater.ards #nder 2ress#re rom t*e .or8ers entered into
ne"otiations .it* t*e man#a)t#rers: 0nd .*ere t*e latter
did not a))ede, t*e so5iets .ere obli"ed inde2endently to
de)ree t*e ei"*t?*o#r day: +*at a brea)* in t*e systemO
T*e "o5ernment stood aside on 2#r2ose: In t*ose days, a
#rio#s )am2ai"n .as o2enin" #nder liberal leaders*i2
a"ainst t*e .or8ers: In order to s#bd#e t*em it .as
de)ided to t#rn t*e soldiers a"ainst t*em: To s*orten t*e
.or8in" day means, yo# see, to .ea8en t*e ront: Io. )an
anybody t*in8 only o *imsel in .ar time@ 0re t*ey
)o#ntin" t*e *o#rs in t*e tren)*es@ ::: +*en t*e
2ossessin" )lasses ma8e a start on t*e road o
dema"o"#ery, t*ey sto2 at not*in": T*e a"itation
ass#med a ren<ied )*ara)ter, and .as soon )arried into
t*e tren)*es: T*e soldier 3irei8o in *is reminis)en)es o
t*e ront )onesses t*at t*is a"itation D )arried on )*iely
by *al?ba8ed so)ialists amon" t*e oi)ers D .as not
.it*o#t s#))ess: A'#t t*e "reat .ea8ness o t*e oi)ial
sta in t*eir eort to t#rn t*e soldiers a"ainst t*e .or8ers
lay in t*e a)t t*at t*ey .ere oi)ers: It .as too res* in
t*e mind o e5ery soldier .*at *is oi)er *ad been to *im
in t*e 2ast:B T*is baitin" o t*e .or8ers .as most bitter,
*o.e5er, in t*e )a2ital: T*e ind#strialists alon" .it* t*e
9adet sta o#nd #nlimited means and o22ort#nities or
a"itation in t*e "arrison: ATo.ards t*e end o Mar)*,B says
S#8*ano5, Ayo# )o#ld see at all street )rossin"s, in t*e
tram.ays, and in e5ery 2#bli) 2la)e, .or8ers and soldiers
lo)8ed to"et*er in a #rio#s 5erbal battle:B E5en 2*ysi)al
i"*ts o))#rred: T*e .or8ers #nderstood t*e manoe#5re
and s8il#lly .arded it o: >or t*is it .as only ne)essary to
tell t*e tr#t* D to )ite t*e i"#res o .ar 2roits, to s*o. t*e
soldiers t*e a)tories and s*o2s .it* t*e roar o ma)*ines,
t*e *ell ires o t*e #rna)es, t*eir 2er2et#al ront .*ere
5i)tims are inn#merable: On t*e initiati5e o t*e .or8ers
t*ere be"an re"#lar 5isits by t*e troo2s o t*e "arrison to
t*e a)tories, and es2e)ially to t*ose .or8in" on
m#nitions: T*e soldiers loo8ed and listened: T*e .or8ers
demonstrated and ex2lained: T*ese 5isits .o#ld end in
tri#m2*ant raternisation: T*e so)ialist 2a2ers 2rinted
inn#merable resol#tions o t*e military #nits as to t*eir
indestr#)tible solidarity .it* t*e .or8ers: 'y t*e middle o
02ril t*e 5ery to2i) o t*e )onli)t *ad disa22eared rom
t*e ne.s2a2ers: T*e bo#r"eois 2ress .as silent: T*#s ater
t*eir e)onomi) 5i)tory, t*e .or8ers .on a 2oliti)al and
moral 5i)tory:
T*e e5ents )onne)ted .it* t*is str#""le or t*e ei"*t?*o#r
day *ad an immense si"nii)an)e or t*e .*ole #t#re
de5elo2ment o t*e re5ol#tion: T*e .or8ers *ad "ained a
e. ree *o#rs a .ee8 or readin", or meetin"s, and also
or 2ra)ti)e .it* t*e rile, .*i)* be)ame a re"#lar ro#tine
rom t*e moment o t*e )reation o t*e .or8ers; militia:
Moreo5er, ater t*is )lear lesson, t*e .or8ers be"an to
.at)* t*e So5iet leaders*i2 more )losely: T*e a#t*ority o
t*e Mens*e5i8s s#ered a serio#s dro2: T*e 'ols*e5i8s
"re. stron"er in t*e a)tories, and 2artly too in t*e
barra)8s: T*e soldier be)ame more attenti5e, t*o#"*t#l,
)a#tio#s: *e #nderstood t*at somebody .as stal8in" *im:
T*e trea)*ero#s desi"n o t*e dema"o"#es t#rned a"ainst
its o.n ins2irers: Instead o alienation and *ostility, t*ey
"ot a )loser .eldin" to"et*er o .or8ers and soldiers:
T*e "o5ernment, in s2ite o t*e idyll o A!onta)t,B *ated
t*e So5iet, *ated its leaders and t*eir "#ardians*i2: It
re5ealed t*is #2on t*e 5ery irst o))asion: Sin)e t*e So5iet
.as #lillin" 2#rely "o5ernmental #n)tions, and t*is
moreo5er at t*e reG#est o t*e "o5ernment itsel
.*ene5er it be)ame ne)essary to s#bd#e t*e masses, t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee reG#ested t*e 2ayment o a small
s#bsidy or ex2enses: T*e "o5ernment re#sed, and in
s2ite o t*e re2eated insisten)e o t*e So5iet, stood 2at: it
)o#ld not 2ay o#t t*e reso#r)es o t*e state to a A2ri5ate
or"anisation:B T*e So5iet s.allo.ed it: T*e b#d"et o t*e
So5iet lay on t*e .or8ers .*o ne5er tired o ta8in"
)olle)tions or t*e needs o t*e re5ol#tion: In t*ose days
bot* sides, t*e liberals and t*e so)ialists, 8e2t #2 t*e
de)or#m o a )om2lete m#t#al riendliness: 0t t*e 0ll?
R#ssian !oneren)e o So5iets t*e existen)e o t*e d#al
2o.er .as de)lared a i)tion 9erens8y ass#red t*e
dele"ates rom t*e army t*at bet.een t*e "o5ernment
and t*e so5iets t*ere .as a )om2lete #nity o 2roblems
and aims: T*e d#al 2o.er .as no less <ealo#sly denied by
Tseretelli, 4an and ot*er So5iet 2illars: +it* t*e *el2 o
t*ese lies, t*ey tried to reinor)e a rF"ime .*i)* .as
o#nded on lies:
Io.e5er, t*e rF"ime tottered rom t*e 5ery irst .ee8s:
T*e leaders .ere tireless in t*e matter o or"anisational
)ombinations: T*ey tried to brin" to bear all sorts o
a))idental re2resentati5e bodies a"ainst t*e masses D t*e
soldiers a"ainst t*e .or8ers, t*e ne. d#mas, <emst5os
and )oo2erati5es a"ainst t*e so5iets, t*e 2ro5in)es
a"ainst t*e )a2ital, and inally t*e oi)ers a"ainst t*e
2eo2le:
T*e so5iet orm does not )ontain any mysti) 2o.er: It is by
no means ree rom t*e a#lts o e5ery re2resentati5e
system D #na5oidable so lon" as t*at system is
#na5oidable: '#t its stren"t* lies in t*at it red#)es all
t*ese a#lts to a minim#m:
+e may )onidently assert D and t*e e5ents .ill soon
2ro5e it D t*at any ot*er re2resentati5e system, atomisin"
t*e masses, .o#ld *a5e ex2ressed t*eir a)t#al .ill in t*e
re5ol#tion in)om2arably less ee)ti5ely, and .it* ar
"reater delay: O all t*e orms o re5ol#tionary
re2resentation, t*e so5iet is t*e most lexible, immediate
and trans2arent: '#t still it is only a orm: It )annot "i5e
t*an t*e masses are )a2able o 2#ttin" into it at a "i5en
moment: 'eyond t*at, it )an only assist t*e masses in
#nderstandin" t*e mista8es t*ey *a5e made and
)orre)tin" t*em: In t*is #n)tion o t*e so5iets lay one o
t*e most im2ortant "#arantees o t*e de5elo2ment o t*e
re5ol#tion:
+*at .as t*e 2oliti)al 2lan o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee@
Co# )o#ld *ardly say t*at any one o t*e leaders *ad a
2lan t*oro#"*ly t*o#"*t o#t: S#8*ano5 s#bseG#ently
asserted t*at, a))ordin" to *is 2lan, t*e 2o.er .as t#rned
o5er to t*e bo#r"eoisie only or a s*ort time, in order t*at
t*e demo)ra)y, *a5in" stren"t*ened itsel, mi"*t t*e more
s#rely ta8e it ba)8: Io.e5er, t*is )onstr#)tion D na]5e
eno#"* in any )ase D .as ob5io#sly retros2e)ti5e: 0t least
it .as ne5er orm#lated by anybody at t*e time: 6nder t*e
leaders*i2 o Tseretelli, t*e 5a)illations o t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee, i t*ey .ere not 2#t an end to, .ere at least
or"anised into a system: Tseretelli o2enly anno#n)ed t*at
.it*o#t a irm bo#r"eois 2o.er t*e re5ol#tion .o#ld
ine5itably ail: T*e demo)ra)y m#st limit itsel to brin"in"
2ress#re on t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie, be.are o 2#s*in" it:
o5er by some in)a#tio#s ste2 into t*e )am2 o t*e
rea)tion, and )on5ersely, s#22ort it in so ar as it ba)8s #2
t*e )onG#ests o t*e re5ol#tion: In t*e lon" r#n t*at *al?
minded rF"ime .o#ld *a5e ended in a bo#r"eois re2#bli)
.it* t*e so)ialists as a 2arliamentary o22osition:
T*e main dii)#lty or t*e leaders .as not so m#)* to ind
a "eneral 2lan, as a )#rrent 2ro"ramme o a)tion: T*e
!om2romisers *ad 2romised t*e masses to "et rom t*e
bo#r"eoisie by .ay o A2ress#reB a demo)rati) 2oli)y,
orei"n and domesti): It is ind#bitable t*at #nder 2ress#re
rom t*e 2o2#lar mass, r#lin" )lasses *a5e more t*an
on)e in *istory made )on)essions: '#t A2ress#reB means,
in t*e last analysis, a t*reat to )ro.d t*e r#lin" )lass o#t
o t*e 2o.er and o))#2y its 2la)e: ,#st t*is .ea2on
*o.e5er .as not in t*e *ands o t*e demo)ra)y: T*ey *ad
t*emsel5es 5ol#ntarily "i5en o5er t*e 2o.er to t*e
bo#r"eoisie: 0t moments o )onli)t t*e demo)ra)y did not
t*reaten to sei<e t*e 2o.er, b#t on t*e )ontrary t*e
bo#r"eoisie ri"*tened t*em .it* t*e idea o "i5in" it
ba)8: T*#s t*e )*ie le5er in t*e me)*ani)s o 2ress#re
.as in t*e *ands o t*e bo#r"eoisie: T*is ex2lains *o., in
s2ite o its )om2lete im2oten)e, t*e "o5ernment
s#))eeded in resistin" e5ery some.*at serio#s
#nderta8in" o t*e So5iet leaders:
'y t*e middle o 02ril, e5en t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee *ad
2ro5ed too broad an or"an or t*e 2oliti)al mysteries o t*e
r#lin" n#)le#s, .*o *ad t#rned t*eir a)es )om2letely
to.ard t*e liberals: 0 Ab#rea#B .as t*ereore a22ointed,
)onsistin" ex)l#si5ely o ri"*t deensists: >rom no. on bi"
2oliti)s .as )arried on in its o.n small )ir)le: E5eryt*in"
seemed ni)ely and 2ermanently settled: Tseretelli
dominated in t*e So5iet .it*o#t limit: 9erens8y .as ridin"
*i"*er and *i"*er: '#t exa)tly at t*at moment a22eared
)learly t*e irst alarmin" si"ns rom belo.?rom t*e
masses: AIt is ama<in",B .rites Stan8e5i)*, .*o .as )lose
to t*e )ir)le o 9erens8y, At*at at t*e 5ery t*is )ommittee
.as ormed, .*en res2onsibility or t*e .or8 .as ass#med
by a b#rea# sele)ted only rom deensist 2arties, exa)tly
at t*is moment t*ey let sli2 rom t*eir *ands t*e
leaders*i2 o t*e masses?t*e masses mo5ed a.ay rom
t*em:B Not at all ama<in", b#t G#ite in a))ord .it* t*e
la.s o t*in"s:
>ootnote
1: T*e term is a22lied to% t*ose .*o attended t*e
)oneren)e o anti?.ar so)ialists *eld in Wimmer.ald in
191=, or ad*ered to its 2ro"ramme: T*e )oneren)e
reassembled t*e ollo.in" year in 9ient*al: D Trans$
Chapter 13: The %rm and the War
In t*e mont*s 2re)edin" t*e re5ol#tion dis)i2line in t*e
army .as already badly s*a8en: Co# )an 2i)8 #2 2lenty o
oi)ers; )om2laints rom t*ose days: soldiers disres2e)t#l
to t*e )ommandJ t*eir treatment o *orses, o military
2ro2erty, e5en o .ea2ons, indes)ribably badJ disorders in
t*e military trains: It .as not eG#ally serio#s e5ery.*ere:
'#t e5ery.*ere it .as "oin" in t*e same dire)tion D
to.ard r#in:
To t*is .as no. added t*e s*o)8 o re5ol#tion: T*e
#2risin" o t*e 3etro"rad "arrison too8 2la)e not only
.it*o#t oi)ers, b#t a"ainst t*em: In t*e )riti)al *o#rs t*e
)ommand sim2ly *id its *ead: 4e2#ty?O)tobrist S*idlo5s8y
)on5ersed on t*e 27t* o >ebr#ary .it* t*e oi)ers o t*e
3reobra<*ens8y re"iment ob5io#sly in order to eel o#t
t*eir attit#de to t*e 4#ma D b#t o#nd amon" t*ese
aristo)rat?)a5aliers a total i"noran)e o .*at .as
*a22enin", 2er*a2s a *al?*y2o)riti)al i"noran)e, or t*ey
.ere all ri"*tened monar)*ists:
A+*at .as my s#r2rise,B says S*idlo5s8y, A.*en t*e 5ery
next mornin" I sa. t*e .*ole 3reobra<*ens8y re"iment
mar)*in" do.n t*e street in military ormation led by a
band, t*eir order 2ere)t and .it*o#t a sin"le oi)erOB To
be s#re, a e. )om2anies arri5ed at t*e Ta#ride .it* t*eir
oi)ers D more a))#rately, t*ey bro#"*t t*eir oi)ers .it*
t*em: '#t t*e oi)ers elt t*at in t*is tri#m2*al mar)*
t*ey o))#2ied t*e 2osition o )a2ti5es: !o#ntess
9leinmi)*el, obser5in" t*ese s)enes .*ile #nder arrest,
says 2lainly: AT*e oi)ers loo8ed li8e s*ee2 led to t*e
sla#"*ter:B
T*e >ebr#ary #2risin" did not )reate t*e s2lit bet.een
soldiers and oi)ers b#t merely bro#"*t it to t*e s#ra)e:
In t*e minds o t*e soldiers t*e ins#rre)tion a"ainst t*e
monar)*y .as 2rimarily an ins#rre)tion a"ainst t*e
)ommandin" sta: A>rom t*e mornin" o t*e 2$t* o
>ebr#ary,B says t*e 9adet Nabo8o5, t*en .earin" an
oi)er;s #niorm, Ait .as dan"ero#s to "o o#t, be)a#se
t*ey *ad be"#n to ri2 o t*e oi)ers; e2a#lettesB T*at is
*o. t*e irst day o t*e ne. rF"ime loo8ed in t*e "arrison:
T*e irst )are o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .as to re)on)ile
soldiers .it* oi)ers: T*at meant not*in" b#t to
S#bordinate t*e troo2s to t*eir ormer )ommand: T*e
ret#rn o t*e oi)ers to t*eir re"iments .as s#22osed,
a))ordin" to S#8*ano5, to 2rote)t t*e army a"ainst
A#ni5ersal anar)*y or t*e di)tators o t*e dar8 and
disinte"rated ran8?and?ile:B T*ese re5ol#tionists, E#st li8e
t*e liberals, .ere araid o t*e soldiers, not o t*e oi)ers:
T*e .or8ers on t*e ot*er *and, alon" .it* t*e Adar8B ran8?
and?ile, sa. e5ery 2ossible dan"er exa)tly in t*e ran8s o
t*ose brilliant oi)ers: T*e re)on)iliation t*ereore 2ro5ed
tem2orary:
Stan8e5i)* des)ribes in t*ese .ords t*e mental attit#de o
t*e soldiers to t*e oi)ers .*o ret#rned to t*em ater t*e
#2risin": AT*e soldiers, brea8in" dis)i2line and lea5in"
t*eir barra)8s, not only .it*o#t oi)ers, b#t in many )ases
a"ainst t*eir oi)ers and e5en ater 8illin" t*em at t*eir
2osts, *ad a)*ie5ed, it t#rned o#t, a "reat deed o
liberation: I it .as a "reat deed, and i t*e oi)ers
t*emsel5es no. airm t*is, t*en .*y didn;t t*ey lead t*e
soldiers into t*e streets@ T*at .o#ld *a5e been easier and
less dan"ero#s: No., ater t*e 5i)tory, t*ey asso)iate
t*emsel5es .it* t*is deed: '#t *o. sin)erely and or *o.
lon"@B T*ese .ords are t*e more instr#)ti5e t*at t*e
a#t*or *imsel .as one o t*ose AletB oi)ers to .*om it
did not o))#r to lead *is soldiers into t*e streets:
On t*e mornin" o t*e 2$t*, on Sam2sonie5s8y 3ros2e)t,
t*e )ommander o an en"ineers; di5ision .as ex2lainin" to
*is soldiers t*at At*e "o5ernment .*i)* e5erybody *ated
is o5ert*ro.n,B a ne. one is ormed .it* 3rin)e L5o5 at
t*e *ead t*ereore it is ne)essary to obey oi)ers as
beore: A0nd no. I as8 all to ret#rn to t*eir 2la)es in t*e
barra)8s:B 0 e. soldiers )ried : A-lad to tryB: K1L T*e
maEority merely loo8ed be.ildered: AIs t*at all@B
T*e s)ene .as obser5ed a))identally by 9ay#ro5: It Earred
*im: A3ermit me a .ord, Mr: !ommander :::B 0nd .it*o#t
.aitin" or 2ermission, 9ay#ro5 2#t t*is G#estion: AIas t*e
.or8ers; blood been lo.in" in t*e streets o 3etro"rad or
t*ree days merely to ex)*an"e one landlord or anot*er@B
Iere 9ay#ro5 too8 t*e b#ll by t*e *orns: Iis G#estion
s#mmarised t*e .*ole str#""le o t*e )omin" mont*s: T*e
anta"onism bet.een t*e soldier and t*e oi)er .as a
rera)tion o t*e *ostility bet.een 2easant and landlord:
T*e oi)ers in t*e 2ro5in)es, *a5in" e5idently "ot t*eir
instr#)tions in "ood season, ex2lained t*e e5ents all in t*e
same .ay: AIis MaEesty *as ex)eeded *is stren"t* in *is
eorts or t*e "ood o t*e )o#ntry, and *as been
)om2elled to *and o5er t*e b#rden o "o5ernment to *is
brot*er:B T*e re2ly .as 2lain on t*e a)es o t*e soldiers,
)om2lains an oi)er in a ar )orner o t*e !rimea:
ANi)*olas or Mi8*ail D it;s all t*e same to #s:B +*en,
*o.e5er, t*is same oi)er .as )om2elled next mornin" to
)omm#ni)ate t*e ne.s o t*e re5ol#tionary 5i)tory, t*e
soldiers, *e tells #s, .ere transormed: T*eir G#estions,
"est#res, "lan)es, testiied to t*e A2rolon"ed and resol#te
.or8 .*i)* somebody *ad been doin" on t*ose dar8 and
)lo#dy brains, totally #na))#stomed to t*in8:B +*at a "#l
bet.een t*e oi)er, .*ose brain a))ommodates itsel
.it*o#t eort to t*e latest tele"ram rom 3etro"rad, and
t*ose soldiers .*o are, *o.e5er stily, ne5ert*eless
*onestly, deinin" t*eir attit#de to t*e e5ents,
inde2endently .ei"*in" t*em in t*eir )allo#sed 2almsO
T*e *i"* )ommand, alt*o#"* ormally re)o"nisin" t*e
re5ol#tion, de)ided not to let it t*ro#"* to t*e ront: T*e
)*ie o sta ordered t*e )ommander?in?)*ie o all t*e
ronts, in )ase re5ol#tionary dele"ations arri5ed in *is
territory D dele"ations .*i)* -eneral 0lexeie5 )alled
A"an"sB or s*ort D to arrest t*em immediately and t#rn
t*em o5er to )o#rt?martial: T*e next day t*e same
"eneral, in t*e name o AIis Ii"*ness,B t*e -rand 4#8e
Ni8olai Ni8olaie5i)*, demanded o t*e "o5ernment Aan end
o all t*at is no. *a22enin" in t*e rear o t*e armyB D in
ot*er .ords, an end o t*e re5ol#tion:
T*e )ommand delayed inormin" t*e a)ti5e army abo#t
t*e re5ol#tion as lon" as 2ossible, not so m#)* t*ro#"*
loyalty to t*e monar)*y as t*ro#"* ear o t*e re5ol#tion:
On se5eral ronts t*ey establis*ed a 5eritable G#arantine:
sto22ed all letters rom 3etro"rad, and *eld #2
ne.)omers: In t*at .ay t*e old rF"ime stole a e. extra
days rom eternity: T*e ne.s o t*e re5ol#tion rolled #2 to
t*e line o battle not beore t*e =t* or (t* o Mar)* D and
in .*at orm@ 0bo#t t*e same as abo5e: AT*e "rand d#8e
is a22ointed )ommander?in?)*ieJ t*e )<ar *as abdi)ated
in t*e name o t*e >at*erlandJ e5eryt*in" else as #s#al:B
In many tren)*es, 2er*a2s e5en in t*e maEority, t*e ne.s
o t*e re5ol#tion )ame rom t*e -ermans beore it "ot
t*ere rom 3etro"rad: !o#ld t*ere *a5e been any do#bt
amon" t*e soldiers t*at t*e .*ole )ommand .as in a
)ons2ira)y to )on)eal t*e tr#t*@ 0nd )o#ld t*ose same
soldiers tr#st t*ose same oi)ers to t*e extent o t.o
)ents, .*en a )o#2le o days later t*ey 2inned on a red
ribbon@
T*e )*ie o sta o t*e 'la)8 Sea leet tells #s, t*at t*e
ne.s o t*e e5ents in 3etro"rad at irst made no mar8ed
im2ression on t*e soldiers: '#t .*en t*e irst so)ialist
2a2ers arri5ed rom t*e )a2ital, Ain t*e .in8 o an eye t*e
mood )*an"ed, meetin"s be"an, )riminal a"itators
)ra.led o#t o t*eir )ra)8s:B T*e admiral sim2ly did not
#nderstand .*at .as *a22enin" beore *is eyes: T*e
ne.s2a2ers did not )reate t*is )*an"e o mood: T*ey
merely s)attered t*e do#bt o t*e soldiers as to t*e de2t*
o t*e re5ol#tion, and 2ermitted t*em to re5eal t*eir tr#e
eelin"s .it*o#t ear o re2risals rom t*e sta: T*e
2oliti)al 2*ysio"nomy o t*e 'la)8 Sea sta, *is o.n
amon" t*em, is )*ara)terised by t*e same a#t*or in a
sin"le 2*rase: AT*e maEority o t*e oi)ers o t*e leet
t*o#"*t t*at .it*o#t t*e )<ar t*e >at*erland .o#ld
2eris*:B T*e demo)rats also t*o#"*t t*at t*e >at*erland
.o#ld 2eris* D #nless t*ey bro#"*t ba)8 bri"*t li"*ts o
t*is 8ind to t*e Adar8B sailorsO
T*e )ommandin" sta o t*e army and leet soon di5ided
into t.o "ro#2s: One "ro#2 tried to stay in t*eir 2la)es,
t#nin" in on t*e re5ol#tion, re"isterin" as So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries: Later a 2art o t*em e5en tried to )ra.l
into t*e 'ols*e5i8 )am2: T*e ot*er "ro#2 str#tted a .*ile
and tried to o22ose t*e ne. order, b#t soon bro8e o#t in
some s*ar2 )onli)t and .ere s.e2t a.ay by t*e soldier
lood: S#)* "ro#2in"s are so nat#ral t*at t*ey *a5e been
re2eated in all re5ol#tions: T*e irre)on)ilable oi)ers o
t*e >ren)* monar)*y, t*ose .*o in t*e .ords o one o
t*em Ao#"*t as lon" as t*ey )o#ld,B s#ered less o5er t*e
disobedien)e o t*e soldiers t*an o5er t*e 8n#)8lin" #nder
o t*eir noble )ollea"#es: In t*e lon" r#n t*e maEority o
t*e old )ommand .ere 2#s*ed o#t or s#22ressed, and
only a small 2art re?ed#)ated and assimilated: In a more
dramati) orm t*e oi)ers s*ared t*e ate o t*ose )lasses
rom .*i)* t*ey .ere re)r#ited:
0n army is al.ays a )o2y o t*e so)iety it ser5es D .it*
t*is dieren)e, t*at it "i5es so)ial relations a )on)entrated
)*ara)ter, )arryin" bot* t*eir 2ositi5e and ne"ati5e
eat#res to an extreme: It is no a))ident t*at t*e .ar did
not )reate one sin"le distin"#is*ed military name in
R#ssia: T*e *i"* )ommand .as s#i)iently )*ara)terised
by one o its o.n members: AM#)* ad5ent#rism, m#)*
i"noran)e, m#)* e"otism, intri"#e, )areerism, "reed,
medio)rity and la)8 o oresi"*tB D .rites -eneral Waless8y
D Aand 5ery little 8no.led"e, talent or desire to ris8 lie, or
e5en )omort and *ealt*:B Ni8olai Ni8olaie5i)*, t*e irst
)ommander?in?)*ie, .as distin"#is*ed only by *is *i"*
stat#re and a#"#st r#deness: -eneral 0lexeie5, a "rey
medio)rity, t*e oldest military )ler8 o t*e army, .on o#t
t*ro#"* mere 2erse5eran)e: 9ornilo5 .as a bold yo#n"
)ommander .*om e5en *is admirers re"arded as a bit
sim2leJ 9erens8y;s +ar Minister, Ver8*o5s8y, later
des)ribed *im as t*e lion *eart .it* t*e brain o a s*ee2:
'r#ssilo5 and 0dmiral 9ol)*a8 a little ex)elled t*e ot*ers in
)#lt#re, i yo# .ill, b#t in not*in" else: 4eni8in .as not
.it*o#t )*ara)ter, b#t or t*e rest, a 2ere)tly ordinary
army "eneral .*o *ad read i5e or six boo8s: 0nd ater
t*ese )ame t*e C#deni)*es, t*e 4ra"omiro5s t*e
L#8oms8ies, s2ea8in" >ren)* or not s2ea8in" it, drin8in"
moderately or drin8in" *ard, b#t amo#ntin" to absol#tely
not*in":
To be s#re, not only e#dal, b#t also bo#r"eois and
demo)rati) R#ssia *ad its re2resentati5es in t*e oi)ers;
)or2s: T*e .ar 2o#red into t*e ran8s o t*e army tens o
t*o#sands o 2etty bo#r"eois yo#t*s in t*e )a2a)ity o
oi)ers, military en"ineers: T*ese )ir)les, standin" almost
solid or .ar to )om2lete 5i)tory, elt t*e ne)essity o
some broad meas#res o reorm, b#t s#bmitted in t*e lon"
r#n to t*e rea)tionary )ommand: 6nder t*e )<ar t*ey
s#bmitted t*ro#"* ear, and ater t*e re5ol#tion t*ro#"*
)on5i)tion D E#st as t*e demo)ra)y in t*e rear s#bmitted to
t*e bo#r"eoisie: T*e )on)iliatory .in" o t*e oi)ers
s*ared s#bseG#ently t*e #n*a22y ate o t*e )on)iliatory
2arties D .it* t*is dieren)e, t*at at t*e ront t*e sit#ation
de5elo2ed a t*o#sand times more s*ar2ly: In t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee yo# )o#ld *old on or a lon" time .it*
ambi"#itiesJ in t*e a)e o t*e soldiers it .as not so easy:
T*e ill?.ill and ri)tion bet.een t*e demo)rati) and
aristo)rati) oi)ers, in)a2able o re5i5in" t*e army, only
introd#)ed a #rt*er element o de)om2osition: T*e
2*ysio"nomy o t*e army .as determined by t*e old
R#ssia, and t*is 2*ysio"nomy .as )om2letely e#dal: T*e
oi)ers still )onsidered t*e best soldier to be a *#mble
and #nt*in8in" 2easant lad, in .*om no )ons)io#sness o
*#man 2ersonality *ad yet a.a8ened: S#)* .as t*e
AnationalB tradition o t*e R#ssian army D t*e S#5oro5
tradition D restin" #2on 2rimiti5e a"ri)#lt#re, serdom and
t*e 5illa"e )omm#ne: In t*e ei"*teent* )ent#ry S#5oro5
.as still )reatin" mira)les o#t o t*is material: Leo Tolstoy,
.it* a baronial lo5e, idealised in *is 3laton?9arataye5 t*e
old ty2e o R#ssian soldier, #nm#rm#rin"ly s#bmittin" to
nat#re, tyranny and deat* /War and Peace1: T*e >ren)*
re5ol#tion, initiatin" t*e ma"nii)ent tri#m2* o
indi5id#alism in all s2*eres o *#man a)ti5ity, 2#t an end
to t*e military art o S#5oro5: T*ro#"*o#t t*e nineteent*
)ent#ry, and t*e t.entiet* too D t*ro#"*o#t t*e .*ole
2eriod bet.een t*e >ren)* and R#ssian re5ol#tions D t*e
)<ar;s army .as )ontin#ally deeated be)a#se it .as a
e#dal army: Ia5in" been ormed on t*at AnationalB basis,
t*e )ommandin" sta .as distin"#is*ed by a s)orn or t*e
2ersonality o t*e soldier, a s2irit o 2assi5e Mandarinism,
an i"noran)e o its o.n trade, a )om2lete absen)e o
*eroi) 2rin)i2les, and an ex)e2tional dis2osition to.ard
2etty lar)eny: T*e a#t*ority o t*e oi)ers rested #2on t*e
exterior si"ns o s#2eriority, t*e rit#al o )aste, t*e system
o s#22ression, and e5en a s2e)ial )aste lan"#a"e D
)ontem2tible idiom o sla5ery D in .*i)* t*e soldier .as
s#22osed to )on5erse .it* *is oi)er: K2L 0))e2tin" t*e
re5ol#tion in .ords and s.earin" ealty to t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment, t*e )<ar;s mars*als sim2ly s*o#ldered o
t*eir o.n sins on t*e allen dynasty: T*ey "ra)io#sly
)onsented to allo. Ni)*olas II to be de)lared s)a2e"oat or
t*e .*ole 2ast: '#t art*er t*an t*at, not a ste2O Io.
)o#ld t*ey #nderstand t*at t*e moral essen)e o t*e
re5ol#tion lay in t*e s2irit#alisation o t*at *#man mass
#2on .*ose inertness all t*eir "ood ort#ne *ad rested@
4eni8in, a22ointed to )ommand t*e ront, anno#n)ed at
Mins8: AI a))e2t t*e re5ol#tion .*olly and irre5o)ably: '#t
to re5ol#tionise t*e army and brin" dema"o"#ery into it, I
)onsider r#ino#s to t*e )o#ntry:B 0 )lassi) orm#la o t*e
d#ll?.ittedness o maEor?"eneralsO 0s or t*e ran8?and?ile
"enerals, to G#ote Waless8y, t*ey made b#t one demand:
AOnly 8ee2 yo#r *ands o #s D t*at is all .e )are abo#tOB
Io.e5er, t*e re5ol#tion )o#ld not 8ee2 its *ands o t*em:
'elon"in" to t*e 2ri5ile"ed )lasses, t*ey stood to .in
not*in", b#t t*ey )o#ld lose m#)*: T*ey .ere t*reatened
.it* t*e loss not only o oi)er 2ri5ile"es, b#t also o
landed 2ro2erty: !o5erin" t*emsel5es .it* loyalty to t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment, t*e rea)tionary oi)ers .a"ed so
m#)* t*e more bitter a )am2ai"n a"ainst t*e so5iets: 0nd
.*en t*ey .ere )on5in)ed t*at t*e re5ol#tion .as
2enetratin" irresistibly into t*e soldier mass, and e5en into
t*eir *ome estates, t*ey re"arded t*is as a monstro#s
trea)*ery on t*e 2art o 9erens8y, Mili#8o5, e5en
Rod<ian8o D to say not*in" o t*e 'ols*e5i8s:
T*e lie )onditions o t*e leet e5en more t*an t*e army
no#ris*ed t*e li5e seeds o )i5il .ar: T*e lie o t*e sailors
in t*eir steel b#n8ers, lo)8ed #2 t*ere by or)e or a 2eriod
o years, .as not m#)* dierent e5en in t*e matter o
ood, rom t*at o "alley sla5es: Ri"*t beside t*em t*e
oi)ers, mostly rom 2ri5ile"ed )ir)les and *a5in"
5ol#ntarily )*osen na5al ser5i)e as t*eir )allin", .ere
identiyin" t*e >at*erland .it* t*e )<ar, t*e )<ar .it*
t*emsel5es, and re"ardin" t*e sailor as t*e least 5al#able
2art o t*e battles*i2: T.o alien and ti"*t?s*#t .orlds t*#s
li5e in )lose )onta)t, and ne5er o#t o ea)* ot*er;s si"*t:
T*e s*i2s o t*e leet *a5e t*eir base in t*e ind#strial
sea2ort to.ns .it* t*eir "reat 2o2#lation o .or8ers
needed or b#ildin" and re2airin": Moreo5er, on t*e s*i2s
t*emsel5es, in t*e en"ineerin" and ma)*ine )or2s, t*ere
is no small n#mber o G#aliied .or8ers: T*ose are t*e
)onditions .*i)* )on5ert t*e leet into a re5ol#tionary
mine: In t*e re5ol#tions and military #2risin"s o all
)o#ntries t*e sailors *a5e been t*e most ex2losi5e
materialJ t*ey *a5e almost al.ays at t*e irst o22ort#nity
drasti)ally settled a))o#nts .it* t*eir oi)ers: T*e R#ssian
sailors .ere no ex)e2tion:
In 9ronstadt t*e re5ol#tion .as a))om2anied by an
o#tbrea8 o bloody 5en"ean)e a"ainst t*e oi)ers, .*o
attem2ted, as t*o#"* in *orror at t*eir o.n 2ast, to
)on)eal t*e re5ol#tion rom t*e sailors: One o t*e irst
5i)tims to all .as 0dmiral Viren, .*o enEoyed a .ell?
earned *atred: 0 n#mber o t*e )ommandin" sta .ere
arrested by t*e sailors: T*ose .*o remained ree .ere
de2ri5ed o arms:
In Ielsin"ors and S5eabor", 0dmiral Ne2enin did not
admit t*e ne.s o t*e ins#rre)tion in 3etro"rad #ntil t*e
ni"*t o Mar)* &, t*reatenin" t*e soldiers and sailors
mean.*ile .it* a)ts o re2ression: So m#)* t*e more
ero)io#s .as t*e ins#rre)tion o t*ese soldiers and sailors:
It lasted all ni"*t and all day: Many oi)ers .ere arrested:
T*e most *ate#l .ere s*o5ed #nder t*e i)e: A,#d"in" by
S8obele5;s a))o#nt o t*e )ond#)t o t*e oi)ers o t*e
leet and t*e Ielsin"ors a#t*orities,B .rites S#8*ano5,
.*o is by no means ind#l"ent to t*e Adar8 ran8?and ile,B
Ait is a .onder t*ese ex)esses .ere so e.:B
'#t in t*e land or)es too t*ere .ere bloody en)o#nters,
se5eral .a5es o t*em: 0t irst t*is .as an a)t o
5en"ean)e or t*e 2ast, or t*e )ontem2tible stri8in" o
soldier: T*ere .as no la)8 o memories t*at b#rned li8e
#l)ers: In 191= dis)i2linary 2#nis*ment by lo""in" *ad
been oi)ially introd#)ed into t*e )<ar;s army: T*e oi)ers
lo""ed soldiers #2on t*eir o.n a#t*ority D soldiers .*o
.ere oten t*e at*ers o amilies: '#t it .as not al.ays a
G#estion o t*e 2ast: 0t t*e 0ll?R#ssian !oneren)e o
So5iets, a dele"ate s2ea8in" or t*e army stated t*at as
early as t*e 1=t* or 17t* o Mar)* an order *ad been
iss#ed introd#)in" )or2oral 2#nis*ment in t*e a)ti5e army:
0 de2#ty o t*e 4#ma, ret#rnin" rom t*e ront, re2orted
t*at t*e !ossa)8s said to *im, in t*e absen)e o oi)ers:
AIere, yo# say, is t*e order: KE5idently t*e amo#s Order
N#mber 1, o .*i)* .e .ill s2ea8 #rt*er:L +e "ot it
yesterday, and yet today an oi)er so)8ed me on t*e Ea.:B
T*e 'ols*e5i8s .ent o#t to try to restrain t*e soldiers rom
ex)esses as oten as t*e !on)iliators: '#t bloody a)ts o
retrib#tion .ere as ine5itable as t*e re)oil o a "#n: T*e
liberals *ad no ot*er "ro#nd or )allin" t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion bloodless ex)e2t t*at it "a5e t*em t*e 2o.er:
Some o t*e oi)ers mana"ed to stir #2 bitter )onli)ts
abo#t t*e red ribbons, .*i)* .ere in t*e eyes o t*e
soldiers a symbol o t*e brea8 .it* t*e 2ast: T*e
)ommander o t*e S#ms8y re"iment "ot 8illed in t*is .ay:
0not*er )ommander, *a5in" ordered ne.ly arri5ed
reinor)ements to remo5e t*eir ribbons, .as arrested by
t*e soldiers, and lo)8ed #2 in t*e "#ard *o#se: 0 n#mber
o en)o#nters also res#lted rom t*e )<ar;s 2ortraits, not
yet remo5ed rom t*e oi)ial G#arters: +as t*is o#t o
loyalty to t*e monar)*y@ In a maEority o )ases it .as mere
la)8 o )oniden)e in t*e re5ol#tion, an a)t o 2ersonal
ins#ran)e: '#t t*e soldiers .ere not .ron" in seein" t*e
"*ost o t*e old rF"ime l#r8in" be*ind t*ose 2ortraits:
It .as not t*o#"*t?o#t meas#res rom abo5e, b#t
s2asmodi) mo5ements rom belo., .*i)* establis*ed t*e
ne. rF"ime in t*e army: T*e dis)i2linary 2o.er o t*e
oi)ers .as neit*er ann#lled nor limited: It merely ell
a.ay o itsel d#rin" t*e irst .ee8s o Mar)*: AIt .as
)lear,B said t*e )*ie o t*e 'la)8 Sea sta, At*at i an
oi)er attem2ted to im2ose dis)i2linary 2#nis*ment #2on
a soldier, t*e 2o.er did not exist to "et it exe)#ted:B In
t*at yo# *a5e one o t*e s#re si"ns o a "en#inely 2o2#lar
re5ol#tion:
+it* t*e allin" a.ay o t*eir dis)i2linary 2o.er, t*e
2ra)ti)al ban8r#2t)y o t*e sta o oi)ers .as laid bare:
Stan8e5i)*, .*o 2ossessed bot* a "it o obser5ation and
an interest in military aairs, "i5es a .it*erin" a))o#nt in
t*is res2e)t o t*e )ommandin" sta: T*e drillin" still .ent
on a))ordin" to t*e old r#les, *e tells #s, totally o#t o
relation to t*e demands o t*e .ar: AS#)* exer)ises .ere
merely a test o t*e 2atien)e and obedien)e o t*e
soldiers:B T*e oi)ers, o )o#rse, tried to lay t*e blame or
t*is, t*eir o.n ban8r#2t)y, #2on t*e re5ol#tion:
0lt*o#"* t*ey .ere G#i)8 .it* )r#el re2risals, t*e soldiers
.ere also in)lined to )*ildli8e tr#st#lness and sel?
or"et#l a)ts o "ratit#de: >or a s*ort time t*e de2#ty
>ilomen8o, a 2riest and a liberal, seemed to t*e soldiers at
t*e ront a standard?bearer o t*e idea o reedom, a
s*e2*erd o t*e re5ol#tion: T*e old )*#r)*ly ideas #nited
in #nny .ays .it* t*e ne. ait*: T*e soldiers )arried t*is
2riest on t*eir *ands, raised *im abo5e t*eir *eads,
)are#lly seated *im in *is slei"*: 0nd *e ater.ards,
)*o8in" .it* ra2t#re, re2orted to t*e 4#ma: A+e )o#ld not
inis* o#r are.ells: T*ey 8issed o#r *ands and eet:B T*is
de2#ty t*o#"*t t*at t*e 4#ma *ad an immense a#t*ority
in t*e army: +*at *ad a#t*ority in t*e army .as t*e
re5ol#tion: 0nd it .as t*e re5ol#tion t*at t*re. t*is
blindin" rele)tion on 5ario#s a))idental i"#res:
T*e symboli) )leansin" )arried o#t by -#)*8o5 in t*e
#22er )ir)les o t*e army D t*e remo5al o a e. s)ore o
"enerals D "a5e no satisa)tion to t*e soldiers, and at t*e
same time )reated a state o #n)ertainty amon" t*e *i"*
oi)ers: Ea)* one .as araid t*at *e .o#ld lose *is 2la)e:
T*e maEority s.am .it* t*e )#rrent, s2o8e sotly and
)len)*ed t*eir ists in t*eir 2o)8ets: It .as still .orse .it*
t*e middle and lo.er oi)ers, .*o )ame a)e to a)e .it*
t*e soldiers: Iere t*ere .as no "o5ernmental )leansin" at
all: See8in" a le"al met*od, t*e soldiers o one artillery
battery .rote to t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee and t*e State
4#ma abo#t t*eir )ommander: A'rot*ers, .e *#mbly
reG#est yo# to remo5e o#r domesti) enemy,
Van)*e8*a<a:B Re)ei5in" no ans.er to s#)* 2etitions, t*e
soldiers .o#ld em2loy .*at means t*ey *ad:
disobedien)e, )ro.din" o#t, e5en arrest: Only ater t*at
t*e )ommand .o#ld .a8e #2, remo5e t*e arrested or
assa#lted oi)er, sometimes tryin" to 2#nis* t*e soldiers,
b#t otener lea5in" t*em #n2#nis*ed in order to a5oid
)om2li)atin" t*in"s: T*is )reated an intolerable sit#ation
or t*e oi)ers, and yet "a5e no )lear deinition to t*e
sit#ation o t*e soldiers:
E5en many i"*tin" oi)ers, t*ose .*o serio#sly )ared
abo#t t*e ate o t*e army, insisted #2on t*e ne)essity o
a "eneral )lean?#2 o t*e )ommandin" sta: +it*o#t t*at,
t*ey said, it is #seless to t*in8 o re5i5in" t*e i"*tin"
ability o t*e troo2s: T*e soldiers 2resented to t*e de2#ties
o t*e 4#ma no less )on5in)in" ar"#ments: >ormerly, t*ey
said, .*en t*ey *ad a "rie5an)e, t*ey *ad to )om2lain to
t*e oi)ers, .*o ordinarily 2aid no attention to t*eir
)om2laint: 0nd .*at .ere t*ey to do no.@ T*e oi)ers
.ere t*e same D t*e ate o t*eir )om2laints .o#ld be t*e
same: AIt .as 5ery dii)#lt to ans.er t*at G#estion,B a
de2#ty )onesses: '#t ne5ert*eless t*at G#estion
)ontained t*e .*ole ate o t*e army and ore?ordained its
#t#re:
It .o#ld be a mista8e to re2resent t*e state o aairs in
t*e army as *omo"eneo#s t*ro#"*o#t t*e )o#ntry in all
8inds o troo2s and all re"iments: T*e 5ariation .as 5ery
)onsiderable: +*ile t*e sailors o t*e 'alti) leet
res2onded to t*e irst ne.s o t*e re5ol#tion by 8illin"
oi)ers, ri"*t beside t*em in t*e "arrison at Ielsin"ors
t*e oi)ers .ere o))#2yin" a leadin" 2osition in t*e
soldiers; so5iet by t*e be"innin" o 02ril, and *ere an
im2osin" "eneral .as s2ea8in" at )elebrations in t*e
name o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries: T*ere .ere many s#)*
)ontrasts bet.een *ate and tr#st#lness: '#t ne5ert*eless
t*e army .as li8e a system o )omm#ni)atin" 5essels, and
t*e 2oliti)al mood o t*e soldiers and sailors "ra5itated to
.ards a sin"le le5el:
4is)i2line .as maintained some*o. .*ile t*e soldiers
.ere )o#ntin" on a G#i)8 and de)isi5e )*an"e: A'#t .*en
t*e soldiers sa.,B to G#ote a dele"ate rom t*e ront, At*at
e5eryt*in" remained as beore D t*e same o22ression,
sla5ery, i"noran)e, t*e same ins#lts D an a"itation be"an:B
Nat#re, .*o .as not t*o#"*t#l eno#"* to arm t*e
maEority o men .it* r*ino)eros s8in, also endo.ed t*e
soldier .it* a ner5o#s system: Re5ol#tions ser5e to remind
#s rom time to time o t*is )arelessness on t*e 2art o
nat#re:
In t*e rear as .ell as at t*e ront, a))idental 2retexts
easily led to )onli)ts: T*e soldiers .ere "i5en t*e ri"*t to
attend t*eatres, meetin"s, )on)erts, et):, AeG#ally .it* all
)iti<ens:B Many soldiers inter2reted t*is as a ri"*t to
attend t*eatres ree: T*e ministry ex2lained t*at
AreedomB .as to be #nderstood in a s2e)#lati5e sense:
'#t a 2eo2le in ins#rre)tion *as ne5er s*o.n any
in)lination to.ards 3latonism or 9antianism:
T*e .orn?o#t tiss#e o dis)i2line bro8e t*ro#"* in 5ario#s
.ays at dierent times, in dierent "arrisons, and in
dierent re"iments: 0 )ommander .o#ld oten t*in8 t*at
e5eryt*in" *ad "one .ell in *is re"iment #ntil )ertain
ne.s2a2ers a22eared, or #ntil t*e arri5al o some o#tside
a"itator: It .as all really t*e .or8 o dee2 inexorable
or)es:
T*e liberal de2#ty Can#s*8e5i)* )ame ba)8 rom t*e ront
.it* a "eneralisation D t*at t*e disor"anisation is .orst o
all in t*e A"reenB troo2s )om2osed o muzhiks: AIn t*e
more re5ol#tionary re"iments t*e soldiers are "ettin"
alon" 5ery .ell .it* t*e oi)ers:B 0s a matter o a)t
dis)i2line rested or t*e most 2art on t.o o#ndations: t*e
2ri5ile"ed )a5alry made #2 o .ell?o 2easants, and t*e
artillery or te)*ni)al bran)* in "eneral .it* a *i"*
2er)enta"e o .or8ers and intelle)t#als: T*e land?o.nin"
!ossa)8s *eld o#t lon"est o all, dreadin" an a"rarian
re5ol#tion in .*i)* t*e maEority o t*em .o#ld lose, and
not "ain: More t*an on)e ater t*e re5ol#tion indi5id#al
!ossa)8 di5isions )arried o#t 2#niti5e o2erations, b#t in
"eneral t*ese dieren)es .ere merely in t*e date and
tem2o o disinte"ration:
T*e blind str#""le *ad its ebbs and lo.s: T*e oi)ers
.o#ld try to ada2t t*emsel5esJ t*e soldiers .o#ld a"ain
be"in to bide t*eir time: '#t d#rin" t*is tem2orary relie,
d#rin" t*ese days and .ee8s o tr#)e, t*e so)ial *atred
.*i)* .as de)om2osin" t*e army o t*e old rF"ime .o#ld
be)ome more and more intense: Otener and otener it
.o#ld las* o#t in a 8ind o *eat li"*tnin": In Mos)o., in
one o t*e am2*it*eatres, a meetin" o in5alids .as )alled,
soldiers and oi)ers to"et*er: 0n orator?)ri22le be"an to
)ast as2ersions on t*e oi)ers: 0 noise o 2rotest arose, a
stam2in" o s*oes, )anes, )r#t)*es: A0nd *o. lon" a"o
.ere yo#, Mr: Oi)er, ins#ltin" t*e soldiers .it* las*es and
ists@B T*ese .o#nded, s*ell?s*o)8ed, m#tilated 2eo2le
stood li8e t.o .alls, one a)in" t*e ot*er: !ri22led soldiers
a"ainst )ri22led oi)ers, t*e maEority a"ainst t*e minority,
)r#t)*es a"ainst )r#t)*es: T*at ni"*tmare s)ene in t*e
am2*it*eatre ores*ado.ed t*e ero)ity o t*e )omin" )i5il
.ar:
0bo5e all t*ese l#)t#ations and )ontradi)tions in t*e army
and in t*e )o#ntry, one eternal G#estion .as *an"in",
s#mmed #2 in t*e s*ort .ord, .ar: >rom t*e 'alti) to t*e
'la)8 Sea, rom t*e 'la)8 Sea to t*e !as2ian and beyond
into t*e de2t*s o 3ersia, on an immeas#rable ront, stood
sixty?ei"*t )or2s o inantry and nine o )a5alry: +*at
s*o#ld *a22en to t*em #rt*er@ +*at .as to be done .it*
t*e .ar@
In t*e matter o military s#22lies t*e army *ad been
)onsiderably stren"t*ened beore t*e re5ol#tion: 4omesti)
2rod#)tion or its needs *ad in)reased, and li8e.ise t*e
im2ortation o +ar material t*ro#"* M#rmans8 and
0r)*an"el D es2e)ially artillery rom t*e 0llies: Riles,
)annon, )artrid"es, .ere on *and in in)om2arably "reater
G#antities t*an d#rin" t*e irst years o t*e .ar: Ne.
inantry di5isions .ere in 2ro)ess o or"anisation: T*e
en"ineerin" )or2s *ad been enlar"ed: On t*is "ro#nd a
n#mber o t*e #n*a22y military )*ietains attem2ted later
to 2ro5e t*at R#ssia *ad stood on t*e e5e o 5i)tory, and
t*at only t*e re5ol#tion *ad 2re5ented it: T.el5e years
beore, 9#ro2at8in and Line5i)* *ad asserted .it* as "ood
a o#ndation t*at +itte 2re5ented t*em rom )leanin" #2
t*e ,a2anese: In reality R#ssia .as art*er rom 5i)tory in
1917 t*an at any ot*er time: 0lon" .it* t*e in)rease in
amm#nition t*ere a22eared in t*e army to.ard t*e end o
191( an extreme la)8 o ood s#22lies: Ty2*#s and s)#r5y
too8 more 5i)tims t*an t*e i"*tin": T*e brea8do.n o
trans2ort alone )an)elled all strate"y in5ol5in" lar"e?s)ale
re"ro#2in"s o t*e military mass: Moreo5er an extreme
la)8 o *orses oten )ondemned t*e artillery to ina)tion:
'#t t*e )*ie tro#ble .as not e5en *ereJ it .as t*e moral
)ondition o t*e army t*at .as *o2eless: Co# mi"*t
des)ribe it by sayin" t*at t*e army as an army no lon"er
existed: 4eeats, retreats, and t*e rottenness o t*e r#lin"
"ro#2 *ad #tterly #ndermined t*e troo2s: Co# )o#ld no
more )orre)t t*at .it* administrati5e meas#res, t*an yo#
)o#ld )*an"e t*e ner5o#s system o t*e )o#ntry: T*e
soldier no. loo8ed at a *ea2 o )artrid"es .it* t*e same
dis"#st t*at *e .o#ld at a 2ile o .ormy meatJ t*e .*ole
t*in" seemed to *im #nne)essary and "ood or not*in"J a
de)eit and a t*ie5ery: 0nd *is oi)er )o#ld say not*in"
)on5in)in" to *im, )o#ldn;t e5en ma8e #2 *is mind to
)ra)8 *im on t*e Ea.: T*e oi)er *imsel elt de)ei5ed by
t*e *i"*er )ommand, and moreo5er not inreG#ently
as*amed beore t*e soldiers or *is o.n s#2eriors: T*e
army .as in)#rably si)8: It .as still )a2able o s2ea8in" its
.ord in t*e re5ol#tion, b#t so ar as ma8in" .ar .as
)on)erned, it did not exist: Nobody belie5ed in t*e s#))ess
o t*e .ar, t*e oi)ers as little as t*e soldiers: Nobody
.anted to i"*t any more, neit*er t*e army nor t*e 2eo2le:
To be s#re, in t*e *i"* )*an)elleries, .*ere a s2e)ial 8ind
o lie is li5ed, t*ey .ere still )*atterin", t*ro#"* mere
inertia, abo#t "reat o2erations, abo#t t*e s2rin" oensi5e,
t*e )a2t#re o t*e 4ardanelles: In t*e !rimea t*ey e5en
"ot ready a bi" army or t*is latter 2#r2ose: It stood in t*e
b#lletins t*at t*e best element, o t*e army *ad been
desi"nated or t*e sie"e: T*ey sent t*e re"iments o t*e
"#ard rom 3etro"rad: Io.e5er, a))ordin" to t*e a))o#nt
o an oi)er .*o be"an drillin" t*em on t*e 2=t* o
>ebr#ary D t.o days beore t*e re5ol#tion D t*ese
reinor)ements t#rned o#t to be indes)ribably bad: Not t*e
sli"*test desire to i"*t .as to be seen in t*ose
im2ert#rbable bl#e, *a<el and "rey eyes: A0ll t*eir
t*o#"*ts and t*eir as2irations .ere or one t*in" only D
2ea)e:B
T*ere is no la)8 o s#)* testimony: T*e re5ol#tion merely
bro#"*t to t*e s#ra)e .*at already existed: T*e slo"an
A4o.n .it* t*e .arOB be)ame or t*at reason one o t*e
)*ie slo"ans o t*e >ebr#ary days: It )ame rom
demonstrations o .omen, rom t*e .or8ers o t*e Vybor"
G#arter, rom t*e re"iments o t*e -#ard: Early in Mar)*
.*en de2#ties rom t*e 4#ma made a to#r o t*e ront,
t*e soldiers, es2e)ially t*e older ones, .o#ld )ontin#ally
as8 t*em: A+*at are t*ey sayin" abo#t t*e land@B T*e
de2#ties ans.ered e5asi5ely t*at t*e land G#estion .o#ld
be de)ided by t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly: '#t *ere .o#ld
so#nd o#t a 5oi)e betrayin" t*e *idden t*o#"*t o
e5erybody: A+ell, as or t*e land, i I;m not *ere, yo#
8no., I .on;t need it:B S#)* .as t*e ori"inal soldier
2ro"ramme o re5ol#tion: irst 2ea)e, and t*en t*e land:
To.ard t*e end o Mar)* at t*e 0ll?R#ssian !oneren)e o
So5iets, .*ere t*ere .as a "ood deal o 2atrioti) bra""in",
one o t*e dele"ates re2resentin" t*e soldiers in t*e
tren)*es re2orted 5ery sin)erely *o. t*e ront re)ei5ed
t*e ne.s o t*e re5ol#tion: A0ll t*e soldiers said, [T*an8
-odO Maybe no. .e .ill *a5e 2ea)eO;B T*e tren)*es
instr#)ted t*e dele"ate to tell t*e )oneren)e A+e are
ready to lay do.n o#r li5es or reedom, b#t E#st t*e same,
!omrades, .e .ant an end o t*e .ar:B T*at .as t*e li5in"
5oi)e o reality D es2e)ially t*e latter *al o it: +e .ill .ait
a .*ile i .e *a5e to, b#t yo# #2 t*ere at t*e to2, *#rry
alon" .it* t*e 2ea)e:
T*e )<ar;s troo2s in >ran)e in a )om2letely #nnat#ral
atmos2*ere D bein" mo5ed by t*e same eelin"s, 2assed
t*ro#"* t*e same sta"es o disinte"ration: A+*en .e
*eard t*at t*e )<ar *ad abdi)ated,B an illiterate middle?
a"ed 2easant soldier ex2lained to *is oi)er, A.e all
t*o#"*t it meant t*at t*e .ar .as o5er ::: T*e )<ar sent #s
to .ar, and .*at is t*e #se o reedom i I *a5e "ot to rot
in t*e tren)*es a"ain@B T*at .as t*e "en#ine soldier
2*iloso2*y o t*e re5ol#tion D not bro#"*t in rom t*e
o#tside: No a"itator )o#ld t*in8 #2 t*ose sim2le and
)on5in)in" .ords:
T*e liberals and t*e *al?liberal so)ialists tried ater.ards
to re2resent t*e re5ol#tion as a 2atrioti) #2risin": On t*e
2nd o Mar)*, Mili#8o5 ex2lained to t*e >ren)* Eo#rnalists:
AT*e R#ssian re5ol#tion .as made in order to remo5e t*e
obsta)les on R#ssia;s road to 5i)tory:B Iere *y2o)risy "oes
*and?in?*and .it* sel?de)eit D t*e *y2o)risy some.*at
t*e lar"er o t*e t.o: T*e )andid rea)tionaries sa. t*in"s
)learer: Von Str#5e, a -erman 3an?Sla5ist, a L#t*eran
-ree8 Ort*odox, and a Marxian monar)*ist, better deined
t*e a)t#al so#r)es o t*e re5ol#tion, alt*o#"* in t*e
lan"#a"e o rea)tionary *atred: AIn so ar as t*e 2o2#lar,
and es2e)ially t*e soldier, masses too8 2art in t*e
re5ol#tion, it .as not a 2atrioti) ex2losion, b#t a rioto#s
sel?demobilisation, and .as dire)ted strai"*t a"ainst a
2rolon"ation o t*e +ar: T*at is, it .as made in order to
sto2 t*e +ar:B
0lon" .it* a tr#e t*o#"*t, t*ose .ords )ontain also a
slander: T*e rioto#s demobilisation .as "ro.in" as a
matter o a)t ri"*t o#t o t*e .ar: T*e re5ol#tion did not
)reate, b#t on t*e )ontrary )*e)8ed it: 4esertin",
extraordinarily reG#ent on t*e e5e o t*e re5ol#tion, .as
5ery inreG#ent in t*e irst .ee8s ater: T*e army .as
.aitin": In t*e *o2e t*at t*e re5ol#tion .o#ld "i5e 2ea)e,
t*e soldier did not re#se to 2#t a s*o#lder #nder t*e ront:
Ot*er.ise, *e t*o#"*t, t*e ne. "o5ernment .on;t be able
to )on)l#de a 2ea)e:
AT*e soldiers are deinitely ex2ressin" t*e o2inion,B
re2orts t*e )*ie o t*e -renadier 4i5ision on t*e 23rd o
Mar)*, At*at .e )an only deend o#rsel5es and not
atta)8:B Military re2orts and 2oliti)al s2ee)*es re2eat t*is
t*o#"*t in 5ario#s orms: Ensi"n 9rylen8o, an old
re5ol#tionist and a #t#re )ommander?in?)*ie #nder t*e
'ols*e5i8s, testiied t*at or t*e soldier t*e .ar G#estion
.as settled in t*ose days .it* t*is orm#la: AS#22ort t*e
ront, b#t don;t Eoin t*e oensi5e:B In a more solemn b#t
.*olly sin)ere lan"#a"e, t*at meant: deend reedom:
A+e m#stn;t sti)8 o#r bayonets in t*e "ro#ndOB 6nder t*e
inl#en)e o obs)#re and )ontradi)tory moods t*e soldiers
t*ose days reG#ently re#sed e5en to listen to t*e
'ols*e5i8s: T*ey t*o#"*t 2er*a2s, im2ressed by )ertain
#ns8il#l s2ee)*es t*at t*e 'ols*e5i8s .ere not )on)erned
.it* t*e deen)e o re5ol#tion and mi"*t 2re5ent t*e
"o5ernment rom )on)l#din" 2ea)e: T*e so)ial 2atrioti)
2a2ers and a"itators more and more )#lti5ated t*is idea
amon" t*e soldiers: '#t e5en t*o#"* sometimes
2re5entin" t*e 'ols*e5i8s rom s2ea8in", t*e soldiers rom
t*e 5ery irst days de)isi5ely reEe)ted t*e idea o an
oensi5e: To t*e 2oliti)ians o t*e )a2ital t*is seemed
some 8ind o a mis#nderstandin" .*i)* )o#ld be remo5ed
.it* a22ro2riate 2ress#re: T*e a"itation or .ar rea)*ed
extraordinary *ei"*ts: T*e bo#r"eois 2ress in millions o
iss#es 2ortrayed t*e 2roblems o t*e re5ol#tion in t*e li"*t
o A+ar to )om2lete 5i)tory:B T*e !om2romisers *#mmed
t*e same t#ne D at irst #nder t*eir breat*, t*en more
boldly: T*e inl#en)e o t*e 'ols*e5i8s, 5ery .ea8 in t*e
army at t*e moment o t*e re5ol#tion, be)ame e5en
.ea8er .*en t*o#sands o .or8ers .*o *ad been
banis*ed to t*e ront or stri8in" let its ran8s: T*e desire
or 2ea)e t*#s o#nd no o2en and )lear ex2ression exa)tly
.*ere it .as most intense: T*is sit#ation made it 2ossible
or t*e )ommanders and )ommissars, .*o .ere loo8in"
ro#nd or )omortin" ill#sions, to de)ei5e t*emsel5es
abo#t t*e a)t#al state o aairs: In t*e arti)les and
s2ee)*es o t*ose times it is reG#ently asserted t*at t*e
soldiers de)lined t*e oensi5e be)a#se t*ey did not
)orre)tly #nderstand t*e orm#la A.it*o#t annexations or
indemnities:B T*e !om2romisers s2ared no eort to
ex2lain t*at deensi5e .arare 2ermits ta8in" t*e
oensi5e, and sometimes e5en reG#ires it: 0s t*o#"* t*at
s)*olasti) G#estion .ere at iss#eO 0n oensi5e meant re?
o2enin" t*e .ar: 0 .aitin" s#22ort o t*e ront meant
armisti)e: T*e soldiers; t*eory and 2ra)ti)e o deensi5e
.arare .as a orm o silent, and later indeed o G#ite
o2en, a"reement .it* t*e -ermans: A4on;t to#)* #s and
.e .on;t to#)* yo#:B More t*an t*at t*e army *ad not*in"
to "i5e to t*e .ar:
T*e soldiers .ere still less o2en to .arli8e 2ers#asions
be)a#se, #nder t*e orm o 2re2aration or an oensi5e,
rea)tionary oi)ers .ere ob5io#sly tryin" to "et t*e reins
in t*eir *ands: In t*e soldiers; )on5ersation a22eared t*e
2*rase: A'ayonet or t*e -ermans, b#tt or t*e inside
enemy:B T*e bayonet, *o.e5er, *ad *ere a deensi5e
si"nii)an)e: T*e soldiers in t*e tren)*es ne5er t*o#"*t o
t*e 4ardanelles: T*e desire or 2ea)e .as a mi"*ty
#nder"ro#nd )#rrent .*i)* m#st soon brea8 o#t on t*e
s#ra)e:
0lt*o#"* *e did not deny t*at ne"ati5e si"ns .ere Ato be
obser5edB in t*e army, Mili#8o5 tried or a lon" time ater
t*e re5ol#tion to assert t*at t*e army .as )a2able o
#lillin" t*e tas8s laid o#t or it by t*e Entente: AT*e
'ols*e5i8 2ro2a"anda,B *e .rites in *is )*ara)ter o
*istorian, Aby no means immediately rea)*ed t*e ront:
>or t*e irst mont* or mont* and?a?*al ater t*e re5ol#tion
t*e army remained *ealt*y:B Ie a22roa)*es t*e .*ole
G#estion at t*e le5el o 2ro2a"anda, as t*o#"* t*at
ex*a#sts t*e *istori) 2ro)ess: 6nder t*e orm o a belated
str#""le a"ainst 'ols*e5i8s, to .*om *e attrib#tes
5eritably mysti) 2o.ers, Mili#8o5 )arries on *is str#""le
a"ainst a)ts: +e *a5e already seen *o. t*e army loo8ed
in reality: Let #s see *o. t*e )ommanders t*emsel5es
a22raised its i"*tin" )a2a)ity in t*e irst .ee8s, and e5en
days, ater t*e re5ol#tion:
On Mar)* ( t*e )ommander?in?)*ie o t*e nort*ern ront,
-eneral R#s<8y, inorms t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee t*at a
)om2lete ins#bordination o t*e soldiers is be"innin",
2o2#lar 2ersonalities m#st be sent to t*e ront in order to
introd#)e some sort o tranG#illity into t*e army:
T*e )*ie o t*e sta o t*e 'la)8 Sea leet says in *is
memoirs: A>rom t*e irst days o t*e re5ol#tion it .as )lear
to me t*at it .as im2ossible to .a"e .ar, and t*at t*e .ar
.as lost:B 9ol)*a8, a))ordin" to *im, .as o t*e same
o2inion, and i *e remained at *is 2ost as )ommander at
t*e ront, it .as merely to deend t*e sta oi)ers a"ainst
5iolen)e:
!o#nt I"natie5, .*o o))#2ied a *i"* )ommand in t*e
Im2erial -#ard, .rote to Nabo8o5 in Mar)*: ACo# m#st
)learly #nderstand t*at t*e .ar is inis*ed, t*at .e )an;t
and .on;t i"*t any lon"er: Intelli"ent 2eo2le o#"*t to be
t*in8in" #2 a .ay to liG#idate t*e .ar 2ainlessly,
ot*er.ise t*ere .ill be a )atastro2*e :::B -#)*8o5 told
Nabo8o5 at t*e same time t*at *e .as re)ei5in" s#)*
letters by t*e t*o#sand: !ertain s#2eri)ially more *o2e#l
re2orts, rare eno#"* in any )ase, .ere mostly )ontradi)ted
by t*eir o.n s#22lementary ex2lanations: AT*e desire o
t*e troo2s or 5i)tory remains,B says t*e )ommander o
t*e 2nd 0rmy, 4anilo5: AIn some re"iments it is e5en
stron"er:B '#t E#st *ere *e adds: A4is)i2line *as allen
o ::: It .o#ld be .ell to 2ost2one oensi5e a)tion #ntil
t*e sit#ation G#iets do.n /say one to t*ree mont*s1:B 0nd
t*en an #nex2e)ted s#22lement: AOnly =% 2er )ent: o t*e
reinor)ements are arri5in": I t*ey )ontin#e to melt a.ay
in t*e #t#re, and are eG#ally #ndis)i2lined, .e )annot
)o#nt on t*e s#))ess o t*e oensi5e:B
AO#r 4i5ision is #lly )a2able o deensi5e a)tion,B re2orts
t*e 5aliant )ommander o t*e =1st Inantry 4i5ision, and
immediately adds: AIt is ne)essary to res)#e t*e army
rom t*e inl#en)e o t*e Soldiers; and +or8ers; 4e2#ties:B
T*at, *o.e5er, .as not so easy to do:
T*e )*ie o t*e 1$2nd 4i5ision re2orts to t*e )ommander
o t*e )or2s: A+it* e5ery day mis#nderstandin"s are
in)reasin", essentially abo#t triles, b#t omino#s in t*eir
)*ara)ter: T*e soldiers are in)reasin"ly ner5o#s, and t*e
oi)ers still more so:B
T*is is so ar only s)attered testimony, alt*o#"* t*ere is
m#)* o it: '#t on t*e 1$t* o Mar)* t*ere .as *eld at
sta *ead?G#arters a )oneren)e o *i"* oi)ers on t*e
)ondition o t*e army: T*e )on)l#sion o t*e )entral or"ans
o )ommand .as #nanimo#s: AIt .ill be im2ossible to send
troo2s to t*e ront in s#i)ient n#mbers to re2la)e t*e
losses, or t*ere is #nrest amon" all t*e reser5es: T*e
army is si)8: It .ill 2robably ta8e t.o or t*ree mont*s to
adE#st t*e relations bet.een oi)ers and soldiers:B T*e
"enerals did not #nderstand t*at t*e disease )o#ld only
2ro"ress: >or t*e 2resent t*ey obser5ed a de)line o s2irits
amon" t*e oi)ers, a"itation amon" t*e troo2s, and a
)onsiderable tenden)y to desert: AT*e i"*tin" )a2a)ity o
t*e army is lo.ered, and it is dii)#lt at 2resent to rely on
t*e 2ossibility o an ad5an)e:B !on)l#sion: AIt is no.
im2ossible to )arry into exe)#tion t*e a)ti5e o2erations
indi)ated or t*e s2rin":B
In t*e .ee8s ollo.in", t*e sit#ation )ontin#es to "et
.orse and similar testimony is endlessly m#lti2lied: Late in
Mar)* t*e )ommander o t*e =t* 0rmy, -eneral
4ra"omiro5, .rote to -eneral R#s<8y: AT*e i"*tin" s2irit
*as de)lined: Not only is t*ere no desire amon" t*e
soldiers to ta8e t*e oensi5e, b#t e5en a sim2le
st#bbornness on t*e deensi5e *as de)reased to a de"ree
t*reatenin" t*e s#))ess o t*e .ar ::: 3oliti)s, .*i)* *as
s2read t*ro#"* all t*e layers o t*e army, *as made t*e
.*ole military mass desire only one t*in" D to end t*e .ar
and "o *ome:B
-eneral L#8oms8y, one o t*e 2illars o t*e rea)tionary
sta, dissatisied .it* t*e ne. order, too8 o5er t*e
)ommand o a )or2s and o#nd, as *e tells #s, t*at
dis)i2line remained only in *e artillery and en"ineerin"
di5ision in .*i)* t*ere .ere many oi)ers and soldiers o
t*e re"#lar army: A0s or t*e t*ree inantry di5isions, t*ey
.ere all on t*e road to )om2lete disinte"ration:B
4esertin", .*i)* *ad de)reased ater t*e re5ol#tion #nder
t*e inl#en)e o *o2e, in)reased a"ain #nder t*e inl#en)e
o disa22ointment: In one .ee8, rom t*e 1st to t*e 7t* o
02ril, a))ordin" to t*e re2ort o -eneral 0lexeie5,
a22roximately $,%%% soldiers deserted rom t*e nort*ern
and .estern ronts: AI read .it* t*e #tmost astonis*ment,B
*e .rote to -#)*8o5, At*e irres2onsible re2orts as to t*e
;ex)ellent; tem2er o t*e army, +*at is t*e #se@ It .ill not
de)ei5e t*e -ermans, and or #s it is a atal sel?
de)e2tion:B
So ar, it is .ell to note, t*ere is *ardly a reeren)e to t*e
'ols*e5i8s: T*e maEority o oi)ers *ad *ardly learned t*at
stran"e name: +*en t*ey raised t*e G#estion o t*e
)a#ses o t*e army;s disinte"ration, it .as ne.s2a2ers,
a"itators, so5iets, A2oliti)sB in "eneral?in a .ord, t*e
>ebr#ary re5ol#tion:
Co# still )o#ld ind indi5id#al oi)er?o2timists .*o *o2ed
t*at e5eryt*in" .o#ld t#rn o#t all ri"*t: T*ere .ere still
more .*o intentionally s*#t t*eir eyes to t*e a)ts, in
order not to )a#se #n2leasantness to t*e ne. "o5ernment:
On t*e ot*er *and a )onsiderable n#mber, es2e)ially o
t*e *i"*est oi)ers, )ons)io#sly exa""erated t*e si"ns o
disinte"ration in order to "et rom t*e "o5ernment some
de)isi5e a)tion, .*i)* t*ey t*emsel5es, *o.e5er, .ere not
G#ite ready to )all by name: '#t t*e #ndamental 2i)t#re is
ind#bitable: >indin" t*e army si)8, t*e re5ol#tion )lot*ed
t*e inexorable 2ro)ess o its de)line in 2oliti)al orms
.*i)* be)ame more )r#elly deinite rom .ee8 to .ee8:
T*e re5ol#tion )arried to its lo"i)al end not only t*e
2assionate t*irst or 2ea)e, b#t also t*e *ostility o t*e
soldier mass to t*e )ommandin" sta and to t*e r#lin"
)lasses in "eneral:
In t*e middle o 02ril, 0lexeie5 made a 2ersonal re2ort to
t*e "o5ernment on t*e mood o t*e army, in .*i)* *e
e5idently ,did not *esitate to lay on )olo#rs: AI .ell
remember,B .rites Nabo8o5, A.*at a eelin" o a.e and
*o2elessness sei<ed me:B +e may ass#me t*at, Mili#8o5
.as 2resent d#rin" t*at re2ort, .*i)* m#st *a5e o))#rred
in t*e irst six .ee8s ater t*e re5ol#tion: More li8ely
indeed it .as *e .*o *ad s#mmoned 0lexeie5 .it* t*e
desire o ri"*tenin" *is )ollea"#es, and t*ro#"* t*eir,
mediation, *is riends t*e so)ialists:
-#)*8o5 a)t#ally *ad a )on5ersation ater t*at .it* t*e
re2resentati5es o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee: A0 r#ino#s
raternisation *as be"#n,B *e )om2lained: A!ases o dire)t
ins#bordination are re2orted: Orders are tal8ed o5er in
army or"anisations and at "eneral meetin"s beore bein"
)arried o#t: In s#)* and s#)* re"iments t*ey .o#ldn;t
e5en *ear o a)ti5e o2erations: +*en 2eo2le are *o2in"
t*at 2ea)e .ill )ome tomorro.B D -#)*8o5 added, .isely
eno#"* D Ayo# )an;t ex2e)t t*em to "i5e #2 t*eir li5es
today:B >rom t*is t*e +ar Minister dre. t*e )on)l#sion:
A+e m#st sto2 tal8in" o#t lo#d abo#t 2ea)e:B '#t sin)e
t*e re5ol#tion .as E#st .*at *ad ta#"*t 2eo2le to say o#t
lo#d .*at t*ey .ere ormerly t*in8in" in silen)e, t*is
meant sto2 t*e re5ol#tion:
T*e soldier, o )o#rse, rom t*e 5ery irst day o t*e .ar,
did not .ant eit*er to die or to i"*t: '#t *e did not .ant
t*is E#st t*e .ay an artillery *orse does not .ant to dra" a
*ea5y "#n t*ro#"* t*e m#d: Li8e t*e *orse, *e ne5er
t*o#"*t t*at *e mi"*t "et rid o t*e load t*ey *ad *it)*ed
to *im: T*ere .as no )onne)tion bet.een *is .ill and t*e
e5ents o t*e .ar: T*e re5ol#tion s*o.ed *im t*at
)onne)tion: >or millions o soldiers t*e re5ol#tion meant
t*e ri"*t to a 2ersonal lie, and irst o all t*e ri"*t to lie in
"eneral, t*e ri"*t to 2rote)t t*eir li5es rom b#llets and
s*ells, and by t*e same to8en t*eir a)es rom t*e oi)ers;
ists: In t*is sense it .as said abo5e, t*at t*e #ndamental
2sy)*olo"i)al 2ro)ess ta8in" 2la)e in t*e army .as t*e
a.a8enin" o 2ersonality: In t*is 5ol)ani) er#2tion o
indi5id#alism, .*i)* oten too8 anar)*isti) orms t*e
ed#)ated )lasses sa. only trea)*ery to t*e nation: '#t as
a matter o a)t in t*e stormy s2ee)*es o t*e soldiers, in
t*eir intem2erate 2rotests, e5en in t*eir bloody ex)esses,
a nation .as merely be"innin" to orm itsel o#t o
im2ersonal 2re*istori) ra. material: T*is lood o mass
indi5id#alism: so *ate#l to t*e bo#r"eoisie, .as d#e to t*e
5ery )*ara)ter o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion, to t*e a)t t*at
it .as a bo#r"eois re5ol#tion:
'#t t*at .as not its only )ontent, eit*er: >or besides t*e
2easant and *is soldier son, t*e .or8er too8 2art in t*is
re5ol#tion: T*e .or8er *ad lon" a"o elt *imsel a
2ersonality, and into t*e .ar not only .it* *atred o it, b#t
also .it* t*e t*o#"*t o str#""lin" a"ainst it: T*e
re5ol#tion meant only t*e na8ed a)t o )onG#erin", b#t
also t*e 2artial tri#m2* o *is ideas: T*e o5ert*ro. o t*e
monar)*y .as or *im only a irst ste2, and *e did not
2a#se on it b#t *astened to.ard ot*er "oals: T*e .*ole
G#estion or *im .as, *o. m#)* art*er .o#ld t*e soldier
and 2easant "o .it* *im@ +*at "ood is t*e land to me i I
.on;t be t*ere@ as8ed t*e soldier: +*at "ood is reedom to
me, *e re2eated ater t*e .or8er beore t*e )losed doors
o t*e t*eatre, i t*e 8eys to reedom are in t*e *and o t*e
master@ T*#s a)ross t*e immeas#rable )*aos o t*e
>ebr#ary re5ol#tion, t*e steely "leams o O)tober .ere
already 5isible:
Notes
1: A-lad to try, yo#r ex)ellen)y,B .as t*e )#stomary re2ly
to an order in t*e old army:
2: A,#st so,B Ain no .ise,B and AI )annot 8no.,B instead o
Ayes,B Ano,B and AI don;t 8no.B are translations o t*e
exam2les "i5e by t*e a#t*or o t*is idiom: KTrans$L
Chapter 1!: The Rulin& 7roup and
the War
+*at did t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment and t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee intend to do .it* t*is .ar and t*is army@
>irst o all it is ne)essary to #nderstand t*e 2oli)y o t*e
liberal bo#r"eoisie, sin)e t*ey 2layed t*e leadin" rHle: In
external a22earan)e t*e .ar 2oli)y o liberalism remained
a""ressi5e?2atrioti), annexationist, irre)on)ilable: In reality
it .as sel?)ontradi)tory, trea)*ero#s, and ra2idly
be)omin" deeatist:
AE5en i t*ere *ad been no re5ol#tion,B .rote Rod<ian8o
later, At*e .ar .o#ld *a5e been lost E#st t*e same, and in
all 2robability a se2arate 2ea)e si"ned:B Rod<ian8o;s 5ie.s
.ere not distin"#is*ed by inde2enden)e, and or t*at
reason ably ty2iy t*e a5era"e o2inions o liberally
)onser5ati5e )ir)les: T*e m#tiny o t*e battalions o t*e
-#ard oretold to t*e 2ossessin" )lasses not 5i)tory
abroad b#t deeat at *ome: T*e liberals .ere t*e less able
to de)ei5e t*emsel5es abo#t t*is, be)a#se t*ey *ad
oreseen, and to t*e best o t*eir ability str#""led a"ainst,
t*is dan"er: T*e #nex2e)ted re5ol#tionary o2timism o
Mili#8o5 D de)larin" t*e re5ol#tion a ste2 to.ards 5i)tory
.as in reality t*e last resort o des2eration: T*e G#estion
o .ar and 2ea)e *ad almost )eased or t*e liberals to be
an inde2endent G#estion: T*ey elt t*at t*ey .o#ld not be
able to #se t*e re5ol#tion or t*e 2#r2oses o .ar, and so
m#)* t*e more im2erati5e be)ame t*eir ot*er tas8: to #se
t*e .ar a"ainst t*e re5ol#tion:
3roblems )on)ernin" t*e international sit#ation o R#ssia
ater t*e .ar, debts and ne. loans, t*e )a2ital mar8et and
t*e sales mar8et, o )o#rse still )onronted t*e leaders o
t*e R#ssian bo#r"eoisieJ b#t t*ese G#estions did not
dire)tly determine t*eir 2oli)y: T*e )on)ern o t*e moment
.as not to se)#re ad5anta"eo#s international )onditions
or bo#r"eois R#ssia, b#t to sa5e t*e bo#r"eois rF"ime
itsel, e5en at t*e 2ri)e o R#ssia;s #rt*er eneeblement:
A>irst .e m#st re)o5er,B said t*is *ea5ily .o#nded )lass:
A0ter t*at .e .ill 2#t t*in"s in order:B '#t to re)o5er
meant to 2#t do.n t*e re5ol#tion:
To 8ee2 #2 t*e .ar *y2nosis and t*e mood o )*a#5inism
.as t*e only 2ossible .ay t*e bo#r"eoisie )o#ld maintain
t*eir *old #2on t*e masses D es2e)ially #2on t*e army D
a"ainst t*e so?)alled Adee2enersB o t*e re5ol#tion: T*e
2roblem .as to sell to t*e 2eo2le an old .ar .*i)* *ad
been in*erited rom )<arism, .it* all its ormer aims and
allies, as a ne. .ar in deen)e o t*e )onG#ests and *o2es
o t*e re5ol#tion: T*at .o#ld be somet*in" o an
a)*ie5ement: '#t *o. a)*ie5e it@ T*e liberals irmly
ex2e)ted to dire)t a"ainst t*e re5ol#tion t*at .*ole
or"anisation o 2atrioti) so)ial o2inion .*i)* t*ey *ad
been #sin" yesterday a"ainst t*e Ras2#tin )liG#e: Sin)e
t*ey *ad ailed to sa5e t*e monar)*y, t*e *i"*est )o#rt o
a22eal a"ainst t*e 2eo2le, so m#)* t*e more m#st t*ey
*old ast to t*e 0llies: In time o .ar at any rate, t*e
Entente .as a ar more 2o.er#l )o#rt o a22eal t*an t*eir
o.n monar)*y )o#ld be:
0 2rolon"ation o .ar .o#ld E#stiy t*em in 2reser5in" t*e
old military b#rea#)rati) a22arat#s, 2ost2onin" t*e
!onstit#ent 0ssembly, s#bordinatin" t*e re5ol#tionary
)o#ntry to t*e ront D t*at is, to t*e )ommandin" sta
a)tin" in #nison .it* t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie: 0ll domesti)
G#estions, es2e)ially t*e a"rarian, and all so)ial
le"islation, .ere to be 2ost2oned #ntil t*e end o t*e .ar D
.*i)* in t#rn .as to be 2ost2oned #ntil a 5i)tory in .*i)*
t*e liberals did not belie5e: 0 .ar to ex*a#st t*e enemy
.as t*#s )on5erted into a .ar to ex*a#st t*e re5ol#tion:
T*is .as not 2er*a2s a )om2leted 2lan, t*o#"*t?#2 in
ad5an)e and tal8ed o5er in oi)ial meetin"s: '#t t*at .as
#nne)essary: T*e 2lan lo.ed ine5itably rom t*e .*ole
2re)edin" 2oli)y o liberalism and t*e sit#ation )reated by
t*e re5ol#tion:
!om2elled to )*oose t*e 2at* o .ar, Mili#8o5 )o#ld not o
)o#rse re#se in ad5an)e to 2arti)i2ate in t*e di5ision o
t*e booty: T*e 0llied *o2es o 5i)tory remained 5ery real,
and indeed .it* t*e entran)e o 0meri)a into t*e .ar *ad
"ro.n immensely stron"er: To be s#re, t*e Entente .as
one t*in" and R#ssia anot*er: T*e leaders o t*e R#ssian
bo#r"eoisie *ad learned d#rin" t*e .ar t*at, in 5ie. o t*e
e)onomi) and military .ea8ness o R#ssia, a 5i)tory o t*e
Entente o5er t*e !entral Em2ires .o#ld also mean a
5i)tory o5er R#ssia: >or .*ate5er mi"*t *a22en, R#ssia
)o#ld only )ome o#t o t*e .ar bro8en and .ea8ened: '#t
t*e liberal im2erialists G#ite )ons)io#sly de)ided to )lose
t*eir eyes to t*is 2ros2e)t: T*ere .as really not*in" else
or t*em to do: -#)*8o5 ran8ly stated to *is )ir)le t*at
only a mira)le )o#ld sa5e R#ssia, and t*at *is 2ro"ramme
as +ar Minister .as to *o2e or a mira)le: >or domesti)
2#r2oses Mili#8o5 needed t*e myt* o 5i)tory: It does not
matter *o. m#)* *e *imsel belie5ed in it: 0t any rate, *e
st#bbornly asserted t*at !onstantino2le m#st be o#rs: In
t*is *e a)ted .it* *is #s#al )yni)ism: On t*e 2%t* o Mar)*
t*is R#ssian Minister o >orei"n 0airs tried to 2ers#ade
t*e 0llied ambassadors to betray Serbia in order by t*is
means to 2#r)*ase t*e treason o '#l"aria to t*e !entral
Em2ires: T*e >ren)* ambassador .rin8led *is nose:
Mili#8o5, *o.e5er, insisted #2on t*e Ane)essity o
abandonin" sentimental )onsiderations in t*is matter
Aabandonin" at t*e same time t*at Neo?Sla5ism .*i)* *e
*ad been 2rea)*in" e5er sin)e t*e deeat o t*e irst
re5ol#tion: En"els .as ri"*t .*en *e .rote to 'ernstein as
early as 1$$2: A+*at does all t*is R#ssian 3an?Sla5i)
)*arlatanism amo#nt to@ T*e sei<#re o !onstantino2le
and not*in" more:B
T*e )*ar"e o bein" -ermano2*ile, e5en o bein" bribed
by t*e -ermans D dire)ted yesterday a"ainst a )o#rt
)amarilla D .as no. dire)ted .it* 5enom a"ainst t*e
re5ol#tion: 'older, lo#der, more insolent day by day, t*is
note reso#nded in t*e s2ee)*es and arti)les o t*e 9adet
3arty: 'eore )a2t#rin" t*e T#r8is* .aters, liberalism .as
"oin" to dirty t*e s2rin"s and 2oison t*e .ells o t*e
re5ol#tion:
'y no means all t*e liberal leaders too8 an irre)on)ilable
2osition, at least immediately ater t*e re5ol#tion, on t*e
G#estion o .ar: Many .ere still in t*e 2re?re5ol#tionary
mood, )ontem2latin" t*e 2ros2e)t o a se2arate 2ea)e:
!ertain leadin" 9adets told abo#t t*is ater.ards .it*
)om2lete ran8ness: Nabo8o5, a))ordin" to *is o.n
)onession, .as already tal8in" .it* members o t*e
"o5ernment abo#t a se2arate 2ea)e on t*e 7t* o Mar)*:
Se5eral members o t*e 9adet )entre tried )olle)ti5ely to
demonstrate to t*eir leaders t*e im2ossibility o
)ontin#in" t*e .ar: AMili#8o5 .it* *is #s#al )old 2re)ision
ex2lained,B says 'aron Nolde, At*at t*e aims o t*e .ar
m#st be a)*ie5ed:B -eneral 0lexeie5, at t*at time dra.in"
near to t*e 9adet 3arty, Eoined *is 5oi)e .it* Mili#8o5;s,
assertin" t*at At*e army )o#ld be re5i5ed:B T*at sta
or"aniser o )alamities a22arently elt )alled to re5i5e it:
0 "ood many o t*e liberals and demo)rats, a little more
na]5e, mis#nderstood Mili#8o5 o )o#rse, and t*o#"*t *im
a 5ery 8ni"*t o loyalty to t*e 0llies, t*e 4on Y#ixote o
t*e Entente: +*at nonsenseO 0ter t*e 'ols*e5i8s sei<ed
t*e 2o.er, Mili#8o5 did not *esitate one se)ond to *#rry
do.n to 9ie5, t*en o))#2ied by t*e -ermans, and oer *is
ser5i)es to t*e Io*en<ollern "o5ernment D .*i)*, to be
s#re, .as in no *#rry to a))e2t t*em: Mili#8o5;s immediate
"oal in t*is .as to se)#re or t*e 2#r2ose o *is str#""le
.it* t*e 'ols*e5i8s t*at same -erman "old .it* .*ose
s2e)tre *e *ad earlier tried to beo#l t*e re5ol#tion:
Mili#8o5;s a22eal to -ermany in 191$ seemed to many
liberals E#st as in)om2re*ensible as *is 2ro"ramme o
s*atterin" -ermany in t*e irst mont*s o 1917: '#t t*ese
.ere merely t.o sides o t*e same medal: In 2re2arin" to
betray t*e 0llies D as ormerly *e tried to betray Serbia D
Mili#8o5 did not betray *imsel nor *is )lass: Ie .as
2#rs#in" t*e same 2oli)y, and it .as not *is a#lt i it
didn;t loo8 ni)e: In eelin" o#t #nder )<arism t*e 2at* to a
se2arate 2ea)e in order to a5oid re5ol#tionJ in demandin"
.ar to )om2lete 5i)tory in order to sto2 t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion .*en it )ameJ in see8in" an allian)e .it* t*e
Io*en<ollerns in order to o5ert*ro. t*e O)tober re5ol#tion
D in all t*is Mili#8o5 remained tr#e to t*e interests o t*e
2ossessin" )lasses: I *e did not s#))eed in *el2in" t*em,
b#t only b#tted *is *ead ea)* time into a ne. .all, t*at is
merely be)a#se *is 2atrons .ere in a blind alley: +*at
Mili#8o5 es2e)ially needed in t*e irst days ater t*e
#2risin" .as an enemy atta)8, a "ood -erman )ra)8 o5er
t*e s8#ll or t*e re5ol#tion: 6nort#nately or *im, Mar)*
and 02ril .ere ina#s2i)io#s rom a )limati) 2oint o 5ie.
or lar"e o2erations on t*e R#ssian ront: 0nd more
im2ortant, t*e -ermans, .*ose o.n sit#ation .as "ettin"
more and more dii)#lt, de)ided ater some *esitation to
lea5e t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion to its o.n inner )o#rse:
-eneral Lisin"en alone s*o.ed some 2ri5ate initiati5e at
t*e Sto8*od, t*e 2%t* and 21st o Mar)*: Iis s#))ess
sim#ltaneo#sly ri"*tened t*e -erman, and deli"*ted t*e
R#ssian "o5ernments: T*e sta, .it* t*e same
s*amelessness .it* .*i)* #nder t*e )<ar it *ad
exa""erated e5ery tri5ial s#))ess, no. exa""erated t*is
deeat on t*e Sto8*od: 0nd t*e liberal 2ress too8 #2 t*e
)ry: T*ey des)ribed exam2les o .ea8ness, 2ani), and loss
in t*e R#ssian troo2s .it* t*e same "#sto .it* .*i)* t*ey
*ad ormerly des)ribed .ar?2risoners and tro2*ies: T*e
bo#r"eoisie and t*e "eneral sta *ad G#ite 2lainly "one
o5er to t*e deeatist 2osition: '#t Lisin"en .as sto22ed by
*is s#2erior oi)ers, and t*e ront a"ain stood sto)8?still in
s2rin" m#d and ex2e)tation:
T*e de5i)e o #sin" t*e .ar a"ainst t*e re5ol#tion *ad a
)*an)e o s#))ess only i t*e intermediate 2arties, .*om
t*e 2o2#lar masses ollo.ed, a"reed to 2lay t*e 2art o
transmittin" me)*anism or t*is liberal 2oli)y: Liberalism
.as not in a 2osition to #nite t*e idea o .ar .it* t*e idea
o re5ol#tionJ only yesterday it *ad been 2rea)*in" t*at a
re5ol#tion .o#ld be r#ino#s to t*e .ar: T*is tas8 m#st be
t#rned o5er to t*e demo)rats: '#t o )o#rse t*e Ase)retB
m#st not be re5ealed to t*em: T*ey m#st not be initiated
into t*e s)*eme, b#t ta8en .it* a *oo8: T*e best .ay to
ta8e t*em .as t*ro#"* t*eir 2reE#di)es, t*eir 5anity, t*eir
*i"* o2inion o t*eir o.n statesmanli8e intelli"en)e, t*eir
ear o anar)*y, t*eir s#2erstitio#s bo.in" do.n to t*e
bo#r"eoisie:
In t*e irst days t*e so)ialists D or bre5ity .e .ill #se t*is
name or bot* Mens*e5i8s and So)ial Re5ol#tionaries D did
not 8no. .*at to do .it* t*e .ar: !*eid<e *ea5ed a si"*:
A+e *a5e been tal8in" a"ainst .ar all t*e time D *o. )an I
no. ad5o)ate )ontin#in" t*e .ar@B On Mar)* 1% t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee 5oted to send a "reetin" to >ran<
Me*rin": +it* t*is little "est#re, t*e let .in" tried to
G#iet its not 5ery a)ti5e so)ialist )ons)ien)e: 62on t*e .ar
itsel t*e So5iet )ontin#ed to say not*in": T*e leaders
.ere araid t*ey mi"*t stir #2 a )onli)t .it* t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment on t*is s#bEe)t, and dar8en t*ose
*oneymoon .ee8s o A)onta)t:B T*ey .ere no less araid
o a s2lit in t*eir o.n ran8s: T*ey *ad bot* deenders o
t*e >at*erland and Wimmer.aldists amon" t*em: Ea)* o
t*ese "ro#2s o5erestimated t*eir dieren)es: +ide )ir)les
o t*e re5ol#tionary intelli"entsia *ad #nder"one a dee2
bo#r"eois metamor2*osis d#rin" t*e .ar: 3atriotism, o2en
or dis"#ised, *ad #nited t*e intelli"entsia .it* t*e r#lin"
)lasses, dra.in" t*em a.ay rom t*e masses: T*e banner
o Wimmer.ald .it* .*i)* t*e let .in" *ad )o5ered
t*emsel5es did not bind t*em to anyt*in" m#)*, and it did
2ermit t*em to 8ee2 *idden t*eir 2atrioti) solidarity .it*
t*e Ras2#tin )liG#e: '#t no. t*e Romano5 rF"ime .as
o5ert*ro.n: R#ssia *ad be)ome a demo)rati) )o#ntry: Ier
reedom, dan)in" in all )olo#rs, stood o#t s*ar2ly on t*e
ba)8"ro#nd o .ell?2oli)ed E#ro2e .it* *er military
di)tators*i2s: AM#st .e not deend o#r re5ol#tion a"ainst
t*e Io*en<ollern@B ex)laimed bot* t*e old and t*e ne.
2atriots at t*e *ead o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee:
Wimmer.aldists o t*e ty2e o S#8*ano5 and Ste8lo5
diidently 2ointed o#t t*at t*e .ar remained im2erialist,
t*at t*e liberals .ere insistin" t*at t*e re5ol#tion
"#arantee t*e annexations a"reed on #nder t*e )<ar:
AIo. )an I no. ad5o)ate )ontin#in" t*e .ar@B says t*e
.orried !*eid<e: '#t sin)e t*ese Wimmer.aldists .ere
t*emsel5es t*e initiators o t*e transer o 2o.er to t*e
liberals, t*eir obEe)tion to t*e liberal 2oli)y merely *#n" in
t*e air: 0ter some .ee8s o .a5erin" and obstr#)tion t*e
irst 2art o Mili#8o5;s 2lan .as, .it* t*e *el2 o Tseretelli,
de)ided in a satisa)tory manner: t*ese *al?*earted
demo)rats )allin" t*emsel5es so)ialists .ere *it)*ed #2 in
t*e .ar *arness, and #nder t*e .*i2 o t*e liberals tried
.it* all t*eir tiny stren"t* to "#arantee 5i)tory D t*e
5i)tory o t*e Entente o5er R#ssia and o 0meri)a o5er
E#ro2eO
T*e )*ie #n)tion o t*e !om2romisers .as to s*ort )ir)#it
t*e re5ol#tionary ener"y o t*e masses into 2atrioti) .ires:
T*ey tried on t*e one *and to re5i5e t*e i"*tin" )a2a)ity
o t*e army D t*at .as dii)#lt: T*ey tried on t*e ot*er
*and to ind#)e t*e "o5ernments o t*e Entente to
reno#n)e t*eir 2ros2e)ti5e robberies D t*at .as l#di)ro#s:
In bot* eorts t*ey 2assed rom ill#sion to
disa22ointment, rom error to *#miliation: Let #s note t*e
irst si"n2osts on t*is road:
In t*e brie *o#rs o *is "rande#r, Rod<ian8o s#))eeded in
2#blis*in" an order or t*e immediate ret#rn o t*e
soldiers to t*eir barra)8s, and t*eir s#bordination to t*e
oi)ers: T*e indi"nation t*is )a#sed in t*e "arrison
)om2elled t*e So5iet to dedi)ate one o its irst sessions to
t*e G#estion o t*e #t#re o t*e soldier: In t*e *eated
atmos2*ere o t*ose *o#rs, in t*e )*aos o t*ose sessions
li8e mass meetin"s, and at t*e dire)t di)tation o t*e
soldiers .*om t*e absent leaders )o#ld not restrain, t*ere
.as born t*e amo#s Order No$1 D t*e sin"le .ort*y
do)#ment o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion, a )*arter o t*e
reedom o t*e re5ol#tionary army: Its bold 2ara"ra2*s,
"i5in" t*e soldiers an or"anisational mode o entry to t*e
ne. *i"*.ay, de)lare: t*at ele)ti5e )ommittees s*all be
ormed in all military re"imentsJ soldiers; de2#ties s*all be
ele)ted to t*e So5ietJ in all 2oliti)al a)ts t*e soldiers s*all
s#bmit to t*e So5iet and its )ommitteesJ .ea2ons s*all be
in t*e )ontrol o t*e re"imental and battalion )ommittees,
and s*all Ain no )ase be "i5en #2 to t*e oi)erBJ on d#ty,
t*e se5erest military dis)i2line D o d#ty, )om2lete
)iti<ens; ri"*tsJ sal#tin" o d#ty and titlin" o oi)ers, are
abolis*edJ #n)i5il treatment o soldiers is orbidden, and
2arti)#larly addressin" t*em as thou ::: S#)* .ere t*e
ineren)es dra.n by t*e 3etro"rad soldiers rom t*eir
2arti)i2ation in t*e re5ol#tion: !o#ld t*ey *a5e been
ot*er@ Nobody dared to o22ose t*em: 4#rin" t*e
2re2aration o t*is AorderB t*e leaders o t*e So5iet .ere
distra)ted by more loty b#siness D t*ey .ere )ond#)tin"
ne"otiations .it* t*e liberals: T*at "a5e t*em an alibi later
.*en t*ey *ad to E#stiy t*emsel5es beore t*e
bo#r"eoisie and t*e )ommandin" sta: Sim#ltaneo#sly
.it* Order No$1, t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee D *a5in" *astily
2#lled itsel to"et*er D sent to t*e 2rinter, by .ay o
antidote, an a22eal to t*e soldiers, .*i)*, #nder t*e
2retext o )ondemnin" lyn)* la. or oi)ers, demanded
t*e soldiers; s#bordination to t*e old )ommandin" sta:
T*e ty2esetters sim2ly re#sed to set #2 t*is do)#ment: Its
demo)rati) a#t*ors .ere beside t*emsel5es .it*
indi"nation: .*ere are .e *eaded or@ It .o#ld be a
mista8e to ima"ine, *o.e5er, t*at t*e ty2esetters .ere
lon"in" or bloody re2risals #2on oi)ers: T*e demand or
s#bordination to t*e )<arist )ommandin" sta on t*e
se)ond day ater t*e re5ol#tion, seemed to t*em to be
merely o2enin" *e door to t*e )o#nter?re5ol#tion O
)o#rse t*e ty2esetters ex)eeded t*eir ri"*ts: '#t t*ey did
not eel t*emsel5es to be only ty2esetters: It .as a
G#estion, in t*eir o2inion, o t*e lie o t*e re5ol#tion:
In t*ose irst days, .*en bot* t*e soldiers and t*e .or8ers
.ere intensely ex)ited abo#t t*e #t#re o t*e oi)ers .*o
*ad ret#rned to t*eir troo2s, t*e Me<*rayontsi, a So)ial
4emo)rati) or"anisation )lose to t*e 'ols*e5i8s,
orm#lated t*is sore G#estion .it* re5ol#tionary a#da)ity:
AIn order t*at t*e aristo)rats and oi)ers s*all not de)ei5e
yo#,B said t*eir a22eal to t*e soldiers, A)*oose yo#r o.n
2latoon, )om2any and re"iment )ommanders, a))e2t only
t*ose oi)ers .*om yo# 8no. to be riends o t*e 2eo2le:B
0nd .*at *a22ened@ T*is 2ro)lamation, .*i)* adeG#ately
met t*e sit#ation, .as immediately )onis)ated by t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, and !*eid<e in *is s2ee)* )alled it
an a)t o 2ro5o)ate#rs: T*e demo)rats, yo# see, .ere not
in t*e least embarrassed abo#t limitin" t*e reedom o t*e
2ress .*en it )ame to dealin" blo.s to t*e let:
>ort#nately t*eir o.n reedom .as s#i)iently limited, or
t*e .or8ers and soldiers, alt*o#"* s#22ortin" t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee as t*eir *i"*est or"an, at all
im2ortant moments )orre)ted t*e 2oli)y o t*e leaders*i2
by dire)t intereren)e: 'eore t.o days 2assed, t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .as tryin" by means o Order No$2
to ann#l t*e irst order, limitin" its a22li)ation to t*e
3etro"rad military distri)t: In 5ain: Order No$1 .as
indestr#)tible it *ad not in5ented anyt*in", b#t merely
airmed and stren"t*ened .*at *ad already )ome to 2ass
bot* in t*e rear and at t*e ront, and .as demandin"
re)o"nition: E5en liberal de2#ties, .*en a)e to a)e .it*
t*e soldiers, deended t*emsel5es a"ainst G#estions and
re2roa)*es by reerrin" to Order No$1: '#t in t*e s2*ere o
'i" 3oliti)s, t*at a#da)io#s order be)ame t*e )*ie
ar"#ment o t*e bo#r"eoisie a"ainst t*e So5iet: >rom t*at
time on, t*e beaten "enerals dis)o5ered in Order No$1 t*e
)*ie obsta)le .*i)* *ad 2re5ented t*em rom )r#s*in"
t*e -erman armies: Its ori"in .as e5en tra)ed to
-ermanyO T*e !om2romisers ne5er )eased to a2olo"ise
or .*at t*ey *ad done, and be.ildered t*e soldiers by
tryin" to ta8e a.ay .it* t*eir ri"*t *and .*at t*eir let
*and *ad let sli2:
Mean.*ile in t*e So5iet t*e maEority o ran8?and?ile
de2#ties .ere already demandin" t*e ele)tion o oi)ers:
T*e demo)rats "ot ex)ited: >indin" no better ar"#ment,
S#8*ano5 tried to ri"*ten t*e de2#ties .it* t*e idea t*at
t*e bo#r"eoisie, to .*om t*ey *ad t#rned o5er t*e 2o.er,
.o#ld not "o t*is ar: T*e demo)rats ran8ly *id be*ind
-#)*8o5;s ba)8: In t*eir s)*eme, t*e liberals o))#2ied t*e
same 2la)e .*i)* t*e monar)*y .as to *a5e o))#2ied in
t*e s)*eme o t*e liberals: A0s I .as ret#rnin" rom t*e
trib#ne to my 2la)e,B S#8*ano5 relates, AI ran into a
soldier .*o blo)8ed my 2at*, and s*a8in" *is ist in my
a)e, an"rily s*o#ted somet*in" abo#t ["entlemen .*o
*a5e ne5er been in a soldier;s s8in:;B 0ter t*is Aex)essB
o#r demo)rat, )om2letely losin" *is eG#ilibri#m, ran to
ind 9erens8y, and only .it* t*e latter;s *el2 .as At*e
G#estion some*o. smoot*ed o5er:B T*ese 2eo2le did
not*in" all t*e time b#t smoot* G#estions o5er:
>or t.o .ee8s t*ey s#))eeded in 2retendin" t*at t*ey *ad
not noti)ed t*e .ar: 0t last, *o.e5er, a #rt*er
2ost2onement be)ame im2ossible: On t*e 1&t* o Mar)*,
t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee introd#)ed into t*e So5iet t*e
2roEe)t o a maniesto .ritten by S#8*ano5 and addressed
to At*e 2eo2le o t*e .*ole .orld:B T*e liberal 2ress soon
named t*is do)#ment D .*i)* #nited t*e ri"*t and let
!om2romisers D AOrder No:1 in t*e s2*ere o orei"n
2oli)y:B '#t t*is latterin" a22raisal .as E#st as alse as t*e
do)#ment to .*i)* it reerred: Order No$1 *ad been t*e
*onest ans.er o t*e lo.er ran8s t*emsel5es to t*e
G#estions raised beore t*e army by t*e re5ol#tion: T*e
maniesto o Mar)* 1& .as t*e trea)*ero#s ans.er o t*e
#22er ran8s to t*e G#estions *onestly 2resented to t*em
by soldiers and .or8ers:
T*e maniesto o )o#rse ex2ressed a desire or 2ea)e, and
moreo5er a demo)rati) 2ea)e .it*o#t annexations or
indemnities: '#t lon" beore t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion, t*e
+estern im2erialists *ad learned to ma8e #se o t*at same
2*raseolo"y: It .as exa)tly in t*e name o a d#rable,
*ono#rable, Ademo)rati)B 2ea)e, t*at +ilson .as "ettin"
ready E#st at t*at moment to "o into t*e .ar: T*e 2io#s Mr:
0sG#it* *ad "i5en to 3arliament a learned )lassii)ation o
annexations, rom .*i)* it )o#ld be #nmista8ably inerred
t*at all t*ose annexations .ere to be )ondemned as
immoral .*i)* )onli)ted .it* t*e interests o -reat
'ritain: 0s or >ren)* di2loma)y, its 5ery essen)e
)onsisted in "i5in" t*e most liberatin" 2ossible as2e)t to
t*e "reediness o t*e s*o28ee2er and moneylender: T*e
So5iet do)#ment, to .*i)* one )annot deny a rat*er
sim2le sin)erity o moti5e, dro22ed .it* atal 2ere)tion
into t*e .ell?.orn r#t o oi)ial >ren)* *y2o)risy: T*e
maniesto 2romised Airmly to deend o#r o.n reedomB
a"ainst orei"n militarism: T*e >ren)* so)ial 2atriots *ad
been o))#2ied .it* E#st t*at b#siness e5er sin)e 0#"#st
191&: AT*e *o#r *as )ome or t*e 2eo2le to ta8e into t*eir
o.n *ands t*e de)ision abo#t .ar and 2ea)e,B de)lares
t*is maniesto, .*ose a#t*ors, in t*e name o t*e R#ssian
2eo2le, *ad E#st t#rned o5er t*e de)ision o t*at G#estion
to t*e bi" bo#r"eoisie: T*e .or8ers o -ermany and
0#stria?I#n"ary .ere s#mmoned by t*e maniesto, Ato
re#se to ser5e as an instr#ment o )onG#est and
s2oliation in t*e *ands o 8in"s, landlords and ban8ersOB
T*ose .ords are t*e G#intessen)e o a lie D or t*e leaders
o t*e So5iet *ad no intention o brea8in" o t*eir o.n
allian)e .it* t*e 8in"s o -reat 'ritain and 'el"i#m, .it*
t*e Em2eror o ,a2an, .it* t*e landlords and ban8ers o
t*eir o.n and all t*e )o#ntries o t*e Entente: +*ile
t#rnin" o5er t*e leaders*i2 o orei"n 2oli)y to Mili#8o5,
.*o *ad been s)*emin" not lon" beore to )on5ert East
3r#ssia into a R#ssian 2ro5in)e, t*e leaders o t*e So5iet
s#mmoned t*e -erman and 0#stro?I#n"arian .or8ers to
ollo. t*e lead o t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion: T*eir t*eatri)al
)ondemnation o sla#"*ter altered not*in": t*e 3o2e
*imsel .as doin" t*at: +it* t*e *el2 o ma"niloG#ent
2*rases dire)ted a"ainst t*e s*ado.s o ban8ers,
landlords and 8in"s, t*ese !om2romisers .ere )on5ertin"
t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion into an instr#ment in t*e *ands o
real 8in"s, landlords and ban8ers: In *is tele"ram o
sal#tation to t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment, Lloyd -eor"e
*ad a22raised t*e re5ol#tion as a 2roo t*at At*e 2resent
.ar is in its o#ndations a str#""le or 2o2#lar "o5ernment
and reedom:B T*e maniesto o Mar)* 1& asso)iated itsel
.it* Lloyd -eor"e Ain its o#ndations,B and "a5e
in5al#able aid to t*e .ar 2ro2a"anda in 0meri)a:
Mili#8o5;s 2a2er .as a t*o#sand times ri"*t .*en it
de)lared t*at At*e maniesto, alt*o#"* it be"an .it* so
ty2i)al a note o 2a)iism, de5elo2ed an ideolo"y
essentially )ommon to #s and to all o#r allies:B I t*e
R#ssian liberals ne5ert*eless at times ier)ely atta)8ed t*e
maniesto, and t*e >ren)* )ensors*i2 .o#ld not let it
t*ro#"*, t*at .as merely d#e to a ear o t*e
inter2retation .*i)* .o#ld be "i5en it by re5ol#tionary b#t
still tr#st#l masses: 0lt*o#"* .ritten by Wimmer.aldists,
t*e maniesto si"nalised t*e 5i)tory o t*e 2atrioti) .in":
T*e lo)al so5iets #nderstood t*e si"nal: T*ey 2rono#n)ed
t*e slo"an A.ar a"ainst .arB im2ermissible E5en in t*e
6rals and in 9ostroma, .*ere t*e 'ols*e5i8s .ere stron",
t*e 2atrioti) maniesto re)ei5ed #nanimo#s a22ro5al: No
.onder, .*en in t*e 3etro"rad So5iet itsel t*e 'ols*e5i8s
oered no resistan)e to t*is alse do)#ment:
0ter a e. .ee8s it be)ame ne)essary to ma8e 2artial
2ayments on bills o ex)*an"e: T*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment iss#ed a .ar loan, o )o#rse )alled Aliberty
loan:B Tseretelli ex2lained t*at sin)e t*e "o5ernment Aas a
.*ole and in "eneralB .as #lillin" its obli"ations, t*e
demo)ra)y o#"*t to s#22ort t*e loan: In t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee t*e o22osition )a2t#red more t*an a t*ird o
t*e 5otes: '#t at t*e 2len#m o t*e So5iet /02ril 221 only
112 5otes .ere )ast a"ainst t*e loan o#t o almost 2,%%%:
>rom t*is t*e )on)l#sion is sometimes dra.n t*at t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .as #rt*er to t*e let t*an t*e
So5iet: '#t t*at is not tr#e: T*e So5iet .as merely more
*onest t*an t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee: i t*e .ar is in
deen)e o t*e re5ol#tion, t*en yo# m#st "i5e money or
t*e .ar, yo# m#st s#22ort t*e loan: T*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee .as not more re5ol#tionary, b#t more e5asi5e:
It li5ed on ambi"#ities and reser5ations: It s#22orted t*e
"o5ernment set #2 by itsel only Aas a .*ole and in
"eneral,B and too8 t*e res2onsibility or t*e .ar Ain so ar
as:B T*ese 2etty tri)8eries are alien to t*e masses:
Soldiers )annot i"*t A in so ar as,B nor die Aas a .*ole
and in "eneral:B
In order to reinor)e t*e 5i)tory o statesmanly t*in8in"
o5er .ild tal8, -eneral 0lexeie5 D .*o *ad been intendin"
on Mar)* = to s*oot all A"an"sB o 2ro2a"andists D .as on
02ril 1 oi)ially 2la)ed at t*e *ead o t*e armed or)es:
>rom t*en on e5eryt*in" .as in order: T*e ins2irer o t*e
)<arist orei"n 2oli)y, Mili#8o5, .as Minister o >orei"n
0airsJ t*e leader o t*e army #nder t*e )<ar, 0lexeie5,
*ad be)ome )ommander?in?)*ie o t*e re5ol#tion: T*e
s#))ession .as #lly re?establis*ed:
0t t*e same time, *o.e5er, t*e So5iet leaders elt
)om2elled by t*e lo"i) o t*e sit#ation to #nra5el t*e loo2s
o t*e net t*ey .ere .ea5in": T*e oi)ial demo)ra)y
mortally eared t*ose oi)ers .*om t*ey tolerated and
s#22orted: T*ey )o#ld not *el2 o22osin" to t*em t*eir
o.n a#t*ority, tryin" to ind s#22ort or it amon" t*e ran8?
and?ile soldiers and ma8e it as inde2endent o t*e oi)ers
as 2ossible: 0t t*e session o Mar)* (, t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee )onsidered it ad5isable to install its o.n
)ommissars in all re"iments and in all military instit#tions:
T*#s .as )reated a t*ree .ay bond bet.een t*e soldier
and t*e So5ietJ t*e re"iments sent t*eir re2resentati5es to
t*e So5ietJ t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee sent its )ommissars
to t*e re"imentsJ and inally at t*e *ead o ea)* re"iment
stood an ele)ti5e )ommittee, )onstit#tin" a sort o lo.er
n#)le#s o t*e So5iet:
One o t*e 2rin)i2al d#ties o t*e )ommissars .as to 8ee2
.at)* o5er t*e 2oliti)al reliability o t*e sta and
)ommandin" oi)ers: AT*e demo)rati) rF"ime o#tdid in
t*is res2e)t t*e a#to)rati),B says 4eni8in .it* indi"nation:
0nd *e boasts *o. )le5erly *is sta inter)e2ted and
*anded o5er to *im t*e )i2*er?)orres2onden)e o t*e
)ommissars .it* 3etro"rad: To .at)* o5er monar)*ists
and e#dal lords .*at )o#ld be more o#tra"eo#sO To steal
t*e )orres2onden)e o )ommissars .it* t*e "o5ernment
is, o )o#rse, a dierent matter: '#t *o.e5er t*in"s stood
in t*e ield o morals, t*e internal sit#ation in t*e r#lin"
a22arat#s o t*e army at t*at time is 2ere)tly )lear: ea)*
side .as araid o t*e ot*er and .at)*in" t*e ot*er .it*
*ostilityJ t*ey .ere #nited only by t*eir )ommon ear o
t*e soldier: E5en t*e "enerals and admirals, .*ate5er
#rt*er *o2es and 2lans t*ey may *a5e *ad, sa. )learly
t*at .it*o#t a demo)rati) smo8es)reen t*in"s .o#ld "o
badly .it* t*em: T*e resol#tions on )ommittees in t*e
leet .ere dra.n #2 by 9ol)*a8: Ie )o#nted on stran"lin"
t*e )ommittees in t*e #t#re: '#t sin)e it .as im2ossible
or t*e 2resent to ta8e a sin"le ste2 .it*o#t t*em, 9ol)*a8
inter)eded .it* t*e sta to "et t*em )onirmed: Similarly
-eneral Mar8o5, one o t*e #t#re +*ite )*ietains, sent to
t*e ministry early in 02ril a 2lan or t*e instit#tion o
)ommissars to 8ee2 .at)* o5er t*e loyalty o t*e
)ommandin" sta: T*#s t*e Aa"e?old la.s o t*e armyB D
t*at is, t*e traditions o military b#rea#)ratism D .ent to
2ie)es li8e stra.s #nder t*e 2ress#re o t*e re5ol#tion:
T*e soldiers a22roa)*ed t*e )ommittees rom t*e o22osite
an"le, and #nited aro#nd t*em a"ainst t*e )ommandin"
sta: 0nd alt*o#"* t*e )ommittees did deend oi)ers
a"ainst t*e soldiers, t*is .as only .it*in )ertain limits: T*e
sit#ation o an oi)er .*o )ame into )onli)t .it* t*e
)ommittee be)ame #nbearable: T*#s .as )reated t*e
#n.ritten ri"*t o t*e soldiers to remo5e t*e )ommanders:
On t*e .estern ront by t*e mont* o ,#ly, a))ordin" to
4eni8in, sixty o t*e old oi)ers ran8in" rom )ommander
o a )or2s to )ommander o a re"iment, *ad "one: Similar
remo5als *ad o))#rred .it*in t*e re"iments:
0t t*at time a meti)#lo#s se)retarial .or8 .as "oin" on in
t*e +ar Ministry, in t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, in t*e
!onta)t Sessions, aimin" to )reate AreasonableB relations
in t*e army, raise t*e a#t*ority o t*e oi)ers, and red#)e
t*e army )ommittees to a se)ondary and mainly e)onomi)
rHle: '#t .*ile t*e *i"*?#2 leaders .ere t*#s )leanin"
a.ay t*e s*ado. o t*e re5ol#tion .it* t*e s*ado. o a
broom, t*e )ommittees .ere a)t#ally de5elo2in" into a
2o.er#l system as)endin" to.ard t*e 3etro"rad
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee and stren"t*enin" its or"anisational
)ontrol o5er t*e army: T*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee #sed t*is
)ontrol, *o.e5er, )*iely in order, t*ro#"* t*e )ommissars
and )ommittees, to dra" t*e army on)e more into t*e .ar:
More and more t*e soldiers o#nd t*emsel5es 2onderin"
t*e G#estion: *o. does it )ome abo#t t*at )ommittees
ele)ted by #s so oten say, not .*at .e t*in8, b#t .*at
o#r oi)ers .ant o #s@
T*e tren)*es ar) more and more reG#ently sendin"
de2#ties to t*e )a2ital to ind o#t *o. t*in"s stand: >rom
t*e be"innin" o 02ril t*is mo5ement o t*e soldiers rom
t*e ront be)omes )ontin#al: E5ery day mass
)on5ersations are "oin" on in t*e Ta#ride: 0rri5in" soldiers
are stirrin" t*eir *ea5y brains, tryin" to ind t*eir .ay
amon" t*e mysteries o t*e 2oliti)s o an Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee .*i)* )annot "i5e a )lear ans.er to any sin"le
G#estion: T*e army is 2ondero#sly mo5in" o5er to a So5iet
2osition b#t only in order t*e more )learly to )on5in)e
itsel o t*e ban8r#2t)y o t*e So5iet leaders*i2:
T*e liberals, not darin" to o22ose t*e So5iet o2enly,
ne5ert*eless tried to )arry on a str#""le or t*e )ontrol o
t*e army: !*a#5inism, o )o#rse, m#st ser5e as t*eir
2oliti)al bond .it* t*e soldiers: T*e 9adet minister
S*in"are5, in one o t*e )oneren)es .it* t*e tren)*
dele"ates, deended t*e order o -#)*8o5 a"ainst
A#nne)essary ind#l"en)eB to.ards .ar?2risoners, and
s2o8e o A-erman ero)ity:B Iis remar8s did not meet .it*
t*e sli"*test sym2at*y: T*e )oneren)e de)isi5ely
ex2ressed itsel in a5o#r o relie5in" t*e )onditions o t*e
2risoners o .ar: T*ese .ere t*e same men .*om t*e
liberals *ad so )as#ally a))#sed o ex)esses and ero)ities:
'#t t*e "rey men rom t*e ront *ad t*eir o.n )riterion:
T*ey )onsidered it 2ermissible to ta8e 5en"ean)e on an
oi)er or ins#ltin" soldiers, b#t it seemed )ontem2tible to
t*em to a5en"e on a )a2ti5e -erman soldier t*e real or
ima"ined ero)ity o L#dendor: T*e Eternal Standards o
Morality remained, alas, G#ite orei"n to t*ose ro#"* and
lo#sy muzhiks:
O#t o t*e attem2t o t*e bo#r"eoisie to "et )ontrol o t*e
army t*ere arose a )ontest D .*i)*, *o.e5er, ne5er )ame
to anyt*in" D bet.een t*e liberals and t*e !om2romisers:
It .as at a )on"ress o dele"ates rom t*e .estern ront on
t*e 7t*?1%t* o 02ril: T*is irst )on"ress o one o t*e
ronts .as to be a de)isi5e 2oliti)al test o t*e army, and
bot* sides sent to Mins8 t*eir best or)es: >rom t*e So5iet:
Tseretelli, !*eid<e, S8obele5, -5o<de5: >rom t*e
bo#r"eoisie: Rod<ian8o *imsel, t*e 9adet, 4emost*enes
Rodi)*e5, and ot*ers: 0n intense eelin" rei"ned in t*e
)ro.ded *all o t*e Mins8 t*eatre, and s2read in ri22les
t*ro#"*o#t t*e to.n: T*e re2orts o t*e dele"ates 2ainted
a 2i)t#re o t*e real state o aairs: >raternisation .as
"oin" an alon" t*e .*ole rontJ t*e soldiers .ere ta8in"
t*e initiati5e more and more boldlyJ t*e )ommandin" sta
)o#ld not e5en t*in8 o re2ressi5e meas#res: +*at )o#ld
t*e liberals say *ere@ >a)ed by t*is 2assionate a#dien)e,
t*ey at on)e "a5e #2 t*e idea o o22osin" t*eir o.n
resol#tions to t*ose o t*e So5iet: T*ey )onined
t*emsel5es to a 2atrioti) note in t*eir s2ee)*esJ o
"reetin", and soon erased t*emsel5es entirely: T*e battle
.as .on by t*e demo)rats .it*o#t a str#""le: T*eir tas8
.as not to lead t*e masses a"ainst t*e bo#r"eoisie, b#t to
*old t*em ba)8, T*e slo"an o 2ea)e D eG#i5o)ally .o5en
in .it* .ar or t*e deen)e o t*e re5ol#tion, in t*e s2irit o
t*e maniesto o Mar)* 1& D r#led t*e )on"ress: T*e So5iet
resol#tion on t*e .ar .as ado2ted by (1% 5otes a"ainst $,
.it* &( abstainin": T*e last *o2e o t*e liberals, t*at o
o22osin" t*e ront to t*e rear, t*e army to t*e So5iet,
.ent #2 in smo8e: '#t t*e demo)rati) leaders ret#rned
rom t*e )on"ress more ri"*tened t*an ins2ired by t*eir
5i)tory: T*ey *ad seen t*e "*osts raised by t*e re5ol#tion
and t*ey elt #nable to )o2e .it* t*em:
Chapter 1": The 8olshevi9s and
0enin
On t*e 3rd o 02ril Lenin arri5ed in 3etro"rad rom abroad:
Only rom t*at moment does t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty be"in to
s2ea8 o#t lo#d, and, .*at is more im2ortant, .it* its o.n
5oi)e:
>or 'ols*e5ism t*e irst mont*s o t*e re5ol#tion *ad been
a 2eriod o be.ilderment and 5a)illation: In t*e
AmaniestoB o t*e 'ols*e5i8 !entral !ommittee, dra.n #2
E#st ater t*e 5i)tory o t*e ins#rre)tion, .e read t*at At*e
.or8ers o t*e s*o2s and a)tories, and li8e.ise t*e
m#tinied troo2s, m#st immediately ele)t t*eir
re2resentati5es to t*e 3ro5isional Re5ol#tionary
-o5ernment:B T*e maniesto .as 2rinted in t*e oi)ial
or"an o t*e So5iet .it*o#t )omment or obEe)tion, as
t*o#"* t*e G#estion .ere a 2#rely a)ademi) one: '#t t*e
leadin" 'ols*e5i8s t*emsel5es also re"arded t*eir slo"ans
as 2#rely demonstrati5e: T*ey be*a5ed not li8e
re2resentati5es o a 2roletarian 2arty 2re2arin" an
inde2endent str#""le or 2o.er, b#t li8e t*e let .in" o a
demo)ra)y, .*i)*, *a5in" anno#n)ed its 2rin)i2les,
intended or an indeinite time to 2lay t*e 2art o loyal
o22osition:
S#8*ano5 asserts t*at at t*e sittin" o t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee on Mar)* 1 t*e )entral G#estion at iss#e .as
merely as to t*e )onditions o t*e *andin" o5er o 2o.er:
0"ainst t*e t*in" itsel D t*e ormation o a bo#r"eois
"o5ernment D not one 5oi)e .as raised, not.it*standin"
t*at o#t o 39 members o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, 11
.ere 'ols*e5i8s or t*eir ad*erents, and moreo5er t*ree
members o t*e 'ols*e5i8 )entre, Wal#ts8y, S*lia2ni8o5
and Moloto5, .ere 2resent at t*e sittin":
In t*e So5iet on t*e next day, a))ordin" to t*e re2ort o
S*lia2ni8o5 *imsel, o#t o &%% de2#ties 2resent, only 19
5oted a"ainst t*e transer o 2o.er to t*e bo#r"eoisie D
and t*is alt*o#"* t*ere .ere already &% in t*e 'ols*e5i8
a)tion: T*e 5otin" itsel 2assed o in a 2#rely ormal
2arliamentary manner, .it*o#t any )lear )o#nter?
2ro2osition rom t*e 'ols*e5i8s, .it*o#t )onli)t, and
.it*o#t any a"itation .*ate5er in t*e 'ols*e5i8 2ress:
On t*e &t* o Mar)* t*e '#rea# o t*e 'ols*e5i8 !entral
!ommittee ado2ted a resol#tion on t*e )o#nter?
re5ol#tionary )*ara)ter o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment,
and t*e ne)essity o steerin" a )o#rse to.ards t*e
demo)rati) di)tators*i2 o t*e 2roletariat and t*e
2easantry: T*e 3etro"rad )ommittee, ri"*tly re"ardin" t*is
resol#tion as a)ademi) D sin)e it "a5e no dire)ti5es or
today;s a)tion D a22roa)*ed t*e 2roblem rom t*e
o22osite an"le: ATa8in" )o"nisan)e o t*e resol#tion on t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment ado2ted by t*e So5iet,B it
anno#n)es t*at Ait .ill not o22ose t*e 2o.er o t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment in so ar as,B et): ::: In essen)e
t*is .as t*e 2osition o t*e Mens*e5i8s and So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries D only mo5ed ba)8 to t*e se)ond line
tren)*es: T*is o2enly o22ort#nist resol#tion o t*e
3etro"rad !ommittee )ontradi)ted only in a ormal .ay
t*e resol#tion o t*e !entral !ommittee, .*ose a)ademi)
)*ara)ter *ad meant not*in" 2oliti)ally b#t 2#ttin" #2 .it*
an a))om2lis*ed a)t:
T*is readiness to s#bmit silently, or .it* reser5ations, to
t*e "o5ernment o t*e bo#r"eoisie did not *a5e by any
means t*e entire sym2at*y o t*e 2arty: T*e 'ols*e5i8
.or8ers met t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment rom t*e irst as a
*ostile ram2art #nex2e)tedly "ro.n #2 in t*eir 2at*: T*e
Vybor" !ommittee *eld meetin"s o t*o#sands o .or8ers
and soldiers, .*i)* almost #nanimo#sly ado2ted
resol#tions on t*e ne)essity or a sei<#re o 2o.er by t*e
so5iets: 0n a)ti5e 2arti)i2ant in t*is a"itation, 4in"elstedt,
testiies: AT*ere .as, not one meetin", not one .or8ers;
meetin", .*i)* .o#ld *a5e 5oted do.n s#)* a resol#tion
rom #s i t*ere *ad only been somebody to 2resent it:B
T*e Mens*e5i8s and So)ial Re5ol#tionaries .ere araid in
t*ose irst days to a22ear o2enly beore a#dien)es o
.or8ers and soldiers .it* t*eir orm#lation o t*e G#estion
o 2o.er: 0 resol#tion o t*e Vybor" .or8ers, in 5ie. o its
2o2#larity, .as 2rinted and 2asted #2 as a 2la)ard: '#t
t*e 3etro"rad !ommittee 2#t an absol#te ban #2on t*is
resol#tion, and t*e Vybor" .or8ers .ere )om2elled to
s#bmit:
On t*e G#estion o t*e so)ial )ontent o t*e re5ol#tion and
2ros2e)ts o its de5elo2ment, t*e 2osition o t*e 'ols*e5i8
3arty
22:272?27&:
0 re5ol#tionary )on)e2tion .it*o#t a re5ol#tionary .ill is
li8e a .at)* .it* a bro8en s2rin": 9amene5 .as al.ays
be*ind t*e time D or rat*er beneat* t*e tas8s D o t*e
re5ol#tion: '#t t*e absen)e o a broad 2oliti)al )on)e2tion
)ondemns t*e most .il#l re5ol#tionist to inde)isi5eness in
t*e 2resen)e o 5ast and )om2li)ated e5ents: Stalin, t*e
em2iri), .as o2en to alien inl#en)es not on t*e side o .ill
b#t on t*e side o intelle)t: T*#s it .as t*at t*is 2#bli)ist
.it*o#t de)ision, and t*is or"anise .it*o#t intelle)t#al
*ori<on, )arried 'ols*e5ism in Mar)* 1917 to t*e 5ery
bo#ndaries o Mens*e5ism: Stalin 2ro5ed e5en less
)a2able t*an 9amene5 o de5elo2in" an inde2endent
2osition in t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, .*i)* *e entered as
a re2resentati5e o t*e 2arty: T*ere is to be o#nd in its
re2orts and its 2ress not one 2ro2osal, anno#n)ement, or
2rotest, in .*i)* Stalin ex2ressed t*e 'ols*e5i8 2oint o
5ie. in o22osition to t*e a.nin" o t*e Ademo)ra)yB at
t*e eet o liberalism: S#8*ano5 says in *is Notes of the
Revolution: A0mon" t*e 'ols*e5i8s, besides 9amene5,
t*ere a22eared in t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee in t*ose days
Stalin ::: 4#rin" t*e time o *is modest a)ti5ity in t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee *e "a5e me t*e im2ression D and not
only me D o a "rey s2ot .*i)* .o#ld sometimes "i5e o#t a
dim and in)onseG#ential li"*t: T*ere is really not*in" more
to be said abo#t *im:B 0lt*o#"* S#8*ano5 ob5io#sly
#nderestimates Stalin as a .*ole, *e ne5ert*eless
)orre)tly des)ribes *is 2oliti)al )*ara)terlessness in t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee o t*e !om2romisers:
On t*e 1&t* o Mar)* t*e maniesto Ato t*e 2eo2le o t*e
.*ole .orld,B inter2retin" t*e 5i)tory o t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion in t*e interests o t*e Entente, and si"niyin"
t*e tri#m2* o a ne. re2#bli)an so)ial 2atriotism o t*e
>ren)* stam2, .as ado2ted by t*e So5iet #nanimo#sly:
T*at meant a )onsiderable s#))ess or 9amene5 and
Stalin, b#t one e5idently attained .it*o#t m#)* str#""le:
3ra5da s2o8e o it as a A)ons)io#s )om2romise bet.een
dierent tenden)ies re2resented in t*e So5iet:B It is
ne)essary to add t*at t*is )om2romise in5ol5ed a dire)t
brea8 .it* t*e tenden)y o Lenin, .*i)* .as not
re2resented in t*e So5iet at all:
9amene5, a member o t*e emi"rant editorial sta o t*e
)entral or"an, Stalin, a member o t*e !entral !ommittee,
and M#rano5, a de2#ty in t*e 4#ma .*o *ad also ret#rned
rom Siberia, remo5ed t*e old editors o Pravda, .*o *ad
o))#2ied a too AletB 2osition, and on t*e 1=t* o Mar)*,
relyin" on t*eir some.*at 2roblemati)al ri"*ts, too8 t*e
2a2er into t*eir o.n *ands: In t*e 2ro"ramme
anno#n)ement o t*e ne. editors*i2, it .as de)lared t*at
t*e 'ols*e5i8s .o#ld de)isi5ely s#22ort t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment Ain so ar as it str#""les a"ainst rea)tion or
)o#nter?re5ol#tion:B T*e ne. editors ex2ressed
t*emsel5es no less )ate"ori)ally #2on t*e G#estion o .ar:
+*ile t*e -erman army obeys its em2eror, t*e R#ssian
soldier m#st stand irmly at *is 2ost ans.erin" b#llet .it*
b#llet and s*ell .it* s*ell:B AO#r slo"an is not t*e
meanin"less [do.n .it* .ar:; O#r slo"an is 2ress#re #2on
t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment .it* t*e aim o )om2ellin"
it ::: to ma8e an attem2t to ind#)e all t*e .arrin" )o#ntries
to o2en immediate ne"otiations ::: and #ntil t*en e5ery
man remains at *is i"*tin" 2ostOB 'ot* t*e idea and its
orm#lation are t*ose o t*e deensists: T*is 2ro"ramme o
2ress#re #2on an im2erialist "o5ernment .it* t*e aim o
Aind#)in"B it to ado2t a 2ea)e?lo5in" orm o a)ti5ity, .as
t*e 2ro"ramme o 9a#ts8y in -ermany, ,ean Lon"#et in
>ran)e, Ma)4onald in En"land: It .as anyt*in" b#t t*e
2ro"ramme o Lenin, .*o .as )allin" or t*e o5ert*ro. o
im2erialist r#le: 4eendin" itsel a"ainst t*e 2atrioti)
2ress, 3ra5da .ent e5en art*er A0ll [deeatism,;B it said,
Aor rat*er .*at an #ndis)riminatin" 2ress 2rote)ted by t*e
)<ar;s, )ensors*i2 *as branded .it* t*at name, died at t*e
moment .*en t*e irst re5ol#tionary re"iment a22eared
on t*e streets o 3etro"rad:B T*is .as a dire)t
abandonment o Lenin: A4eeatismB .as not in5ented by a
*ostile 2ress #nder t*e 2rote)tion o a )ensors*i2, it .as
2ro)laimed by Lenin in t*e orm#la: AT*e deeat o R#ssia
is t*e lesser e5il:B T*e a22earan)e o t*e irst
re5ol#tionary re"iment, and e5en t*e o5ert*ro. o t*e
monar)*y, did not alter t*e im2erialist )*ara)ter o t*e
.ar: AT*e day o t*e irst iss#e o t*e transormed
Pravda,B says S*lia2ni8o5, A.as a day o reEoi)in" or t*e
deensists: T*e .*ole Ta#ride 3ala)e, rom t*e b#siness
men in t*e )ommittee o t*e State 4#ma to t*e 5ery *eart
o t*e re5ol#tionary demo)ra)y, t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee,
.as brim#l o one 2ie)e o ne.s: t*e Vi)tory o t*e
moderate and reasonable 'ols*e5i8s o5er t*e extremists:
In t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee itsel t*ey met #s .it*
5enomo#s smiles ::: +*en t*at n#mber o Pravda .as
re)ei5ed in t*e a)tories it 2rod#)ed a )om2lete
be.ilderment amon" t*e members o t*e 2arty and its
sym2at*isers, and a sar)asti) satisa)tion amon" its
enemies ::: T*e indi"nation in t*e 2arty lo)als .as
enormo#s, and .*en t*e 2roletarians o#nd o#t t*at
Pravda *ad been sei<ed by t*ree ormer editors arri5in"
rom Siberia t*ey demanded t*eir ex2#lsion rom t*e
2arty:B Pravda .as soon )om2elled to 2rint a s*ar2
2rotest rom t*e Vybor" distri)t: AI t*e 2a2er does not
.ant to lose t*e )oniden)e o t*e .or8ers, it m#st and .ill
brin" t*e li"*t o re5ol#tionary )ons)io#sness, no matter
*o. 2ain#l it may be, to t*e bo#r"eois o.ls:B T*ese
2rotests rom belo. )om2elled t*e editors to be)ome
more )a#tio#s in t*eir ex2ressions, b#t did not )*an"e
t*eir 2oli)y: E5en t*e irst arti)le o Lenin .*i)* "ot t*ere
rom abroad 2assed by t*e minds o t*e editors: T*ey .ere
steerin" a ri"*t.ard )o#rse all alon" t*e line: AIn o#r
a"itation,B .rites 4in"elstedt, a re2resentati5e o t*e let
.in", A.e *ad to ta8e #2 t*e 2rin)i2le o t*e d#al 2o.er :::
and demonstrate t*e ine5itability o t*is ro#ndabo#t road
to t*at same .or8er and soldier mass .*i)* d#rin" t.o
.ee8s o intensi5e 2oliti)al lie *ad been ed#)ated in a
.*olly dierent #nderstandin" o its tas8s:B
T*e 2oli)y o t*e 2arty t*ro#"*o#t t*e .*ole )o#ntry
nat#rally ollo.ed t*at o Pravda: In many so5iets
resol#tions abo#t #ndamental 2roblems .ere no.
ado2ted #nanimo#sly: t*e 'ols*e5i8s sim2ly bo.ed do.n
to t*e So5iet maEority: 0t a )oneren)e o t*e so5iets o t*e
Mos)o. re"ion t*e 'ols*e5i8s Eoined in t*e resol#tion o
t*e so)ial 2atriots on t*e .ar: 0nd inally at t*e 0ll?R#ssian
!oneren)e o t*e re2resentati5es o $2 so5iets at t*e end
o Mar)* and t*e be"innin" o 02ril, t*e 'ols*e5i8s 5oted
or t*e oi)ial resol#tion on t*e G#estion o 2o.er, .*i)*
.as deended by 4an: T*is extraordinary 2oliti)al
ra22ro)*ement .it* t*e Mens*e5i8s )a#sed a .ides2read
tenden)y to.ards #nii)ation: In t*e 2ro5in)es t*e
'ols*e5i8s and Mens*e5i8s entered into #nited
or"anisations: T*e 9amene5?Stalin a)tion .as steadily
)on5ertin" itsel into a let lan8 o t*e so?)alled
re5ol#tionary demo)ra)y, and .as ta8in" 2art in t*e
me)*ani)s o 2arliamentary A2ress#reB in t*e couloirs
#2on t*e bo#r"eoisie, s#22lementin" t*is .it* a similar,
2ress#re #2on t*e demo)ra)y:
T*e 2art o t*e !entral !ommittee .*i)* li5ed abroad and
t*e !entral Or"an, The )ocial (emocrat, *ad been t*e
s2irit#al )entre o t*e 2arty: Lenin, .it* Wino5ie5 as
assistant, *ad )ond#)ted t*e .*ole .or8 o leaders*i2:
T*e most res2onsible se)retarial d#ties .ere #lilled by
Lenin;s .ie, 9r#2s8aia: In t*e 2ra)ti)al .or8 t*is small
)entre relied #2on t*e s#22ort o a e. s)ore o 'ols*e5i8
emi"rants: 4#rin" t*e .ar t*eir isolation rom R#ssia
be)ame t*e more #nbearable as t*e military 2oli)e o t*e
Entente dre. its )ir)le ti"*ter and ti"*ter: T*e
re5ol#tionary ex2losion t*ey *ad so lon" and tensely
a.aited )a#"*t t*em #na.are En"land )ate"ori)ally
re#sed to t*e emi"rant internationalists, o .*om s*e *ad
8e2t a )are#l list, a 5isa to R#ssia: Lenin .as ra"in" in *is
W#ri)* )a"e, see8in" a .ay o#t: 0mon" a *#ndred 2lans
t*at .ere tal8ed o5er, one .as to tra5el on t*e 2ass2ort o
a dea?and?d#mb S)andina5ian: 0t t*e same time Lenin did
not miss any )*an)e to ma8e *is 5oi)e *eard rom
S.it<erland: On Mar)* ( *e tele"ra2*ed t*ro#"*
Sto)8*olm to 3etro"rad: AO#r ta)ti)J absol#te la)8 o
)oniden)eJ no s#22ort to t*e ne. "o5ernmentJ s#s2e)t
9erens8y es2e)iallyJ armin" o 2roletariat t*e sole
"#aranteeJ immediate ele)tions to t*e 3etro"rad 4#maJ no
ra22ro)*ement .it* ot*er 2arties:B In t*is dire)ti5e, only
t*e s#""estion abo#t ele)tions to t*e 4#ma instead o t*e
So5iet, *ad an e2isodi) )*ara)ter and soon dro22ed o#t o
si"*t: T*e ot*er 2oints, ex2ressed .it* tele"ra2*i)
in)isi5eness, #lly indi)ate t*e "eneral dire)tion o t*e
2oli)y to be 2#rs#ed: 0t t*e same time Lenin be"ins to
send to Pravda *is *etters from +far .*i)*, alt*o#"*
based #2on ra"ments o orei"n inormation )onstit#te a
inis*ed analysis o t*e re5ol#tionary sit#ation: T*e ne.s
in t*e 2a2ers soon enabled *im to )on)l#de t*at t*e
3ro5isional "o5ernment, .it* t*e dire)t assistan)e not only
o 9erens8y b#t o !*eid<e, .as not #ns#))ess#lly
de)ei5in" t*e .or8ers, o#t t*e im2erialist .ar or a .ar o
deen)e: On t*e 17t* o Mar)*, t*ro#"* riends in
Sto)8*olm, *e .rote a letter illed .it* alarm: AO#r 2arty
.o#ld dis"ra)e itsel or e5er, 8ill itsel 2oliti)ally, i it too8
2art in s#)* de)eit ::: I .o#ld )*oose an immediate s2lit
.it* no matter .*om in o#r 2arty rat*er t*an s#rrender to
so)ial 2atriotism :::B 0ter t*is a22arently im2ersonal
t*reat D *a5in" deinite 2eo2le in mind *o.e5er D Lenin
adE#res: A9amene5 m#st #nderstand t*at a .orld *istori)
res2onsibility rests #2on *im:B 9amene5 is named *ere
be)a#se it is a G#estion o 2oliti)al 2rin)i2le: I Lenin *ad
*ad a 2ra)ti)al militant 2roblem in mind, *e .o#ld *a5e
been more li8ely to mention Stalin: '#t in E#st t*ose *o#rs
Lenin .as stri5in" to )omm#ni)ate t*e intensity o *is .ill
to 3etro"rad a)ross smo8in" E#ro2e, 9amene5 .it* t*e )o?
o2eration o Stalin .as t#rnin" s*ar2ly to.ard so)ial
2atriotism:
Vario#s s)*emes D dis"#ises, alse .*is8ers, orei"n or
alse 2ass2orts D .ere )ast aside one ater t*e ot*er as
im2ossible: 0nd mean.*ile t*e idea o tra5ellin" t*ro#"*
-ermany be)ame more and more )on)rete: T*is 2lan
ri"*tened t*e maEority emi"rants D and not only t*ose
.*o .ere 2atrioti), eit*er: Marto5 and t*e ot*er
Mens*e5i8s )o#ld not ma8e #2 t*eir minds to ado2t t*e
bold a)tion o Lenin, and )ontin#ed to 8no)8 in 5ain on t*e
doors o t*e Entente: Later on e5en many o 'ols*e5i8s
re2ented o t*eir Eo#rney t*ro#"* -ermany, in 5ie. o t*e
dii)#lties )a#sed by t*e Asealed trainB in t*e s2*ere o
a"itation: >rom t*e be"innin" Lenin ne5er s*#t *is eyes to
t*ose #t#re dii)#lties: 9r#2s8aia .rote not lon" beore
t*e de2art#re rom W#ri)*: AO )o#rse t*e 2atriots .ill
raise an o#t)ry in R#ssia, b#t or t*at .e m#st be
2re2ared:B T*e G#estion stood as ollo.s: eit*er stay in
S.it<erland or tra5el t*ro#"* -ermany: T*ere .as no ot*er
)*oi)e: !o#ld Lenin *a5e *esitated or a moment@ ,#st one
mont* Marto5 0xelrod and t*e ot*ers *ad to ollo. in *is
ste2s:
In t*e or"anisation o t*is #n#s#al tri2 t*ro#"* *ostile
territory in .ar time, t*e #ndamental traits o Lenin as
statesman ex2ressed t*emsel5es D boldness o )on)e2tion
a meti)#lo#s )are#lness in its #lilment: Inside t*at "reat
re5ol#tionist t*ere d.elt a 2edanti) notary D one .*o 8ne.
*is #n)tion, *o.e5er, and dre. #2 *is 2a2er at t*e
moment .*en it mi"*t *el2 in t*e o5ert*ro. o all s#)*
notarial a)ts or e5er: T*e )onditions o t*e Eo#rney
t*ro#"* -erman .ere .or8ed o#t .it* extraordinary )are
in t*is #niG#e international treaty bet.een t*e editorial
sta o a re5ol#tionary 2a2er and t*e em2ire o t*e
Io*en<ollerns: Lenin demanded )om2lete
extraterritoriality d#rin" t*e transit: no s#2er5ision o t*e
2ersonnel o t*e 2assen"ers, t*eir 2ass2orts or ba""a"e:
No sin"le 2erson s*o#ld *a5e t*e ri"*t to enter t*e train
t*ro#"*o#t t*e Eo#rney: /Ien)e t*e le"end o t*e AsealedB
train:1 On t*eir 2art, t*e emi"rant "ro#2 a"reed to insist
#2on t*e release rom R#ssia o a )orres2ondin" n#mber
o -erman and 0#stro?I#n"arian )i5il 2risoners:
0t t*e same time a Eoint de)laration .as dra.n #2 .it*
se5eral orei"n re5ol#tionises: AT*e R#ssian
internationalists .*o are no. "oin" to R#ssia in order to
ser5e t*ere t*e )a#se o t*e re5ol#tion, .ill *el2 #s aro#se
t*e 2roletariat o ot*er )o#ntries, es2e)ially o -ermany
and 0#stria, a"ainst t*eir "o5ernments:B So s2ea8s t*e
2roto)ol si"ned by Loriot and -ilbea#x rom >ran)e, 3a#l
Le5y rom -ermany, 3latten rom S.it<erland, by S.edis*
let de2#ties and ot*ers: On t*ose )onditions and .it*
t*ose 2re)a#tions, t*irty R#ssian emi"rants let
S.it<erland at t*e end o Mar)*: 0 rat*er ex2losi5e
trainload e5en amon" t*e loads o t*ose .ar daysO
In *is are.ell letter to t*e S.iss .or8ers Lenin reminded
t*em o t*e de)laration o t*e )entral or"an o t*e
'ols*e5i8s in t*e a#t#mn o 191=: I t*e re5ol#tion brin"s
to 2o.er in R#ssia a re2#bli)an "o5ernment .*i)* .ants
to )ontin#e t*e im2erialist .ar, t*e 'ols*e5i8s .ill be
a"ainst t*e deen)e o t*e re2#bli)an >at*erland: S#)* a
sit#ation *as no. arisen: AO#r slo"an is no s#22ort to t*e
"o5ernment o -#)*8o5?Mili#8o5:B +it* t*ose .ords Lenin
no. entered t*e territory o t*e re5ol#tion:
Io.e5er, t*e members o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment did
not see any "ro#nd or alarm: Nabo8o5 .rites: A0t one o
t*e Mar)* sessions o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment, d#rin"
a re)ess, in a lon" )on5ersation abo#t t*e in)reasin"
2ro2a"anda o t*e 'ols*e5i8s, 9erens8y ex)laimed .it* *is
#s#al *ysteri)al "i""le: ;,#st yo# .ait, Lenin *imsel is
)omin", t*en t*e real t*in" .ill be"inO;B 9erens8y .as
ri"*t: T*e real t*in" .o#ld be"in only t*en: Io.e5er t*e
ministers, a))ordin" to Nabo8o5, .ere not "reatly
dist#rbed: AT*e 5ery a)t o *is *a5in" a22ealed to
-ermany .ill so #ndermine t*e a#t*ority o Lenin t*at .e
need not ear *im:B 0s .as to be ex2e)ted, t*e ministers
.ere ex)eedin"ly 2ers2i)a)io#s:
>riendly dis)i2les .ent to meet Lenin in >inland: A+e *ad
*ardly "ot into t*e )ar and sat do.n,B .rites Ras8olni8o5,
a yo#n" na5al oi)er and a 'ols*e5i8, A.*en Vladimir Ily)*
l#n" at 9amene5: [+*at;s t*is yo#;re .ritin" in Pravda@
+e sa. se5eral n#mbers and "a5e it to yo# "ood and
2ro2er:;B S#)* .as t*eir meetin" ater a se2aration o
se5eral years: '#t e5en so it .as a riendly meetin":
T*e 3etro"rad !ommittee, .it* t*e )o?o2eration o t*e
military or"anisation, mobilised se5eral t*o#sand .or8ers
and soldiers or a tri#m2*al .el)ome to Lenin: 0 riendly
armo#red )ar di5ision detailed all t*eir )ars to meet *im:
T*e )ommittee de)ided to "o to t*e station .it* t*e
armo#red )ars: T*e re5ol#tion *ad already )reated a
2artiality or t*at ty2e o monster, so #se#l to *a5e on
yo#r side in t*e streets o a )ity:
T*e des)ri2tion o t*e oi)ial meetin" .*i)* too8 2la)e in
t*e so?)alled A!<ar;s RoomB o t*e >inland station,
)onstit#tes a 5ery li5ely 2a"e in t*e many?5ol#med and
rat*er aded memoirs o S#8*ano5: ALenin .al8ed, or
rat*er ran, into t*e ;!<ar;s Room; in a ro#nd *at, *is a)e
)*illed, and a l#x#rio#s bo#G#et in *is arms: I#rryin" to
t*e middle o t*e room, *e sto22ed still in ront o !*eid<e
as t*o#"* *e *ad r#n into a )om2letely, #nex2e)ted
obsta)le: 0nd *ere !*eid<e, not abandonin" *is 2re5io#s
melan)*oly loo8, 2rono#n)ed t*e ollo.in" [s2ee)* o
"reetin",; )are#lly, 2reser5in" not only t*e s2irit and 5oi)e
o a moral instr#)tor: [!omrade Lenin, in t*e name o t*e
3etro"rad So5iet and t*e .*ole re5ol#tion: +e .el)ome
yo# to R#ssia ::: !ut .e )onsider t*e t*at t*e )*ie tas8 o
t*e re5ol#tionary demo)ra)y at 2resent is to deend o#r
re5ol#tion a"ainst e5ery 8ind o atta)8 bot* rom .it*in
and rom .it*o#t ::: +e *o2e t*at yo# .ill Eoin #s in
stri5in" to.ards t*is "oal:; !*eid<e )eased: I .as
dismayed .it* t*e #nex2e)tedness o it: '#t Lenin, it
seemed, 8ne. .ell *o. to deal .it* all t*at: Ie stood
t*ere loo8in" as t*o#"* .*at .as *a22enin" did not
)on)ern *im in t*e least, "lan)ed rom one side to t*e
ot*er, loo8ed o5er t*e s#rro#ndin" 2#bli), and e5en
examined t*e )eilin" to t*e ;!<ar;s Room; .*ile
rearran"in" *is bo#G#et /.*i)* *armonised rat*er badly
.it* *is .*ole i"#re1, and inally, *a5in" t#rned
)om2letely a.ay rom t*e dele"ates o t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee, [ans.ered; t*#s: [4ear )omrades, soldiers,
sailors and .or8ers, I am *a22y to "reet in yo# t*e
5i)torio#s R#ssian re5ol#tion, to "reet yo# as t*e ad5an)e
"#ard o t*e international 2roletarian army ::: T*e *o#r is
not ar .*en, at t*e s#mmons o o#r )omrade 9arl
Lieb8ne)*t, t*e 2eo2le .ill t#rn t*eir .ea2ons a"ainst
t*eir )a2italist ex2loiters ::: T*e R#ssian re5ol#tion
a)*ie5ed by yo# *as o2ened a ne., e2o)*, Lon" li5e t*e
.orld .ide so)ialist re5ol#tionO;B
S#8*ano5 is ri"*t D t*e bo#G#et *armonised badly .it* t*e
i"#re o Lenin, and do#btless *indered and embarrassed
*im .it* its ina22ro2riateness to t*e a#stere ba)8"ro#nd
o e5ents: In "eneral, as it *a22ens, Lenin did not li8e
lo.ers in a bo#G#et: '#t do#btless *e .as ar more
embarrassed by t*at oi)ial and *y2o)riti)al S#nday
s)*ool "reetin" in t*e 2arade room o a station: !*eid<e
.as better t*an *is s2ee)* o "reetin": Ie .as a little
timid o Lenin: '#t t*ey #ndo#btedly *ad told *im t*at it
.as ne)essary to 2#ll #2 on t*e Ase)tarianB rom t*e 5ery
be"innin": To s#22lement !*eid<e;s s2ee)*, .*i)* *ad
demonstrated t*e 2itiable le5el o t*e leaders*i2, a yo#n"
na5al )ommander, s2ea8in" in t*e name o t*e sailors,
.as brilliant eno#"* to ex2ress t*e *o2e t*at Lenin mi"*t
be)ome a member o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment: T*#s
t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion, "arr#lo#s and labby and still
rat*er st#2id, "reeted t*e man .*o *ad arri5ed .it* a
resol#te determination to set it strai"*t bot* in t*o#"*t
and in .ill: T*ose irst im2ressions, m#lti2lyin" tenold t*e
alarm .*i)* *e *ad bro#"*t .it* *im, 2rod#)ed a eelin"
o 2rotest in Lenin .*i)* it .as dii)#lt to restrain: Io.
m#)* more satisa)tory to roll #2 *is slee5esO 022ealin"
rom !*eid<e to t*e sailors and .or8ers, rom t*e deen)e
o t*e >at*erland to international re5ol#tion, rom t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment to Lieb8ne)*t, Lenin merely "a5e
a s*ort re*earsal t*ere at t*e station o *is .*ole #t#re
2oli)y:
0nd ne5ert*eless t*at )l#msy re5ol#tion instantly and
*eartily too8 its leader into its bosom: T*e soldiers
demanded t*at Lenin )limb #2 on one o t*e armo#red
)ars, and *e *ad to obey: T*e on)omin" ni"*t made t*e
2ro)ession es2e)ially im2ressi5e: T*e li"*ts on t*e ot*er
armo#red )ars bein" dimmed, t*e ni"*t .as stabbed by
t*e s*ar2 beam rom t*e 2roEe)tor o t*e ma)*ine on
.*i)* Lenin rode: It sli)ed o#t rom t*e dar8ness o t*e
street se)tions o ex)ited .or8ers, soldiers, sailors D t*e
same ones .*o *ad a)*ie5ed t*e "reat re5ol#tion and
t*en let t*e 2o.er sli2 t*ro#"* t*eir in"ers: T*e band
)eased 2layin" e5ery so oten, in order to let Lenin re2eat
or 5ary *is s2ee)* beore ne. listeners: AT*at tri#m2*al
mar)* .as brilliant,B says S#8*ano5, Aand e5en some.*at
symboli):B
In t*e 2ala)e o 9s*esins8aia, 'ols*e5i8 *eadG#arters in
t*e satin nest o a )o#rt ballerina D t*at )ombination m#st
*a5e am#sed Lenin;s al.ays li5ely irony D "reetin"s be"an
a"ain: T*is .as too m#)*: Lenin end#red t*e lood o
e#lo"isti) s2ee)*es li8e an im2atient 2edestrian .aitin" in
a door.ay or t*e rain to sto2: Ie elt t*e sin)ere
Eoy#lness at *is arri5al, b#t .as bot*ered by its
5erboseness: T*e 5ery tone o t*e oi)ial "reetin"s
seemed to *im imitati5e, ae)ted D in a .ord borro.ed
rom t*e 2etty bo#r"eois demo)ra)y, de)lamatory,
sentimental and alse: Ie sa. t*at t*e re5ol#tion, beore
*a5in" e5en deined its 2roblems and tas8s, *ad already
)reated its tiresome etiG#ette: Ie smiled a "ood?nat#red
re2roa)*, loo8ed at *is .at)*, and rom time to time
do#btless "a5e an #nrestrained ya.n: T*e e)*o o t*e last
"reetin" *ad not died a.ay, .*en t*is #n#s#al "#est let
loose #2on t*at a#dien)e a )atara)t o 2assionate t*o#"*t
.*i)* at times so#nded almost li8e a las*in": 0t t*at
2eriod t*e steno"ra2*i) art .as not yet o2en to
'ols*e5ism: Nobody made notes: 0ll .ere too absorbed in
.*at .as *a22enin": T*e s2ee)*es *a5e not been
2reser5ed: T*ere remain only "eneral im2ressions in t*e
memoirs o t*e listeners: 0nd t*ese *a5e been edited by
t*e la2se o timeJ ra2t#re *as been added to t*em, and
ri"*t .as*ed a.ay: T*e #ndamental im2ression made by
Lenin;s s2ee)* e5en amon" t*ose nearest to *im .as one
o ri"*t: 0ll t*e a))e2ted orm#las, .*i)* .it*
inn#merable re2etition *ad a)G#ired in t*e )o#rse o a
mont* a seemin"ly #ns*a8eable 2ermanen)e, .ere
ex2loded one ater anot*er beore t*e eyes o t*at
a#dien)e: T*e s*ort Leninist re2ly at t*e station, tossed
o#t o5er t*e *ead o t*e startled !*eid<e, .as *ere
de5elo2ed into a t.o *o#r s2ee)* addressed dire)tly to
t*e 3etro"rad )adres o 'ols*e5ism:
T*e non?2arty so)ialist, S#8*ano5, .as a))identally
2resent t*is meetin" as a "#est D admitted by t*e "ood?
nat#red 9amene5, alt*o#"* Lenin .as intolerant o s#)*
ind#l"en)es: T*an8s to t*is .e *a5e a des)ri2tion made by
an o#tsider D *al?*ostile and *al?e)stati) D o t*e irst
meetin" o Lenin .it* t*e 3etersb#r" 'ols*e5i8s:
AI .ill ne5er or"et t*at t*#nderli8e s2ee)*, startlin" and
ama<in" not only to me, a *ereti) a))identally dro22ed in,
b#t also to t*e ait*#l, all o t*em: I assert t*at nobody
t*ere *ad ex2e)ted anyt*in" o t*e 8ind: It seemed as i all
t*e elements and t*e s2irit o #ni5ersal destr#)tion *ad
risen rom t*eir lairs, 8no.in" neit*er barriers nor do#bts
nor 2ersonal dii)#lties nor 2ersonal )onsiderations, to
*o5er t*ro#"* t*e banG#et )*ambers o 9s*esins8aia
abo5e t*e *eads o t*e be.it)*ed dis)i2les:B
3ersonal )onsiderations and dii)#lties D to S#8*ano5 t*at
meant or t*e most 2art t*e editorial .a5erin"s o t*e
Novy ,hi%n )ir)le *a5in" tea .it* Maxim -or8y: Lenin;s
)onsiderations .ent dee2er: Not t*e elements .ere
*o5erin" in t*at banG#et *all, b#t *#man t*o#"*ts D and
t*ey .ere not embarrassed by t*e elements, b#t .ere
tryin" to #nderstand in order to )ontrol t*em: '#t ne5er
mind D t*e im2ression is )learly )on5eyed:
AOn t*e Eo#rney *ere .it* my )omrades,B said Lenin,
a))ordin" to S#8*ano5;s re2ort D AI .as ex2e)tin" t*ey
.o#ld ta8e #s dire)tly rom t*e station to 3eter and 3a#l:
+e are ar rom t*at, it seems: '#t let #s not "i5e #2 t*e
*o2e t*at it .ill *a22en, t*at .e s*all not es)a2e it:B
>or t*e ot*ers at t*at time t*e de5elo2ment o t*e
re5ol#tion .as identi)al, .it* a stren"t*enin" o t*e
demo)ra)yJ or Lenin t*e nearest 2ros2e)t led strai"*t to
t*e 3eter and 3a#l 2rison?ortress: It seemed a sinister
Eo8e: '#t Lenin .as not Eo8in", nor .as t*e re5ol#tion
Eo8in":
AIe s.e2t aside le"islati5e a"rarian reorm,B )om2lains
S#8*ano5, Aalon" .it* all t*e rest o t*e 2oli)ies o t*e
So5iet: Ie s2o8e or an or"anised sei<#re o t*e land by
t*e 2easants, not anti)i2atin" ::: any "o5ernmental 2o.er
at all:B
A[+e don;t need any 2arliamentary re2#bli): +e don;t
need any bo#r"eois demo)ra)y: +e don;t need any
"o5ernment ex)e2t t*e So5iet o .or8ers;, soldiers;, and
arm*ands; de2#tiesO;B
0t t*e same time Lenin s*ar2ly se2arated *imsel rom
So5iet maEority, tossin" t*em o5er into t*e )am2 o t*e
enemy: T*at alone .as eno#"* in t*ose days to ma8e *is
listeners di<<yOB
AOnly t*e Wimmer.ald Let stands "#ard o5er t*e
2roletarian interests and t*e .orld re5ol#tionB D t*#s
S#8*ano5 re2orts, .it* indi"nation, t*e t*o#"*ts o Lenin,
AT*e rest are t*e same old o22ort#nist s2ea8in" 2retty
.ords b#t in reality betrayin" t*e )a#se o so)ialism and
t*e .or8 masses:B
Ras8olni8o5 s#22lements S#8*ano5: AIe de)isi5ely
assailed t*e ta)ti)s 2#rs#ed beore *is arri5al by t*e r#lin"
2arty "ro#2s and by indi5id#al )omrades: T*e most
res2onsible .or8ers .ere *ere: '#t or t*em too t*e .ords
o Ily)* .ere a 5eritable re5elation: T*ey laid do.n a
R#bi)on bet.een t*e ta)ti)s o yesterday and today,B T*at
R#bi)on, as .e s*all see .as not laid do.n at on)e:
T*ere .as no dis)#ssion o t*e s2ee)*: 0ll .ere too m#)*
asto#nded, and ea)* .anted a )*an)e to )olle)t *is
t*o#"*ts: AI )ame o#t on t*e street,B )on)l#des S#8*ano5,
Aeelin" as t*o#"* on t*at ni"*t I *ad been lo""ed o5er
t*e *ead .it* a lail: Only one t*in" .as )lear: T*ere .as
no 2la)e or me, a non?2arty man, beside LeninOB
Indeed notO
T*e next day Lenin 2resented to t*e 2arty a s*ort .ritten
ex2osition o *is 5ie.s, .*i)* #nder t*e name o Theses
of +pril - *as be)ome one o t*e most im2ortant
do)#ments o t*e re5ol#tion: T*e t*eses ex2ressed sim2le
t*o#"*ts in sim2le .ords )om2re*ensible to all: T*e
re2#bli) .*i)* *as iss#ed rom t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion is
not o#r re2#bli), and t*e .ar .*i)* it is no. ra"in" is not
o#r .ar, T*e tas8 o t*e 'ols*e5i8s is to o5ert*ro. t*e
im2erialist "o5ernment: '#t t*is "o5ernment rests #2on
t*e s#22ort o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and Mens*e5i8s,
.*o in t#rn are s#22orted by t*e tr#st#lness o t*e
masses o t*e 2eo2le: +e are in t*e minority: In t*ese
)ir)#mstan)es t*ere )an be no tal8 o 5iolen)e rom o#r
side: +e m#st tea)* t*e masses not to tr#st t*e
!om2romisers and deensists: A+e m#st 2atiently
ex2lain:B T*e s#))ess o t*is 2oli)y, di)tated by t*e .*ole
existin" sit#ation, is ass#red, and it .ill brin" #s to t*e
di)tators*i2 o t*e 2roletariat, and so beyond t*e
bo#ndaries o t*e bo#r"eois rF"ime: +e .ill brea8
absol#tely .it* )a2ital, 2#blis* its se)ret treaties, and
s#mmon t*e .or8ers o t*e .*ole .orld to )ast loose rom
t*e bo#r"eoisie and 2#t an end to t*e .ar: +e are
be"innin" t*e international re5ol#tion: Only its s#))ess .ill
)onirm o#r s#))ess, and "#arantee a transition to t*e
so)ialist rF"ime:
T*ese t*eses o Lenin .ere 2#blis*ed in *is o.n name and
*is only, T*e )entral instit#tions o t*e 2arty met t*em
.it* a *ostility sotened only by be.ilderment: Nobody D
not one or"anisation, "ro#2 or indi5id#al D aixed *is
si"nat#re to t*em: E5en Wino5ie5, arri5in" .it* Lenin rom
abroad, .*ere or ten years *is ideas *ad been ormin"
#nder t*e immediate and, daily inl#en)e o Lenin, silently
ste22ed aside, Nor .as t*is side?ste22in" a s#r2rise to t*e
tea)*er, .*o 8ne. *is )losest dis)i2le all too .ell:
+*ere 9amene5 .as a 2ro2a"andist 2o2#lariser, Wino5ie5
.as an a"itator, and indeed, to G#ote an ex2ression o
Lenin, Anot*in" b#t an a"itator:B Ie *as not, in t*e irst
2la)e, a s#i)ient sense o res2onsibility to be a leader:
'#t not only t*at: La)8in" inner dis)i2line, *is mind is
)om2letely in)a2able o t*eoreti)al .or8, and *is t*o#"*t
dissol5e into ormless int#itions o t*e a"itator: T*an8s to
an ex)e2tionally G#i)8 s)ent, *e )an )at)* o#t o t*e air
.*ate5er orm#las are ne)essary to *im D t*ose .*i)* .ill
exer)ise t*e most t*e most ee)ti5e inl#en)e on t*e
masses: 'ot* as Eo#rnalist and orator *e remains an
a"itator, .it* only t*is dieren)e D t*at in *is arti)les yo#
#s#ally see *is .ea8er side, and in oral s2ee)* *is
stron"er: 0lt*o#"* ar more bold and #nbridled in a"itation
t*an any ot*er 'ols*e5i8, Wino5ie5 is e5en less )a2able
t*an 9amene5 o re5ol#tionary initiati5e: Ie is, li8e all
dema"o"#es, inde)isi5e: 3assin" rom t*e arena o
a)tional debate to t*at o dire)t mass i"*tin", Wino5ie5
almost in5ol#ntarily se2arated rom *is tea)*er:
T*ere *a5e been 2lenty o attem2ts o late years to 2ro5e
t*at t*e 02ril 2arty )risis .as a 2assin" and almost
a))idental )on#sion: T*ey all "o to 2ie)es at irst )onta)t
.it* t*e a)ts: K1L
+*at .e already 8no. o t*e a)ti5ity o t*e 2arty in Mar)*
re5eals t*e dee2est 2ossible )ontradi)tion bet.een Lenin
and t*e 3etersb#r" leaders*i2: T*is )ontradi)tion rea)*ed
its *i"*est intensity exa)tly at t*e moment o Lenin;s
arri5al: Sim#ltaneo#sly .it* t*e 0ll?R#ssian !oneren)e o
re2resentati5es, o $2 so5iets, .*ere 9amene5 and Stalin
5oted or t*e resol#tion on so5erei"nty introd#)ed by t*e
So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and Mens*e5i8s, t*ere too8 2la)e in
3etro"rad a 2arty )oneren)e o 'ols*e5i8s assembled
rom all o5er R#ssia: T*is )oneren)e, at t*e 5ery end o
.*i)* Lenin arri5ed, *as an ex)e2tional interest or anyone
.is*in" to )*ara)teri<e t*e mood and o2inions o t*e 2arty
and all its #22er layers as t*ey iss#ed rom t*e .ar: 0
readin" o t*e re2orts, to t*is day #n2#blis*ed, reG#ently
2rod#)es a eelin" o ama<ement: is it 2ossible t*at a
2arty re2resented by t*ese dele"ates .ill ater se5en
mont*s sei<e t*e 2o.er .it* an iron *and@ 0 mont* *ad
already 2assed sin)e t*e #2risin" D a lon" 2eriod or a
re5ol#tion, as also or a .ar: Ne5ert*eless o2inions .ere
not deined in t*e 2arty on t*e most basi) G#estions o t*e
re5ol#tion: Extreme 2atriots s#)* as Voitins8y, Elia5a, and
ot*ers, 2arti)i2ated in t*e )oneren)e alon"side o t*ose
.*o )onsidered t*emsel5es internationalists: T*e
2er)enta"e o o#ts2o8en 2atriots, in)om2arably less t*an
amon" t*e Mens*e5i8s, .as ne5ert*eless )onsiderable:
T*e )oneren)e as a .*ole did not de)ide t*e G#estion
.*et*er to brea8 .it* its o.n 2atriots or #nite .it* t*e
2atriots o Mens*e5ism: In an inter5al bet.een sessions o
t*e 'ols*e5i8 )oneren)e t*ere .as *eld a #nited session
o 'ols*e5i8s and Mens*e5i8s D dele"ates to t*e So5iet
)oneren)e D to )onsider t*e .ar G#estion: T*e most
#rio#s Mens*e5i8?2atriot, Lieber, anno#n)ed at t*is
session: A+e m#st do a.ay .it* t*e old di5ision bet.een
'ols*e5i8 and Mens*e5i8, and s2ea8 only o o#r attit#de
to.ard t*e .ar:B T*e 'ols*e5i8, Voitins8y, *astened to
2ro)laim *is readiness to 2#t *is si"nat#re to e5ery .ord
o Lieber: 0ll o t*em to"et*er, 'ols*e5i8s and Mens*e5i8s,
2atriots and internationalists, .ere see8in" a )ommon
orm#la or t*eir attit#de to t*e .ar:
T*e 5ie.s o t*e 'ols*e5i8 )oneren)e #ndo#btedly o#nd
t*eir most adeG#ate ex2ression in t*e re2ort o Stalin on
relations .it* t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment: It is ne)essary
to introd#)e *ere t*e )entral t*o#"*t o t*is s2ee)*,
.*i)*, li8e t*e re2orts as a .*ole, is not yet 2#blis*ed:
AT*e 2o.er *as been de)ided bet.een t.o or"ans o
.*i)* neit*er one 2ossesses #ll 2o.er: T*ere is debate
and str#""le bet.een t*em, and t*ere o#"*t to be: T*e
rHles *a5e been di5ided: T*e So5iet *as in a)t ta8en t*e
initiati5e in t*e re5ol#tionary transormationJ t*e So5iet is
t*e re5ol#tionary leader o t*e ins#rre)tionary 2eo2leJ an
or"an )ontrollin" t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment: 0nd t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment *as in a)t ta8en t*e rHle o
ortiier o t*e )onG#ests o t*e re5ol#tionary 2eo2le: T*e
So5iet mobili<es t*e or)es, and )ontrols: T*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment, bal8in" and )on#sed, ta8es t*e rHle o
ortiier o t*ose )onG#ests o t*e 2eo2le, .*i)* t*ey *a5e
already sei<ed as a a)t: T*is sit#ation *as
disad5anta"eo#s, b#t also ad5anta"eo#s sides: It is not to
o#r ad5anta"e at 2resent to or)e e5ents, *astenin" t*e
2ro)ess o re2ellin" t*e bo#r"eois layers, .*o .ill in t*e
#t#re ine5itably .it*dra. rom #s:B
Trans)endin" )lass distin)tions, t*e s2ea8er 2ortrays t*e
relation bet.een t*e bo#r"eoisie and t*e 2roletariat as a
mere di5ision o labo#r: T*e .or8ers and soldiers a)*ie5e
t*e re5ol#tion, -#)*8o5 and Mili#8o5 AortiyB it: +e
re)o"ni<e *ere t*e traditional )on)e2tion o t*e
Mens*e5i8s, in)orre)tly modelled ater t*e e5ents o 17$9:
T*is s#2erintendent;s a22roa)* to t*e *istori)al 2ro)ess is
exa)tly )*ara)teristi) o t*e leaders o Mens*e5ism, t*is
*andin" o#t o instr#)tions to 5ario#s )lasses and t*en
2atronisin"ly )riti)isin" t*eir #lilment T*e idea t*at it is
disad5anta"eo#s to *asten t*e .it*dra.al o t*e
bo#r"eoisie rom t*e re5ol#tion, *as al.ays been t*e
"#idin" 2rin)i2le o t*e .*ole 2oli)y o t*e Mens*e5i8s:
Ina)tion t*is means bl#ntin" and .ea8enin" t*e
mo5ement o t*e masses in order not to ri"*ten a.ay t*e
liberal allies: 0nd inally, Stalin;s )on)l#sion as to t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment is .*olly in a))ord .it* t*e
eG#i5o)al orm#la o t*e !om2romisers: AIn so ar as t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment ortiies t*e ste2s o t*e
re5ol#tion, in so ar .e m#st s#22ort it, b#t in so ar as it is
)o#nter?re5ol#tionary, s#22ort to t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment is not 2ermissible:B
Stalin;s re2ort .as made on Mar)* 29: On t*e next day t*e
oi)ial s2o8esman o t*e So5iet )oneren)e, t*e non?2arty
so)ial demo)rat Ste8lo5, deendin" t*e same )onditional
s#22ort to t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment, in t*e ardo#r o *is
eloG#en)e 2ainted s#)* a 2i)t#re o t*e a)ti5ity o t*e
AortiiersB o t*e re5ol#tion D o22osition to so)ial reorms,
leanin" to.ards monar)*y, 2rote)tion o )o#nter?
re5ol#tionary or)es, a22etite or annexation D t*at t*e
'ols*e5i8 )oneren)e re)oiled in alarm rom t*is orm#la o
s#22ort: T*e ri"*t 'ols*e5i8 No"in de)lared: AT*e s2ee)*
o Ste8lo5 *as introd#)ed one ne. t*o#"*t: it is )lear t*at
.e o#"*t not no. to tal8 abo#t s#22ort, b#t abo#t
resistan)e:B S8ry2ni8 also arri5ed at t*e )on)l#sion t*at
sin)e t*e s2ee)* o Ste8lo5 Amany t*in"s *a5e )*an"ed,
t*ere )an be no more tal8 o s#22ortin" t*e "o5ernment:
T*ere is a )ons2ira)y o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment
a"ainst t*e 2eo2le and t*e re5ol#tion:B Stalin, .*o a day
beore *ad been 2aintin" an idealisti) 2i)t#re o t*e
Adi5ision o labo#rB bet.een t*e "o5ernment and t*e
So5iet, elt obli"ed to eliminate t*is 2oint abo#t s#22ortin"
t*e "o5ernment: T*e s*ort and s#2eri)ial dis)#ssion
t#rned abo#t t*e G#estion .*et*er to s#22ort t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment Ain so ar as,B or only to s#22ort
t*e re5ol#tionary a)ti5ities o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment:
T*e dele"ate rom Sarato5, Vassilie5, not #ntr#t*#lly
de)lared: A+e all *a5e t*e same attit#de to t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment:B 9restins8y orm#lated t*e sit#ation e5en
more )learly: A0s to 2ra)ti)al a)tion t*ere is no
disa"reement bet.een Stalin and Voitins8y:B
Not.it*standin" t*e a)t t*at Voitins8y .ent o5er to t*e
Mens*e5i8s immediately ater t*e )oneren)e, 9restins8y
.as not 5ery .ron": 0lt*o#"* *e eliminated t*e o2en
mention o s#22ort, Stalin did not eliminate s#22ort: T*e
only one .*o attem2ted to orm#late t*e G#estion in
2rin)i2le .as 9rassi8o5, one o t*ose old 'ols*e5i8s .*o
*ad .it*dra.n rom t*e 2arty or a series o years, b#t
no., .ei"*ed do.n .it* lie;s ex2erien)e, .as tryin" to
ret#rn to its ran8s:
9rassi8o5 did not *esitate to sei<e t*e b#ll by t*e *orns: Is
t*is t*en a di)tators*i2 o t*e 2roletariat yo# are abo#t to
ina#"#rate@ *e as8ed ironi)ally: '#t t*e )oneren)e 2assed
o5er *is irony, and alon" .it* it 2assed o5er t*is G#estion
as one not deser5in" attention: T*e resol#tion o t*e
)oneren)e s#mmoned t*e re5ol#tionary demo)ra)y to
#r"e t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment to.ard Aa most ener"eti)
str#""le or t*e )om2lete liG#idation o t*e old rF"imeB D
t*at is, "a5e t*e 2roletarian 2arty t*e rHle o "o5erness o
t*e bo#r"eoisie:
T*e next day t*ey )onsidered t*e 2ro2osal o Tseretelli or
a #nion o 'ols*e5i8s and Mens*e5i8s: Stalin .as .*olly in
a5o#r o t*e 2ro2osal: A+e m#st do it: It is ne)essary to
deine o#r 2ro2osal or a basis o #nionJ #nion is 2ossible
on t*e basis o Wimmer.ald?9ient*al:B Moloto5, .*o *ad
been remo5ed rom t*e editors*i2 o Pravda by 9amene5
and Stalin be)a#se o t*e too radi)al line o t*e 2a2er,
s2o8e in o22osition: Tseretelli .ants to #nite
*etero"eneo#s elements, *e *imsel )alls *imsel
Wimmer.aldistJ a #nion on t*at basis is .ron": '#t Stalin
st#)8 to *is "#ns: AT*ere is no #se r#nnin" a*ead and
tryin" to orestall disa"reements: T*ere is no 2arty lie
.it*o#t disa"reements: +e .ill li5e do.n 2etty
disa"reements .it*in t*e 2arty:B T*e .*ole str#""le .*i)*
Lenin *ad been )arryin" on d#rin" t*e .ar years a"ainst
so)ial 2atriotism and its 2a)iist dis"#ise, .as t*#s
)as#ally s.e2t aside: In Se2tember 191( Lenin *ad .ritten
t*ro#"* S*lia2ni8o5 to 3etro"rad .it* s2e)ial insisten)e:
A!on)iliationism and )onsolidation is t*e .orst t*in" or
t*e .or8ers; 2arty in R#ssia, not only idiotism b#t r#in to
t*e 2arty ::: +e )an rely only on t*ose .*o *al5e
#nderstood t*e .*ole de)eit in5ol5ed in t*e idea o #nity
and .*ole ne)essity o a s2lit .it* t*at brot*er*ood
/!*eid<e !o:1 in R#ssia:B T*is .arnin" .as not #nderstood:
4isa"reements .it* Tseretelli, t*e leader o t*e r#lin"
So5iet blo), seemed to Stalin 2etty disa"reements, .*i)*
)o#ld be Ali5ed do.nB .it*in a )ommon 2arty: T*is
#rnis*es t*e best )riterion or an a22raisal o t*e 5ie.s
*eld by Stalin at t*at time:
On 02ril & Lenin a22eared at t*e 2arty )oneren)e: Iis
s2ee)*, de5elo2in" *is At*eses,B 2assed o5er t*e .or8 o
t*e )oneren)e li8e t*e .et s2on"e o a tea)*er erasin"
.*at *ad been .ritten on t*e bla)8board by a )on#sed
2#2il:
A+*y didn;t yo# sei<e t*e 2o.er@B as8ed Lenin: 0t t*e
So5iet )oneren)e not lon" beore t*at, Ste8lo5 *ad
)on#sedly ex2lained t*e reasons or abstainin" rom t*e
2o.er: re5ol#tion is bo#r"eois D it is t*e irst sta"e D t*e
.ar, et): AT*at;s nonsense,B Lenin said: AT*e reason is
t*at t*e 2roletariat .as not s#i)iently )ons)io#s and not
s#i)iently or"anised: T*at .e *a5e to a)8no.led"e: T*e
material or)e .as in t*e *ands o t*e 2roletariat, b#t t*e
bo#r"eoisie .as )ons)io#s and ready: T*at is t*e
monstro#s a)t: '#t it is ne)essary to a)8no.led"e it
ran8ly, and say to t*e 2eo2le strai"*t o#t t*at .e did not
sei<e t*e 2o.er be)a#se .e .ere disor"anised and not
)ons)io#s:B
>rom t*e 2lane o 2se#do?obEe)ti5ism, be*ind .*i)* t*e
2oliti)al )a2it#lators .ere *idin", Lenin s*ited t*e .*ole
G#estion to t*e s#bEe)ti5e 2lane: T*e 2roletariat did not
sei<e t*e 2o.er in >ebr#ary be)a#se t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty
.as not eG#al to its obEe)ti5e tas8, and )o#ld not 2re5ent
t*e !om2romises rom ex2ro2riatin" t*e 2o2#lar masses
2oliti)ally or t*e beneit o t*e bo#r"eoisie:
T*e day beore t*at, la.yer 9rassi8o5 *ad said
)*allen"in"ly: AI .e t*in8 t*at t*e time *as no. )ome to
reali<e t*e di)tators*i2 o t*e 2roletariat, t*en .e o#"*t to
2ose t*e G#estion t*at .ay: +e #nG#estionably *a5e t*e
2*ysi)al or)e or a sei<#re o 2o.er:B T*e )*airman at t*at
time de2ri5ed 9rassi8o5 o t*e loor on t*e "ro#nd t*at
2ra)ti)al 2roblems .ere #nder dis)#ssion, and t*e
G#estion o di)tators*i2 .as o#t o order: '#t Lenin
t*o#"*t t*at, as t*e sole 2ra)ti)al G#estion, t*e G#estion
o 2re2arin" t*e di)tators*i2 o t*e 2roletariat .as exa)tly
in order: AT*e 2e)#liarity o t*e 2resent moment in
R#ssia,B *e said in *is t*eses, A)onsists in t*e transition
rom t*e irst sta"e o t*e re5ol#tion, .*i)* "a5e t*e
2o.er to t*e bo#r"eoisie on a))o#nt o t*e inadeG#ate
)ons)io#sness and or"ani<ation o t*e 2roletariat, to its
se)ond sta"e .*i)* m#st "i5e t*e 2o.er to t*e 2roletariat
and t*e 2oor layers o t*e 2easantry:B T*e )oneren)e,
ollo.in" t*e lead o Pravda, *ad limited t*e tas8 o t*e
re5ol#tion to a demo)rati) transormation to be reali<ed
t*ro#"* t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly: 0s a"ainst t*is, Lenin
de)lared t*at Alie and t*e re5ol#tion .ill 2#s* t*e
!onstit#ent 0ssembly into t*e ba)8"ro#nd: 0 di)tators*i2
o t*e 2roletariat exists, b#t nobody 8no.s .*at to do .it*
it:B
T*e dele"ates ex)*an"ed "lan)es: T*ey .*is2ered to ea)*
ot*er t*at Ily)* *ad stayed too lon" abroad, *ad not *ad
time, to loo8 aro#nd and amiliari<e *imsel .it* t*in"s:
'#t t*e s2ee)* o Stalin on t*e in"enio#s di5ision o labo#r
bet.een t*e "o5ernment and t*e So5iet san8 o#t o si"*t
on)e and or e5er: Stalin *imsel remained silent: >rom
no. on *e .ill *a5e to be silent or a lon" time: 9amene5
alone .ill man t*e deen)es:
Lenin *ad already "i5en .arnin" in letters rom -ene5a
t*at *e .as ready to brea8 .it* anybody .*o made
)on)essions on t*e G#estion o .ar, )*a#5inism and
)om2romise .it* t*e bo#r"eoisie: No., a)e to a)e .it*
t*e leadin" )ir)les o t*e 2arty *e o2ens an atta)8 all
alon" t*e line: '#t at t*e be"innin" *e does not name a
sin"le 'ols*e5i8 by name: I *e *as need o a li5in" model
o eG#i5o)ation and *al?.ayness, *e 2oints *is in"er at
t*e non?2arty men, or at Ste8lo5 or !*eid<e: T*at .as t*e
)#stomary met*od o Lenin: not to nail anybody do.n to
*is 2osition too soon, to "i5e t*e 2r#dent a )*an)e to
.it*dra. rom t*e battle in "ood season and t*#s .ea8en
at on)e t*e #t#re ran8s o *is o2en enemies: 9amene5
and Stalin *ad t*o#"*t t*at in 2arti)i2atin" in t*e .ar ater
>ebr#ary, t*e soldiers and .or8ers .ere deendin" t*e
re5ol#tion: Lenin t*in8s t*at, as beore, t*e soldier and t*e
.or8er ta8e 2art in t*e .ar as t*e )ons)ri2ted sla5es o
)a2ital: AE5en o#r 'ols*e5i8s,B *e says, narro.in" t*e
)ir)le aro#nd *is anta"onists, As*o. )oniden)e in t*e
"o5ernment: Only t*e #mes o t*e re5ol#tion )an ex2lain
t*at: T*at is t*e deat* o so)ialism ::: I t*at;s yo#r
2osition, o#r .ays 2art: I 2reer to remain in t*e minority:B
T*at .as not a mere oratori)al t*reatJ it .as a )lear 2at*
t*o#"*t t*ro#"* to t*e end:
0lt*o#"* namin" neit*er 9amene5 nor Stalin, Lenin .as
obli"ed to name t*e 2a2er: APravda demands o t*e
"o5ernment t*at it reno#n)e annexation: To demand rom
t*e "o5ernment o t*e )a2italists t*at it reno#n)e
annexation is nonsense, la"rant mo)8ery:B Restrained
indi"nation *ere brea8s o#t .it* a *i"* note: '#t t*e
orator immediately ta8es *imsel in *and: *e .ants to say
no less t*an is ne)essary, b#t also no more: In)identally
and in 2assin", Lenin "i5es in)om2arable r#les or
re5ol#tionary statesmans*i2: A+*en t*e masses anno#n)e
t*at t*ey do not .ant )onG#ests, I belie5e t*em: +*en
-#)*8o5 and L5o5 say t*ey do not .ant )onG#ests, t*ey
are de)ei5ersO +*en a .or8er says t*at *e .ants t*e
deense o t*e )o#ntry, .*at s2ea8s in *im is t*e instin)t
o t*e o22ressed:B T*is )riterion, to )all it by its ri"*t
name, seems sim2le as lie itsel: '#t t*e dii)#lty is to )all
it by its ri"*t name in time:
On t*e G#estion o t*e a22eal o t*e So5iet Ato t*e 2eo2le
o t*e .*ole .orldB D .*i)* )a#sed t*e liberal 2a2er Rech
at one time to de)lare t*at t*e t*eme o 2a)iism is
de5elo2in" amon" #s into an ideolo"y )ommon to t*e
0llies D Lenin ex2ressed *imsel more )learly and
s#))in)tly: A+*at is 2e)#liar to R#ssia is t*e "i"anti)ally
s.it transition rom .ild 5iolen)e to t*e most deli)ate
de)eit:B
AT*is a22eal,B .rote Stalin )on)ernin" t*e maniesto, Ai it
rea)*es t*e broad masses /o t*e +est1, .ill #ndo#btedly
re)all *#ndreds and t*o#sands o .or8ers to t*e or"otten
slo"an [3roletarians o all !o#ntries 6niteO;B
AT*e a22eal o t*e So5iet,B obEe)ts Lenin, AD t*ere isn;t a
.ord in it imb#ed .it* )lass )ons)io#sness: T*ere is
not*in" to it b#t 2*rases:B T*is do)#ment, t*e 2ride o t*e
*ome?"ro.n Wimmer.aldists, is in Lenin;s eyes merely one
o t*e .ea2ons o At*e most deli)ate de)eit:B
62 to Lenin;s arri5al Pravda *ad ne5er e5en mentioned
t*e Wimmer.ald let: S2ea8in" o t*e International, it
ne5er indi)ated .*i)* International: Lenin )alled t*is At*e
9a#ts8yanism o Pravda:B AIn Wimmer.ald and 9ient*al,B
*e de)lared at a 2arty )oneren)e, At*e !entrists
2redominated ::: +e de)lare t*at .e )reated a let and
bro8e .it* t*e )entre ::: T*e let Wimmer.ald tenden)y
exists in all t*e )o#ntries o t*e .orld: T*e masses o#"*t
to reali<e t*at so)ialism *as s2lit t*ro#"*o#t t*e .orld :::
T*ree days beore t*at Stalin *ad anno#n)ed at t*at same
)oneren)e *is readiness to li5e do.n dieren)es .it*
Tseretelli on t*e basis o Wimmer.ald?9ient*al D t*at is, on
t*e basis o 9a#ts8yanism: AI *ear t*at in R#ssia t*ere is a
trend to.ard )onsolidation,B said Lenin: A!onsolidation
.it* t*e deensists D t*at is betrayal o so)ialism: I t*in8 it
.o#ld be better to stand alone li8e Lieb8ne)*t D one
a"ainst a *#ndred and ten:B T*e a))#sation o betrayal o
so)ialism D or t*e 2resent still .it*o#t namin" names D is
not *ere merely a stron" .ordJ it #lly ex2resses t*e
attit#de o Lenin to.ard t*ose 'ols*e5i8s .*o .ere
extendin" a in"er to t*e so)ial 2atriots: In o22osition to
Stalin .*o t*o#"*t it .as 2ossible to #nite .it* t*e
Mens*e5i8s, Lenin t*o#"*t it .as im2ermissible to s*are
.it* t*em any lon"er t*e name o So)ial 4emo)rat:
A3ersonally and s2ea8in" or mysel alone,B *e said, AI
2ro2ose t*at .e )*an"e t*e name o t*e 2arty, t*at .e
)all it t*e !omm#nist 3arty:B A3ersonally and s2ea8in" or
mysel aloneB D t*at means t*at nobody, not one o t*e
members o t*e )oneren)e, a"reed to t*at symboli)
"est#re o #ltimate brea8 .it* t*e Se)ond International:
ACo# are araid to "o ba)8 on yo#r old memories@B says
t*e orator to t*e embarrassed, be.ildered and 2artly
indi"nant dele"ates: '#t t*e time *as )ome Ato )*an"e
o#r linenJ .e;5e "ot to ta8e o t*e dirty s*irt and 2#t on
)lean:B 0nd *e a"ain insists: A4on;t *an" on to an old .ord
.*i)* is rotten t*ro#"* and t*ro#"*: Ia5e t*e .ill to b#ild
a ne. 2arty ::: and all t*e o22ressed .ill )ome to yo#:B
'eore t*e enormity o t*e tas8 not yet be"#n, and t*e
intelle)t#al )on#sion in *is o.n ran8s, a s*ar2 t*o#"*t o
t*e 2re)io#s time oolis*ly .asted in meetin"s, "reetin"s,
rit#al resol#tions, .rests a )ry rom t*e orator: AIa5e done
.it* "reetin"s and resol#tionsO It;s time to "et do.n to
b#siness: +e m#st 2ro)eed to 2ra)ti)al sober .or8OB 0n
*o#r later Lenin .as )om2elled to re2eat *is s2ee)* at t*e
2re5io#sly desi"nated Eoint session o t*e 'ols*e5i8s and
Mens*e5i8s, .*ere it so#nded to a maEority o t*e listeners
li8e somet*in" bet.een mo)8ery and deliri#m: T*e more
)ondes)endin" s*r#""ed t*eir s*r#""ed t*eir s*o#lders:
T*is man e5idently ell do.n rom t*e moonJ *ardly o t*e
ste2s o t*e >inland station ater a ten?year absen)e *e
starts 2rea)*in" t*e sei<#re o 2o.er by t*e 2roletariat:
T*e less "ood?nat#red amon" t*e 2atriots made
reeren)es to t*e sealed train: Stan8e5i)* testiies t*at
Lenin;s s2ee)* "reatly deli"*ted *is enemies: A0 man .*o
tal8s t*at 8ind o st#2idity is not dan"ero#s: It;s a "ood
t*in" *e *as )ome: No. *e is in 2lain si"*t ::: No. *e .ill
re#te *imsel:B
Ne5ert*eless, .it* all its boldness o re5ol#tionary "ras2,
its inlexible determination to brea8 e5en .it* *is ormer
lon" time )ollea"#es and )omrades?in?arms, i t*ey 2ro5ed
#nable to mar)* .it* t*e re5ol#tion, t*e s2ee)* o Lenin D
e5ery 2art balan)ed a"ainst t*e rest D .as illed .it* dee2
realism and an inallible eelin" or t*e masses: Exa)tly or
t*is reason, it seemed to t*e demo)rats a antasti)
s8immin" o t*e s#ra)e:
T*e 'ols*e5i8s are a tiny minority in t*e So5iet, and Lenin
dreams o sei<in" t*e 2o.erJ isn;t t*at 2#re ad5ent#rism@
T*ere .as not a s*ado. o ad5ent#rism in Lenin;s
statement o t*e 2roblem: Ie did not or a moment )lose
*is eyes to t*e existen)e o A*onestB deensist moods in
t*e broad masses: Ie did not intend eit*er to lose *imsel
in t*e masses or to a)t be*ind t*eir ba)8s: A+e are not
)*arlatansB D *e t*ro.s t*is in t*e eyes o #t#re
obEe)tions and a))#sations D A.e m#st base o#rsel5es only
#2on t*e )ons)io#sness o t*e masses: E5en i it is
ne)essary to remain in a minority D so be it: It is a "ood
t*in" to "i5e #2 or a time t*e 2osition o leaders*i2J .e
m#st not be araid to remain in t*e minority:B 4o not ear
to remain in a minority D e5en a minority o one, li8e
Lieb8ne)*t;s one a"ainst a *#ndred and ten D s#)* .as
t*e leitmotif o *is s2ee)*:
AT*e real "o5ernment is t*e So5iet o .or8ers; de2#ties :::
In t*e So5iet o#r 2arty is t*e minority ::: +*at )an .e do@
0ll .e )an do is to ex2lain 2atiently, insistently,
systemati)ally t*e error o t*eir ta)ti)s: So lon" as .e are
in t*e minority, .e .ill )arry on t*e .or8 o )riti)ism, in
order to ree t*e masses rom de)eit: +e do not .ant t*e
masses to belie5e #s E#st on o#r say soJ .e are not
)*arlatans: +e .ant t*e masses to be reed by ex2erien)e
rom t*eir mista8es:B 4on;t be araid to remain in t*e
minorityO Not or e5er, b#t or a time: T*e *o#r o
'ols*e5ism .ill stri8e: AO#r line .ill 2ro5e ri"*t ::: 0ll t*e
o22ressed .ill )ome to #s, be)a#se t*e .ar .ill brin" t*em
to #s: T*ey *a5e no ot*er .ay o#t:B
A0t t*e Eoint )oneren)e,B relates S#8*ano5, ALenin .as t*e
li5in" in)arnation o a s2lit ::: I remember 'o"dano5 /a
2rominent Mens*e5i81 sittin" t.o ste2s a.ay rom t*e
orator;s trib#ne: [+*y, t*at is ra5in",; *e interr#2ted Lenin,
[t*at is t*e ra5in" o a l#nati) ::: Co# o#"*t to be as*amed
to a22la#d s#)* s2o#tin",; *e )ried, t#rnin" to t*e
a#dien)e, .*ite in t*e a)e .it* ra"e and s)orn: [Co#
dis"ra)e yo#rsel5es, MarxistsO;B
0 ormer member o t*e 'ols*e5i8 !entral !ommittee,
-oldenber", at t*at time a non?2arty man, a22raised
Lenin;s t*eses in t*ese .it*erin" .ords: A>or many years
t*e 2la)e o 'a8#nin *as remained 5a)ant in t*e R#ssian
re5ol#tion, no. it is o))#2ied by Lenin:B
AIis 2ro"ramme at t*at time .as met not so m#)* .it*
indi"nation,B relates t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary Wen<ino5,
Aas .it* ridi)#le: It seemed to e5erybody so abs#rd and
antasti):B
On t*e e5enin" o t*e same day in t*e couloirs o t*e
!onta)t !ommission, t.o so)ialists .ere tal8in" .it*
Mili#8o5, and t*e )on5ersation to#)*ed on Lenin: S8obele5
estimated *im as Aa man )om2letely 2layed o#t, standin"
a2art rom t*e mo5ement:B S#8*ano5 .as o t*e same
mind, and added t*at ALenin is to s#)* a de"ree
#na))e2table to e5erybody t*at *e is no lon"er dan"ero#s
e5en to my )om2anion Mili#8o5 *ere:B
T*e distrib#tion o rHles in t*is )on5ersation, *o.e5er, .as
exa)tly a))ordin" to Lenin;s orm#la: t*e so)ialists .ere
2rote)tin" t*e 2ea)e o mind o t*e liberal rom t*e tro#ble
.*i)* 'ols*e5ism mi"*t )a#se *im:
R#mors e5en arri5ed in t*e ears o t*e 'ritis* ambassador
t*at Lenin *ad been de)lared a bad Marxist: A0mon" t*e
ne.ly arri5ed anar)*ists,B .rote '#)*anan, A.as Lenin,
.*o )ame t*ro#"* in a sealed train rom -ermany: Ie
made *is irst 2#bli) a22earan)e at a meetin" o t*e So)ial
4emo)rati) 3arty and .as badly re)ei5ed:B
T*e most )ondes)endin" o all to.ard Lenin in t*ose days
.as no ot*er t*an 9erens8y, .*o in a )ir)le o members o
t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment #nex2e)tedly stated t*at *e
m#st "o to see Lenin, and ex2lained in ans.er to t*eir
be.ildered G#estions: A+ell, *e is li5in" in a )om2letely
isolated atmos2*ere, *e 8no.s not*in", sees e5eryt*in"
t*ro#"* t*e "lasses o *is anati)ism: T*ere is no one
aro#nd *im .*o mi"*t *el2 *im orient *imsel a little in
.*at is "oin" on:B T*#s testiies Nabo8o5: '#t 9erens8y
ne5er o#nd t*e time to orient Lenin in .*at .as "oin" on:
T*e 02ril t*eses o Lenin not only e5o8ed t*e be.ildered
indi"nation o *is o22onents and enemies: T*ey re2elled a
n#mber o old 'ols*e5i8s into t*e Mens*e5i8 )am2 D or
into t*at intermediate "ro#2 .*i)* o#nd s*elter aro#nd
-or8y;s 2a2er: T*is lea8a"e *ad no serio#s 2oliti)al
si"nii)an)e: Ininitely more im2ortant .as t*e im2ression
.*i)* Lenin;s 2osition made on t*e .*ole leadin" "ro#2 o
t*e 2arty: AIn t*e irst days ater *is arri5al,B .rites
S#8*ano5, A*is )om2lete isolation amon" all *is )ons)io#s
2arty )omrades )annot be do#bted in t*e least:B AE5en *is
2arty )omrades, t*e 'ols*e5i8s,B )onirms t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionary Wen<ino5, Aat t*at time t#rned a.ay in
embarrassment rom *im:B T*e a#t*ors o t*ese
)omments .ere meetin" t*e leadin" 'ols*e5i8s e5ery day
in t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, and *ad irst?*and e5iden)e
o .*at t*ey said:
'#t t*ere is no la)8 o similar testimony rom amon" t*e
ran8s o t*e 'ols*e5i8s: A+*en t*e t*eses o Lenin
a22eared,B .rote Tsi8*on, sotenin" t*e )olo#rs as m#)*
as 2ossible, as do a maEority o t*e old 'ols*e5i8s .*en
t*ey st#mble on t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion, At*ere .as elt in
o#r 2arty a )ertain .a5erin": Many o t*e )omrades
ar"#ed t*at Lenin s*o.ed a syndi)alist de5iation, t*at *e
.as o#t o to#)* .it* R#ssia, t*at *e .as not ta8in" into
)onsideration t*e "i5en moment,B et): One o t*e
2rominent 'ols*e5i8 leaders in t*e 2ro5in)es, Lebede5,
.rites: AOn Lenin;s arri5al in R#ssia, *is a"itation, at irst
not .*olly intelli"ible to #s 'ols*e5i8s, b#t re"arded as
6to2ian and ex2lainable by *is lon" remo5al rom R#ssian
lie, .as "rad#ally absorbed by #s, and entered, as yo#
mi"*t say, into o#r les* and blood:B
Wale<*s8i, a member o t*e 3etro"rad !ommittee and one
o t*e or"ani<ers o t*e .el)ome to Lenin, ex2resses it
more ran8ly ALenin;s t*eses 2rod#)ed t*e im2ression o
an ex2lodin" bomb:B Wale<*s8i #lly )onirms t*e )om2lete
isolation o Lenin ater t*at so .arm and im2ressi5e
.el)ome: AOn t*at day /02ril &1 !omrade Lenin )o#ld not
ind o2en sym2at*isers e5en in o#r o.n ran8s:B
Still more im2ortant, *o.e5er, is t*e e5iden)e o Pravda:
AOn 02ril $, ater t*e 2#bli)ation o t*e t*eses D .*en time
eno#"* *ad 2assed to ma8e ex2lanations and rea)* a
m#t#al #nderstandin" D t*e editors o Pravda .rote: A0s
or t*e "eneral s)*eme o !omrade Lenin, it seems to #s
#na))e2table in t*at it starts rom t*e ass#m2tion t*at t*e
bo#r"eois?demo)rati) re5ol#tion is ended, and )o#nts
#2on an immediate transormation o t*is re5ol#tion into a
so)ialist re5ol#tion:B T*e )entral or"an o t*e 2arty t*#s
o2enly anno#n)ed beore t*e .or8in" )lass and its
enemies a s2lit .it* t*e "enerally re)o"nised leader o t*e
2arty #2on t*e )entral G#estion o t*e re5ol#tion or .*i)*
t*e 'ols*e5i8 ran8s *ad been "ettin" ready d#rin" a lon"
2eriod o years: T*at alone is s#i)ient to s*o. t*e de2t*
o t*e 02ril )risis in t*e 2arty, d#e to t*e )las* o t.o
irre)on)ilable lines o t*o#"*t and a)tion: 6ntil it
s#rmo#nted t*is )risis t*e re5ol#tion )o#ld not "o or.ard:
Note
1: In t*e bi" )olle)tion 5ol#me iss#ed #nder t*e editors*i2
o 3roessor 3o8ro5s8y, Essays on the History of the
October Revolution /Vol:II, Mos)o. 19271, an a2olo"eti)
.or8 is de5oted to t*e A02ril )on#sionB by a )ertain
'aye5s8y, .*i)* or its #n )eremonio#s treatment o a)ts
and do)#ments mi"*t be )alled )yni)al, .ere it not
)*ildis*ly im2otent:
Chapter 1$: Rearmin& the Part
IO+ EV3L0IN Lenin;s extraordinary isolation at t*e
be"innin" o 02ril@ Io. in "eneral )o#ld s#)* a sit#ation
arise, and *o. .as t*e rearmin" o t*e 'ols*e5i8 sta
a))om2lis*ed@
>rom t*e year 19%= t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty *ad .a"ed a
str#""le a"ainst t*e a#to)ra)y #nder t*e slo"an
A4emo)rati) 4i)tators*i2 o t*e 2roletariat and t*e
3easantry:B T*is slo"an as .ell as its t*eoreti)al
ba)8"ro#nd, deri5es rom Lenin: In o22osition to t*e
Mens*e5i8s, .*ose t*eoreti)ian, 3le8*ano5, st#bbornly
o22osed t*e Amista8en idea o t*e 2ossibility o
a))om2lis*in" a bo#r"eois re5ol#tion .it*o#t t*e
bo#r"eoisie,B Lenin )onsidered t*at t*e R#ssian
bo#r"eoisie .as already in)a2able o leadin" its o.n
re5ol#tion: Only t*e 2roletariat and 2easantry in )lose
#nion )o#ld )arry t*ro#"* a demo)rati) re5ol#tion a"ainst
t*e monar)*y and t*e landlords: T*e 5i)tory o t*is #nion,
a))ordin" to Lenin, s*o#ld ina#"#rate a demo)rati)
di)tators*i2, .*i)* .as not only not identi)al .it* t*e
di)tators*i2 o t*e 2roletariat, b#t .as in s*ar2 )ontrast to
it, or its 2roblem .as not t*e )reation o a so)ialist
so)iety, nor e5en t*e )reation o orms o transition to
s#)* a so)iety, b#t merely a r#t*less )leansin" o t*e
0e"ean stables o mediae5alism: T*e "oal o t*e
re5ol#tionary str#""le .as #lly des)ribed in t*ree militant
slo"ans: 4emo)rati) Re2#bli), !onis)ation o t*e Landed
Estates, Ei"*t?Io#r +or8in" 4ay D )olloG#ially )alled t*e
t*ree .*ales o 'ols*e5ism, by analo"y .it* t*ose .*ales
#2on .*i)* a))ordin" to an old 2o2#lar able t*e eart*
re2oses:
T*e G#estion o t*e 2ossibility o a demo)rati) di)tators*i2
o t*e 2roletariat and 2easantry *in"ed #2on t*e G#estion
o t*e ability o t*e 2easantry to a))om2lis* t*eir o.n
re5ol#tion D t*at is, to 2#t or.ard a ne. "o5ernment
)a2able o liG#idatin" t*e monar)*y and t*e landed
nobility: To be s#re, t*e slo"an o demo)rati) di)tators*i2
ass#med also a 2arti)i2ation in t*e re5ol#tionary
"o5ernment o .or8ers; re2resentati5es: '#t t*is
2arti)i2ation .as limited in ad5an)e by t*e rHle attrib#ted
to t*e 2roletariat as ally on t*e let in sol5in" t*e 2roblems
o t*e 2easant re5ol#tion: T*e 2o2#lar and e5en oi)ially
re)o"nised idea o t*e *e"emony o t*e 2roletariat in t*e
demo)rati) re5ol#tion )o#ld not, )onseG#ently, mean
anyt*in" more t*an t*at t*e .or8ers; 2arty .o#ld *el2 t*e
2easantry .it* a 2oliti)al .ea2on rom its arsenal, s#""est
to t*em t*e best means and met*ods or liG#idatin" t*e
e#dal so)iety, and s*o. t*em *o. to a22ly t*ese means
and met*ods: In any )ase, to s2ea8 o t*e leadin" rHle o
t*e 2roletariat in t*e bo#r"eois re5ol#tion did not at all
si"niy t*at t*e 2roletariat .o#ld #se t*e 2easant #2risin"
in order .it* its s#22ort to 2la)e #2on t*e order o t*e day
its o.n *istori) tas8?t*at is, t*e dire)t transition to a
so)ialist so)iety: T*e *e"emony o t*e 2roletariat in t*e
demo)rati) re5ol#tion .as s*ar2ly distin"#is*ed rom t*e
di)tators*i2 o t*e 2roletariat, and 2olemi)ally )ontrasted
a"ainst it: T*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty *ad been ed#)ated in t*ese
ideas e5er sin)e t*e s2rin" o 19%=:
T*e a)t#al )o#rse o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion disr#2ted t*is
a))#stomed s)*ema o 'ols*e5ism: It is tr#e t*at t*e
re5ol#tion .as a))om2lis*ed by a #nion o t*e .or8ers
and 2easants: T*e a)t t*at t*e 2easants #n)tioned
)*iely in t*e "#ise o soldier;s did not alter t*is: T*e
be*a5io#r o t*e 2easant army o )<arism .o#ld *a5e *ad
de)isi5e im2ort e5en i t*e re5ol#tion *ad de5elo2ed in
2ea)e times: So m#)* t*e more nat#ral i in .ar time
t*ese millions o armed men at irst )om2letely )on)ealed
t*e 2easantry: 0ter t*e 5i)tory o t*e ins#rre)tion t*e
.or8ers and soldiers .ere bosses o t*e sit#ation: In t*at
sense it .o#ld seem 2ossible to say t*at a demo)rati)
di)tators*i2 o t*e .or8ers and 2easants *ad been
establis*ed: '#t as a matter o a)t, t*e >ebr#ary o5ert#rn
led to a bo#r"eois "o5ernment, in .*i)* t*e 2o.er o t*e
2ossessin" )lasses .as limited by t*e not yet #lly realised
so5erei"nty o t*e .or8ers; and soldiers; so5iets: 0ll t*e
)ards .ere mixed: Instead o a re5ol#tionary di)tators*i2 D
i:e: t*e most )on)entrated 2o.er?t*ere .as establis*ed
t*e labby rF"ime o t*e d#al 2o.er, in .*i)* t*e eeble
ener"y o t*e r#lin" )lasses .as .asted in o5er)omin"
inner )onli)ts: Nobody *ad oreseen t*is rF"ime: 0nd
indeed one )annot demand rom a 2ro"nosis t*at it
indi)ate not only t*e #ndamental tenden)ies o
de5elo2ment, b#t also a))idental )onE#n)tions: A+*o e5er
made a "reat re5ol#tion 8no.in" beore*and *o. to )arry
it t*ro#"* to t*e end@B as8ed Lenin later: A+*ere )o#ld
yo# "et s#)* 8no.led"e@ It is not to be o#nd in boo8s:
T*ere are no s#)* boo8s: O#r de)isions )o#ld only be born
o#t o t*e ex2erien)e o t*e masses:B
'#t *#man t*o#"*t is !onser5ati5e, and t*e t*o#"*t o to
stand by t*e old orm#la and re"arded t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion, not.it*standin" its ob5io#s establis*ment o
t.o in)om2atible rF"imes, merely as t*e irst sta"e o a
bo#r"eois re5ol#tion: 0t t*e end o Mar)* Ry8o5 sent to
Pravda rom Siberia, in t*e name o t*e So)ial 4emo)rats,
a tele"ram o "reetin" to t*e 5i)tory o t*e Anational
re5ol#tion,B .*ose 2roblem .as At*e .innin" o 2oliti)al
liberty:B 0ll t*e leadin" 'ols*e5i8s D not one ex)e2tion is
8no.n to #s D )onsidered t*at t*e demo)rati) di)tators*i2
still lay in t*e #t#re: 0ter t*is 3ro5isional -o5ernment o
t*e bo#r"eoisie Aex*a#sts itsel,B t*en a demo)rati)
di)tators*i2 o t*e .or8ers and 2easants .ill be
establis*ed as t*e orer#nner o t*e bo#r"eois
2arliamentary rF"ime: T*is .as a )om2letely erroneo#s
2ers2e)ti5e: T*e rF"ime .*i)* iss#ed rom t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion not only .as not 2re2arin" a demo)rati)
di)tators*i2, b#t .as a li5in" and ex*a#sti5e 2roo o t*e
a)t t*at s#)* a di)tators*i2 .as im2ossible: T*at t*e
)om2romisin" demo)ra)y did not a))identally, t*ro#"* t*e
li"*t?mindedness o 9erens8y and t*e limited intelli"en)e
o !*eid<e, *and o5er t*e 2o.er to t*e liberals, is
demonstrated by t*e a)t t*at t*ro#"*o#t t*e ei"*t
mont*s ollo.in", it str#""led .it* all its or)e to 2reser5e
t*e bo#r"eois "o5ernment: It re2ressed t*e .or8ers,
2easants and soldiers, and on t*e 2=t* o O)tober it ell
i"*tin" at its 2ost as ally and deender o t*e bo#r"eoisie:
Moreo5er it .as )lear eno#"* rom t*e be"innin", .*en
t*e demo)ra)y, .it* "i"anti) tas8s beore it and t*e
#nlimited s#22ort o t*e masses, 5ol#ntarily reno#n)ed t*e
2o.er, t*at t*is .as not d#e to 2oliti)al 2rin)i2les or
2reE#di)es, b#t to t*e *o2elessness o t*e sit#ation o t*e
2etty bo#r"eoisie in t*e )a2italist so)iety D es2e)ially in a
2eriod o .ar and re5ol#tion, .*en t*e #ndamental lie
2roblems o )o#ntries, 2eo2les and )lasses are #nder
de)ision: In *andin" Mili#8o5 t*e s)e2tre, t*e 2etty
bo#r"eoisie said: ANo, I am not eG#al to t*ese tas8s:B
T*e 2easantry, litin" on its s*o#lders t*e )on)iliatory
demo)ra)y, )ontains in itsel in a r#dimentary orm all t*e
)lasses o bo#r"eois so)iety: 0lon" .it* t*e 2etty
bo#r"eoisie o t*e )ities D .*i)* in R#ssia, *o.e5er, ne5er
2layed a serio#s rHle D it )onstit#tes t*at 2roto2lasm o#t o
.*i)* ne. )lasses *a5e been dierentiated in t*e 2ast,
and )ontin#e to be dierentiated in t*e 2resent: T*e
2easantry al.ays *as t.o a)es, one t#rned to.ards t*e
2roletariat t*e ot*er to t*e bo#r"eoisie: '#t t*e
intermediary, )om2romisin" 2osition o A2easantB 2arties
li8e t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, )an be maintained only in
)onditions o )om2arati5e 2oliti)al sta"nationJ in a
re5ol#tionary e2o)* t*e moment ine5itably )omes .*en
t*e 2etty bo#r"eoisie is )om2elled to )*oose: T*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries and Mens*e5i8s made t*eir )*oi)e rom
t*e irst moment: T*ey destroyed t*e Ademo)rati)
di)tators*i2B in embryo, in order to 2re5ent it rom
be)omin" a brid"e to t*e di)tators*i2 o t*e 2roletariat:
'#t t*ey t*#s o2ened a road to t*e latter D only a dierent
road, not t*ro#"* t*em, b#t a"ainst t*em:
T*e #rt*er de5elo2ment o t*e re5ol#tion m#st ob5io#sly
2ro)eed rom ne. a)ts, not old s)*emas: T*ro#"* t*eir
re2resentati5es t*e masses .ere dra.n, 2artly a"ainst
t*eir .ill, 2artly .it*o#t t*eir )ons)io#sness, into t*e
me)*ani)s o t*e t.o 2o.er rF"ime: T*ey no. *ad to 2ass
t*ro#"* t*is in order to learn by ex2erien)e t*at it )o#ld
not "i5e t*em eit*er 2ea)e or land: To re)oil rom t*e t.o?
2o.er rF"ime *en)eor.ard meant or t*e masses to
brea8 .it* t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and t*e Mens*e5i8s:
'#t it is G#ite e5ident t*at a 2oliti)al t#rnin" o t*e .or8ers
and soldiers to.ard t*e 'ols*e5i8s, *a5in" 8no)8ed o5er
t*e .*ole t.o?2o.er )onstr#)tion, )o#ld no. no lon"er
mean anyt*in" b#t t*e establis*ment o a di)tators*i2 o
t*e 2roletariat restin" #2on a #nion o t*e .or8ers and
2easants: In )ase t*e 2o2#lar mass *ad been deeated,
only a military di)tators*i2 o )a2ital )o#ld *a5e risen on
t*e r#ins o t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty: AT*e demo)rati)
di)tators*i2B .as im2ossible in eit*er )ase: In loo8in"
to.ard it, t*e 'ols*e5i8s *ad a)t#ally to t#rn t*eir a)es
to.ard a 2*antom o t*e 2ast: It .as in t*is 2osition t*at
Lenin o#nd t*em .*en *e arri5ed .it* *is inlexible
determination to brin" t*e 2arty o#t on a ne. road:
Lenin *imsel, to be s#re, did not re2la)e t*e orm#la o
demo)rati) di)tators*i2 by any ot*er orm#la, e5en
)onditional or *y2ot*eti)al, #ntil t*e 5ery be"innin" o t*e
>ebr#ary re5ol#tion: +as *e )orre)t in t*is@ +e t*in8 not:
+*at *a22ened in t*e 2arty ater t*e re5ol#tion re5ealed
all too alarmin"ly t*e belatedness o t*at rearmin" D .*i)*
moreo5er in t*e "i5en sit#ation no one b#t Lenin *imsel
)o#ld *a5e )arried t*ro#"*: Ie *ad 2re2ared *imsel or
t*at: Ie *ad *eated *is steel .*ite *ot and re?tem2ered it
in t*e ires o t*e .ar: In *is eyes t*e "eneral 2ros2e)t o
t*e *istori) 2ro)ess *ad )*an"edJ t*e s*o)8 o t*e .ar *ad
s*ar2ly ad5an)ed t*e 2ossible date o a so)ialist re5ol#tion
in t*e +est: +*ile remainin" or Lenin still demo)rati), t*e
R#ssian re5ol#tion .as to "i5e t*e stim#l#s to a so)ialist
re5ol#tion in E#ro2e, .*i)* s*o#ld t*en dra" belated
R#ssia into its .*irl2ool: S#)* .as Lenin;s "eneral
)on)e2tion .*en *e let W#ri)*: T*e letter to t*e S.iss
.or8ers .*i)* .e *a5e already G#oted says: AR#ssia is a
2easant )o#ntry, one o t*e most ba)8.ard o E#ro2ean
)o#ntries: Iere so)ialism )annot immediately )onG#er, b#t
t*e 2easant )*ara)ter o t*e )o#ntry, .it* enormo#s tra)ts
o land remainin" inta)t in t*e *ands o t*e nobility, )an,
on t*e basis o t*e ex2erien)e o 19%=, "i5e enormo#s
s)o2e to a bo#r"eois?demo)rati) re5ol#tion in R#ssia, and
ma8e o#r re5ol#tion a 2rolo"#e to t*e .orld.ide so)ialist
re5ol#tion, a ste2 leadin" to it:B In t*is sense Lenin no.
irst .rote t*at t*e R#ssian 2roletariat .ill be"in t*e
so)ialist re5ol#tion:
S#)* .as t*e )onne)tin" lin8 bet.een t*e old 2osition o
'ols*e5ism, .*i)* limited t*e re5ol#tion to demo)rati)
aims, and: t*e ne. 2osition .*i)* Lenin irst 2resented to
t*e 2arty in *is t*eses o 02ril &: T*is ne. 2ros2e)t o an
immediate transition to t*e di)tators*i2 o t*e 2roletariat
seemed )om2letely #nex2e)ted, )ontradi)tory to tradition,
and indeed sim2ly .o#ld not it into t*e mind: Iere it is
ne)essary to remember t*at #2 to t*e o#tbrea8 o t*e
>ebr#ary re5ol#tion and or a time ater Trots8yism did not
mean t*e idea t*at it .as im2ossible to b#ild a so)ialist
so)iety .it*in t*e national bo#ndaries o R#ssia /.*i)*
A2ossibilityB .as ne5er ex2ressed by anybody #2 to 192&
and *ardly )ame into anybody;s *ead1: Trots8yism meant
t*e idea t*at t*e R#ssian 2roletariat mi"*t .in t*e 2o.er
in ad5an)e o t*e +estern 2roletariat, and t*at in t*at )ase
it )o#ld not )onine itsel .it*in t*e limits o a demo)rati)
di)tators*i2 b#t .o#ld be )om2elled to #nderta8e t*e
initial so)ialist meas#res: It is not s#r2risin", t*en, t*at t*e
02ril t*eses o Lenin .ere )ondemned as Trots8yist:
T*e )o#nter?ar"#ments o t*e old 'ols*e5i8s de5elo2ed
alon" se5eral lines: T*e 2rin)i2al G#arrel .as abo#t t*e
G#estion .*et*er t*e bo#r"eois?demo)rati) re5ol#tion .as
inis*ed: Inasm#)* as t*e a"rarian re5ol#tion .as not yet
)om2lete, t*e o22onents o Lenin E#stly asserted t*at t*e
demo)rati) re5ol#tion as a .*ole .as not inis*ed, and
*en)e, t*ey )on)l#ded, t*ere is no 2la)e or a di)tators*i2
o t*e 2roletariat, e5en t*o#"* t*e so)ial )onditions o
R#ssia render it 2ossible in "eneral at a more or less
2roximate date: It .as in t*is .ay t*at t*e editors o
3ra5da 2osed t*e G#estion in t*e 2assa"e .e *a5e already
)ited: Later on, in t*e 02ril )oneren)e, 9amene5 re2eated
t*is: ALenin is .ron" .*en *e says t*at t*e bo#r"eois
demo)rati) re5ol#tion is inis*ed ::: T*e )lassi)al reli)s o
e#dalism, t*e landed estates, are not yet liG#idated :::
T*e state is not transormed into a demo)rati) so)iety ::: It
is early to say t*at t*e bo#r"eois demo)ra)y *as
ex*a#sted all its 2ossibilities:B
AT*e demo)rati) di)tators*i2 is o#r o#ndation stoneB D
t*is .as Toms8y;s ar"#ment D A+e o#"*t to or"anise t*e
2o.er o t*e 2roletariat and t*e 2easants, and .e o#"*t to
distin"#is* t*is rom t*e !omm#ne, sin)e t*at means t*e
2o.er o t*e 2roletariat alone:B
Ry8o5 se)onded *im: A-i"anti) re5ol#tionary tas8s stand
beore #s, b#t t*e #lilment o t*ese tas8s does not )arry
#s beyond t*e rame.or8 o t*e bo#r"eois rF"ime:B
Lenin sa., o )o#rse, as )learly as *is o22onents t*at t*e
demo)rati) re5ol#tion .as not inis*ed, t*at, on t*e
)ontrary .it*o#t really be"innin" it *ad already be"#n to
dro2 into t*e 2ast: '#t rom t*is 5ery a)t it res#lted t*at
only t*e r#lers o a ne. )lass )o#ld )arry it t*ro#"* to t*e
end, and t*at t*is )o#ld be a)*ie5ed no ot*er.ise b#t by
dra.in" t*e masses o#t rom #nder t*e inl#en)e o t*e
Mens*e5i8s and So)ial Re5ol#tionaries D t*at is to say,
rom t*e indire)t inl#en)e o t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie: T*e
)onne)tion o t*ose 2arties .it* t*e .or8ers, and
es2e)ially .it* t*e soldiers, .as based on t*e idea o
deen)e D Adeen)e o t*e )o#ntryB or Adeen)e o t*e
re5ol#tion:B Lenin, t*ereore, demanded an irre)on)ilable
o22osition to all s*ades o so)ial 2atriotism: Se2arate t*e
2arty rom t*e ba)8.ard masses, in order ater.ards to
ree t*ose masses rom t*eir ba)8.ardness: A+e m#st
abandon t*e old 'ols*e5ism,B *e 8e2t re2eatin": A+e
m#st ma8e a s*ar2 di5ision bet.een t*e, line o t*e 2etty
bo#r"eoisie and t*e .a"e .or8er:B
0t a s#2eri)ial "lan)e it mi"*t seem t*at t*e a"e?old
enemies *ad ex)*an"ed .ea2ons: T*e Mens*e5i8s and
So)ial Re5ol#tionaries no. re2resented a maEority o t*e
.or8ers and soldiers, and seemed to *a5e realised t*at
2oliti)al #nion o t*e 2roletariat and 2easantry .*i)*
'ols*e5ism *ad al.ays been ad5o)atin" a"ainst t*e
Mens*e5i8s: Lenin .as demandin" t*at t*e 2roletarian
5an"#ard brea8 a.ay rom t*is #nion: In reality, *o.e5er,
bot* sides remained tr#e to t*emsel5es: T*e Mens*e5i8s,
as al.ays, sa. t*eir mission in s#22ortin" t*e liberal
bo#r"eoisie: T*eir #nion .it* t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries
.as only a means o broadenin" and stren"t*enin" t*is
s#22ort: On t*e )ontrary, t*e brea8 o t*e 2roletarian
5an"#ard .it* t*e 2etty bo#r"eois blo) meant t*e
2re2aration o a #nion o t*e .or8ers and 2easants #nder
t*e leaders*i2 o t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty D t*at is, t*e
di)tators*i2 o t*e 2roletariat:
0not*er ar"#ment a"ainst Lenin .as deri5ed rom t*e
ba)8.ardness o R#ssia: 0 "o5ernment o t*e .or8in"
)lass ine5itably means a transition to so)ialism, b#t
e)onomi)ally and )#lt#rally R#ssia is not ri2e or t*is: +e
m#st )arry t*ro#"* t*e demo)rati) re5ol#tion: Only a
so)ialist re5ol#tion in t*e +est )an E#stiy a di)tators*i2 o
t*e 2roletariat *ere: T*is .as Ry8o5;s ar"#ment at t*e
02ril )oneren)e: T*at t*e )#lt#ral?e)onomi) )ondition o
R#ssia in itsel .as inadeG#ate or t*e )onstr#)tion o a
so)ialist so)iety .as mere 0'! to Lenin: '#t so)ieties are
not so rational in b#ildin" t*at t*e dates or 2roletarian
di)tators*i2s arri5e exa)tly at t*at moment .*en t*e
e)onomi) and )#lt#ral )onditions are ri2e or so)ialism: I
*#manity e5ol5ed as systemati)ally as t*at, t*ere .o#ld
be no need or di)tators*i2, nor indeed or re5ol#tions in
"eneral: Li5in" *istori) so)ieties are in*armonio#s t*ro#"*
and t*ro#"*, and t*e more so t*e more delayed t*eir
de5elo2ment: T*e a)t: t*at in a ba)8.ard )o#ntry li8e
R#ssia t*e bo#r"eoisie *ad de)ayed beore t*e )om2lete
5i)tory o t*e bo#r"eois rF"ime, and t*at t*ere .as
nobody b#t t*e 2roletariat to re2la)e it in t*e 2osition o
national leaders*i2, .as an ex2ression o t*is in *armony:
T*e e)onomi) ba)8.ardness o R#ssia does not relie5e t*e
.or8in" )lass o t*e obli"ation to #lil its allotted tas8, b#t
merely s#rro#nds t*is tas8 .it* extraordinary dii)#lties:
To Ry8o5, .*o 8e2t re2eatin" t*at so)ialism m#st )ome
rom )o#ntries .it* a more de5elo2ed ind#stry, Lenin "a5e
a sim2le b#t s#i)ient ans.er: ACo# )an;t say .*o .ill
be"in and .*o inis*:B
In 1921, .*en t*e 2arty D still ar rom b#rea#)rati)
ossii)ation D .as a22raisin" its 2ast as reely as it
2re2ared its #t#re, one o t*e older 'ols*e5i8s, Olmins8y,
.*o *ad 2layed a leadin" 2art in t*e 2arty 2ress in all
sta"es o its de5elo2ment, raised t*e G#estion: Io.
ex2lain t*e a)t t*at t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion o#nd t*e
2arty on t*e o22ort#nist 2at*, and .*at 2ermitted it
t*ereater to t#rn so s*ar2ly to t*e 2at* o O)tober@ T*e
a#t*or )orre)tly o#nd t*e so#r)e o t*e 2arty;s "oin"
astray in Mar)* in t*e a)t t*at it *eld on too lon" to t*e
Ademo)rati) di)tators*i2:B AT*e )omin" re5ol#tion m#st be
only a bo#r"eois re5ol#tion ::: T*at .as,B says Olmins8y,
Aan obli"atory 2remise or e5ery member o t*e 2arty, t*e
oi)ial o2inion o t*e 2arty, its )ontin#al and #n)*an"in"
slo"an ri"*t #2 to t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion o 1917, and
e5en some time ater:B In ill#stration Olmins8y mi"*t *a5e
reerred to t*e a)t t*at Pravda, e5en beore Stalin and
9amene5 D t*at is #nder t*e AletB editors*i2, .*i)*
in)l#ded Olmins8y *imsel de)lared on Mar)* 7, as t*o#"*
mentionin" somet*in" t*at "oes .it*o#t sayin": AO
)o#rse t*ere is no G#estion amon" #s o t*e do.nall o
t*e r#le o )a2ital, b#t only o t*e do.nall o t*e r#le o
a#to)ra)y and e#dalism:B >rom t*is too s*ort aim res#lted
t*e Mar)* )a2ti5ity o t*e 2arty to t*e bo#r"eois
demo)ra)y:B +*en)e t*en t*e O)tober re5ol#tion@B as8s
t*e same a#t*or: AIo. did it *a22en t*at t*e 2arty, rom
its leaders to its ran8?and?ile members, so s#ddenly
reno#n)ed e5eryt*in" t*at it *ad re"arded as ixed tr#t*
or almost t.o de)ades@B
S#8*ano5, s2ea8in" as an enemy, raises t*e G#estion
dierently: AIo. did Lenin mana"e to o#t.it and )onG#er
*is 'ols*e5i8s@B It is tr#e t*at Lenin;s 5i)tory .it*in t*e
2arty .as not only )om2lete, b#t .as .on in a 5ery s*ort
time: T*e 2arty enemies ind#l"ed on t*is t*eme in a "ood
deal o irony as to t*e 2ersonal rF"ime in t*e 'ols*e5i8
3arty: S#8*ano5 *imsel ans.ers t*e G#estion *e *ad
raised .*olly in t*e *eroi) s2irit: ALenin, t*e "eni#s, .as a
*istori) a#t*ority D t*at is one side o it: T*e ot*er is t*at
t*ere .as nobody and not*in" in t*e 2arty besides Lenin:
0 e. "reat "enerals .it*o#t Lenin amo#nted to as little as
a e. "i"anti) 2lanets .it*o#t t*e s#n /I *ere omit Trots8y
.*o .as not t*en .it*in t*e ran8s o t*e Order1:B T*ese
)#rio#s lines attem2t to ex2lain t*e inl#en)e o Lenin by
*is inl#entialness, as t*e )a2a)ity o o2i#m to 2rod#)e
slee2 is ex2lained by its so2orii) 2o.ers: S#)* an
ex2lanation does not, o )o#rse, "et #s or.ard 5ery ar:
Lenin;s a)t#al inl#en)e in t*e 2arty .as ind#bitably 5ery
"reat, b#t it .as by no means #nlimited: It .as still s#bEe)t
to a22eal e5en later, ater O)tober, .*en *is a#t*ority *ad
"ro.n extraordinarily be)a#se t*e 2arty *ad meas#red *is
2o.er .it* t*e yardsti)8 o .orld e5ents: So m#)* t*e
more ins#i)ient are t*ese mere 2ersonal reeren)es to *is
a#t*ority in 02ril 1917, .*en t*e .*ole r#lin" "ro#2 o t*e
2arty *ad already ta8en #2 a 2osition )ontradi)tory to t*at
o Lenin:
Olmins8y )omes m#)* nearer to ans.erin" t*e G#estion
.*en *e ar"#es t*at, in s2ite o its orm#la o bo#r"eois
demo)rati) re5ol#tion, t*e 2arty *ad in its .*ole 2oli)y
to.ard t*e bo#r"eoisie and t*e demo)ra)y, been or a
lon" time a)t#ally 2re2arin" to lead t*e 2roletariat in a
dire)t str#""le or 2o.er: A+e /or at least many o #s1B D
says Olmins8y D A.ere #n)ons)io#sly steerin" a )o#rse
to.ard 2roletarian re5ol#tion, alt*o#"* t*in8in" .e .ere
steerin" a )o#rse to.ard a bo#r"eois demo)rati)
re5ol#tion: In ot*er .ords .e .ere 2re2arin" t*e O)tober
re5ol#tion .*ile t*in8in" .e .ere 2re2arin" t*e >ebr#ary:B
0n extremely 5al#able "enerali<ation, and at t*e same
time t*e testimony o an irre2roa)*able .itnessO
In t*e t*eoreti)al ed#)ation o t*e re5ol#tionary 2arty
t*ere *ad been an element o )ontradi)tion, .*i)* *ad
o#nd its ex2ression in t*e eG#i5o)al orm#la Ademo)rati)
di)tators*i2B o t*e 2roletariat and 2easantry: S2ea8in" on
t*e re2ort o Lenin to t*e )oneren)e, a .oman dele"ate
ex2ressed t*e t*o#"*t o Olmins8y still more sim2ly: AT*e
2ro"nosis made by t*e 'ols*e5i8s 2ro5ed .ron", b#t t*eir
ta)ti)s .ere ri"*t:A
In *is 02ril t*eses .*i)* seemed so 2aradoxi)al, Lenin .as
relyin" a"ainst t*e old orm#la #2on t*e li5in" tradition o
t*e 2arty D its irre)on)ilable attit#de to t*e r#lin" )lasses
and its *ostility to all *al?.ay meas#res D .*ereas t*e
Aold 'ols*e5i8sB .ere o22osin" a still res* alt*o#"*
already o#tdated memory to t*e )on)rete de5elo2ment o
t*e )lass str#""le: '#t Lenin *ad a too stron" s#22ort
2re2ared by t*e .*ole *istori) str#""le o t*e 'ols*e5i8s
a"ainst t*e Mens*e5i8s: Iere it is s#itable to remember
t*at t*e oi)ial So)ial 4emo)rati) 2ro"ramme .as still at
t*at time )ommon to t*e 'ols*e5i8s and t*e Mens*e5i8s,
t*at t*e 2ra)ti)al tas8s o t*e demo)rati) re5ol#tion loo8ed
t*e same on 2a2er to bot* 2arties: '#t t*ey .ere by no
means so in a)tion: T*e .or8er?'ols*e5i8s immediately
ater t*e re5ol#tion too8 t*e initiati5e in t*e str#""le or
t*e ei"*t *o#r dayJ t*e Mens*e5i8s de)lared t*is demand
#ntimely: T*e 'ols*e5i8s too8 t*e lead in arrestin" t*e
)<arist oi)ialsJ t*e Mens*e5i8s o22osed Aex)esses:B T*e
'ols*e5i8s ener"eti)ally #ndertoo8 t*e )reation o a
.or8ers; militiaJ t*e Mens*e5i8s delayed t*e armin" o t*e
.or8ers, not .is*in" to G#arrel .it* t*e bo#r"eoisie:
0lt*o#"* not yet o5erste22in" t*e bo#nds o bo#r"eois
demo)ra)y, t*e 'ols*e5i8s a)ted, or stro5e to a)t *o.e5er
)on#sed by t*eir leaders*i2 D li8e #n)om2romisin"
re5ol#tionists: T*e Mens*e5i8s sa)rii)ed t*eir demo)rati)
2ro"ramme at e5ery ste2 in t*e interests o a )oalition
.it* t*e liberals: In t*e )om2lete absen)e o demo)rati)
allies, 9amene5 and Stalin ine5itably *#n" in t*e air:
T*is 02ril )onli)t bet.een Lenin and t*e "eneral sta o
t*e 2arty .as not t*e only one o its 8ind: T*ro#"*o#t t*e
.*ole *istory o 'ols*e5ism, .it* t*e ex)e2tion o some
e2isodes .*i)* in essen)e only )onirm t*e r#le, all t*e
leaders o t*e 2arty at all t*e most im2ortant moments
stood to t*e ri"*t o Lenin: T*is .as not an a))ident: Lenin
be)ame t*e #nG#aliied leader o t*e most re5ol#tionary
2arty in t*e .orld;s *istory, be)a#se *is t*o#"*t and .ill
.ere really eG#al to t*e demands o t*e "i"anti)
re5ol#tionary 2ossibilities o t*e )o#ntry and t*e e2o)*:
Ot*ers ell s*ort by an in)* or t.o, and oten more:
0lmost t*e .*ole r#lin" )ir)le o t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty or
mont*s and e5en years beore t*e re5ol#tion *ad been
o#tside t*e a)ti5e .or8: Many *ad )arried a.ay into Eails
and exile t*e o22ressi5e re)olle)tions o t*e irst mont*s
o t*e .ar, and *ad li5ed t*ro#"* t*e .re)8 o t*e
International in solit#de or in small "ro#2s: 0lt*o#"* in t*e
ran8s o t*e 2arty t*ey *ad maniested a s#i)ient
re)e2ti5ity to t*ose t*o#"*ts o re5ol#tion .*i)* *ad
attra)ted t*em to 'ols*e5ism, in isolation t*ey .ere not
stron" eno#"* to resist t*e 2ress#re o t*e s#rro#ndin"
milie# and ma8e an inde2endent Marxist a22raisal o
e5ents: T*e enormo#s s*it o o2inion in t*e masses d#rin"
t*e t.o and a *al years o .ar *ad remained almost
o#tside t*eir ield o 5ision: Ne5ert*eless t*e re5ol#tion
*ad not only dra""ed t*em o#t o t*eir isolation, b#t
immediately 2la)ed t*em, t*an8s to t*eir 2resti"e, in a
)ommandin" 2osition in t*e 2arty: T*ey .ere oten m#)*
)loser in mood to t*e AWimmer.aldB intelli"entsia t*an to
t*e re5ol#tionary .or8ers in t*e a)tories:
T*e AOld 'ols*e5i8sB D .*o 2retentio#sly em2*asised t*is
a22ellation in 02ril 1917 D .ere )ondemned to deeat
be)a#se t*ey .ere deendin" exa)tly t*at element o t*e
2arty tradition .*i)* *ad not 2assed t*e *istori) test: AI
belon" to t*e old 'ols*e5i8 Leninists,B said 9alinin, or
instan)e, at t*e 3etro"rad )oneren)e o 02ril 1&, Aand I
)onsider t*at t*e old Leninism *as not by any means
2ro5ed "ood?or?not*in" in t*e 2resent 2e)#liar moment,
and I am astonis*ed at t*e de)laration o !omrade Lenin
t*at t*e old 'ols*e5i8s *a5e be)ome an obsta)le at t*e
2resent moment:B Lenin *ad to listen to many s#)*
oended 5oi)es in t*ose days: Io.e5er, in brea8in" .it*
t*e traditional orm#la o t*e 2arty, Lenin did not in t*e
least )ease to be a ALeninist:B Ie t*re. o t*e .orn?o#t
s*ell o 'ols*e5ism in order to s#mmon its n#)le#s to a
ne. lie:
0"ainst t*e old 'ols*e5i8s Lenin o#nd s#22ort in anot*er
layer o t*e 2arty already tem2ered, b#t more res* and
more )losely #nited .it* t*e masses: In t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion, as .e 8no., t*e .or8er?'ols*e5i8s 2layed t*e
de)isi5e rHle: T*ey t*o#"*t it sel?e5ident t*at t*at )lass
.*i)* *ad .on t*e 5i)tory s*o#ld sei<e t*e 2o.er: T*ese
same .or8ers 2rotested stormily a"ainst t*e )o#rse o
9amene5 and Stalin, and t*e Vybor" distri)t e5en
t*reatened t*e AleadersB .it* ex2#lsion rom t*e 2arty:
T*e same t*in" .as to be obser5ed in t*e 2ro5in)es:
0lmost e5ery.*ere t*ere .ere let 'ols*e5i8s a))#sed o
maximalism, e5en o anar)*ism: T*ese .or8er?
re5ol#tionists only la)8ed t*e t*eoreti)al reso#r)es to
deend t*eir 2osition: '#t t*ey .ere ready to res2ond to
t*e irst )lear )all: It .as on t*is strat#m o .or8ers,
de)isi5ely risen to t*eir eet d#rin" t*e #2.ard years o
1912?1&, t*at Lenin .as no. ban8in": 0lready at t*e
be"innin" o t*e .ar, .*en t*e "o5ernment dealt t*e
2arty a *ea5y blo. by arrestin" t*e 'ols*e5i8 a)tion o
t*e 4#ma, Lenin, s2ea8in" o t*e #rt*er re5ol#tionary
.or8, *ad demanded t*e ed#)ation by t*e 2arty o
At*o#sands o )lass )ons)io#s .or8ers, rom amon" .*om
in s2ite o all dii)#lties a ne. sta o leaders .ill arise:B
0lt*o#"* se2arated rom t*ese .or8ers by t.o .ar ronts,
and almost .it*o#t )omm#ni)ation, Lenin *ad ne5er lost
to#)* .it* t*em: ALet t*e .ar, Eails, Siberia, *ard labo#r,
s*atter t*em t.i)e, ten times, yo# )annot destroy t*at
strat#m: It is ali5e: It is imb#ed .it* re5ol#tionism and
anti?)*a#5inism:B
In *is mind Lenin *ad been li5in" t*ro#"* t*e e5ents alon"
,.it* t*ese .or8er?'ols*e5i8s, ma8in" .it* t*em t*e
ne)essary ineren)es D only broader and more boldly t*an
t*ey: In *is str#""le .it* t*e inde)isi5eness o t*e sta
and t*e broad oi)er layer o t*e 2arty, Lenin )onidently
relied on its #nder?oi)er layer .*i)* better rele)ted t*e
ran8?and?ile .or8er?'ols*e5i8:
T*e tem2orary stren"t* o t*e so)ial?2atriots, and t*e
*idden .ea8ness o t*e o22ort#nist .in" o t*e
'ols*e5i8s, lay in t*e a)t t*at t*e ormer .ere basin"
t*emsel5es on t*e tem2orary 2reE#di)es and ill#sions o
t*e masses, and t*e latter .ere )onormin" t*emsel5es to
t*ese tem2orary 2reE#di)es and ill#sions: T*e )*ie
stren"t* o Lenin lay in *is #nderstandin" t*e inner lo"i) o
t*e mo5ement, and "#idin" *is 2oli)y by it: Ie did not
im2ose *is 2lan on t*e massesJ *e *el2ed t*e masses to
re)o"ni<e t*eir o.n 2lan: +*en Lenin red#)ed all t*e
2roblems o t*e re5ol#tion to one D A2atiently ex2lainB D
t*at meant it .as ne)essary to brin" t*e )ons)io#sness o
t*e masses into )orres2onden)e .it* t*at sit#ation into
.*i)* t*e *istori) 2ro)ess *ad dri5en t*em: T*e .or8er or
t*e soldier, disa22ointed .it* t*e 2oli)y o t*e
!om2romisers, *ad to be bro#"*t o5er to t*e 2osition o
Lenin and not let lin"erin" in t*e intermediate sta"e o
9amene5 and Stalin:
On)e t*e Leninist orm#las .ere iss#ed, t*ey s*ed a ne.
li"*t or t*e 'ols*e5i8s #2on t*e ex2erien)e o t*e 2ast
mont*s and o e5ery ne. day: In t*e broad 2arty mass a
G#i)8 dierentiation too8 2la)e D let.ard and let.ard,?
to.ard t*e t*eses o Lenin: 4istri)t ater distri)t ad*ered
to t*em,B says Wale<*s8y, and by t*e time o t*e all?
R#ssian 2arty )oneren)e on 02ril 2&, t*e 3etersb#r"
or"ani<ation as a .*ole .as in a5o#r o t*e t*esesB:
T*e str#""le or t*e rearmin" o t*e 'ols*e5i8 ran8s,
be"#n on t*e e5enin" o 02ril 3, .as essentially inis*ed
by t*e end o t*e mont*: K1L T*e 2arty )oneren)e, .*i)*
met in 3etro"rad 02ril 2&?29, )ast t*e balan)e o Mar)*, a
mont* o o22ort#nist 5a)illations, and o 02ril, a mont* o
s*ar2 )risis: 'y t*at time t*e 2arty *ad "ro.n "reatly,
bot* G#antitati5ely and in a 2oliti)al sense: T*e 1&9
dele"ates re2resented 79,%%% 2arty members, o .*om
1=,%%% li5ed in 3etro"rad: >or a 2arty t*at *ad been ille"al
yesterday, and .as today anti?2atrioti), t*at .as an
im2ressi5e n#mber, and Lenin se5eral times )alled
attention to it .it* satisa)tion: T*e 2oliti)al 2*ysio"nomy
o t*e )oneren)e .as immediately deined by t*e ele)tion
o a 2r\sidi#m o i5e members: It did not in)l#de eit*er
9amene5 or Stalin, t*e )*ie )#l2rits Mar)* misort#ne:
0lt*o#"* or t*e 2arty as a .*ole t*e debated G#estions
.ere already irmly de)ided, many o t*e leaders, still
)lin"in" to t*e 2ast, )ontin#ed at t*is )oneren)e in
o22osition, or semi?o22osition, to Lenin: Stalin remained
silent and .aited: 4<er<*ins8y, in t*e name o Amany,B
.*o Adid not a"ree in 2rin)i2le .it* t*e t*eses o t*e
s2o8esman,B demanded t*at a dissentin" re2ort be *eard
rom At*e )omrades .*o *a5e alon" .it* #s ex2erien)ed
t*e re5ol#tion in a 2ra)ti)al .ay:B T*is .as an e5ident
t*r#st at t*e emi"rant )*ara)ter o t*e Leninist t*eses:
9amene5 did a)t#ally ma8e a dissentin" re2ort in deen)e
o t*e bo#r"eois demo)rati) di)tators*i2: Ry8o5, Toms8y,
9alinin, tried to stand more or less by t*eir Mar)*
2ositions: 9alinin )ontin#ed to ad5o)ate a )oalition .it*
t*e Mens*e5i8s in t*e interests o t*e str#""le .it*
liberalism: T*e 2rominent Mos)o. 2arty .or8er,
Smido5i)*, *otly )om2lained in *is s2ee)* t*at Ae5ery
time .e s2ea8 t*ey raise a"ainst #s a )ertain bo"ey in t*e
orm o t*e t*eses o !omrade Lenin:B Earlier, .*en t*e
Mos)o. members .ere 5otin" or t*e resol#tions o t*e
Mens*e5i8s, lie *ad been a "ood deal more 2ea)e#l:
0s a 2#2il o Rosa L#xemb#r", 4<er<*ins8y s2o8e a"ainst
t*e ri"*t o nations to sel?determination, a))#sin" Lenin o
2rote)tin" a se2aratist tenden)ies .*i)* .ea8ened t*e
R#ssian 2roletariat: To Lenin;s ans.erin" a))#sation o
"i5in" s#22ort to -reat?R#ssian )*a#5inism, 4<er<*ins8y
ans.ered: AI )an re2roa)* *im /Lenin1 .it* standin" at t*e
2oint o 5ie. o t*e 3olis*, 68rainian and ot*er
)*a#5inists:B T*is dialo"#e is not .it*o#t a 2oliti)al
2iG#an)y: t*e -reat?R#ssian Lenin a))#ses t*e 3ole,
4<er<*ins8y, o -reat?R#ssian )*a#5inism dire)ted t*e
3oles, and is a))#sed by t*e latter o 3olis* )*a#5inism:
3oliti)ally Lenin .as in t*e ri"*t in t*is G#arrel: Iis 2oli)y
on nationalities entered as a most im2ortant )onstit#ent
element into t*e O)tober re5ol#tion:
T*e o22osition .as ob5io#sly on t*e .ane: It did not
m#ster more t*an se5en 5otes on t*e G#estions #nder
debate: T*ere .as, *o.e5er, one )#rio#s and s*ar2
ex)e2tion, to#)*in" t*e international relations o t*e 2arty:
0t t*e 5ery end o t*e )oneren)e, in t*e e5enin" session
o 02ril 29, Wino5ie5 introd#)ed in t*e name o *is
)ommission a resol#tion: ATo ta8e 2art in t*e international
)oneren)e o Wimmer.aldists desi"nated or May 1$ /at
Sto)8*olm1:B T*e re2ort says: A0do2ted by all 5otes
a"ainst one:B T*at one .as Lenin: Ie demanded a brea8
.it* Wimmer.ald, .*ere t*e maEority *ad been de)isi5ely
.it* t*e -erman Inde2endents and ne#tral 2a)iists o t*e
ty2e o t*e S.iss, -rimm: '#t or t*e R#ssian )ir)les o t*e
2arty, Wimmer.ald *ad d#rin" t*e .ar be)ome almost
identiied .it* 'ols*e5ism: T*e dele"ates .ere not yet
ready to "i5e #2 t*e name o So)ial 4emo)rat or brea8
.it* Wimmer.ald, .*i)* remained moreo5er in t*eir eyes
a bond .it* t*e masses o t*e Se)ond International:
Lenin tried at least to limit 2arti)i2ation in t*e )omin"
)oneren)e to an attendan)e or inormational 2#r2oses:
Wino5ie5 s2o8e a"ainst *im: Lenin;s 2ro2osal .as reEe)ted:
Ie t*en 5oted a"ainst t*e resol#tion as a .*ole: Nobody
s#22orted *im: T*at .as t*e last s2las* o t*e AMar)*B
tenden)y a )lin"in" to yesterday;s 2osition, a ear o
Aisolation:B T*e Sto)8*olm !oneren)e, *o.e5er, .as
ne5er *eld D a res#lt o t*ose same inner diseases o
Wimmer.ald, .*i)* *ad led Lenin, to brea8 .it* it: Iis
#nanimo#sly reEe)ted 2oli)y o boy)ott .as t*#s realised in
a)t:
T*e abr#2tness o t*e t#rn in t*e 2oli)y o t*e 2arty .as
ob5io#s to all: S)*midt, a .or8er?'ols*e5i8, ater.ards
3eo2le;s !ommissar o Labo#r, said at t*e 02ril
)oneren)e: ALenin "a5e a dierent dire)tion to t*e
)*ara)ter o t*e .or8:B 0))ordin" to Ras8olni8o5 D .ritin",
to be s#re, se5eral years later D Lenin in 02ril 1917
A)arried o#t an O)tober re5ol#tion in t*e )ons)io#sness o
t*e 2arty leaders ::: T*e ta)ti) o o#r 2arty is not a sin"le
strai"*t line, b#t ma8es ater t*e arri5al o Lenin a s*ar2
E#m2 to t*e let:B T*e old 'ols*e5i8, L#dmila Sta*l, more
dire)tly and also more a))#rately a22raised t*e )*an"e:
A0ll t*e )omrades beore t*e arri5al o Lenin .ere
.anderin" in t*e dar8,B s*e said, at t*e )ity )oneren)e on
t*e 1&t* o 02ril: A+e 8no. only t*e orm#las o 19%=:
Seein" t*e inde2endent )reati5e .or8 o t*e 2eo2le, .e
)o#ld not tea)* t*em ::: O#r )omrades )o#ld only limit
t*emsel5es to "ettin" ready or t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly
by 2arliamentary means, and too8 no a))o#nt o t*e
2ossibility o "oin" art*er: In a))e2tin" t*e slo"ans o
Lenin .e are no. doin" .*at lie itsel s#""ests to #s: +e
need not ear t*e !omm#ne, and say t*at .e already *a5e
a .or8ers; "o5ernmentJ t*e !omm#ne o 3aris .as not
only a .or8ers;, b#t also a 2etty bo#r"eois "o5ernment:B It
is 2ossible to a"ree .it* S#8*ano5 t*at t*e rearmin" o
t*e army A.as t*e )*ie and #ndamental 5i)tory o Lenin
)om2leted by t*e irst days o May:B S#8*ano5, it is tr#e
t*o#"*t t*at Lenin in t*is o2eration s#bstit#ted an
anar)*ist or a Marxist .ea2on:
It remains to as8 D and t*is is no #nim2ortant G#estion,
alt*o#"* easier to as8 t*an ans.er: Io. .o#ld t*e
re5ol#tion "a5e de5elo2ed Lenin i Lenin *ad not rea)*ed
R#ssia in 02ril 1917@ I o#r ex2osition demonstrates and
2ro5es anyt*in" at all, .e *o2e it 2ro5es t*at Lenin .as
not a demi#r"e o t*e re5ol#tionary 2ro)ess, t*at *e
merely entered into a )*ain o obEe)ti5e *istori) or)es: '#t
*e .as a "reat lin8 in t*at )*ain: T*e di)tators*i2 o t*e
2roletariat .as to be inerred rom t*e .*ole sit#ation, b#t
it *ad still to be establis*ed: It )o#ld not be establis*ed
.it*o#t a 2arty: T*e 2arty )o#ld #lil its mission only ater
#nderstandin" it: >or t*at Lenin .as needed: 6ntil *is
arri5al, not one o t*e 'ols*e5i8 leaders dared to ma8e a
dia"nosis o t*e re5ol#tion: T*e leaders*i2 o 9amene5
and Stalin .as tossed by t*e )o#rse o e5ents to t*e ri"*t,
to t*e So)ial 3atriots: bet.een Lenin and Mens*e5ism t*e
re5ol#tion let no 2la)e or intermediate 2ositions: Inner
str#""le in t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty .as absol#tely
#na5oidable: Lenin;s arri5al merely *astened t*e 2ro)ess:
Iis 2ersonal inl#en)e s*ortened t*e )risis: Is it 2ossible,
*o.e5er, to say )onidently t*at t*e 2arty .it*o#t *im
.o#ld *a5e o#nd its road@ +e .o#ld by no means ma8e
bold to say t*at: T*e a)tor o time is de)isi5e *ere, and it
is dii)#lt in retros2e)t to tell time *istori)ally: 4iale)ti)
materialism at any rate *as not*in" in )ommon .it*
atalism: +it*o#t Lenin t*e )risis, .*i)* t*e o22ort#nist
leaders*i2 .as ine5itably bo#nd to 2rod#)e, .o#ld *a5e
ass#med an extraordinarily s*ar2 and 2rotra)ted
)*ara)ter: T*e )onditions o .ar and re5ol#tion, *o.e5er,
.o#ld not allo. t*e 2arty a lon" 2eriod or #lillin" its
mission: T*#s it is by no means ex)l#ded t*at a
disoriented and s2lit, 2arty mi"*t *a5e let sli2 t*e
re5ol#tionary o22ort#nity or years: T*e rHle o 2ersonality
arises beore #s *ere on a tr#ly "i"anti) s)ale: It is
ne)essary only to #nderstand t*at rHle )orre)tly, ta8in"
2ersonality as a lin8 in t*e *istori) )*ain:
T*e As#ddenB arri5al o Lenin rom abroad ater a lon"
absen)e, t*e #rio#s )ry raised by t*e 2ress aro#nd *is
name, *is )las* .it* all t*e leaders o *is o.n 2arty and
*is G#i)8 5i)tory o5er t*em D in a .ord, t*e external
en5elo2e o )ir)#mstan)e D ma8e easy in t*is )ase a
me)*ani)al )ontrastin" o t*e 2erson, t*e *ero, t*e
"eni#s, a"ainst t*e obEe)ti5e )onditions, t*e mass, t*e
2arty: In reality, s#)* a )ontrast is )om2letely one?sided:
Lenin .as not an a))idental element in t*e *istori)
de5elo2ment, b#t a 2rod#)t o t*e .*ole 2ast o R#ssian
*istory: Ie .as embedded in it .it* dee2est roots: 0lon"
.it* t*e 5an"#ard o t*e .or8ers, *e *ad li5ed t*ro#"*
t*eir str#""le in t*e )o#rse o t*e 2re)edin" G#arter
)ent#ry: T*e Aa))identB .as not *is intereren)e in t*e
e5ents, b#t rat*er t*at little stra. .it* .*i)* Lloyd -eor"e
tried to blo)8 *is 2at*: Lenin did not o22ose t*e 2arty rom
o#tside, b#t .as *imsel its most )om2lete ex2ression: In
ed#)atin" it *e *ad ed#)ated *imsel in it: Iis di5er"en)e
rom t*e r#lin" )ir)les o t*e 'ols*e5i8s meant t*e
str#""le o t*e #t#re o t*e 2arty a"ainst its 2ast: I Lenin
*ad not been artii)ially se2arated rom t*e 2arty by t*e
)onditions o emi"ration and .ar, t*e external me)*ani)s
o t*e )risis .o#ld not *a5e been so dramati), and .o#ld
not *a5e o5ers*ado.ed to s#)* a de"ree t*e inner
)ontin#ity o t*e 2arty;s de5elo2ment: >rom t*e
extraordinary si"nii)an)e .*i)* Lenin;s arri5al re)ei5ed, it
s*o#ld only be, inerred t*at leaders are not a))identally
)reated, t*at t*ey are "rad#ally )*osen o#t and trained #2
in t*e )o#rse o de)ades, t*at t*ey )annot be )a2ri)io#sly
re2la)ed, t*at t*eir me)*ani)al ex)l#sion rom t*e str#""le
"i5es t*e 2arty a li5in" .o#nd, and in many )ases may
2aralyse it or a lon" 2eriod:
Note
1: KNote on 2:3%7:L
Chapter 1(: The :%pril Das;
ON TIE 23rd o Mar)* t*e 6nited States entered t*e .ar:
On t*at day 3etro"rad .as b#ryin" t*e 5i)tims o t*e
>ebr#ary re5ol#tion: T*e #neral 2ro)ession D in its mood a
2ro)ession tri#m2*ant .it* t*e Eoy o lie D .as a mi"*ty
)on)l#din" )*ord in t*e sym2*ony o t*e i5e days:
E5erybody .ent to t*e #neral: bot* t*ose .*o *ad o#"*t
side by side .it* t*e 5i)tims, and t*ose .*o *ad *eld
t*em ba)8 rom battle, 5ery li8ely also t*ose .*o 8illed
t*em D and abo5e all, t*ose .*o *ad stood aside rom t*e
i"*tin": 0lon" .it* .or8ers, soldiers, *e and t*e small )ity
2eo2le *ere .ere st#dents, ministers, ambassadors, t*e
solid bo#r"eois, Eo#rnalists, orators, leaders be o all t*e
2arties: T*e red )oins )arried on t*e s*o#lders o .or8ers
and soldiers streamed in rom t*e .or8ers; distri)ts to
Mars >ield: +*en t*e )oins .ere lo.ered into t*e "ra5e
t*ere so#nded rom 3eter and 3a#l ortress t*e irst #neral
sal#te, startlin" t*e inn#merable masses o t*e 2eo2le:
T*at )annon *ad a ne. so#nd: o#r )annon, o#r sal#te: T*e
Vybor" se)tion )arried ity?one red )oins: T*at .as only
a 2art o t*e 5i)tims it .as 2ro#d o: In t*e 2ro)ession o
t*e Vybor" .or8ers, t*e most )om2a)t o all, n#mero#s
'ols*e5i8 banners .ere to be seen, b#t t*ey loated
2ea)e#lly beside ot*er banners: On Mars >ield itsel t*ere
stood only t*e members o t*e "o5ernment, o t*e So5iet,
and t*e State 4#ma D already dead b#t st#bbornly e5adin"
its o.n #neral: 0ll day lon" no less t*an $%%,%%% 2eo2le
iled 2ast t*e "ra5e .it* bands and banners: 0nd
alt*o#"*, a))ordin" to 2reliminary re)8onin"s by t*e
*i"*est military a#t*orities, a *#man mass o t*at si<e
)o#ld not 2ossibly 2ass a "i5en 2oint .it*o#t t*e most
a22allin" )*aos and atal .*irl2ools, ne5ert*eless t*e
demonstration .as )arried o#t in )om2lete order D a t*in"
to be obser5ed "enerally in re5ol#tionary 2ro)essions,
dominated as t*ey are by a satisyin" )ons)io#sness o a
"reat deed a)*ie5ed, )ombined .it* a *o2e t*at
e5eryt*in" .ill "ro. better and better in t*e #t#re: It .as
only t*is eelin" t*at 8e2t order, or or"anisation .as still
.ea8, inex2erien)ed and #n)onident o itsel: T*e 5ery
a)t o t*e #neral .as, it .o#ld seem, a s#i)ient
re#tation o t*e myt* o a bloodless re5ol#tion: '#t
ne5ert*eless t*e mood 2re5ailin" at t*e #neral re)reated,
to some extent t*e atmos2*ere o t*ose irst days .*en
t*e le"end .as born:
T.enty?i5e days later D d#rin" .*i)* time t*e so5iets *ad
"ained m#)* ex2erien)e and sel?)oniden)e D o))#rred
t*e May 1 )elebration: /May 1 a))ordin" to t*e +estern
)alendar D 02ril 1$ old style:1 0ll t*e )ities o R#ssia .ere
dro.ned in meetin"s and demonstrations: Not only t*e
ind#strial enter2rises, b#t t*e state, )ity and r#ral 2#bli)
instit#tions .ere )losed: In Mo"*ile5, t*e *eadG#arters o
t*e -eneral Sta, t*e !a5aliers o St: -eor"e mar)*ed at
t*e *ead o t*e 2ro)ession: T*e members o t*e sta D
#nremo5ed )<arist "enerals D mar)*ed #nder May 1
banners: T*e *oliday o 2roletarian anti?militarism blended
.it* re5ol#tion?tinted maniestations o 2atriotism: T*e
dierent strata o t*e 2o2#lation )ontrib#ted t*eir o.n
G#ality to t*e *oliday, b#t all lo.ed to"et*er into a .*ole,
5ery loosely *eld to"et*er and 2artly alse, b#t on t*e
.*ole maEesti): In bot* )a2itals and in t*e ind#strial
)entres t*e .or8ers dominated t*e )elebration, and amid
t*em t*e stron" n#)lei o 'ols*e5ism stood o#t distin)tly
.it* banners, 2la)ards, s2ee)*es and s*o#ts: 0)ross t*e
immense aZade o t*e Mariins8y 3ala)e, t*e re#"e o t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment, .as stret)*ed a bold red
streamer .it* t*e .ords: ALon" Li5e t*e T*ird
InternationalOB T*e a#t*orities, not yet rid o t*eir
administrati5e s*yness, )o#ld not ma8e #2 t*eir mind to
remo5e t*is disa"reeable and alarmin" streamer:
E5erybody, it seemed, .as )elebratin": So ar as it )o#ld,
t*e army at t*e ront )elebrated: Ne.s )ame o meetin"s,
s2ee)*es, banners and re5ol#tionary son"s in t*e
tren)*es, and t*ere .ere res2onses rom t*e -erman side:
T*e .ar *ad not yet )ome to an endJ on t*e )ontrary it
*ad only .idened its )ir)le: 0 .*ole )ontinent *ad re)ently
D on t*e 5ery day o t*e #neral o t*e martyrs D Eoined t*e
.ar and "i5en it a ne. s)o2e: Cet mean.*ile t*ro#"*o#t
R#ssia, side by side .it* soldiers, .ar?2risoners .ere
ta8in" 2art in t*e 2ro)essions #nder t*e same banners,
sometimes sin"in" t*e same son" in dierent lan"#a"es:
In t*is immeas#rable reEoi)in", obliteratin" li8e a s2rin"
lood t*e delineations o )lasses, 2arties and ideas, t*at
)ommon demonstration o R#ssian soldiers .it* 0#stro?
-erman .ar?2risoners .as a 5i5id *o2e?"i5in" a)t .*i)*
made it 2ossible to belie5e t*at t*e re5ol#tion, in s2ite o
all, did )arry .it*in itsel t*e o#ndation o a better .orld:
Li8e t*e Mar)* #neral, t*e 1st o May )elebration 2assed
o .it*o#t )las*es or )as#alties as an Aall?national
esti5al:B Io.e5er, an attenti5e ear mi"*t *a5e )a#"*t
already amon" t*e ran8s o t*e .or8ers and soldiers
im2atient an e5en t*reatenin" notes: It .as be)omin"
*arder and *arder to li5e: 3ri)es *ad risen alarmin"lyJ t*e
.or8ers .ere demandin" a minim#m .a"eJ t*e bosses
.ere resistin"J t*e n#mber o )onli)ts in t*e a)tories .as
)ontin#ally "ro.in"J t*e ood sit#ation .as "ettin" .orseJ
bread rations .ere bein" )#t do.nJ )ereal )ards *ad been
introd#)edJ dissatisa)tion in t*e "arrison *ad "ro.n: T*e
distri)t sta, ma8in" ready to bridle t*e soldiers, .as
remo5in" t*e more re5ol#tionary #nits rom 3etro"rad: 0t
a "eneral assembly o t*e "arrison on 02ril 17 t*e soldiers,
sensin" t*ese *ostile desi"ns, *ad raised t*e G#estion o
2#ttin" a sto2 to t*e remo5al o troo2s: T*at demand .ill
)ontin#e to arise in t*e #t#re, ta8in" a more and more
de)isi5e orm .it* 5ery ne. )risis o t*e re5ol#tion: '#t
t*e root o all e5ils .as t*e .ar, o .*i)* no end .as to be
seen: +*en .ill t*e re5ol#tion brin" 2ea)e@ +*at are
9erens8y and Tseretelli .aitin" or@ T*e masses .ere
listenin" more and more attenti5ely to t*e 'ols*e5i8s,
"lan)in" at t*em obliG#ely, .aitin"ly, some .it* *al?
*ostility, ot*ers already .it* tr#st: 6nderneat* t*e
tri#m2*al dis)i2line o t*e demonstration t*e mood .as
tense: T*ere .as erment in t*e masses:
Io.e5er, nobody D not e5en t*e a#t*ors o t*e streamer
on t*e Mariins8y 3ala)e D ima"ined t*at t*e 5ery next t.o
or t*ree days .o#ld r#t*lessly tear o t*e en5elo2e o
national #nity rom t*e re5ol#tion: T*e mena)in" e5ent
.*ose ine5itability many oresa., b#t .*i)* no one
ex2e)ted so soon, .as s#ddenly #2on t*em: T*e stim#l#s
.as "i5en by t*e orei"n 2oli)y o t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment, i:e:, t*e 2roblem o .ar: No ot*er t*an
Mili#8o5 to#)*ed t*e mat)* to t*e #se:
T*e *istory o t*at mat)* and #se is as ollo.s: On t*e
day o 0meri)a;s entry into t*e .ar, t*e Minister o >orei"n
0airs o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment, "reatly en)o#ra"ed,
de5elo2ed *is 2ro"ramme beore t*e Eo#rnalists: sei<#re o
!onstantino2le, sei<#re o 0rmenia, di5ision o 0#stria and
T#r8ey, sei<#re o Nort*ern 3ersia, and o5er and abo5e all
t*is, t*e ri"*t o nations to sel?determination: AIn all *is
s2ee)*esB D t*#s t*e *istorian Mili#8o5 ex2lains Mili#8o5
t*e minister D A*e de)isi5ely em2*asised t*e 2a)iist aims
o t*e .ar o liberation, b#t al.ays 2resented t*em in
)lose #nion .it* t*e national 2roblems and interests o
R#ssia:B T*is inter5ie. disG#ieted t*e listeners, A+*en .ill
t*e orei"n 2oli)y o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment )leanse
itsel o *y2o)risy@B stormed t*e Mens*e5i8 2a2er: A+*y
does not t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment demand rom t*e
0llied "o5ernments an o2en and de)isi5e ren#n)iation o
annexations@B +*at t*ese 2eo2le )onsidered *y2o)risy,
.as t*e ran8 lan"#a"e o t*e 2redatory: In a 2a)iist
dis"#ise o s#)* a22etites t*ey .ere G#ite ready to see a
liberation rom all *y2o)risy: >ri"*tened by t*e stirrin" o
t*e demo)ra)y, 9erens8y *astened to anno#n)e t*ro#"*
t*e 2ress b#rea#: AMili#8o5;s 2ro"ramme is merely *is
2ersonal o2inion:B T*at t*e a#t*or o t*is 2ersonal o2inion
*a22ened to be t*e Minister o >orei"n 0airs .as, i yo#
2lease, a mere a))ident:
Tseretelli, .*o *ad a talent or sol5in" e5ery G#estion .it*
a )ommon2la)e, be"an to insist on t*e ne)essity o a
"o5ernmental anno#n)ement t*at or R#ssia t*e .ar .as
ex)l#si5ely one o deen)e: T*e resistan)e o Mili#8o5 and
to some extent o -#)*8o5 .as bro8en, and on Mar)* 27
t*e "o5ernment "a5e birt* to a de)laration to t*e ee)t
t*at At*e "oal o ree R#ssia is not domination o5er ot*er
2eo2les, nor de2ri5in" t*em o t*eir national *erita"e, nor
5iolent sei<#re o alien territory,B b#t Ane5ert*eless
)om2lete obser5an)e o t*e obli"ations #nderta8en to o#r
0llies:B T*#s t*e 8in"s and t*e 2ro2*ets o t*e t.o?2o.er
system 2ro)laimed t*eir intention to enter into t*e
9in"dom o Iea5en in #nion .it* 2atri)ides and
ad#lterers, T*ose "entlemen, besides e5eryt*in" else t*at
t*ey la)8ed, la)8ed a sense o *#mo#r: T*at de)laration o
Mar)* 27 .as .el)omed not only by t*e entire
!om2romisers; 2ress, b#t e5en by t*e Pravda o 9amene5
and Stalin, .*i)* said in its leadin" editorial o#r days
beore Lenin;s arri5al: AT*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment *as
)learly and deinitely anno#n)ed beore t*e .*ole 2eo2le
t*at t*e aim o R#ssia is not t*e domination o ot*er
nations,B et):, et): T*e En"lis* 2ress immediately and .it*
satisa)tion inter2reted R#ssia;s ren#n)iation o
annexations as *er ren#n)iation o !onstantino2le, by no
means intendin" o )o#rse to extend t*is orm#la o
ren#n)iation to *ersel: T*e R#ssian ambassador in London
so#nded t*e alarm, and demanded an ex2lanation rom
Mos)o. to t*e ee)t t*at At*e 2rin)i2le o 2ea)e .it*o#t
annexations is to be a22lied by R#ssia not #n)onditionally,
b#t in so ar as: it does not o22ose o#r 5ital interests:B '#t
t*at, o )o#rse, .as exa)tly t*e orm#la o Mili#8o5: A+e
2romise not to rob anybody .*om .e don;t need to:B
3aris, in )ontrast to London, not only s#22orted Mili#8o5
b#t #r"ed *im on, s#""estin" t*ro#"* 3alFolo"#e t*e
ne)essity o a more 5i"oro#s 2oli)y to.ard t*e So5iet:
T*e >ren)* 3remier, Ribot, o#t o 2atien)e .it* t*e terrible
red ta2e at 3etro"rad, as8ed London and Rome A+*et*er
t*ey did not )onsider it ne)essary to demand o t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment t*at t*ey 2#t an end to all
eG#i5o)ation:B London ans.ered t*at it .o#ld be .ise Ato
"i5e t*e >ren)* and En"lis* so)ialists, .*o *ad been sent
to R#ssia, time to inl#en)e t*eir )ollea"#es:B
T*e sendin" o allied so)ialists into R#ssia *ad been
#nderta8en on t*e initiati5e o t*e R#ssian Sta D t*at is,
t*e old )<arist "enerals: A+e )o#nted #2on *im,B .rote
Ribot o 0lbert T*omas, Ato "i5e a )ertain irmness to t*e
de)isions o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment:B Mili#8o5
)om2lained, *o.e5er, t*at T*omas asso)iated too )losely
.it* t*e leaders o t*e So5iet: Ribot ans.ered t*at
T*omas Ais sin)erely stri5in"B to s#22ort t*e 2oint o 5ie.
o Mili#8o5, b#t ne5ert*eless 2romised to #r"e *is
ambassador to a more a)ti5e s#22ort:
T*e de)laration o Mar)* 27, alt*o#"* totally em2ty,
disG#ieted t*e 0llies, .*o sa. in it a )on)ession to t*e
So5iet: >rom London )ame t*reats o a loss o ait* Ain t*e
military 2o.er o R#ssia:B 3alFolo"#e )om2lained o At*e
timidity and indeinitenessB o t*e de)laration: '#t t*at
.as E#st .*at Mili#8o5 needed: In t*e *o2e o *el2 rom
t*e 0llies, Mili#8o5 *ad embar8ed on a bi" "ame, ar
ex)eedin" *is reso#r)es: Iis #ndamental idea .as to #se
t*e .ar a"ainst t*e re5ol#tion, and t*e irst tas8 #2on t*is
road .as to demoralise t*e demo)ra)y: '#t t*e
!om2romisers *ad be"#n E#st in t*e irst days o 02ril to
re5eal an in)reasin" ner5o#sness and #ssiness #2on
G#estions o orei"n 2oli)y, or #2on t*ese G#estions t*e
lo.er )lasses .ere #n)easin"ly 2ressin" t*em: T*e
"o5ernment needed a loan: '#t t*e masses, .it* all t*eir
deensism, .ere ready to deend a 2ea)e loan b#t not a
.ar loan: It .as ne)essary to "i5e t*em at least a 2ee2 at
t*e 2ros2e)t o 2ea)e:
4e5elo2in" *is 2oli)y o sal5ation by )ommon2la)es,
Tseretelli 2ro2osed t*at t*ey demand rom t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment t*at it des2at)* a note to t*e 0llies similar to
t*e domesti) de)laration o Mar)* 27: In ret#rn or t*is,
t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .o#ld #nderta8e to )arry
t*ro#"* t*e So5iet a 5ote or t*e ALiberty Loan:B Mili#8o5
a"reed to t*e ex)*an"e D t*e note or t*e loan D b#t
de)ided to ma8e a do#ble #se o t*e bar"ain: 6nder t*e
"#ise o inter2retin" t*e de)laration, *is note disa5o.ed it:
It #r"ed t*at t*e 2ea)e?lo5in" 2*rases o t*e "o5ernment
s*o#ld not "i5e anyone At*e sli"*test reason to t*in8 t*at
t*e re5ol#tion .*i)* *ad o))#rred entailed a .ea8enin" o
t*e rHle o R#ssia in t*e )ommon str#""le o t*e 0llies:
Y#ite t*e )ontrary? t*e #ni5ersal desire to )arry t*e .orld
.ar t*ro#"* to a de)isi5e 5i)tory *ad only been
stren"t*ened:B T*e note #rt*er ex2ressed )oniden)e t*at
t*e 5i)tors A.ill ind a means to attain t*ose "uarantees
and sanctions, .*i)* are ne)essary or t*e 2re5ention o
ne. bloody )onli)ts in t*e #t#re:B T*at .ord abo#t
A"#arantees and san)tions,B introd#)ed at t*e insisten)e
o T*omas, meant not*in" less in t*e t*ie5es; Ear"on o
di2loma)y, es2e)ially >ren)*, t*an annexations and
indemnities: On t*e day o t*e May 1 )elebration Mili#8o5
tele"ra2*ed *is note, )om2osed at t*e di)tation o 0llied
di2lomats, to t*e "o5ernments o t*e Entente: 0nd only
ater t*is .as it sent to t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, and
sim#ltaneo#sly to t*e ne.s2a2ers: T*e "o5ernment *ad
i"nored t*e !onta)t !ommission, and t*e leaders o t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee o#nd t*emsel5es in t*e 2osition o
e5eryday )iti<ens: E5en *ad t*e !om2romisers o#nd in
t*e note not*in" t*ey *ad not *eard rom Mili#8o5 beore,
t*ey )o#ld not *el2 seein" in t*is a 2remeditated *ostile
a)t: T*e note disarmed t*em beore t*e masses, and
demanded rom t*em a dire)t )*oi)e bet.een 'ols*e5ism
and im2erialism:
+as not in t*at dire)tion, and s#""ests indeed t*at *is
desi"n .ent e5en art*er: 0lready in Mar)* Mili#8o5 *ad
been tryin" .it* all *is mi"*t to res#rre)t t*at ill?ated 2lan
or t*e sei<#re o t*e 4ardanelles by a R#ssian raid, and
*ad )arried on many )on5ersations .it* -eneral 0lexeie5,
#r"in" *im to )arry o#t t*e o2eration D .*i)* .o#ld in
Mili#8o5;s )al)#lations 2la)e t*e demo)ra)y .it* its
2rotest a"ainst annexations beore an a))om2lis*ed a)t:
Mili#8o5;s note o 02ril 1$ .as a similar raid #2on t*e ill?
deended )oastlines o t*e demo)ra)y, T*e t.o a)ts D
military and 2oliti)al D s#22lemented ea)* ot*er, and in
)ase o s#))ess .o#ld *a5e E#stiied ea)* ot*er: -enerally
s2ea8in", one does not )ondemn a 5i)tor: '#t Mili#8o5 .as
not destined to be a 5i)tor: T.o to t*ree *#ndred t*o#sand
troo2s .ere needed or t*e raid, and t*e 2lan ell t*ro#"*
be)a#se o a mere detail: t*e re#sal o t*e soldiers: T*ey
a"reed to deend t*e re5ol#tion, b#t not to ta8e t*e
oensi5e, Mili#8o5;s attem2t #2on t*e 4ardanelles )ame
to not*in", and t*at bro8e do.n all *is #rt*er 2lans: '#t it
m#st be )onessed t*at t*ey .ere not badly .or8ed o#t?
2ro5ided *e .on:
On 02ril 17 t*ere too8 2la)e in 3etro"rad t*e 2atrioti)
ni"*tmare demonstration o t*e .ar in5alids: 0n enormo#s
n#mber o .o#nded rom t*e *os2itals o t*e )a2ital,
le"less, armless, banda"ed, ad5an)ed #2on t*e Ta#ride
3ala)e: T*ose .*o )o#ld not .al8 .ere )arried in
a#tomobile tr#)8s: T*e banners read: A+ar to t*e end:B
T*at .as a demonstration o des2air rom t*e *#man
st#m2s o t*e im2erialist .ar, .is*in" t*at t*e re5ol#tion
s*o#ld not a)8no.led"e t*at t*eir sa)rii)e *ad been in
5ain: '#t t*e 9adet 3arty stood be*ind t*e demonstration,
or rat*er Mili#8o5 stood be*ind it, "ettin" ready *is "reat
blo. or t*e ollo.in" day:
0t a s2e)ial ni"*t session o t*e 19t*, t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee dis)#ssed t*e note sent t*e day beore to t*e
0llied "o5ernments: A0ter t*e irst readin":B relates
Stan8e5i)*, Ait .as #nanimo#sly and .it*o#t debate
a)8no.led"ed by all t*at t*is .as not at all .*at t*e
!ommittee *ad ex2e)ted:B '#t res2onsibility or t*e note
*ad been ass#med by t*e "o5ernment as a .*ole,
in)l#din" 9erens8y: !onseG#ently, it .as ne)essary irst o
all to sa5e t*e "o5ernment: Tseretelli be"an to Ade)odeB
t*e note, .*i)* *ad ne5er been )oded, and to dis)o5er in
it more and more merits: S8obele5 2roo#ndly reasoned
t*at in "eneral it is im2ossible to demand Aa )om2lete
)oin)iden)e o t*e aims o t*e demo)ra)y .it* t*at o t*e
"o5ernment:B T*e .ise men *arried t*emsel5es #ntil
da.n, b#t o#nd no sol#tion: T*ey dis2ersed in t*e
mornin" only to meet a"ain ater a e. *o#rs: 022arently
t*ey .ere )o#ntin" #2on time to *eal all .o#nds:
In t*e mornin" t*e note a22eared in all t*e 2a2ers: Rech
)ommented #2on it in a s2irit o )are#lly 2re2ared
2ro5o)ation: T*e So)ialist 3ress ex2ressed itsel .it* "reat
ex)itement: T*e Mens*e5i8 Rabochaia .a%eta, not yet
*a5in" s#))eeded li8e Tseretelli and S8obele5 in reein"
itsel rom t*e 5a2o#rs o t*e ni"*t;s indi"nation, .rote
t*at t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment *ad 2#blis*ed Aa
do)#ment .*i)* is a mo)8ery o t*e demo)ra)y,B and
demanded rom t*e So5iet de)isi5e meas#res Ato 2re5ent
its disastro#s )onseG#en)es:B T*e "ro.in" 2ress#re o t*e
'ols*e5i8s .as 5ery )learly elt in t*ose 2*rases:
T*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee res#med its sittin", b#t only in
order on)e more to )on5in)e itsel o its in)a2a)ity to
arri5e at a sol#tion: It resol5ed to s#mmon a s2e)ial
2lenary session o t*e So5iet Aor 2#r2oses o inormationB
D in reality or t*e 2#r2ose o eelin" o#t t*e amo#nt o
dissatisa)tion in t*e lo.er ran8s, and to "ain time or its
o.n 5a)illations: In t*e meantime all 8inds o )onta)t
sessions .ere s#""ested .it* t*e aim o brin"in" t*e
.*ole a"itation to not*in":
'#t amid all t*is rit#al diddlin" o t*e do#ble so5erei"nty,
a t*ird 2o.er #nex2e)tedly inter5ened: T*e masses )ame
o#t .it* arms in t*eir *ands: 0mon" t*e bayonets o t*e
soldiers "limmered t*e letters on a streamer: A4o.n .it*
Mili#8o5OB On ot*er streamers -#)*8o5 i"#red in t*e
same .ay: In t*ese indi"nant 2ro)essions it .as *ard to
re)o"nise t*e demonstrators o May 1:
Iistorians )all t*is mo5ement As2ontaneo#sB in t*e
)onditional sense t*at no 2arty too8 t*e initiati5e in it: T*e
immediate s#mmons to t*e streets .as "i5en by a )ertain
Linde, .*o t*ere.it* ins)ribed *is name in t*e *istory o
t*e re5ol#tion: AS)*olar, mat*emati)ian, 2*iloso2*er,B
Linde .as a non?2arty man D or t*e re5ol#tion .it* all *is
*eart and earnestly desiro#s t*at it s*o#ld #lil its
2romise: Mili#8o5;s note and t*e )omments o Rech *ad
aro#sed *im: ATa8in" )o#nsel .it* no one,B says *is
bio"ra2*er, A*e a)ted at on)e, .ent strai"*t to t*e >inland
re"iment, assembled its )ommittee and 2ro2osed t*at
t*ey mar)* immediately as a .*ole re"iment to t*e
Mariins8y 3ala)e ::: Linde;s 2ro2osal .as a))e2ted, and at
t*ree o;)lo)8 in t*e aternoon a si"nii)ant demonstration
o t*e >inlanders .as mar)*in" t*ro#"* t*e streets o
3etro"rad .it* )*allen"in" 2la)ards:B 0ter t*e >inland
re"iment )ame t*e soldiers o t*e 1$%t* Reser5e, t*e
Mos)o. re"iment, t*e 3a5lo5s8y, t*e 9e8s"olms8y, t*e
sailors o t*e 2nd 'alti) leet: T*e )ommotion and .*ole
a)tories )ame o#t into t*e streets ater t*e soldiers:
AT*e maEority o t*e soldiers did not 8no. .*y t*ey *ad
)ome,B airms Mili#8o5, as t*o#"* *e *ad as8ed t*em:
A'esides t*e troo2s, boy .or8ers too8 2art in t*e
demonstration, lo#dly /O1 2ro)laimin" t*at t*ey .ere 2aid
ten to iteen ro#bles or doin" it:B T*e so#r)e o t*is
money is also )lear: AT*e idea o remo5in" t*e t.o
ministers /Mili#8o5 and -#)*8o51 .as dire)tly ins2ired
rom -ermany:B Mili#8o5 oered t*is 2roo#nd ex2lanation
not in t*e *eat o t*e 02ril str#""le, b#t t*ree years ater
t*e O)tober e5ents *ad ab#ndantly demonstrated to *im
t*at nobody *ad to 2ay a *i"* .a"e or t*en 2eo2le;s
*atred o Mili#8o5:
T*e #nex2e)ted s*ar2ness o t*e 02ril demonstration is
ex2lained by t*e dire)tness o t*e mass rea)tion to de)eit
rom abo5e: A6ntil t*e "o5ernment a)*ie5es 2ea)e, it is
ne)essary to be on o#r "#ard:B T*at .as s2o8en .it*o#t
ent*#siasm, b#t .it* )on5i)tion: It *ad been ass#med
t*at, #2 abo5e, e5eryt*in" .as bein" done to brin" 2ea)e:
T*e 'ols*e5i8s, to be s#re, .ere assertin" t*at t*e
"o5ernment .anted t*e .ar 2rolon"ed or t*e sa8e o
robberies: '#t )o#ld t*at be 2ossible@ Io. abo#t
9erens8y@ +e *a5e 8no.n t*e So5iet leaders sin)e
>ebr#ary: T*ey .ere t*e irst to )ome to #s in t*e barra)8s:
T*ey are or 2ea)e: Moreo5er, Lenin )ame strai"*t rom
'erlin, .*ereas Tseretelli .as at *ard labo#r: +e m#st be
2atient ::: Mean.*ile t*e 2ro"ressi5e a)tories and
re"iments .ere more and more irmly ado2tin" t*e
'ols*e5i8 slo"ans o a 2ea)e 2oli)y: 2#bli)ation o t*e
se)ret treatiesJ brea8 .it* t*e 2lans o )onG#est o t*e
EntenteJ o2en 2ro2osal o immediate 2ea)e to all .arrin"
)o#ntries: T*e note o 02ril 1$ ell amon" t*ese )om2lex
and .a5erin" moods: Io. )an t*is be@ T*ey are not or
2ea)e #2 t*ere ater all, b#t or t*e old .ar aims@ 0ll o#r
2atien)e and .aitin" or not*in"@ 4o.n .it* ::: b#t do.n
.it* .*om@ !an t*e 'ols*e5i8s be ri"*t@ Iardly: '#t .*at
abo#t t*is note@ It means t*at somebody is sellin" o#r
*ides, all ri"*t, to t*e )<ar;s allies: >rom a sim2le
)om2arison o t*e 2ress o t*e 9adets and t*e
!om2romisers, it )o#ld be red t*at Mili#8o5, betrayin" t*e
"eneral )oniden)e, .as intendin" to )arry on a 2oli)y o
)onG#est in )om2any .it* Lloyd -eor"e and Ribot: 0nd
yet 9erens8y *ad de)lared t*at t*e attem2t #2on
!onstantino2le .as At*e 2ersonal o2inion o Mili#8o5:B :::
T*at .as *o. t*is mo5ement lared #2:
'#t it .as not *omo"eneo#s: !ertain *ot?*eaded elements
amon" t*e re5ol#tionists "reatly o5erestimated t*e
5ol#me and 2oliti)al mat#rity o t*e mo5ement, be)a#se it
*ad bro8en o#t so s*ar2ly and s#ddenly: T*e 'ols*e5i8s
de5elo2ed an ener"eti) )am2ai"n amon" t*e troo2s and in
t*e a)tories: T*ey s#22lemented t*e demand to Aremo5e
Mili#8o5,B .*i)* .as, so to s2ea8, a 2ro"ramme D
minim#m o t*e mo5ement, .it* 2la)ards a"ainst t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment as a .*ole: '#t dierent elements
#nderstood t*is dierently: some as slo"ans o
2ro2a"anda, ot*ers as t*e tas8 o t*e day: T*e slo"an
)arried into t*e streets by t*e armed soldiers and sailors:
A4o.n .it* t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernmentOB ine5itably
introd#)ed into t*e demonstration a strain o armed
ins#rre)tion: !onsiderable "ro#2s o .or8ers and soldiers
.ere G#ite ready to s*a8e do.n t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment ri"*t t*en and t*ere: T*ey made an attem2t
to enter t*e Mariins8y 3ala)e, o))#2y its exits, and arrest
t*e ministers: S8obele5 .as dele"ated to res)#e t*e
ministers, and *e #lilled *is mission t*e more
s#))ess#lly in t*at t*e Mariins8y 3ala)e *a22ened to be
#no))#2ied:
In )onseG#en)e o -#)*8o5;s illness, t*e "o5ernment *ad
met t*at day in *is 2ri5ate a2artment: '#t it .as not t*e
a))ident .*i)* sa5ed t*e ministers rom arrestJ t*ey .ere
not serio#sly t*reatened: T*at army o 2=,%%% to 3%,%%%
soldiers, .*i)* *ad )ome into t*e streets or a str#""le
.it* t*e 2rolon"ers o t*e .ar, .as 2lenty eno#"* to do
a.ay .it* a ar solider "o5ernment t*an t*at *eaded by
3rin)e L5o5, b#t t*e demonstrators *ad not set t*emsel5es
t*is "oal: 0ll t*ey really intended .as to s*o. t*eir ist at
t*e .indo., so t*at t*ese *i"* "entlemen s*o#ld )ease
s*ar2enin" t*eir teet* or !onstantino2le and "et b#sy as
t*ey s*o#ld abo#t t*e G#estion o 2ea)e: In t*is .ay t*e
soldiers *o2ed to *el2 9erens8y and Tseretelli a"ainst
Mili#8o5:
-eneral 9ornilo5 attended t*at sittin" o t*e "o5ernment,
re2orted t*e armed demonstrations .*i)* .ere ta8in"
2la)e, and de)lared t*at as t*e )ommander o t*e troo2s
o t*e 3etro"rad military distri)t *e *ad at *is dis2osition
s#i)ient or)es, to 2#t do.n t*e dist#rban)e .it* a
mailed ist: *e merely, a.aited t*e )ommand: 9ol)*a8,
.*o *a22ened a))identally to, be 2resent, related
ater.ards, at t*e trial .*i)* 2re)eded *is exe)#tion, t*at
3rin)e L5o5 and 9erens8y s2o8e a"ainst t*e, attem2t to
2#t do.n t*e demonstration .it* military or)e: Mili#8o5
did not ex2ress *imsel dire)tly, b#t s#mmed #2 t*e
sit#ation by sayin" t*at t*e *ono#rable ministers mi"*t o
)o#rse reason as t*ey .is*ed, b#t t*eir de)ision .o#ld not
2re5ent t*eir remo5al to 2rison: T*ere is no do#bt
.*ate5er t*at 9ornilo5 .as a)tin" in a"reement .it* t*e
9adet )entre:
T*e !om2romise leaders *ad no dii)#lty in 2ers#adin"
t*e soldier demonstrators to .it*dra. rom t*e sG#are
beore t*e Mariins8y 3ala)e, and e5en "o ba)8 to t*eir
barra)8s: T*e )ommotion .*i)* *ad o5erlo.ed t*e )ity,
*o.e5er, did not re)ede to its ban8s: !ro.ds "at*ered,
meetin"s assembled, t*ey .ran"led at street )orners, t*e
)ro.ds in t*e tram.ays di5ided into 2artisans and
o22onents o Mili#8o5: On t*e Ne5s8y and adEoinin"
streets, bo#r"eois orators .a"ed an a"itation a"ainst
Lenin D sent rom -ermany to o5ert*ro. t*e "reat 2atriot
Mili#8o5: In t*e s#b#rbs and .or8ers; distri)ts t*e
'ols*e5i8s tried to extend t*e indi"nation aro#sed a"ainst
t*e note and its a#t*or to t*e "o5ernment as a .*ole:
0t se5en in t*e e5enin" t*e 2len#m o t*e So5iet
assembled: T*e leaders did not 8no. .*at to say to t*at
a#dien)e, G#i5erin" .it* tense 2assion: !*eid<e ex2lained
to t*em at "reat len"t* t*at ater t*e session t*ere .as to
be a meetin" .it* t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment: !*erno5
tried to s)are t*em .it* t*e a22roa)* o )i5il .ar:
>eodoro5, t*e metal .or8er, a member o t*e !entral
!ommittee o t*e 'ols*e5i8s, re2lied t*at t*e )i5il .ar .as
already *ere, t*at .*at t*e so5iets o#"*t to do .as to rely
#2on it and sei<e t*e 2o.er in t*eir *and so AT*ose .ere
ne. and at t*at time terrible .ords,B .rites S#8*ano5:
AT*ey *it t*e 5ery )entre o t*e 2re5ailin" mood and
re)ei5ed a res2onse s#)* as t*e 'ols*e5i8s *ad ne5er met
in t*e So5iet beore, and did not meet or a lon" time
ater:B
T*e 2i5ot o t*e )oneren)e, *o.e5er, .as an #nex2e)ted
s2ee)* by 9erens8y;s a5o#rite, t*e liberal so)ialist,
Stan8e5i)*: A!omrades,B *e as8ed, A.*y s*o#ld .e ta8e
any [a)tion; at all@ 0"ainst .*om mars*al o#r or)es @ T*e
sole 2o.er t*at exists is yo# and t*e masses .*i)* stand
be*ind yo# ::: Loo8 t*ereO It is no. i5e min#tes to se5en:B
D /Stan8e5i)* 2ointed *is in"er to t*e )lo)8 on t*e .all,
and t*e .*ole assembly t#rned in t*at dire)tion1 D
AResol5e t*at t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment does not exist,
t*at it *as resi"ned: +e .ill )omm#ni)ate t*is by
tele2*one, and in i5e min#tes it .ill s#rrender its
a#t*ority: +*y all t*is tal8 abo#t 5iolen)e, demonstrations,
)i5il .ar@B Lo#d a22la#se: Elated s*o#ts: T*e orator
.anted to ri"*ten t*e so5iets .it* an extreme ineren)e
rom t*e existin" sit#ation, b#t ri"*tened *imsel .it* t*e
ee)t o *is o.n s2ee)*: T*at #nex2e)ted tr#t* abo#t t*e
2o.er o t*e So5iet lited t*e assembly abo5e t*e
.ret)*ed 2otterin" o its leaders, .*ose main o))#2ation
.as to 2re5ent t*e So5iet rom arri5in" at any de)ision:
A+*o .ill ta8e t*e 2la)e o t*e "o5ernment@B 0n orator
re2lied to t*e a22la#se: A+e@ '#t o#r *ands tremble :::B
T*at .as an in)om2arable )*ara)terisation o t*e
)om2romises D *i"* and mi"*ty leaders .it* tremblin"
*ands:
3rime Minister L5o5, as t*o#"* to s#22lement Stan8e5i)*
rom t*e ot*er side, made t*e next day t*e ollo.in"
anno#n)ement: A62 till no. t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment
*as re)ei5ed #n.a5erin" s#22ort rom t*e r#lin" or"an o
t*e So5iet: >or t*e last t.o .ee8s ::: t*e "o5ernment *as
been #nder s#s2i)ion: In t*ese )ir)#mstan)es ::: it is best
or t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment to .it*dra.:B +e see a"ain
.*at .as t*e real )onstit#tion o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tionO
T*e meetin" o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .it* t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment too8 2la)e in t*e Mariins8y 3ala)e:
3rin)e L5o5 in an introd#)tory s2ee)* re"retted t*e
)am2ai"n #nderta8en by t*e so)ialist )ir)les a"ainst t*e
"o5ernment, and *al oensi5ely, *al t*reatenin"ly, s2o8e
o resi"nation: T*e ministers des)ribed in t#rn t*e
dii)#lties .*i)* t*ey *ad assisted .it* all t*eir mi"*t to
a))#m#late: Mili#8o5, t#rnin" *is ba)8 to all t*is A)onta)tB
oratory, s2o8e rom t*e bal)ony to a 9adet demonstration:
ASeein" t*ose 2la)ards .it* t*e ins)ri2tion [4o.n .it*
Mili#8o5O; ::: I did not ear or Mili#8o5, I eared or R#ssia:B
T*#s t*e *istorian Mili#8o5 re2orts t*e modest .ords
.*i)* t*e minister Mili#8o5 2rono#n)ed beore t*e )ro.ds
assembled in t*e sG#are: Tseretelli demanded rom t*e
"o5ernment a ne. note: !*erno5 o#nd a brilliant sol#tion,
2ro2osin" t*at Mili#8o5 "o o5er to t*e Ministry o 3#bli)
Ed#)ation: !onstantino2le as a to2i) in "eo"ra2*y .o#ld
at any rate be less dan"ero#s t*an as a to2i) in di2loma)y:
Mili#8o5, *o.e5er, )ate"ori)ally re#sed bot* to ret#rn to
s)ien)e, and to .rite a ne. note: T*e leaders o t*e So5iet
did not need m#)* 2ers#asion, and a"reed to an
Aex2lanationB o t*e old note: It remained to ind a e.
2*rases .*ose alsity s*o#ld be s#i)iently oiled o5er .it*
demo)rati)ness, and t*e sit#ation mi"*t be )onsidered
sa5ed D and .it* it Mili#8o5;s 2ortolio:
'#t t*e restless t*ird 2o.er .o#ld not be G#iet: T*e 21st
o 02ril bro#"*t a ne. .a5e o )ommotion, more 2o.er#l
t*an yesterday;s: Today t*e 3etro"rad !ommittee o t*e
'ols*e5i8s *ad )alled or t*e demonstration: In s2ite o t*e
)o#nter?a"itation o t*e Mens*e5i8s and So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries, immense masses o .or8ers ad5an)ed to
t*e )entre rom t*e Vybor" side, and later too rom ot*er
distri)ts: T*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee sent to meet t*e
demonstrators t*eir most a#t*oritati5e 2a)iiers .it*
!*eid<e at t*e *ead: '#t t*e .or8ers irmly intended to
s2ea8 t*eir .ord?and t*ey *ad a .ord to s2ea8: 0 .ell?
8no.n liberal Eo#rnalist des)ribed in Rech t*is
demonstration o .or8ers on t*e Ne5s8y: A0bo#t a *#ndred
armed men mar)*ed in rontJ ater t*em solid 2*alanxes o
#narmed men and .omen, a t*o#sand stron": Li5in"
)*ains on bot* sides: Son"s: T*eir a)es ama<ed me: 0ll
t*ose t*o#sands *ad b#t one a)e, t*e st#nned e)stati)
a)e o t*e early !*ristian mon8s: Im2la)able, 2itiless,
ready or m#rder, inG#isition and deat*:B T*e liberal
Eo#rnalist *ad loo8ed t*e .or8ers, re5ol#tion in t*e eye
and elt or a se)ond its intense determination: Io. little
t*ose 2*alanxes resembled Mili#8o5;s Aboy?.or8ersB *ired
by L#dendor at iteen ro#bles a dayO
Today as yesterday t*e demonstrators did not )ome o#t to
o5ert*ro. t*e "o5ernment, alt*o#"* a maEority o t*em,
.e may "#ess, *ad already serio#sly t*o#"*t abo#t t*is
2roblem, and a 2art .ere ready e5en today to )arry t*e
demonstration ar beyond t*e bo#nds o t*e maEority
mood: !*eid<e as8ed t*e demonstration to t#rn ro#nd and
"o ba)8 to its distri)ts: '#t t*e leaders sternly ans.ered
t*at t*e .or8ers t*emsel5es 8ne. .*at to do: T*is .as a
ne. note D and !*eid<e .o#ld *a5e to "et #sed to it in t*e
)o#rse o t*e next e. .ee8s:
+*ile t*e !om2romisers .ere 2ers#adin" and *#s*in" #2,
t*e 9adets .ere )*allen"in" and inlamin": In s2ite o t*e
a)t t*at 9ornilo5 *ad not yesterday been a#t*orised to
em2loy irearms, *e not only *ad not abandoned t*e 2lan,
b#t on t*e )ontrary .as all t*is day rom early mornin"
"ettin" ready to o22ose t*e demonstrators .it* )a5alry
and artillery: >irmly )o#ntin" on t*e boldness o t*e
"enerals, t*e 9adets *ad iss#ed a s2e)ial *andbill
s#mmonin" t*eir 2artisans to t*e streets, )learly intendin"
to )arry matters to t*e 2oint o a de)isi5e )onli)t:
0lt*o#"* ailin" o *is raid on t*e 4ardanelles )oastline,
Mili#8o5 )ontin#ed *is "eneral oensi5e, .it* 9ornilo5 in
t*e )a2a)ity o ad5an)e "#ard and t*e Entente as *ea5y
reser5es: T*e note des2at)*ed be*ind t*e ba)8 o t*e
So5iet, and t*e editorial in Rech, .ere to ser5e t*e liberal
!*an)ellor o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion in t*e rHle o t*e Ems
des2at)*: A0ll .*o stand or R#ssia and *er reedom m#st
#nite ro#nd t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment and s#22ort it:B
T*#s read t*e a22eal o t*e 9adet !entral !ommittee,
in5itin" all "ood )iti<ens into t*e street or t*e str#""le
a"ainst t*e ad5o)ates o immediate 2ea)e:
T*e Ne5s8y, t*e )*ie artery o t*e bo#r"eoisie, .as
)on5erted into a solid 9adet meetin": 0 )onsiderable
demonstration *eaded by t*e members o t*e 9adet
!entral !ommittee mar)*ed to t*e Mariins8y 3ala)e:
E5ery.*ere )o#ld be seen brand?ne. 2la)ards, res* rom
t*e si"n?2ainters: A>#ll !oniden)e to t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernmentOB ALon" Li5e Mili#8o5OB T*e ministers loo8ed
li8e "#ests o *ono#r: T*ey *ad t*eir o.n A2eo2leB, and
t*is t*e more noti)eably sin)e emissaries o t*e So5iet
.ere doin" t*eir #tmost to *el2 t*em, dis2ersin"
re5ol#tionary meetin"s, steerin" .or8ers; and soldiers;
demonstrations to.ard t*e s#b#rbs, and restrainin" t*e
barra)8s and a)tories rom "oin" o#t: 6nder t*e la" o
deen)e o t*e "o5ernments t*e irst o2en and broad
mobilisation o )o#nter?re5ol#tionary or)es too8 2la)e: In
t*e )entre o t*e to.n a22eared tr#)8s .it* armed
oi)ers, )adets and st#dents: T*e !a5aliers o St: -eor"e
.ere sent o#t: T*e "ilded yo#t* or"anised a mo)8 trial on
t*e Ne5s8y, establis*in" on t*e s2ot t*e existen)e bot* o
Leninists and o A-erman s2ies:B T*ere .ere s8irmis*es
and )as#alties: T*e irst bloody en)o#nter be"an,
a))ordin" to re2orts, .it* an attem2t o oi)ers to snat)*
rom t*e .or8ers a banner .it* a slo"an a"ainst t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment: T*e en)o#nters be)ame more
and more ier)eJ s*ots .ere inter)*an"ed, and to.ards
aternoon t*ey be)ame almost )ontin#o#s: Nobody 8ne.
exa)tly .*o .as s*ootin" or .*y, b#t t*ere .ere already
5i)tims o t*is disorderly s*ootin", 2artly mali)io#s, 2artly
t*e res#lt o 2ani): T*e tem2erat#re .as rea)*in" red
*eat:
No, t*at day .as not in t*e least li8e a maniestation o
national #nity: T.o .orlds stood a)e to a)e: T*e 2atrioti)
)ol#mns )alled into t*e streets a"ainst t*e .or8ers and
soldiers by t*e 9adet 3arty )onsisted ex)l#si5ely o t*e
bo#r"eois layers o t*e 2o2#lation D oi)ers, oi)ials,
intelli"entsia: T.o *#man loods D one or !onstantino2le,
one or 3ea)e D *ad iss#ed rom dierent 2arts o t*e
to.n: 4ierent in so)ial )om2osition, not a bit similar in
external a22earan)e, and .it* *ostile ins)ri2tions on t*eir
2la)ards, as t*ey )las*ed to"et*er t*ey bro#"*t into 2lay
ists, )l#bs, and e5en irearms:
T*e #nex2e)ted ne.s rea)*ed t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee
t*at 9ornilo5 .as mo5in" )annon into t*e 3ala)e SG#are:
+as t*is inde2endent initiati5e on t*e 2art o t*e
)ommander@ T*e )*ara)ter and #rt*er )areer o 9ornilo5
testiy t*at somebody .as al.ays leadin" t*at bra5e
"eneral by t*e nose D a #n)tion #lilled on t*is o))asion
by t*e 9adet leaders: It .as only be)a#se t*ey )o#nted on
t*e intereren)e o 9ornilo5, and in order to ma8e t*is
intereren)e ne)essary, t*at t*ey *ad s#mmoned t*eir
masses into t*e street: One o t*e yo#n"er *istorians *as
)orre)tly remar8ed t*at 9ornilo5;s attem2t to dra. a.ay
t*e military s)*ools to 3ala)e SG#are )oin)ided, not .it*
t*e moment o real or 2retended ne)essity to deend t*e
Mariins8y 3ala)e rom a *ostile )ro.d, b#t .it* t*e
moment o *i"*est 2it)* o t*e 9adet maniestation:
T*e Mili#8o5?9ornilo5 2lan .ent to 2ie)es, *o.e5er, and
5ery i"nominio#sly: Io.e5er na]5e t*e leaders o t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee may *a5e been, t*ey )o#ld not ail
to #nderstand t*at t*eir o.n *eads .ere in G#estion: E5en
beore t*e irst ne.s o bloody en)o#nters on t*e Ne5s8y,
t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee *ad sent to all t*e military #nits
o 3etersb#r" and its en5irons tele"ra2*i), instr#)tions not
to lea5e t*e barra)8s .it*o#t orders rom t*e So5iet?not
one deta)*ment to t*e streets o t*e )a2ital: No., .*en
t*e intentions o 9ornilo5 be)ame e5ident, t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee, )ontradi)tin" all its solemn de)larations, 2#t
bot* *ands to t*e *elm, not only demandin" o t*e
)ommander t*at *e immediately send ba)8 t*e troo2s, b#t
also )ommissionin" S8obele5 and >ili2o5s8y to send ba)8
t*ose .*i)* *ad )ome o#t in t*e name o t*e So5iet:
AEx)e2t #2on a s#mmons rom t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee in
t*ese alarmin" days, do not )ome o#t on t*e streets .it*
arms in yo#r *ands: To the E%ecutive 3ommittee alone
!elon"s the ri"ht to command you$B T*ereater e5ery
order or t*e des2at)* o troo2s *ad, besides t*e
)#stomary ormalities, to be iss#ed on an oi)ial 2a2er o
t*e So5iet and )o#ntersi"ned by no less t*an t.o 2ersons
a#t*orised or t*is 2#r2ose: It seemed t*at t*e So5iet *ad
#neG#i5o)ally inter2reted 9ornilo5;s a)t as an attem2t on
t*e 2art o t*e )o#nter?re5ol#tion to )reate a )i5il .ar: '#t,
alt*o#"* by its order it red#)ed to not*in" t*e
)ommanders*i2 o t*e distri)t, t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee
ne5er t*o#"*t o remo5in" 9ornilo5 *imsel: Io. )o#ld one
t*in8 o 5iolatin" t*e 2rero"ati5es o t*e "o5ernment@
AT*eir *ands trembled:B T*e yo#n" rF"ime .as .ra22ed
#2 in i)tions li8e a 2atient in 2illo.s and )om2resses:
>rom t*e 2oint o 5ie. o t*e )orrelation o or)es, most
instr#)ti5e is t*e a)t t*at not only t*e Military #nits, b#t
also t*e oi)ers; s)*ools, e5en beore re)ei5in" t*e order
o !*eid<e, re#sed to "o o#t .it*o#t t*e san)tion o t*e
So5iet: T*ese #n2leasantnesses, not oreseen by t*e
9adets, dro22in" #2on t*em one ater anot*er, .ere
ine5itable )onseG#en)es o t*e a)t t*at t*e R#ssian
bo#r"eoisie #2 to t*e time o t*e national re5ol#tion *ad
been an anti?national )lass: T*at )o#ld be )on)ealed or a
s*ort time by t*e d#al 2o.er, b#t )o#ld not be )orre)ted:
T*e 02ril )risis a22arently .as )omin" to not*in": T*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee *ad s#))eeded in *oldin" ba)8 t*e
masses on t*e t*res*old o t*e d#al 2o.er: On its side, t*e
"rate#l "o5ernment ex2lained t*at by A"#aranteesB and
Asan)tionsB .as to be #nderstood .orld )o#rts, limitation
o armaments and all admirable t*in"s: T*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee *astily sei<ed #2on t*ese terminolo"i)al
)on)essions, and by a maEority o 3& a"ainst 19 5oted t*e
matter adE#sted: In order to G#iet t*eir alarmed ran8s, t*e
maEority also ado2ted t*e ollo.in" resol#tion: O#r )ontrol
o t*e a)ti5ities o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment m#st be
stren"t*enedJ .it*o#t 2re5io#sly inormin" t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee no im2ortant 2oliti)al ste2s m#st be ta8enJ t*e
di2lomati) 2ersonnel m#st be radi)ally )*an"ed: T*e
do#ble so5erei"nty .*i)* *ad existed in a)t .as t*#s
translated into t*e E#ridi)al lan"#a"e o a )onstit#tion: '#t
t*is )*an"ed not*in" in t*e nat#re o t*in"s: T*e let .in"
)o#ld not e5en se)#re rom t*e )om2romisin" maEority t*e
resi"nation o Mili#8o5: E5eryt*in" m#st remain as beore:
O5er t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment *#n" t*e ar more
ee)ti5e )ontrol o t*e Entente, .*i)* t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee did not dare to to#)*:
On t*e e5enin" o t*e 21st t*e 3etro"rad So5iet )ast #2 its
balan)e: Tseretelli re2orted on t*e res* 5i)tory o t*e .ise
leaders*i2, .*i)* *ad 2#t an end to all alse
inter2retations o t*e note o Mar)* 27: 9amene5, in t*e
name o t*e 'ols*e5i8s, 2ro2osed t*e ormation o a
2#rely so5iet "o5ernment: 9ollantai, a 2o2#lar re5ol#tionist
.*o *ad )ome o5er d#rin" t*e .ar rom t*e Mens*e5i8s to
t*e 'ols*e5i8s, 2ro2osed a reerend#m t*ro#"*o#t all t*e
distri)ts o 3etro"rad and its en5irons on t*e desirability o
t*is 2ro5isional "o5ernment or anot*er: '#t t*ese
2ro2osals *ardly entered into t*e )ons)io#sness o t*e
So5iet: t*e G#estion, it seemed, .as adE#sted: T*e
sola)in" resol#tion o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .as
ado2ted by an enormo#s maEority a"ainst 1$: To be s#re, a
maEority o t*e 'ols*e5i8 de2#ties .ere t*en still in t*eir
a)tories, on t*e streets, or attendin" demonstrations: '#t
ne5ert*eless it remains ind#bitable t*at in t*e )entral
mass o t*e So5iet t*ere .as not any mo5e to t*e side o
t*e 'ols*e5i8s:
T*e So5iet dire)ted all to rerain or t.o days rom any
street demonstrations: T*is resol#tion .as ado2ted
#nanimo#sly: Nobody *ad a s*ado. o do#bt t*at all .o#ld
s#bmit to t*e de)ision: 0nd as a a)t t*e .or8ers, t*e
soldiers, t*e bo#r"eois yo#t*, t*e Vybor" side, t*e Ne5s8y
3ros2e)t D no one at all dared to disobey t*e order o t*e
So5iet: TranG#illity .as attained .it*o#t any or)ible
meas#res .*ate5er: T*e So5iet *ad only to eel itsel
master o t*e sit#ation and it .o#ld *a5e been so in a)t:
Into t*e editorial oi)es o t*e let 2a2ers in t*ose days
2o#red many s)ores o a)tory and re"imental resol#tions
demandin" t*e immediate resi"nation o Mili#8o5, and
sometimes o t*e .*ole 3ro5isional -o5ernment: 0nd not
only 3etro"rad s#r"ed #2: In Mos)o. too t*e .or8ers
abandoned t*e s*o2s, and t*e soldiers iss#ed rom t*e
barra)8s, illin" t*e streets .it* stormy 2rotests:
Tele"rams 2o#red in to t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee rom
s)ores o lo)al so5iets, o22osin" t*e 2oli)y o Mili#8o5 and
2romisin" #ll s#22ort to t*e So5iet: T*e same 5oi)es
)ame rom t*e ront: '#t all .as to remain as beore:
A4#rin" 02ril 21,B asserted Mili#8o5 later, Aa mood
a5o#rable to t*e "o5ernment a"ain too8 2ossession o t*e
streets:B Ie e5idently *ad in mind t*ose streets .*i)* *e
*ad an o22ort#nity to 5ie. rom t*e bal)ony ater t*e
maEority o t*e .or8ers and soldiers *ad "one *ome: 0s an
a)t#al a)t, t*e "o5ernment *ad been )om2letely s*o.n
#2: T*ere .as no serio#s or)e be*ind it: +e *a5e E#st
*eard t*is rom t*e li2s o Stan8e5i)* and 3rin)e L5o5
*imsel: +*at did 9ornilo5;s ass#ran)e t*at *e *ad
s#i)ient or)es to 2#t do.n t*e rebels mean@ Not*in"
.*ate5er ex)e2t t*e extreme li"*t?mindedness o t*e
res2e)ted "eneral: T*is li"*t?mindedness .ill rea)* its
*i"*est bloom in 0#"#st, .*en t*e )ons2irator 9ornilo5 .ill
de2loy a"ainst 3etro"rad a non?existent army: T*e tro#ble
.as t*at 9ornilo5 .as still tryin" to E#d"e t*e troo2s by t*e
)ommandin" sta: T*e oi)ers, a maEority o t*em, .ere
ind#bitably .it* *im D t*at is, t*ey .ere ready, #nder t*e
2retext o deendin" t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment, to smas*
t*e ribs o t*e So5iet: T*e soldiers stood or t*e So5iet,
bein" 5ery m#)* art*er to t*e let t*an t*e So5iet itsel:
'#t inasm#)* as t*e So5iet stood or t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment, it *a22ened t*at 9ornilo5 .as able to brin"
o#t in its deen)e So5iet soldiers )ommanded by
rea)tionary oi)ers: T*an8s to t*e t.o?2o.er rF"ime, t*ey
.ere all 2layin" *ide and see8 .it* one anot*er: Io.e5er,
t*e leaders o t*e So5iet *ad *ardly iss#ed t*e )ommand
to t*e troo2s not to lea5e t*eir barra)8s, .*en 9ornilo5
o#nd *imsel *an"in" in t*e air alon" .it* t*e .*ole
3ro5isional -o5ernment:
0nd yet t*e "o5ernment did not all: T*e masses .*o *ad
made t*e atta)8 .ere totally #n2re2ared to )arry it
t*ro#"*, to t*e end: T*e !om2romise leaders .ere t*#s
still able to try to t#rn ba)8 t*e >ebr#ary rF"ime to its
ori"inal 2osition: Ia5in" or"otten, or desirin" to ma8e
ot*ers or"et, t*at t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee *ad been
o2enly )om2elled in o22osition to t*e Ale"ally )onstit#tedB
a#t*orities to lay its *ands on t*e army, t*e I%vestia o
t*e So5iet )om2lained on 02ril 22: AT*e So5iet did not
as2ire to sei<e t*e 2o.er in its o.n *ands, b#t
ne5ert*eless #2on many banners )arried by t*e 2artisans
o t*e So5iet t*ere .ere ins)ri2tions demandin" t*e
o5ert*ro. o t*e "o5ernment and t*e transer o all 2o.er
to t*e So5iet:B ::: Is it not indeed exas2eratin" t*at t*e
.or8ers and soldiers *ad tried to tem2t t*e !om2romisers
.it* 2o.er D t*at is, *ad serio#sly ima"ined t*ese
"entlemen )a2able o ma8in" a re5ol#tionary #se o it@
No, t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and Mens*e5i8s did not
.ant t*e 2o.er: 0s .e sa., t*e 'ols*e5i8 resol#tion
demandin" t*e transer o 2o.er to t*e so5iets, m#stered
in t*e 3etro"rad So5iet an insi"nii)ant #mber o 5otes: In
Mos)o. t*e 5ote o Ano )oniden)eB in t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment, introd#)ed by t*e 'ols*e5i8s on 02ril 22,
m#stered only 7& 5otes o#t o many *#ndreds: To be s#re
t*e Ielsin"ors So5iet, not.it*standin" its domination by
So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and Mens*e5i8s, ado2ted on t*at
same day an extraordinarily bold resol#tion or t*ose
times, oerin" t*e 3etro"rad So5iet its armed assistan)e in
remo5in" t*e Aim2erialist 3ro5isional -o5ernment:B '#t
t*at resol#tion, ado2ted #nder dire)t 2ress#re rom t*e
sailors, .as an ex)e2tion: 'y an o5er.*elmin" maEority,
t*e So5iet de2#ties, re2resentin" t*ose masses .*o *ad
been b#t yesterday so near to an armed ins#rre)tion
a"ainst t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment, stood 2at on t*e t.o?
2o.er system: +*at does t*is si"niy@
T*is )ryin" )ontradi)tion bet.een t*e de)isi5eness o t*e
mass oensi5e and t*e *al?*eartedness o its 2oliti)al
rele)tion .as not a))idental: In a re5ol#tionary e2o)* t*e
o22ressed masses t#rn more easily and G#i)8ly to dire)t
a)tion, t*an t*ey learn to "i5e t*eir desires and demands a
ormal ex2ression t*ro#"* t*eir o.n re2resentati5es: T*e
more abstra)t t*e system o re2resentation, t*e more it
la"s be*ind t*e r*yt*m o t*ose e5ents .*i)* determine
t*e a)ti5ity o t*e masses: 0 So5iet re2resentation, t*e
least abstra)t o all, *as immeas#rable ad5anta"es in
re5ol#tionary )onditions: it is s#i)ient to remember t*at
t*e demo)rati) 4#mas, ele)ted a))ordin" to t*eir o.n
re"#lations o 02ril 17, *am2ered by not*in" and by
nobody, 2ro5ed absol#tely 2o.erless to )om2ete .it* t*e
so5iets: '#t .it* all t*e ad5anta"es o t*eir or"ani)
)onne)tion .it* t*e a)tories and re"iments?t*at is, .it*
t*e a)ti5e masses?t*e so5iets are ne5ert*eless
re2resentati5e or"ans, and are t*ereore not ree rom t*e
G#alii)ations and distortions o 2arliamentarism: T*e
)ontradi)tion in*erent in re2resentation, e5en o t*e so5iet
orm, lies in t*e a)t t*at it is on t*e one ne)essary to t*e
a)tion o t*e masses, b#t on t*e ot*er easily be)omes a
)onser5ati5e obsta)le to it: T*e 2ra)ti)al .ay o#t o t*is
)ontradi)tion is to rene. t*e re2resentation )ontin#ally:
'#t t*is o2eration, no.*ere 5ery sim2le, m#st in a
re5ol#tion be t*e res#lt o dire)t a)tion and t*ereore la"
be*ind s#)* a)tion: 0t any rate, on t*e day ater t*e 02ril
semi?ins#rre)tion, or more a))#rately, G#arter?ins#rre)tion
D t*e semi?ins#rre)tion .ill o))#r in ,#ly D t*e same
de2#ties .ere sittin" in t*e So5iet as on t*e day beore:
0rri5in" on)e more in t*eir a))#stomed seats t*ey 5oted
or t*e motions o t*eir a))#stomed leaders:
'#t t*is by no means si"niies t*at t*e 02ril storm *ad
2assed .it*o#t ee)t on t*e So5iet, on t*e entire >ebr#ary
system, and still more on t*e masses t*emsel5es: T*at
"iant intereren)e o t*e .or8ers and soldiers in 2oliti)al
e5ents, alt*o#"* not yet )arried t*ro#"* to t*e end,
altered t*e 2oliti)al s)ene, "a5e im2#lse to t*e "eneral
mo5ement o t*e re5ol#tion, a))elerated ine5itable
re"ro#2in"s, and or)ed t*e 2arlo#r and ba)8sta"e
2oliti)ians to or"et t*eir 2lans o yesterday and ada2t
t*eir a)tion to ne. sets o )ir)#mstan)es:
+*en t*e !om2romisers *ad liG#idated t*is lare?#2 o
)i5il .ar, and t*o#"*t t*at e5eryt*in" .as )omin" ba)8 to
its old 2osition, t*e "o5ernment )risis .as only E#st
be"innin": T*e liberals did not .ant to r#le any lon"er
.it*o#t a dire)t 2arti)i2ation o so)ialists in t*e
"o5ernment: T*e so)ialists on t*eir 2art, or)ed by t*e
lo"i) o t*e t.o?2o.er system to a"ree to t*is )ondition,
demanded an #neG#i5o)al re2#diation o t*e 4ardanelles
2ro"ramme, and t*is ine5itably led to t*e do.nall o
Mili#8o5: On May 2, Mili#8o5 o#nd *imsel )om2elled to
lea5e t*e ran8s o t*e "o5ernment: T*e slo"an o t*e
demonstration o 02ril 2% .as t*#s realised in t*e s2a)e o
t.el5e days, and a"ainst t*e .ill o t*e So5iet leaders:
'#t delays and 2ro)rastinations s#))eeded only in
a))ent#atin" more stron"ly t*e im2oten)e o t*e r#lers
Mili#8o5, attem2tin" .it* t*e aid o *is "eneral to ma8e a
s*ar2 brea8 in t*e )orrelation o or)es, *ad 2o22ed o#t o
t*e "o5ernment .it* a noise li8e a )or8: T*e smas*in"
"eneral o#nd *imsel obli"ed to resi"n: T*e ministers did
not loo8 a bit li8e "#ests o *ono#r any more: T*e
"o5ernment im2lored t*e So5iet to a"ree to a )oalition: 0ll
t*is be)a#se t*e masses .ere 2ressin" on t*e lon" end o
t*e le5er:
T*is does not mean, *o.e5er, t*at t*e !om2romisin"
2arties .ere )omin" nearer to t*e .or8ers and soldiers:
On t*e )ontrary, t*e 02ril e5ents by s#""estin" .*at
#nex2e)ted s#r2rises lay *idden in t*e masses, im2elled
t*e demo)rati) leaders still #rt*er to.ard t*e ri"*t,
to.ard a )loser #nion .it* t*e bo#r"eoisie: >rom t*at time
on t*e 2atrioti) )o#rse deinitely 2redominates: T*e
maEority o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee be)omes more
#nited: >ormless radi)als li8e S#8*ano5, Ste8lo5, et):, .*o
*ad b#t re)ently ins2ired t*e 2oli)ies o t*e So5iet, and
*ad made attem2ts to sa5e somet*in" at least o t*e
traditions o so)ialism, are 2#s*ed aside: Tseretelli ta8es a
irm, )onser5ati5e and 2atrioti) 2osition, an
a))ommodation o Mili#8o5;s 2oli)ies to t*e re2resentati5e
or"an o t*e labo#rin" masses:
T*e )ond#)t o t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty d#rin" t*e 02ril days
.as not #niorm: E5ents *ad )a#"*t t*e 2arty #n2re2ared:
T*e internal )risis .as E#st bein" .o#nd #2, and b#sy
2re2arations .ere "oin" on or t*e 2arty )oneren)e:
Im2ressed by t*e 8een ex)itement in t*e .or8ers; distri)ts
some 'ols*e5i8s ex2ressed t*emsel5es in a5o#r o
o5ert*ro.in" t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment: T*e 3etro"rad
!ommittee, .*i)* on Mar)* = *ad been still 2assin"
resol#tions o G#aliied )oniden)e in t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment, .a5ered: It .as de)ided to *old a
demonstration on t*e 21st, t*o#"* its 2#r2ose .as still
ins#i)iently deined: 0 2art o t*e 3etro"rad !ommittee
.ere brin"in" t*e .or8ers and soldiers into t*e streets
.it* t*e intention not 5ery )lear, to be s#re D o
attem2tin", so to s2ea8 in)identally, to o5ert*ro. t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment: Indi5id#al let elements standin"
o#tside t*e 2arty a)ted in t*e same dire)tion: T*ere .as
a22arently also an anar)*ist element D not n#mero#s b#t
b#stlin": T*e military G#arters .ere a22roa)*ed by
indi5id#al 2ersons demandin" armo#red )ars or "eneral
reinor)ements, no. or t*e arrest o t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment, no. or street i"*tin" .it* t*e enemy: 0n
armo#red )ar di5ision )lose to t*e 'ols*e5i8s de)lared,
*o.e5er, t*at t*ey .o#ld "i5e no ma)*ines to anyone
ex)e2t by order o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee:
T*e 9adets did t*eir best to 2la)e t*e blame or t*e bloody
en)o#nters on t*e 'ols*e5i8s: '#t a s2e)ial )ommittee o
t*e So5iet establis*ed beyond a do#bt t*at t*e s*ootin"
*ad started, not in t*e streets, b#t rom door.ays and
.indo.s: T*e ne.s2a2ers 2#blis*ed an anno#n)ement
rom t*e 3#bli) 3rose)#tor: AT*e s*ootin" .as done by t*e
s)#m o t*e 2o2#lation or t*e 2#r2ose o aro#sin"
disorders and dist#rban)es D al.ays #se#l to t*e )riminal
elements:B
T*e *ostility o t*e r#lin" So5iet 2arties to t*e 'ols*e5i8s
*ad not yet rea)*ed t*at intensity .*i)* t.o mont*s later,
in ,#ly, )om2letely e)li2sed bot* reason and )ons)ien)e:
T*e 4e2artment o ,#sti)e, alt*o#"* it *ad 8e2t its old
sta, .as standin" at attention beore t*e re5ol#tion, and
in 02ril *ad not yet 2ermitted itsel to a22ly to t*e extreme
let t*e met*ods o t*e )<ar;s se)ret ser5i)e: 0lon" t*is
line too Mili#8o5;s atta)8 .as re2elled .it*o#t dii)#lty:
T*e 2arty !entral !ommittee 2#lled #2 on t*e let .in"
'ols*e5i8s, and de)lared on 02ril 21 t*at t*ey )onsidered
t*e So5iet;s 5eto o demonstrations 2ere)tly in order, and
to be s#bmitted to #n)onditionally: AT*e motto [4o.n .it*
t*e -o5ernment; is in)orre)t at 2resent,B stated t*e
resol#tion o t*e !entral !ommittee, Abe)a#se .it*o#t a
solid /t*at is, )ons)io#s and or"anised1 maEority o t*e
2eo2le on t*e side o t*e 2roletariat, s#)* a motto is eit*er
an em2ty 2*rase, or leads to attem2ts o an ad5ent#ro#s
)*ara)ter:B T*is resol#tion de)lared t*e tas8 o t*e
moment to be )riti)ism, 2ro2a"anda, and .innin" o t*e
maEority in t*e so5iets, as t*e "ro#nd.or8 or )a2t#rin"
t*e 2o.er: In t*is t*eir o22onents sa. eit*er t*e retreat o
ri"*tened leaders, or a sly manoe#5re: +e already 8no.
t*e #ndamental 2osition o Lenin on t*e G#estion o
2o.erJ *e .as no. tea)*in" t*e 2arty to a22ly t*e A02ril
t*esesB on t*e basis o a)t#al ex2erien)e:
T*ree .ee8s beore t*is, 9amene5 *ad de)lared t*at *e
.as A*a22yB to 5ote .it* t*e Mens*e5i8s and So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries or a Eoint resol#tion on t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment, and Stalin *ad been de5elo2in" *is t*eory o
a di5ision o labo#r bet.een 9adets and 'ols*e5i8s: Io.
ar t*ose days and t*ose t*eories .ere "one into t*e 2astO
Only ater t*e lesson o t*e 02ril days, Stalin at last )ame
o#t a"ainst t*e t*eory o bene5olent A)ontrolB o5er t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment, )a#tio#sly retreatin" rom *is o.n
2re5io#s 2osition: '#t t*is manoe#5re 2assed #nnoti)ed:
In .*at )onsisted t*e element o ad5ent#rism in t*e 2oli)y
o )ertain 2arts o t*e 2arty@ as8ed Lenin at a )oneren)e
.*i)*, o2ened ri"*t ater t*e mena)in" days: It )onsisted
in t*e attem2t to em2loy 5iolen)e .*ere t*ere .as not
yet, or no lon"er any 2la)e or re5ol#tionary 5iolen)e: ACo#
)an o5ert*ro. one .*o is 8no.n to t*e 2eo2le as a tyrantJ
b#t t*ere are no tyrants no.J t*e )annon and riles are in
t*e *ands o t*e soldiers , not t*e )a2italists: T*e
)a2italists axe not 2re5ailin" .it* 5iolen)e b#t de)eit, and
yo# )an;t tal8 no. abo#t 5iolen)e D its mere nonsense :::
+e "a5e t*e slo"an o 2ea)e#l demonstration: +e .anted
only to ma8e a 2ea)e#l re)onnoitre o t*e enemy;s
stren"t*, not to "i5e battle: '#t t*e 3etro"rad !ommittee
aimed a .ee bit too ar to t*e let:::: 0lon" .it* t*e )orre)t
slo"an, [Lon" Li5e t*e So5ietsO; t*ey "a5e a .ron" one,
[4o.n .it* t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment; 0 moment o
a)tion is no time to aim [a .ee bit too ar to t*e let:; +e
loo8 #2on t*at as t*e "reatest )rime, disor"anisation:B
+*at lies #nderneat* t*e dramati) e5ents o a re5ol#tion@
S*its in t*e )orrelation o )lass or)es@ +*at )a#ses t*ese
s*its@ >or t*e most 2art os)illations o t*e intermediary
)lasses, t*e 2easantry, t*e 2etty bo#r"eoisie, t*e army:
T*ere is a "i"anti) am2lit#de o os)illation bet.een 9adet
im2erialism and 'ols*e5ism: T*ese os)illations "o
sim#ltaneo#sly in t.o o22osite dire)tions: T*e 2oliti)al
re2resentati5es o t*e 2etty bo#r"eoisie, t*eir )*ies, t*e
)om2romisin" leaders, "ra5itate art*er and art*er to t*e
ri"*t, to.ard t*e bo#r"eoisie: T*e o22ressed masses, on
t*e ot*er *and, .ill ea)* time ta8e a s*ar2er and more
darin" s.in" to t*e let: In 2rotestin" a"ainst t*e
ad5ent#rism s*o.n by t*e leaders o t*e 3etro"rad
or"anisation, Lenin made t*is ex)e2tion: i t*e
intermediate masses *ad s.#n" to.ard o#r side serio#sly,
dee2ly, steadily, .e .o#ld not s*a5e *esitated one min#te
to o#st t*e "o5ernment rom t*e Mariins8y 3ala)e: '#t t*is
*as not yet *a22ened: T*e 02ril )risis, b#rstin" into t*e
street, .as Anot t*e irst and not t*e last s.in" o t*e
2etty bo#r"eois and semi?2roletarian masses:B O#r tas8 is
still or t*e time bein" to A2atiently ex2lainB D to 2re2are
t*e next s.in" o t*e masses to o#r side, a dee2er and
more )ons)io#s one:
0s or t*e 2roletariat, its mo5ement to t*e side o t*e
'ols*e5i8s ass#med d#rin" 02ril a )learly ex2ressed
)*ara)ter: +or8ers )ame to t*e 2arty )ommittees as8in"
*o. to transer t*eir names rom t*e Mens*e5i8 3arty to
t*e 'ols*e5i8: 0t t*e a)tories t*ey be"an insistently to
G#estion t*e de2#ties abo#t orei"n 2oli)y, t*e .ar, t*e
t.o?2o.er system, t*e ood G#estionJ and as a res#lt o
t*ese examinations Mens*e5i8 and So)ial Re5ol#tionary
dele"ates .ere more and more reG#ently re2la)ed by
'ols*e5i8s: T*e s*ar2 t#rn be"an in t*e distri)t so5iets, as
t*ese .ere )loser to t*e a)tories: In t*e so5iets o t*e
Vybor" side, Vasilie5 Island, Nar5a distri)t, t*e 'ols*e5i8s
seemed s#ddenly and #nex2e)tedly to ind t*emsel5es
to.ard t*e end o 02ril in a maEority: T*is .as a a)t o t*e
"reatest si"nii)an)e, b#t t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee
leaders, b#sy .it* *i"* 2oliti)s, loo8ed .it* disdain #2on
t*e #ssin" o t*e 'ols*e5i8s in t*e .or8ers; distri)ts:
Io.e5er, t*e distri)ts be"an to 2ress on t*e )entre more
and more 2er)e2tibly: In t*e a)tories, .it*o#t orders rom
t*e 3etro"rad !ommittee, an ener"eti) and s#))ess#l
)am2ai"n .as )arried on or t*e re?ele)tion o
re2resentati5es to t*e m#ni)i2al so5iet o .or8ers;
de2#ties: S#8*ano5 estimates t*at at t*e be"innin" o May
t*e 'ols*e5i8s *ad be*ind t*em a t*ird o t*e 3etro"rad
2roletariat: Not less, )ertainly D and t*e most a)ti5e t*ird
besides: T*e Mar)* ormlessness *ad disa22earedJ
2oliti)al lines .ere s*ar2enin"J t*e Aantasti)B t*eses o
Lenin .ere tal8in" les* in t*e 3etro"rad .or8ers; distri)ts:
E5ery ste2 or.ard o t*e re5ol#tion .as e5o8ed or
)om2elled by dire)t inter5ention o t*e masses D in most
)ases #tterly #nex2e)ted by t*e So5iet 2arties: 0ter t*e
>ebr#ary #2risin", .*en t*e .or8ers and soldiers
o5ert*re. t*e monar)*y .it*o#t anyone;s 2ermission, t*e
leaders o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee )onsidered t*e rHle o
t*e masses #lilled: '#t t*ey .ere atally .ron": T*e
masses *ad no intention o "ettin" o t*e sta"e: 0lready
in t*e be"innin" o Mar)*, d#rin" t*e )am2ai"n or t*e
ei"*t?*o#r day, t*e .or8ers .rested t*is )on)ession rom
)a2ital in s2ite o t*e eorts o Mens*e5i8s and So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries to *old t*em ba)8: T*e So5iet .as or)ed
to re)ord a 5i)tory obtained .it*o#t it and a"ainst it: T*e
02ril demonstration .as a se)ond )orre)tion o t*e same
8ind: E5ery mass a)tion, re"ardless o its immediate aim,
is a .arnin" addressed to t*e leaders*i2: T*is .arnin" is
at irst mild in )*ara)ter, b#t be)omes more and more
resol#te: 'y ,#ly it *ad be)ome a t*reat: In O)tober .e
*a5e t*e inal a)t:
In all )riti)al moments t*e masses inter5ene
As2ontaneo#slyB D in ot*er .ords, obeyin" only t*eir o.n
rom 2oliti)al ex2erien)e, and t*eir as yet oi)ially
#nre)o"nised leaders: 0ssimilatin" t*is or t*at 2remise
rom t*e tal8 o a"itators, t*e masses on t*eir o.n 5olition
translate its )on)l#sions alto t*e lan"#a"e o a)tion: T*e
'ols*e5i8s, as a 2arty, .ere not yet leadin" t*e )am2ai"n
or t*e ei"*t?*o#r day: T*e 'ols*e5i8s did not s#mmon t*e
masses to t*e 02ril demonstration: T*e 'ols*e5i8s .ill not
)all t*e armed masses into t*e street at t*e be"innin" o
,#ly: Only in O)tober .ill t*e 2arty inally, all in ste2 and
mar)* o#t at t*e *ead o t*e masses, not or a
demonstration b#t or a re5ol#tion:
Chapter 1/: The )irst Coalition
0ll oi)ial t*eories, de)larations and ad5ertisements to t*e
)ontrary not.it*standin", t*e 2o.er belon"ed to t*e
3ro5isional "o5ernment on 2a2er only: T*e re5ol#tion,
2ayin" no attention to t*e resistan)e o t*e so?)alled
demo)ra)y, .as stridin" alon", litin" #2 ne. masses o
t*e 2eo2le, stren"t*enin" t*e .or8ers: T*e So5iets, and to
a limited extent e5en armin" t*e lo)al )ommissars o t*e
"o5ernment and t*e Aso)ial )ommitteesB )reated #nder
t*em, in .*i)* re2resentati5es o bo#r"eois or"anisations
#s#ally 2redominated, .ere G#ite nat#rally and .it*o#t
eort )ro.ded o#t by t*e so5iets: In )ertain )ases, .*en
t*ese a"ents o t*e )entral 2o.er tried to resist, s*ar2
)onli)ts arose: T*e )ommissars a))#sed t*e lo)al so5iets
o re#sin" to re)o"nise t*e )entral "o5ernment: T*e
bo#r"eois 2ress be"an to )ry o#t t*at !ronstadt,
S)*l#sselb#r" or !<aritsyn *ad se)eded rom R#ssia and
be)ome inde2endent re2#bli)s: T*e lo)al so5iets 2rotested
a"ainst t*is nonsense: T*e ministers "ot ex)ited: T*e
"o5ernmental so)ialists *astened to t*ese 2la)es,
2ers#adin", t*reatenin", E#stiyin" t*emsel5es beore t*e
bo#r"eoisie: '#t all t*is did not )*an"e t*e )orrelation o
or)es: T*e ate#lness o t*e 2ro)esses #nderminin" t*e
t.o 2o.er system )o#ld be seen in t*e a)t t*at t*ese
2ro)esses .ere de5elo2in", alt*o#"* at dierent tem2os,
all o5er t*e )o#ntry: >rom or"ans or )ontrollin" t*e
"o5ernment t*e so5iets .ere be)omin" or"ans o
administration: T*ey .o#ld not a))ommodate t*emsel5es
to any t*eory o t*e di5ision o 2o.ers, b#t 8e2t intererin"
in t*e administration o t*e army, in e)onomi) )onli)ts,
G#estions o ood and trans2ort, e5en in t*e )o#rts o
E#sti)e: T*e so5iets #nder 2ress#re rom t*e .or8ers
de)reed t*e ei"*t?*o#r day, remo5ed rea)tionary
exe)#ti5es, o#sted t*e more intolerable )ommissars o t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment, )ond#)ted sear)*es and arrests,
s#22ressed *ostile ne.s2a2ers: 6nder t*e inl#en)e o
)ontin#ally in)reasin" ood dii)#lties and a "oods amine,
t*e 2ro5in)ial so5iets #ndertoo8 to ix 2ri)es, orbid ex2ort
rom t*e 2ro5in)es and reG#isition 2ro5isions:
Ne5ert*eless at t*e *ead o t*e so5iets e5ery.*ere stood
t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and Mens*e5i8 .*o reEe)ted
.it* indi"nation t*e 'ols*e5i8 slo"an, A3o.er to t*e
So5ietsOB
Es2e)ially instr#)ti5e in t*is )onne)tion is t*e a)ti5ity o
t*e so5iet in Tilis, t*e 5ery *eart o t*e Mens*e5i8 -ironde
.*i)* "a5e t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion s#)* leaders as
Tseretelli and !*eid<e, and s*eltered t*em ater.ards
.*en t*ey *ad *o2elessly sG#andered t*emsel5es in
3etro"rad: T*e Tilis So5iet, led by ,ordania D ater.ards
*ead o inde2endent -eor"ia D o#nd itsel )om2elled at
e5ery ste2 to tram2le on t*e 2rin)i2les o t*e Mens*e5i8
3arty in )ontrol o it, and a)t as so5erei"n 2o.er: T*is
so5iet )onis)ated a 2ri5ate 2rintin" establis*ment or its
o.n #ses, made arrests, too8 )*ar"e o in5esti"ations and
trials or 2oliti)al oen)es, establis*ed a bread ration, and
ixed t*e 2ri)es o ood and t*e ne)essaries o lie T*at
)ontrast bet.een oi)ial do)trine and real lie, maniest
rom t*e 5ery irst day, only )ontin#ed to "ro. t*ro#"*o#t
Mar)* and 02ril:
In 3etro"rad a )ertain de)or#m at least .as obser5ed D
alt*o#"* not al.ays, as .e *a5e seen: T*e 02ril days,
*o.e5er *ad #neG#i5o)ally lited t*e )#rtain on t*e
im2oten)e o t*e /3ro5isional -o5ernment, s*o.in" t*at it
*ad no serio#s s#22ort .*ate5er in t*e )a2ital: In t*e last
ten days o 02ril t*e "o5ernment .as li)8erin" and "oin"
o#t: A9erens8y stated .it*, an"#is* t*at t*e "o5ernment
.as already non?existent, t*at it did not .or8 b#t merely
dis)#ssed its )onditionB /Stan8e5i)*1: Co# mi"*t say in
"eneral abo#t t*is "o5ernment, t*at #2 to t*e days o
O)tober in *ard moments it .as al.ays #nder"oin" a
)risis, and in t*e inter5als bet.een )rises it .as merely
existin": !ontin#ally Adis)#ssin" its )ondition,B it o#nd no
time or b#siness:
>rom t*e )risis )reated by t*e 02ril re*earsal o #t#re
e5ents, t*ree o#t)omes .ere t*eoreti)ally 2ossible: T*e
2o.er mi"*t *a5e "one o5er .*olly to t*e bo#r"eoisieJ
t*at )o#ld *a5e been a)*ie5ed only t*ro#"* )i5il .arJ
Mili#8o5 made t*e attem2t, b#t ailed: T*e 2o.er s*o#ld
*a5e "one o5er .*olly to t*e so5ietsJ t*is )o#ld *a5e been
a))om2lis*ed .it*o#t any )i5il .ar .*ate5er, merely by
raisin" o *ands D merely by .is*in" it: '#t t*e
!om2romisers did not .ant to .is* it, and t*e masses still
2reser5ed t*eir ait* in t*e !om2romisers, alt*o#"* it .as
badly )ra)8ed: T*#s bot* o t*e #ndamental .ays o#t D
t*e bo#r"eois and t*e 2roletarian D .ere )losed: T*ere
remained a t*ird 2ossibility, t*e )on#sed, .ea8?*earted,
)o.ardly *al?road o )om2romise: T*e name o t*at road
.as !oalition:
0t t*e end o t*e 02ril days t*e so)ialists *ad no t*o#"*t
o a )oalition: In "eneral t*ose 2eo2le ne5er oresa.
anyt*in": 'y t*e resol#tion o 02ril 21 t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee *ad oi)ially )on5erted t*e do#ble so5erei"nty
rom a a)t into a )onstit#tional 2rin)i2le: '#t *ere a"ain
t*e o.l o .isdom made *er li"*t too late: t*is E#ridi)al
)onse)ration o t*e Mar)* orm o do#ble so5erei"nty D t*e
8in"s and t*e 2ro2*ets D .as )arried o#t E#st at t*e
moment .*en t*is orm *ad already been ex2loded by t*e
a)tion o t*e masses: T*e so)ialists tried to )lose t*eir
eyes to t*is: Mili#8o5 relates t*at .*en t*e G#estion o a
)oalition .as raised rom t*e "o5ernment side, Tseretelli
said: A+*at "ood .ill it do yo# i .e enter yo#r )abinet@
+e .ill be )om2elled, in )ase yo# are st#bborn, to
.it*dra. rom t*e ministry .it* a lo#d ban":B Tseretelli
.as tryin" to ri"*ten t*e liberals .it* *is #t#re Aban":B
0s al.ays in t*e #ndamentals o t*eir 2oli)ies, t*e
Mens*e5i8s .ere a22ealin" to t*e interests o t*e
bo#r"eoisie t*emsel5es: '#t t*e .ater .as #2 to t*eir
ne)8s: 9erens8y ri"*tened t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee: AT*e
"o5ernment is at 2resent in an im2ossibly dii)#lt
sit#ation: t*e r#mo#rs o its resi"nation are no 2oliti)al by?
2lay:B 0t t*e same time t*ere .as 2ress#re rom t*e
bo#r"eois )ir)les: T*e Mos)o. )ity d#ma 2assed a
resol#tion in a5o#r o )oalition: On 02ril 2(, .*en t*e
"ro#nd .as s#i)iently 2re2ared, t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment anno#n)ed in a s2e)ial a22eal t*e ne)essity
o brin"in" in to t*e "o5ernmental .or8 At*ose a)ti5e
)reati5e or)es o t*e )o#ntry .*i)* *a5e not yet
2arti)i2ated in it:B T*e G#estion .as t*#s 2resented 2oint?
blan8:
T*e eelin" a"ainst )oalition .as ne5ert*eless 2retty
stron": 0t t*e end o 02ril t*e ollo.in" so5iets de)lared
t*emsel5es a"ainst t*e 2arti)i2ation o so)ialists in t*e
"o5ernment: Mos)o., Tilis, Odessa, E8aterinb#r", Ni<*ni?
No5"orod, T5er, and ot*ers: T*eir moti5es .ere 5ery
)learly ex2ressed by one o t*e Mens*e5i8 leaders in
Mos)o.: I t*e so)ialists enter t*e "o5ernment, t*ere .ill
be nobody to lead t*e mo5ement o t*e masses Ain a
deinite )*annel:B '#t it .as dii)#lt to )on5ey t*is idea to
t*e .or8ers and soldiers a"ainst .*om it .as, dire)ted:
T*e masses, in so ar as t*ey .ere not yet or t*e
'ols*e5i8s, stood solid or t*e entran)e o so)ialists into
t*e "o5ernment: I it is a "ood t*in" to *a5e 9erens8y as a
minister, t*en so m#)* t*e better six 9erens8ys: T*e
masses did not 8no. t*at t*is .as )alled )oalition .it* t*e
bo#r"eoisie, and t*at t*e bo#r"eoisie .anted to #se t*ese
so)ialists as a )o5er or t*eir a)ti5ities a"ainst t*e 2eo2le:
0 )oalition loo8ed dierent rom t*e barra)8s and rom t*e
Mariins8y 3ala)e: T*e masses .anted to #se t*e so)ialists
to )ro.d o#t t*e bo#r"eoisie rom t*e "o5ernment: T*#s
t.o or)es tendin" in o22osite dire)tions #nited or a
moment in one:
In 3etro"rad a series o military #nits, amon" t*em an
armo#red )ar di5ision riendly to t*e 'ols*e5i8s, de)lared
in a5o#r o )oalition "o5ernment: T*e 2ro5in)es 5oted or
t*e )oalition by an o5er.*elmin" maEority: T*e )oalition
tenden)y 2re5ailed amon" t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionariesJ t*ey
only eared to "o into t*e "o5ernment .it*o#t t*e
Mens*e5i8s: 0nd inally, t*e army .as in a5o#r o
)oalition: One o its dele"ates later D at t*e ,#ne )on"ress
o t*e so5iets D ex2ressed not at all badly t*e attit#de o
t*e ront to.ard t*e G#estion o 2o.er: A+e t*o#"*t t*at
t*e "roan .*i)* arose rom t*e army .*en it learned t*at
t*e so)ialists .o#ld not enter t*e ministry to .or8 .it*
2eo2le .*om t*ey did not tr#st, .*ile t*e .*ole army .as
)om2elled to "o on dyin" .it* 2eo2le .*om it did not
tr#st, m#st *a5e been *eard in 3etro"rad:B
T*e .ar .as t*e de)idin" a)tor in t*is G#estion, as in
ot*ers: T*e so)ialists *ad at irst intended to sit o#t t*e
.ar, as also t*e so5erei"nty, and .ait: '#t t*e .ar .o#ld
not .ait: T*e 0llies .o#ld not .ait: T*e ront did not .ant
to .ait any lon"er: Ri"*t in t*e middle o t*e "o5ernmental
)risis )ame dele"ates rom t*e ront and 2#t #2 to t*eir
leaders in t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee t*e G#estion: 0re .e
"oin" to i"*t or not@ +*i)* meant: 4o yo# ass#me t*e
res2onsibility or t*e .ar or not@ T*ere .as no dod"in"
t*at G#estion: T*e Entente .as 2osin" t*e same G#estion
in t*e lan"#a"e o a *al?t*reat:
T*e 02ril oensi5e on t*e .est E#ro2ean ront )ost t*e
0llies *ea5ily and "a5e no res#lts: 0 .a5erin" .as elt in
t*e >ren)* army #nder t*e inl#en)e o t*e R#ssian
re5ol#tion and o t*e ail#re o its o.n oensi5e rom
.*i)* so m#)* *ad been *o2ed: T*e army, in t*e .ords o
Mars*al 3Ftain, A.as bendin" in o#r *ands:B To sto2 t*is
t*reatenin" 2ro)ess t*e >ren)* -o5ernment *ad need o a
R#ssian oensi5e D and #ntil t*at at least a irm 2romise o
one: 0side rom t*e material relie to be "ained, it .as
ne)essary as G#i)8ly as 2ossible to snat)* t*e *alo o
2ea)e rom t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion, 2oison t*e *o2e in t*e
*earts o t*e >ren)* soldiers, )om2romise t*e re5ol#tion
by asso)iatin" it .it* t*e )rimes o t*e Entente, tram2le
t*e banner o t*e R#ssian .or8ers; and soldiers;
ins#rre)tion in t*e blood and m#d o t*e im2erialist
sla#"*ter:
In order to attain t*is *i"* aim, all 2ossible le5ers .ere
bro#"*t into 2lay: 0mon" t*ese le5ers not t*e last 2la)e
.as o))#2ied by t*e 2atrioti) so)ialists o t*e Entente: T*e
most ex2erien)ed o t*em .ere sent into re5ol#tionary
R#ssia: T*ey arri5ed armed to t*e teet* .it* obseG#io#s
)ons)ien)es and boneless tal8: AT*e orei"n so)ial?
2atriots,B .rites S#8*ano5, A.ere re)ei5ed .it* o2en arms
in t*e Mariins8y 3ala)e, 'rantin", !a)*in, O;-rady, 4e
'ro#)8_re, and ot*ers elt at *ome t*ere and ormed a
#nited ront .it* o#r ministers a"ainst t*e So5iet:B It m#st
be )on)eded t*at e5en t*e !om2romisers; So5iet .as
oten ill at )ase .it* t*ose "entlemen:
T*e 0llied so)ialists made t*e ro#nds o t*e ronts:
A-eneral 0lexeie5,B .rote Vander5elde, Adid e5eryt*in" in
*is 2o.er in order t*at o#r eorts s*o#ld be a22lied to t*e
same end as .ere t*ose #nderta8en a little earlier by
dele"ations o sailors rom t*e 'la)8 Sea, by 9erens8y,
0lbert T*omas D t*at is to )om2lete .*at *e )alled t*e
moral 2re2aration o t*e oensi5e:B T*e 3resident o t*e
Se)ond International and t*e ormer )*ie o sta o
Ni)*olas t*e Se)ond t*#s o#nd a )ommon lan"#a"e in
t*eir str#""le or t*e "lorio#s ideals o demo)ra)y:
Rena#del, one o t*e leaders o >ren)* so)ialism, .as able
to )ry o#t .it* relie: ANo. .e )an tal8 .it*o#t bl#s*in" o
t*e .ar o E#sti)e:B It .as t*ree years beore *#manity
learned t*at t*ose 2eo2le *ad somet*in" to bl#s* abo#t:
On t*e 1st o May t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, *a5in"
2assed t*ro#"* all t*e sta"es o 5a)illation 8no.n to
nat#re, de)ided by a maEority o &1 5otes a"ainst 1$, .it*
3 abstainin", to enter into a )oalition "o5ernment: Only
t*e 'ols*e5i8s and a small "ro#2 o Mens*e5i8?
Internationalists 5oted a"ainst it:
It is not .it*o#t interest t*at t*e 5i)tim o t*is )loser
ra22ro)*ement .as t*e re)o"nised leader o t*e
bo#r"eoisie, Mili#8o5: AI did not "o o#t, t*ey 2#t me o#t,B
said Mili#8o5 later, -#)*8o5 *ad .it*dra.n already on
02ril 3%, re#sin" to si"n t*e 4eclaration of the Ri"hts of
the .oldier: Io. dar8 it .as in t*ose days in t*e *earts o
t*e liberals is e5ident rom t*e a)t t*at t*e !entral
!ommittee o t*e 9adet 3arty de)ided, in order to sa5e t*e
!oalition, not to insist #2on Mili#8o5;s remainin" in t*e
"o5ernment: AT*e 2arty betrayed its leader,B .rites t*e
ri"*t 9adet, Is"oye5: T*e 2arty, *o.e5er, *ad no "reat
)*oi)e: T*e same Is"oye5 remar8s G#ite )orre)tly 0t t*e
end o 02ril t*e 9adet 3arty .as smas*ed to 2ie)esJ
morally it *ad re)ei5ed a blo. rom .*i)* it .o#ld ne5er
re)o5er:B
'#t on t*e G#estion o Mili#8o5 t*e Entente .as to *a5e
t*e last .ord: En"land .as entirely .illin" t*at t*e
4ardanelles 2atriot s*o#ld be re2la)ed by a more
tem2erate Ademo)rat:B Ienderson, .*o .as in 3etro"rad
.it* a#t*orisation to re2la)e '#)*anan as ambassador in
)ase o need, learnin" o t*e state o aairs, deemed t*is
)*an"e #nne)essary: 0s a a)t, '#)*anan .as exa)tly in
t*e ri"*t 2la)e, or *e .as a resol#te o22onent o
annexations in so ar as t*ey did not )oin)ide .it* t*e
a22etites o -reat 'ritain: AI R#ssia *as no need o
!onstantino2le,B *e .*is2ered tenderly to Teres*)*en8o,
At*e sooner s*e anno#n)es t*is, t*e better:B >ran)e at irst
s#22orted Mili#8o5, b#t *ere T*omas 2layed *is rHle,
)omin" o#t: ater '#)*anan and t*e So5iet leaders a"ainst
Mili#8o5: T*#s t*at 2oliti)ian, *ated by t*e masses, .as
abandoned by t*e 0llies, by t*e demo)rats, and lastly by
*is o.n 2arty:
Mili#8o5 really did not deser5e s#)* )r#el 2#nis*ment D at
least not rom t*ese *ands: '#t t*e !oalition demanded a
2#rii)ation sa)rii)e: T*ey 2i)t#red Mili#8o5 to t*e masses
as t*at e5il s2irit .*o *ad been dar8enin" t*e #ni5ersal
tri#m2*ant re)ession to.ards demo)rati) 2ea)e: In )#ttin"
o Mili#8o5, t*e !oalition 2#riied itsel at one stro8e rom
t*e sins o im2erialism: T*e sta o t*e !oalition
-o5ernment, and its 2ro"ramme, .ere a22ro5ed by t*e
3etro"rad So5iet on May =: T*e 'ols*e5i8s m#stered 1%%
5otes a"ainst it: AT*e meetin" .armly "reeted t*e orator?
ministers,B Mili#8o5 ironi)ally tells o t*is meetin": AIt
"reeted .it* t*e same stormy a22la#se, *o.e5er, [t*e old
leader o t*e irst re5ol#tion; Trots8y, .*o *ad arri5ed t*e
day beore rom 0meri)a, and .*o s*ar2ly )ondemned t*e
entran)e o so)ialists into t*e ministry, assertin" t*at t*e
[do#ble so5erei"nty; is not destroyed, b#t [merely
transerred into t*e ministry,; and t*at t*e real sin"le
2o.er .*i)* .ill [sa5e; R#ssia .ill arri5e only .*en [t*e
next ste2 is ta8en, t*e transer o 2o.er into t*e *ands o
t*e .or8ers; and soldiers; de2#ties;J t*en .ill be"in [a ne.
e2o)*, an e2o)* o blood and iron, b#t not in a str#""le o
nation a"ainst nation, b#t o t*e s#erin" and o22ressed
)lass a"ainst t*e r#lin" )lasses:;B S#)* is Mili#8o5;s
renderin": In *is )on)l#sion Trots8y orm#lated t*ree r#les
or t*e 2oli)y o t*e masses At*ree re5ol#tionary arti)les o
ait*: do not tr#st t*e bo#r"eoisieJ )ontrol t*e leadersJ rely
only on yo#r o.n or)e:B S2ea8in" o t*is s2ee)*,
S#8*ano5 remar8s: AIe e5idently did not ex2e)t any
sym2at*y or *is .ords:B 0nd in tr#t* t*e orator let t*e
*all amid ar less a22la#se t*an *ad "reeted *is entran)e:
S#8*ano5, 5ery sensiti5e to .*at is "oin" on in t*e
couloirs o t*e intelli"entsia, adds: A0lt*o#"* Trots8y did
not belon" to t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty, r#mo#rs .ere already
"oin" aro#nd to t*e ee)t t*at *e .as .orse t*an Lenin:B
T*e so)ialists a22ro2riated six 2ortolios o#t o iteen:
T*ey .anted to be in t*e minority: E5en ater de)idin"
o2enly to enter t*e "o5ernment, t*ey )ontin#ed to 2lay
t*is "ame o "i5e?a.ay: 3rin)e L5o5 remained 3remierJ
9erens8y be)ame Minister o +ar and MarineJ !*erno5,
Minister o 0"ri)#lt#re: Mili#8o5;s 2la)e as Minister o
>orei"n 0airs .as ta8en by Teres*)*en8o, a )onnoisse#r
o t*e ballet .*o *ad be)ome t*e )onidential man at one
and t*e same time o 9erens8y and '#)*anan: T*ey all
t*ree a"reed in t*in8in" t*at R#ssia )o#ld "et alon"
ex)e2tionally .ell .it*o#t !onstantino2le: 0t t*e *ead o
t*e 4e2artment o ,#sti)e stood an insi"nii)ant la.yer,
3ere5er<e5, .*o s#bseG#ently a)G#ired a 2assin" "lory in
)onne)tion .it* t*e ,#ly in)ident o t*e 'ols*e5i8s:
Tseretelli limited *imsel to t*e 2ortolio o 3osts and
Tele"ra2*s in order to 8ee2 *is time or t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee: S8obeley5, be)omin" Minister o Labo#r,
2romised in t*e *eat o t*e ex)itement to )#t do.n t*e
2roits o t*e )a2italists one *#ndred 2er )ent: T*at 2*rase
soon a)G#ired .in"s: >or t*e sa8e o symmetry t*e
Ministry o Trade and Ind#stry .as "i5en to a "reat
Mos)o. ind#strialist, 9ono5alo5: Ie bro#"*t alon" .it*
*im )ertain notables rom t*e Mos)o. Sto)8 Ex)*an"e
.*o re)ei5ed im2ortant "o5ernment 2osts: 0ter t.o
.ee8s, by t*e .ay, 9ono5alo5 resi"ned as a 2rotest
a"ainst t*e Aanar)*yB in 2#bli) e)onomy: S8obele5, e5en
beore t.o .ee8s, *ad reno#n)ed *is atta)8 on 2roits, and
.as b#syin" *imsel .it* t*e str#""le a"ainst anar)*y D
G#ellin" stri8es, s#mmonin" t*e .or8ers to sel?restraint:
T*e 4e)laration o t*e ne. "o5ernment )onsisted, as is to
be ex2e)ted o all )oalitions, o )ommon2la)es: It reerred
to an a)ti5e orei"n 2oli)y in t*e )a#se o 2ea)e, a sol#tion
o t*e ood G#estion, and a "ettin" ready to sol5e t*e land
G#estion: 0ll t*is .as mere tal8: T*e sin"le serio#s 2oint D
at least rom t*e stand2oint o intention D .as t*e one
abo#t t*e 2re2aration o t*e army Aor deensi5e and
oensi5e a)ti5ity to 2re5ent t*e 2ossible deeat o R#ssia
and *er 0llies:B In t*is .as essentially s#mmed #2 t*e
.*ole meanin" o t*e !oalition, .*i)* .as )reated as t*e
last 2lay o t*e Entente in R#ssia:
AT*e !oalition -o5ernment in R#ssia,B .rote '#)*anan, Ais
or #s t*e last, and almost t*e only, *o2e or sal5ation o
t*e military sit#ation on t*at ront:B T*#s be*ind t*e
2latorms, s2ee)*es, )om2romises and 5otes o t*e liberal
and demo)rati) leaders o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion, stood
an im2erialist sta"e dire)tor in t*e 2erson o t*e Entente:
'ein" obli"ed *astily to enter t*e "o5ernment in t*e name
o t*e interests o t*e Entente ront, .*i)* .as *ostile to
t*e re5ol#tion, t*e so)ialists too8 #2on t*emsel5es abo#t a
t*ird o t*e 2o.er and t*e .*ole .ar:
T*e ne. Minister o >orei"n 0airs *ad to delay 2#blis*in"
or t.o .ee8s t*e ans.ers o t*e 0llied "o5ernments to
t*e de)laration o Mar)* 27, in order to .or8 o#t )ertain
stylisti) )*an"es .*i)* .o#ld dis"#ise t*eir 2olemi)
a"ainst t*e 4e)laration o t*e !oalition !abinet: T*at
Aa)ti5e orei"n 2oli)y in t*e )a#se o 2ea)eB ex2ressed
itsel t*ereater in Teres*)*en8o;s <ealo#sly editin" t*e
texts o t*e di2lomati) tele"rams dra.n #2 or *im by old?
rF"ime )ler8s: !rossin" o#t A)laims *e .o#ld .rite At*e
demands o E#sti)eBJ in 2la)e o Asae"#ardin" t*e
interestsB *e .o#ld .rite Aor t*e "ood o t*e 2eo2les:B
Mili#8o5, .it* a sli"*t "rindin" o teet*, said o *is
s#))essor: AT*e 0llied di2lomats 8ne. t*at t*e
[demo)rati); terminolo"y o *is des2at)*es .as a rel#)tant
)on)ession to t*e demands o t*e moment, and treated it
.it* ind#l"en)e:B
T*omas and t*e ne.ly arri5ed Vander5elde did not sit .it*
olded arms: T*ey <ealo#sly inter2reted t*e A"ood o t*e
2eo2lesB in )orres2onden)e .it* t*e needs o t*e Entente,
and mani2#lated .it* a air s#))ess t*e sim2letons o t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee: AS8obele5 and !*erno5,B re2orted
Vander5elde, Aare ener"eti)ally 2rotestin" a"ainst all
t*o#"*ts o 2remat#re 2ea)e:B No .onder Ribot, relyin" on
s#)* assistants, elt able to anno#n)e to t*e >ren)*
3arliament on May 9, t*at *e intended to ma8e a
satisa)tory re2ly to Teres*)*en8o A.it*o#t "i5in" #2
anyt*in":B
No, t*e real masters o t*e sit#ation .ere not intendin" to
"i5e #2 anyt*in" t*at .as lyin" aro#nd loose: It .as E#st in
t*ose days t*at Italy anno#n)ed t*e inde2enden)e o
0lbania, and immediately 2la)ed *er #nder Italy;s
2rote)torate: T*at .as not a bad obEe)t lesson: T*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment *ad an idea o 2rotestin" D not so
m#)* in t*e name o demo)ra)y, as be)a#se o t*e
destr#)tion o AeG#ilibri#m in t*e 'al8ans:B '#t im2oten)e
)om2elled it or t*e time to bite its ton"#e:
T*e only ne. t*in" in t*e orei"n 2oli)y o t*e !oalition
.as its *asty ra22ro)*ement .it* 0meri)a: T*is yo#n"
riends*i2 oered t*ree not #nim2ortant ad5anta"es: t*e
6nited States .as not so )om2romised .it* military
de2ra5ities as >ran)e and En"landJ t*e transatlanti)
re2#bli) o2ened beore R#ssia broad 2ros2e)ts in t*e
matter o loans and military s#22liesJ inally, t*e
di2loma)y o +ilson D a mixt#re o 8na5ery .it*
demo)rati) 2iety D ell in admirably .it* t*e stylisti) needs
o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment: In sendin" t*e Root mission
to R#ssia, +ilson addressed t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment
.it* one o *is 2aris* letters in .*i)* *e de)lared: ANo
2eo2le m#st be or)ed #nder so5erei"nty #nder .*i)* it
does not .is* to li5e:B T*e aims o t*e .ar .ere deined
by t*e 0meri)an 3resident not too deinitely, b#t
be"#ilin"ly: A::: to se)#re t*e #t#re 2ea)e o t*e .orld and
t*e #t#re .elare and *a22iness o its:B +*at )o#ld be
better@ Teres*e*en8o and Tseretelli needed only t*at: res*
)redits and t*e )ommon2la)es o 2a)iism: +it* t*e *el2
o t*e irst, and #nder )o5er o t*e se)ond, t*ey )o#ld
ma8e ready or t*e oensi5e .*i)* t*e S*ylo)8 on t*e
Seine .as demandin" .it* a #rio#s s*a8in" o all *is
2romissory notes:
On t*e 11t* o May, 9erens8y .ent to t*e ront to o2en *is
a"itation in a5o#r o an oensi5e: A0 .a5e o ent*#siasm
is "ro.in" and s2readin" in t*e army,B re2orted t*e ne.
+ar Minister to t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment, )*o8in" .it*
t*e ent*#siasm o *is o.n s2ee)*es: On May 1&, 9erens8y
iss#ed a )ommand to t*e army: ACo# .ill "o .*ere yo#r
leaders )ond#)t yo#,B and in order to adorn t*is .ell?
8no.n and not 5ery attra)ti5e 2ros2e)t or t*e soldier, *e
added: ACo# .ill )arry on t*e 2oints o yo#r bayonets?
2ea)e:B On May 22, t*e )a#tio#s -eneral 0lexeie5, a man
o no 2arts in any )ase, .as remo5ed, and re2la)ed in t*e
2osition o )ommander?in?)*ie by t*e more lexible and
enter2risin" 'r#ssilo5: T*e demo)rats .it* all t*eir 2o.er
.ere 2re2arin" t*e oensi5e D t*e "rand )atastro2*e, t*at
is, o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion:
T*e So5iet .as t*e or"an o t*e .or8ers and soldiers D and
soldiers *ere means 2easants: T*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment
.as t*e or"an o t*e bo#r"eoisie: T*e !onta)t !ommission
.as t*e or"an o )om2romise: T*e !oalition sim2liied t*is
me)*anism by )on5ertin" t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment
itsel into a )onta)t )ommission: '#t t*e do#ble
so5erei"nty .as not in t*e least done a.ay .it*: +*et*er
Tseretelli .as a member o t*e !onta)t !ommission or
Minister o 3osts D t*at did not de)ide anyt*in": T*ere
.ere in t*e )o#ntry t.o in)om2atible state or"anisations:
t*e *ierar)*y o old and ne. oi)ials a22ointed rom
abo5e )ro.ned by t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment, and t*e
system o ele)ti5e so5iets rea)*in" do.n to t*e most
remote )om2anies at t*e ront: T*ese t.o state systems
rested #2on dierent )lasses .*i)* as yet .ere only
"ettin" ready to settle t*eir *istori) a))o#nts: In enterin"
t*e !oalition, t*e !om2romisers )o#nted on a 2ea)e#l
and "rad#al dissol#tion o t*e 2o.er o t*e so5iet system:
T*ey ima"ined t*at t*e 2o.er o t*e so5iets, )on)entrated
in t*eir 2ersons, .o#ld no. lo. o5er into t*e oi)ial
"o5ernment: 9erens8y )ate"ori)ally ass#red '#)*anan,
t*at At*e so5iets .ill die a nat#ral deat* :::B T*is *o2e
soon be)ame t*e oi)ial do)trine o t*e !om2romise
leaders: 0))ordin" to t*eir t*o#"*t, t*e )entre o "ra5ity
o#"*t to be transerred to t*e ne. or"ans o sel?
"o5ernment: T*e 2la)e o t*e !entral !ommittee s*o#ld
be o))#2ied by t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly: T*e !oalition
-o5ernment .as in t*is .ay to be)ome a brid"e to t*e
bo#r"eois 2arliamentary re2#bli):
T*e tro#ble .as t*at t*e re5ol#tion did not .ant to, and
)o#ld not, tra5el alon" t*is road: T*e ate o t*e ne. )ity
d#mas *ad "i5en #neG#i5o)al .arnin" in t*is sense: T*ese
d#mas *ad been ele)ted #2on t*e .idest 2ossible
ran)*ise basis: T*e soldiers 5oted eG#ally .it* t*e )i5il
2o2#lation, .omen eG#ally .it* men: >o#r 2arties too8
2art in t*e str#""le: Novoye &remya, t*e old oi)ial
s*eet o t*e )<arist "o5ernment, one o t*e most dis*onest
ne.s2a2ers in t*e .orld and t*at is sayin" somet*in" D
s#mmoned t*e Ri"*ts, t*e nationalists, t*e O)tobrists, to
5ote or t*e 9adets: '#t .*en t*e 2oliti)al im2oten)e o
t*e 2ossessin" )lasses be)ame #lly e5ident, t*e maEority
o t*e bo#r"eois 2a2ers ado2ted t*e slo"an: AVote or
anybody yo# 2lease, only not t*e 'ols*e5i8sOB In all t*e
d#mas and <emst5os t*e 9adets .ere ri"*t .in", t*e
'ols*e5i8s a "ro.in" let minority: T*e maEority, immense
as #s#al, belon"ed to t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and
Mens*e5i8s:
It .o#ld seem as i t*ese ne. d#mas, .*i)* diered rom
t*e so5iets by a broader re2resentation, o#"*t to *a5e
enEoyed "reat a#t*ority: Moreo5er as so)io?E#ridi)al
instit#tions, t*e d#mas *ad t*e immense ad5anta"e o
oi)ial "o5ernment s#22ort: T*e militia, t*e ood s#22lies,
t*e m#ni)i2al trans2ort, 2o2#lar ed#)ation, all .ere
oi)ially in t*e *ands o t*e d#ma: T*e so5iet as a 2ri5ate
Ainstit#tionB *ad neit*er b#d"et nor ri"*ts: 0nd
ne5ert*eless t*e 2o.er remained .it* t*e so5iets: T*e
d#mas t#rned o#t to be in t*e essen)e o t*e matter
m#ni)i2al )ommissions o t*e so5iets: T*is ri5alry o t*e
so5iet system .it* ormal demo)ra)y .as t*e more
stri8in" in its o#t)ome, in t*at it too8 2la)e #nder t*e
leaders*i2 o t*ose same 2arties, So)ial Re5ol#tionaries
and Mens*e5i8s, .*o, r#lin" in t*e d#mas and t*e so5iets
ali8e, .ere 2roo#ndly )on5in)ed t*at t*e so5iets o#"*t to
"i5e .ay to t*e d#mas, and t*emsel5es did t*eir best to
2romote t*e 2ro)ess: T*e ex2lanation o t*is remar8able
2*enomenon D abo#t .*i)* t*ere .as, 5ery little
s2e)#lation in t*e .*irl2ool o t*e a)t#al e5ents is sim2le:
m#ni)i2al "o5ernments, li8e any ot*er instit#tions o
demo)ra)y, )an #n)tion only on t*e basis o irmly
establis*ed so)ial relations D t*at is, a deinite 2ro2erty
system: T*e essen)e o re5ol#tion, *o.e5er, is t*at it )alls
in G#estion t*is, t*e 5ery basis o all bases: 0nd its
G#estion )an be ans.ered only by an o2en re5ol#tionary
test o t*e )orrelation o or)es: T*e so5iets, in s2ite o t*e
G#ality o t*eir leaders*i2, .ere t*e i"*tin" or"anisations
o t*e o22ressed )lasses .*o *ad )ons)io#sly or *al?
)ons)io#sly #nited to transorm t*e bases o t*e so)ial
str#)t#re: T*e m#ni)i2al "o5ernments "a5e eG#al
re2resentation to all )lasses o t*e 2o2#lation, red#)ed to
t*e abstra)tion o )iti<ens*i2, and be*a5ed in t*e
re5ol#tionary sit#ation 5ery m#)* li8e a di2lomati)
)oneren)e ex2ressin" itsel in G#aliied and *y2o)riti)al
lan"#a"e .*ile t*e *ostile )am2s re2resented by it are
e5eris*ly 2re2arin" or battle: In t*e e5eryday o t*e
re5ol#tion t*e m#ni)i2al "o5ernments dra""ed o#t a *al?
i)titio#s existen)e: '#t at )riti)al moments, .*en t*e
intereren)e o t*e masses .as deinin" t*e #rt*er
dire)tion o e5ents, t*ese "o5ernments sim2ly ex2loded in
t*e air, t*eir )onstit#ent elements a22earin" on dierent
sides o a barri)ade: It .as s#i)ient to )ontrast t*e
2arallel rHles o t*e so5iets and t*e m#ni)i2al
"o5ernments rom May to O)tober, in order to oresee t*e
ate o t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly:
T*e !oalition -o5ernment .as in no *#rry to s#mmon t*at
)onstit#ent 0ssembly: T*e liberals bein", not.it*standin"
t*e demo)rati) arit*meti), a maEority in t*e "o5ernment,
.ere in no *aste to be)ome in t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly a
eeble ri"*t .in" s#)* as t*ey .ere in t*e ne. d#mas: T*e
s2e)ial )oneren)e on t*e )on5o)ation o a !onstit#ent
0ssembly be"an .or8 only at t*e end o May D t*ree
mont*s ater t*e re5ol#tion: T*e liberal E#rists di5ided
e5ery *air into sixteen 2arts, s*oo8 #2 in t*eir alembi)s all
t*e dierent 8inds o demo)rati) sediment, bi)8ered
endlessly abo#t t*e ele)ti5e ri"*ts o t*e army, .*et*er or
not it .o#ld be ne)essary to "i5e 5otes to t*e deserters,
n#mberin" millions, and to t*e members o t*e )<ar;s
amily, n#mberin" tens: 0s to t*e date o t*e assembly, as
little .as said as 2ossible: To raise t*is G#estion .as
)onsidered in t*e )oneren)e a brea)* o etiG#ette s#)* as
only 'ols*e5i8s .o#ld )ommit:
+ee8s 2assed, b#t in s2ite o t*e *o2es and 2ro2*e)ies o
t*e !om2romisers t*e so5iets did not die o#t: 0t times,
l#lled and )on#sed by t*eir leaders, t*ey did all into
semi?2rostration, b#t t*e irst si"nal o dan"er .o#ld brin"
t*em to t*eir eet, and re5eal to t*e eyes o all t*at t*ey
.ere t*e real masters o t*e sit#ation: +*ile attem2tin" to
sabota"e t*e so5iets, So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and
Mens*e5i8s .ere obli"ed in e5ery im2ortant in)ident to
re)o"nise t*eir 2riority: T*is .as ex2ressed amon" ot*er
t*in"s by t*e a)t t*at t*e best or)es o bot* 2arties .ere
)on)entrated in t*e so5iets: To t*e m#ni)i2al "o5ernments
and t*e <emst5os t*ey a22ointed 2eo2le o t*e se)ond
ran8, te)*ni)ians and administrators: T*e same t*in" .as
to be obser5ed amon" t*e 'ols*e5i8s: T*e 9adets alone,
not *a5in" a))ess to t*e so5iets, )on)entrated t*eir best
or)es in t*ose instit#tions o sel?"o5ernment: '#t t*at
*o2eless bo#r"eois minority .as not able to )on5ert t*em
into a real s#22ort:
T*#s nobody )onsidered t*e m#ni)i2al "o5ernments t*eir
o.n instit#tions: T*e s*ar2enin" anta"onism bet.een
.or8er and boss, soldier and oi)er, 2easant and landlord,
)o#ld not be o2enly bro#"*t #2 or dis)#ssion in t*e
m#ni)i2al bodies or <emst5os as .as done in t*eir o.n
)ir)les by t*e so5iets on t*e one side, and by A2ri5ateB
meetin"s o t*e State 4#ma and all 8inds o )oneren)es
o t*e Aenran)*isedB 2oliti)ians on t*e ot*er: One )an tal8
o5er 2etty details .it* an enemy, b#t not matters o lie
and deat*:
I yo# a))e2t t*e Marxian orm#la a))ordin" to .*i)* a
"o5ernment is a )ommittee o t*e r#lin" )lass, t*en yo#
m#st admit t*at t*e "en#ine A)ommitteesB o t*e )lasses
str#""lin" or 2o.er .ere to be o#nd o#tside t*e !oalition
-o5ernment: 0s re"ards t*e so5iets, re2resented in t*e
"o5ernment as a minority, t*at .as 2ere)tly ob5io#s: '#t
it .as no less tr#e o t*e bo#r"eois maEority: T*e liberals
.ere totally #nable to dis)#ss in a serio#s and b#sinessli8e
.ay in t*e 2resen)e o so)ialists t*e G#estions o most
moment to t*e bo#r"eoisie: T*e )ro.din" o#t o Mili#8o5,
t*e a)8no.led"ed and ind#bitable leader o t*e
bo#r"eoisie, aro#nd .*om a sta o 2ro2erty o.ners *ad
#nited, *ad a symboli) )*ara)ter, )om2letely re5ealin" t*e
a)t t*at t*e "o5ernment .as in e5ery sense o t*e .ord
e))entri): Lie re5ol5ed aro#nd t.o axes, one o .*i)* .as
to t*e let and one to t*e ri"*t o t*e Mariins8y 3ala)e:
Not darin" to say .*at t*ey t*o#"*t in t*e sta o t*e
"o5ernment, t*e ministers li5ed in an atmos2*ere o
)on5entions )reated by t*emsel5es: T*e do#ble
so5erei"nty )on)ealed by a )oalition be)ame a s)*ool o
t.o?mindedness, t.o?*eartedness and e5ery 2ossible 8ind
o d#2li)ity: T*e !oalition -o5ernment in t*e )o#rse o t*e
next six mont*s li5ed t*ro#"* a .*ole series o )rises,
re)onstr#)tions and res*#lin"s, b#t its #ndamental
eat#res, im2oten)e and *y2o)risy, s#r5i5ed to t*e day o
its deat*:
Chapter 1-: The <ffensive
In t*e army as in t*e )o#ntry t*ere .as a )ontin#al
2oliti)al re"ro#2in" o or)es, t*e lo.er ran8s mo5in" to
t*e let, t*e #22er to t*e ri"*t: ,#st as t*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee .as be)omin" an instr#ment o t*e Entente or
tamin" t*e re5ol#tion, t*e soldiers; )ommittees, *a5in"
arisen to re2resent t*e soldiers a"ainst t*e )ommandin"
sta, .ere bein" )on5erted into assistants o t*e
)ommandin" sta a"ainst t*e soldiers:
T*e members*i2 o t*ese )ommittees .as 5arie"ated:
T*ere .ere not a e. 2atriots .*o sin)erely identiied t*e
.ar .it* t*e re5ol#tion, )o#ra"eo#sly Eoined an oensi5e
im2osed rom abo5e, and laid do.n t*eir *eads in an alien
)a#se: 'eside t*em stood t*e *eroes o t*e 2*rase,
re"imental and di5isional 9erens8ys: >inally, t*ere .ere
not a e. 2etty )*eats and )*air?.armers .*o "ot into t*e
)ommittees to 8ee2 o#t o t*e tren)*es, al.ays on a *#nt
or 2ri5ile"es: E5ery mass mo5ement, es2e)ially in its irst
sta"es, ine5itably raises #2 on its )rest all t*ese *#man
5arieties: '#t t*e )om2romise 2eriod .as es2e)ially ri)* in
s#)* lo#d tal8ers and )*ameleons: 3eo2le orm
2ro"rammes b#t 2ro"rammes also orm 2eo2le: T*e
s)*ool o A)onta)tB 2oliti)s be)omes in a re5ol#tion a
s)*ool tri)8ery and intri"#e:
T*e t.o?2o.er rF"ime made it im2ossible to )reate a
military or)e: T*e 9adets .ere *ated by t*e mass o t*e
2eo2le, and .ere )om2elled in t*e army to re?title
t*emsel5es So)ial Re5ol#tionaries: T*e demo)ra)y )o#ld
not res#rre)t t*e army or t*e same reason t*at it )o#ld
not ta8e o5er t*e 2o.er: T*e one .as inse2arable rom t*e
ot*er: 0s a )#riosity, .*i)* ne5ert*eless 5ery )learly
ill#mines t*e sit#ation, S#8*ano5 remar8s t*at t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment did not or"anise a sin"le 2arade
or t*e soldiers in 3etro"rad: T*e liberals and "enerals did
not .ant t*e so5iets to 2arti)i2ate in t*eir 2arade, at
2ere)tly .ell #nderstood t*at .it*o#t t*e so5iets a 2arade
as im2ossible: T*e *i"*er oi)ers .ere )lin"in" )loser, and
)loser to t*e 9adets, bidin" t*e time .*en more
rea)tionary 2arties mi"*t lit t*eir *eads: T*e 2etty
bo#r"eois intelli"entsia )o#ld "i5e t*e army a )onsiderable
n#mber o lo.er oi)ers, as t*ey *ad done #nder )<arism,
b#t t*ey )o#ld not )reate, a )ommandin" )or2s in t*eir
o.n ima"e, or t*ey *ad no ima"e o t*eir o.n: 0s t*e
.*ole #rt*er )o#rse o t*e re5ol#tion s*o.ed, it .as only
2ossible eit*er to ta8e t*e )ommandin" )or2s as it .as
rom t*e nobility and t*e bo#r"eoisie, as t*e +*ites did, or
brin" or.ard and train #2 a ne. one on t*e basis o
2roletarian re)r#itin", as did t*e 'ols*e5i8s: T*e 2etty
bo#r"eois demo)ra)y )o#ld do neit*er one t*in" nor t*e
ot*er: 0ll t*ey )o#ld do .as to 2ers#ade, 2lead and
de)ei5e e5ery body and .*en not*in" )ame o it, t#rn o5er
t*e 2o.er in des2air to t*e rea)tionary oi)ers, and let
t*em tea)* t*e 2eo2le t*e )orre)t re5ol#tionary ideas:
One ater t*e ot*er t*e #l)ers o t*e old so)iety bro8e o#t
and destroyed t*e or"anism o t*e army: T*e 2roblem o
nationality in all its orms D and R#ssia is ri)* in nationality
D .ent dee2er and dee2er into t*e soldier mass, .*i)*
.as made #2 less t*an *al o -reat R#ssians: National
anta"onisms inter)rossed and inter.o5e in all dire)tions
.it* )lass anta"onisms: T*e 2oli)y o t*e "o5ernment in
t*e s2*ere o nationalities, as in all ot*ers, .as 5a)illatin",
)on#sed, and t*ereore seemed do#ble trea)*ero#s:
!ertain "enerals lirted .it* national ormations s#)* as
t*e AM#ss#lman !or2s .it* >ren)* dis)i2lineB on t*e
R#manian ront: T*ese ne. national #nits did as a r#le
2ro5e t*e most st#rdy o t*e old army, or t*ey .ere
ormed #nder a ne. idea and a ne. banner: T*is national
)ement *o.e5er did not last lon": !lass str#""les soon
bro8e it: '#t t*e 5ery 2ro)ess o t*ese national ormations,
t*reatenin" to ae)t *al t*e army, red#)ed it to a l#id
)ondition, de)om2osin" t*e old #nits beore it s#))eeded
in .eldin" t*e ne.: T*#s misort#ne )ame rom all sides:
Mili#8o5 .rites in *is *istory t*at t*e army .as r#ined by
A)onli)t bet.een [re5ol#tionary; ideas and normal military
dis)i2line, bet.een [demo)ratisation o t*e army; and t*e
[2reser5ation o its i"*tin" 2o.er;B D in .*i)* statement,
by AnormalB dis)i2line is to be #nderstood t*at .*i)*
existed #nder )<arism: 0 *istorian o#"*t to 8no., it .o#ld
seem, t*at e5ery "reat re5ol#tion brin"s r#in to t*e old
army, a res#lt o t*e )las*, not o abstra)t dis)i2linary
2rin)i2les, b#t o li5in" )lasses: 0 re5ol#tion not only
2ermits stri)t dis)i2line in an army, b#t )reates it:
Io.e5er, t*is dis)i2line )annot be establis*ed by
re2resentati5es o t*e )lass .*i)* t*e re5ol#tion *as
o5ert*ro.n:
AS#rely, t*e a)t is e5ident,B .rote one .ise -erman to
anot*er on Se2tember 2(, 1$=1, At*at a disor"anised
army and a )om2lete brea8do.n o dis)i2line *as been t*e
)ondition as .ell as t*e res#lt o e5ery 5i)torio#s
re5ol#tion:B T*e .*ole *istory o *#manity 2ro5es t*is
sim2le and ind#bitable la.: '#t alon" .it* t*e liberals, t*e
R#ssian so)ialists D .it* t*e ex2erien)e o 19%= be*ind
t*em D did not #nderstand t*is, alt*o#"* t*ey )alled t*e
t.o -ermans, one o .*om .as >rederi)8 En"els and t*e
ot*er 9arl Marx, t*eir tea)*ers: T*e Mens*e5i8s serio#sly
belie5ed t*at army ater ma8in" a re5ol#tion .o#ld
)ontin#e t*e .ar #nder t*e old )ommand: 0nd t*ose
2eo2le )alled t*e 'ols*e5i8s 6to2ianO
-eneral 'r#ssilo5 at a )oneren)e at *eadG#arters in t*e
be"innin" o May s#))in)tly )*ara)terised t*e )ondition o
t*e )ommandin" sta: 1= to 2% 2er )ent *ad ada2ted
t*emsel5es to t*e ne. order t*ro#"* )on5i)tionJ a 2art o
t*e oi)ers .ere be"innin" to lirt .it* t*e soldiers and
in)ite t*em a"ainst t*e )ommandin" staJ b#t t*e
maEority, abo#t 7= 2er )ent, )o#ld not ada2t t*emsel5es,
.ere oended, .ere *idin" in t*eir s*ells, and did not
8no. .*at to do: T*e o5er.*elmin" mass o t*e oi)ers
.ere, in addition, "ood?or?not*in" rom a 2#rely military
2oint o 5ie.:
0t a )oneren)e .it* t*e "enerals, 9erens8y and S8obele5
<ealo#sly a2olo"ised or t*e re5ol#tion, .*i)*, alas, A.as
)ontin#in"B and m#st be ta8en into )onsideration: To t*is
t*e 'la)8 I#ndred "eneral -#r8o ans.ered t*e ministers
moralisin"ly: ACo# say t*e re5ol#tion is )ontin#in": Listen
to #s: Sto2 t*e re5ol#tion, and let #s, t*e military, do o#r
d#ty to t*e end:B 9erens8y .ent to meet t*e "enerals .it*
all *is *eart D #ntil one o t*em, t*e 5aloro#s 9ornilo5,
almost stran"led *im in *is embra)es:
!om2romisism in a time o re5ol#tion is a 2oli)y o e5eris*
s)#rryin" ba)8 and ort* bet.een )lasses: 9erens8y .as
t*e in)arnation o s)#rryin" ba)8 and ort*: 3la)ed at t*e
*ead o an army, an instit#tion #nt*in8able .it*o#t a )lear
and )on)ise rF"ime, 9erens8y be)ame t*e immediate
instr#ment o its disinte"ration: 4eni8in 2#blis*es a
)#rio#s list o )*an"es o 2ersonnel in t*e *i"*
)ommandin" sta D )*an"es .*i)* missed t*e mar8,
alt*o#"* nobody really 8ne., and least o all 9erens8y,
.*ere t*e mar8 .as: 0lexeie5 dismissed t*e )ommander?
in?)*ie at t*e ront, R#s<8y, and t*e army )ommander
Rad8o?4mitrie5, or .ea8ness and ind#l"en)e to t*e
)ommittees, 'r#ssilo5 remo5ed or t*e same reason t*e
2ani)?stri)8en: C#denai)*: 9erens8y dismissed 0lexeie5
*imsel and t*e )ommanders?in?)*ie at t*e ront, -#r8o
and 4ra"omiro5, or resistin" demo)ratisation o t*e army:
On t*e same "ro#nds 'r#ssilo5 remo5ed -eneral 9aledin,
and .as *imsel s#bseG#ently relie5ed or ex)essi5e
ind#l"en)e to t*e )ommittees, 9ornilo5 let t*e )ommand
o t*e 3etro"rad distri)t t*ro#"* inability to "et alon" .it*
t*e demo)ra)y: T*is did not 2re5ent *is a22ointment to
t*e ront, and s#bseG#ently to t*e s#2reme, )ommand:
4eni8in .as remo5ed rom t*e 2ost o )*ie o sta #nder
0lexeie5 or *is ob5io#sly e#dal administration, b#t .as
soon ater named )ommander?in?)*ie o t*e .estern ront:
T*is "ame o lea2?ro", s*o.in" t*at t*e 2eo2le at t*e to2
did not 8no. .*at t*ey .anted, "rad#ally extendin"
do.n.ard to t*e )om2anies, *astened t*e brea8do.n o
t*e army:
+*ile demandin" t*at soldiers obey t*e oi)ers, t*e
)ommissars t*emsel5es did not tr#st t*em: 0t t*e 5ery
*ei"*t o t*e oensi5e, at a meetin" o t*e so5iet at
*eadG#arters in Mo"*ile5, one o t*e members o t*e
so5iet de)lared in t*e 2resen)e o 9erens8y and 'r#ssilo5:
AEi"*ty?ei"*t 2er )ent o t*e oi)ers o t*e sta are "i5in"
rise by t*eir a)ti5ities to a dan"er o )o#nter?re5ol#tionary
maniestations:B T*is .as no se)ret to t*e soldiers: T*ey
*ad *ad 2lenty o time to "et a)G#ainted .it* t*eir oi)ers
beore t*e re5ol#tion:
T*ro#"*o#t May t*e re2orts o t*e )ommandin" sta rom
to2 to bottom )onsist o 5ariations on one sin"le t*eme:
AT*e attit#de to t*e oensi5e is in "eneral ad5erse, and
es2e)ially in t*e inantry:B Sometimes t*ey add: A0 little
better in t*e )a5alry and *earty eno#"* in t*e artillery:B
0t t*e end o May .*en t*e troo2s .ere already
mars*alled or t*e oensi5e, t*e )ommissar .it* t*e 7t*
0rmy tele"ra2*ed to 9erens8y: AIn t*e 12t* 4i5ision, t*e
&$t* re"iment *as "one o#t in #ll or)e: T*e &=t* and
&(t* re"iments, .it* only *al o t*e ront?line )om2anies:
T*e &7t* re#ses to "o o#t: O t*e re"iments o t*e 13t*
4i5ision, t*e =%t* )ame o#t almost in #ll or)e: T*e =1st
2romises to )ome o#t tomorro., t*e &9t* did not )ome o#t
as ordered, and t*e =2nd re#sed to )ome o#t and
arrested all its oi)ers:B T*e same 2i)t#re .as to be
obser5ed almost e5ery.*ere: To t*e re2ort o t*e
)ommissar, t*e "o5ernment ans.ered: A4isband t*e &=t*,
&(t*, &7t* and =2nd re"iments, )o#rt?martial t*ose .*o
in)ited t*e oi)ers and soldiers to disobedien)e:B T*at
so#nded terrible, b#t did not ri"*ten anybody: T*e
soldiers .*o did not .ant to i"*t .ere not araid eit*er o
disbandment or o )o#rt?martial: In de2loyin" t*e soldiers
it .as oten ne)essary to send one deta)*ment a"ainst
anot*er: T*e instr#ment o re2ression .o#ld most oten be
t*e !ossa)8s, as #nder t*e )<ar: '#t t*ey .ere no. led by
so)ialists: it .as a G#estion, yo# see, o deendin" t*e
re5ol#tion:
On ,#ne &, less t*an t.o .ee8s beore t*e be"innin" o t*e
oensi5e, t*e )*ie o t*e *eadG#arters sta re2orted: A
T*e nort*ern ront is still in a erment, raternisation
)ontin#es, t*e inantry is o22osed to t*e oensi5e ::: On
t*e .estern ront t*e sit#ation is indeinite ::: On t*e
so#t*?.estern a )ertain im2ro5ement o mood is
noti)eable ::: On t*e R#manian no s2e)ial im2ro5ement is
obser5able, t*e inantry does not .ant to ad5an)e:B
On ,#ne 11, 1917, t*e )ommander o t*e (1st re"iment
.rites: AT*e oi)ers and I *a5e not*in" let to do b#t sa5e
o#rsel5es, be)a#se t*ere *as arri5ed rom 3etro"rad a
soldier o t*e =t* !om2any, a Leninist ::: Many o t*e best
soldiers and oi)ers *a5e already led:B T*e a22earan)e in
t*e re"iment o one Leninist .as eno#"* to start t*e
oi)ers r#nnin" a.ay: It is )lear t*at t*e arri5in" soldier
2layed t*e 2art o t*e )rystal in a sat#rate sol#tion:
Io.e5er, .e m#st not t*in8 t*at t*e tal8 *ere is
ne)essarily o a 'ols*e5i8: In t*ose days t*e )ommandin"
sta )alled e5ery soldier a Leninist .*o raised *is 5oi)e
more boldly t*an ot*ers a"ainst t*e oensi5e: Many o
t*ose ALeninistsB still sin)erely belie5ed t*at Lenin *ad
been sent by +il*elm: T*e )ommander o t*e (1st
re"iment tried to ri"*ten *is soldiers .it* 2#nis*ment at
t*e *ands o t*e "o5ernment: One o t*e soldiers
ans.ered: A+e o5ert*re. t*e ormer "o5ernment, .e;ll
8i)8 o#t 9erens8y:B T*at .as ne. tal8: T*ey .ere
no#ris*ed on 'ols*e5i8 a"itation, b#t .ent ar beyond it:
>rom t*e 'la)8 Sea leet, .*i)* .as #nder t*e leaders*i2
o So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and .as )onsidered by )ontrast
to t*e 9ronstadt sailors a b#l.ar8 o 2atriotism, a s2e)ial
dele"ation o $%% men .as sent o#t t*ro#"* t*e )o#ntry at
t*e end o 02ril .it* a bris8 st#dent, 'at8in, dressed #2 as
a sailor, at t*e *ead: T*ere .as a "ood deal o t*e
masG#erade in t*at dele"ation b#t t*ere .as also a more
sin)ere im2#lse: T*e dele"ation .as sellin" to t*e )o#ntry
t*e idea o .ar to 5i)tory: '#t .it* e5ery .ee8 t*e
listeners be)ame more *ostile: 0nd E#st as t*ese 'la)8 Sea
sailors .ere be"innin" to lo.er t*e tone o t*eir 2ro?.ar
sermons, a 'alti) dele"ation arri5ed in Sebasto2ol to
2rea)* 2ea)e: T*e Nort*erners *ad more s#))ess in t*e
so#t* t*an t*e So#t*erners in t*e nort*: 6nder t*e
inl#en)e o t*e 9ronstadt sailors, t*e Sebasto2ol sailors
#ndertoo8 on ,#ne $ to disarm t*e )ommandin" sta and
arrest t*eir .orst?*ated oi)ers:
0t a meetin" o t*e so5iet !on"ress on ,#ne 9, Trots8y
as8ed *o. it )o#ld *a22en t*at Ain t*at model 'la)8 Sea
leet .*i)* *ad sent 2atrioti) de2#tations t*ro#"*o#t t*e
)o#ntry, in t*at nest o or"anised 2atriotism, an ex2losion
o t*is nat#re )o#ld o))#r at s#)* a )riti)al moment@ +*at
does t*is 2ro5e@B Ie re)ei5ed no ans.er:
T*e *eadless and brainless )ondition o t*e army tort#red
e5erybody D soldiers, )ommanders and )ommittee?men: To
t*eir all t*e need o some .ay o#t be)ame #nbearable: To
t*e )*ies it seemed t*at t*e oensi5e .o#ld o5er)ome
t*is rei"n o bedlam and brin" deiniteness: 0nd to a
)ertain extent t*is .as tr#e: +*ile Tseretelli and !*erno5
ex2ressed t*emsel5es in 3etro"rad in a5o#r o t*e
oensi5e .it* all t*e )are#l mod#lations o t*e
demo)rati) r*etori), t*e )ommittee?men at t*e ront *ad
to .a"e a )am2ai"n *and?in?*and .it* t*e oi)ers a"ainst
t*e ne. rF"ime in t*e army D a rF"ime in)om2atible .it*
+ar, b#t .it*o#t .*i)* t*e re5ol#tion .as #nt*in8able:
T*e res#lts o t*e )*an"e .ere soon 5isible: A+it* e5ery
day t*at 2assed, t*e members o t*e )ommittee .ere
noti)eably mo5in" to t*e ri"*t,B re)o#nts one o t*e na5al
oi)ers, Ab#t at t*e same time t*ere .as an ob5io#s
de)line in t*eir a#t*ority amon" t*e soldiers and sailors:B
It *a22ens, *o.e5er, t*at soldiers and sailors are E#st .*at
is needed or a .ar:
'r#ssilo5, .it* 9erens8y;s a22ro5al, #ndertoo8 t*e
ormation o s*o)8 battalions o 5ol#nteers, t*#s ran8ly
a)8no.led"in" t*e in)a2a)ity o t*e army to i"*t: 0ll sorts
o elements immediately atta)*ed t*emsel5es to t*is
enter2rise D or t*e most 2art ad5ent#rers li8e !a2tain
M#ra5ie5, .*o s#bseG#ently, ater t*e O)tober re5ol#tion,
s.#n" ro#nd to t*e let So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, and t*en
ater a stormy and in its .ay brilliant )areer, betrayed t*e
So5iet 2o.er, and died o a b#llet s*ot, eit*er rom a
'ols*e5i8 or rom *is o.n *and: It is needless to say t*at
t*e )o#nter?re5ol#tionary oi)ers "reedily sei<ed #2on t*e
s*o)8 battalion idea as a le"al .ay o m#sterin" t*eir o.n
or)es: T*e idea "ot almost no res2onse, *o.e5er, in t*e
soldier mass: Some .omen in sear)* o ad5ent#re )reated
a .omen;s battalion o A'la)8 4eat* I#ssars:B One o
t*ese battalions be)ame 9erens8y;s last armed or)e in t*e
deen)e o t*e +inter 3ala)e in O)tober: '#t all t*is "a5e
5ery little *el2 to t*e )a#se o )r#s*in" -erman militarism
D as t*e tas8 .as des)ribed:
T*e oensi5e 2romised by t*e sta to t*e 0llies or early
s2rin" *ad been 2ost2oned rom .ee8 to .ee8: '#t no.
t*e Entente irmly re#sed to a))e2t any #rt*er
2ost2onements: In 2ressin" or an immediate oensi5e t*e
0llies did not min)e met*ods: 0lon" .it* t*e 2at*eti)
adE#rations o Vander5elde, t*ey em2loyed t*e t*reat to
sto2 sendin" military s#22lies: T*e Italian )ons#l?"eneral
in Mos)o. anno#n)ed to t*e 2ress D not t*e Italian, b#t t*e
R#ssian 2ress D t*at in )ase o a se2arate 2ea)e on t*e
2art o R#ssia, t*e 0llies .o#ld "i5e ,a2an a ree *and in
Siberia: T*e liberal 2a2ers D not t*e Rome, b#t t*e Mos)o.
2a2ers D 2rinted t*ese insolent t*reats .it* 2atrioti)
ra2t#re, ma8in" t*em a22ly not to a se2arate 2ea)e, b#t
to a delayed oensi5e: In ot*er res2e)ts t*e 0llies did not
stand #2on )eremony: or instan)e, t*ey sent artillery t*at
.as 8no.n to *e dama"ed: T*irty?i5e 2er )ent o t*e
.ea2ons re)ei5ed rom abroad did not s#r5i5e t.o .ee8s
o moderate s*ootin": En"land .as s*#ttin" do.n on
)reditsJ b#t t*en 0meri)a, t*e ne. benea)tor, .it*o#t t*e
8no.led"e o En"land, oered t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment
on t*e se)#rity o t*e ne. oensi5e a )redit o
`7=,%%%,%%%: 0lt*o#"* s#22ortin" t*e demands o t*e
0llies by .a"in" a ranti) a"itation or t*e oensi5e, t*e
R#ssian bo#r"eoisie .it**eld its o.n )oniden)e rom t*e
oensi5e by re#sin" to s#bs)ribe t*e Liberty loan: T*e
o5ert*ro.n monar)*y #tilised t*is in)ident to remind t*e
2#bli) o its existen)e: In a de)laration in t*e name o t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment, Romano5 ex2ressed a desire to
s#bs)ribe to t*e loan, b#t added: AT*e extent o t*e
s#bs)ri2tion .ill de2end on t*e G#estion .*et*er t*e
treas#ry s#22lies money to s#22ort t*e members o t*e
)<ar;s amily:B 0ll t*is .as read by t*e army, .*i)* 8ne.
5ery .ell t*at t*e maEority o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment,
as also a maEority o t*e #22er oi)ers, .ere still *o2in"
or a restoration: ,#sti)e demands t*e obser5ation t*at in
t*e 0llied )am2 not all a"reed .it* Vander5elde, T*omas
and !a)*in in 2#s*in" t*e R#ssian army o5er t*e
2re)i2i)e: T*ere .ere .arnin" 5oi)es: AT*e R#ssian army
is not*in" b#t aZade,B said -eneral 3Ftain, Ait .ill all to
2ie)es i it ma8es mo5e:B T*e 0meri)an mission, or
anot*er exam2le, ex2ressed t*e 5ie.: '#t ot*er
)onsiderations 2re5ailed: It .as ne)essary to ta8e t*e
*eart o#t o t*e re5ol#tion: AT*e -erman raternisation,B
ex2lained 3ainle5F later, A*ad )a#sed s#)* ra5a"es t*at to
lea5e t*e R#ssian army ina)ti5e .o#ld o ris8 its ra2id
disinte"ration:B T*e 2oliti)al 2re2aration or t*e oensi5e
.as at irst )arried on by 9erens8y and Tseretelli, in
se)re)y e5en rom t*eir )losest )ollea"#es: In t*e days
.*en t*ese *al?)onse)rated leaders .ere still )ontin#in"
to s2o#t abo#t t*e deen)e o t*e re5ol#tion, Tseretelli .as
more and more irmly insistin" on t*e ne)essity t*at t*e
army ma8e ready or a)ti5e ser5i)e: T*e lon"est to resist?
t*at is, t*e )oyest?.as !*erno5: 0t a meetin" o t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment on May 17, t*e Ar#ral minister,B as
*e )alled *imsel, .as as8ed .it* *eat .*et*er it .as tr#e
t*at *e *ad ex2ressed *imsel at a )ertain meetin" on t*e
s#bEe)t o t*e oensi5e .it*o#t t*e ne)essary sym2at*y: It
trans2ired t*at !*erno5 ans.ered as ollo.s: AT*e
oensi5e does not )on)ern me, a man o 2olitiesJ t*at is a
G#estion or t*e strate"ists at t*e ront:B T*ose 2eo2le
.ere 2layin" *ide?and?see8 .it* t*e .ar, as .it* t*e
re5ol#tion: '#t only or t*e time bein":
T*e 2re2aration or t*e oensi5e .as a))om2anied, o
)o#rse, by a redo#bled str#""le a"ainst t*e 'ols*e5i8s:
T*ey .ere bein" a))#sed no. o otener and otener o
.or8in" or a se2arate 2ea)e: T*e 2ossibility t*at a
se2arate 2ea)e .o#ld be t*e only .ay o#t, .as e5ident in
t*e .*ole sit#ation?t*e .ea8ness and ex*a#stion o R#ssia
in )om2arison .it* t*e ot*er .arrin" )o#ntries: '#t
nobody *ad yet meas#red t*e stren"t* o t*e ne. a)tor,
re5ol#tion: T*e 'ols*e5i8s belie5ed t*at t*e 2ros2e)t o a
se2arate 2ea)e )o#ld be a5oided only in )ase t*e or)e
and a#t*ority o re5ol#tion .ere boldly and )on)l#si5ely
set a"ainst t*e .ar: >or t*is .as needed irst o all a brea8
.it* o#r o.n bo#r"eoisie: On ,#ne 9, Lenin anno#n)ed at
t*e )on"ress o t*e so5iets: A+*en t*ey say t*at .e are
stri5in" or a se2arate 2ea)e, t*at is not tr#e: +e say: No
se2arate 2ea)e, not .it* any )a2italists, and least o all
.it* t*e R#ssian )a2italists: '#t t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment *as made a se2arate 2ea)e .it* t*e R#ssian
)a2italists: 4o.n .it* t*at se2arate 2ea)eOB A022la#se,B
remar8s t*e re2ort: T*at .as t*e a22la#se o a small
minority at t*e )on"ress, and or t*at reason es2e)ially
er5ent:
In t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee some still la)8ed de)ision,
ot*ers .anted to *ide be*ind t*e more a#t*oritati5e
instit#tions: 0t t*e last moment it .as resol5ed to brin" to
9erens8y;s attention t*e #ndesirability o "i5in" t*e order
or t*e oensi5e beore t*e G#estion *ad been de)ided
#2on by t*e so5iet )on"ress: 0 de)laration introd#)ed at
t*e 5ery irst session o t*e )on"ress by t*e 'ols*e5i8
a)tion *ad stated: A0n oensi5e )an only, #tterly
disor"anise t*e army, brin"in" one 2art into anta"onism
.it* t*e ot*er, and t*e !on"ress s*o#ld eit*er
immediately o22ose t*is )o#nter?re5ol#tionary onsla#"*t,
or else ran8ly ass#me t*e .*ole res2onsibility or t*is
2oli)y:B
T*e de)ision o t*e so5iet )on"ress in a5o#r o t*e
oensi5e .as merely a demo)rati) ormality: E5eryt*in"
.as already 2re2ared: T*e artillery *ad or a lon" time
been aimed at t*e enemy;s 2ositions: On ,#ne 1(, in an
order to t*e army and t*e leet, 9erens8y, reerrin" to t*e
)ommander?in?)*ie as Ao#r leader anned by t*e .in"s o
5i)tory,B demonstrated t*e ne)essity o Aan immediate
and de)isi5e blo.,B and )on)l#ded .it* t*e .ords AI
)ommand yo# D or.ardOB In an arti)le .ritten on t*e e5e
o t*e oensi5e, )ommentin" on t*e de)laration o t*e
'ols*e5i8 a)tion at t*e so5iet )on"ress, Trots8y .rote:
AT*e 2oli)y o t*e "o5ernment )om2letely #ndermines t*e
2ossibility o s#))ess#l military a)tion ::: T*e material
2remises or an oensi5e are extremely #na5o#rable: T*e
or"anisation o s#22lies or t*e army rele)ts t*e "eneral
e)onomi) )olla2se, a"ainst .*i)* a "o5ernment
)onstit#ted li8e t*e 2resent one )annot #nderta8e a sin"le
radi)al meas#re: T*e s2irit#al 2remises o t*e oensi5e
are still more #na5o#rable: T*e "o5ernment ::: *as
ex2osed beore t*e army ::: its in)a2a)ity to determine
R#ssia;s 2oli)y inde2endently o t*e .ill o t*e im2erialist
0llies: No res#lt is 2ossible b#t t*e 2ro"ressi5e brea8do.n
o t*e army ::: T*e mass desertions ::: are )easin" in t*e
2resent )onditions to be t*e res#lt o de2ra5ed indi5id#al
.ills, and are be)omin" an ex2ression o t*e )om2lete
in)a2a)ity o t*e "o5ernment to .eld t*e re5ol#tionary
army .it* in.ard #nity o 2#r2ose :::B 3ointin" o#t #rt*er
t*at t*e "o5ernment )o#ld not ma8e #2 its mind Ato an
immediate ann#lment o landlords*i2 D t*at is, to t*e sole
meas#re .*i)* .o#ld )on5in)e t*e most ba)8.ard
2easant t*at t*is re5ol#tion is *is re5ol#tion,B t*e arti)le
)on)l#ded: AIn s#)* material and s2irit#al )onditions an
oensi5e m#st ine5itably *a5e t*e )*ara)ter o an
ad5ent#re:B
T*e )ommandin" sta .as almost #nanimo#s in t*in8in"
t*at t*e oensi5e, *o2eless rom a military 2oint o 5ie.,
.as di)tated by 2oliti)al )onsiderations: 4eni8in ater
ma8in" t*e ro#nds o *is ront re2orted to 'r#ssilo5: AI
*a5en;t t*e sli"*test belie in t*e s#))ess o t*e
oensi5e:B 0 s#22lementary element o *o2elessness .as
introd#)ed by t*e "ood?or?not*in"ness o t*e
)ommandin" sta itsel: Stan8e5i)*, an oi)er and a
2atriot, testiies t*at t*e te)*ni)al dis2ositions o t*in"s
made 5i)tory im2ossible re"ardless o t*e morale o t*e
troo2s: AT*e oensi5e .as or"anised in a manner beneat*
)riti)ism:B 0 dele"ation o oi)ers )ame to t*e leaders o
t*e 9adet 3arty .it* t*e 2resident o t*e oi)ers; #nion,
t*e 9adet No5osiltse5, at its *ead, and .arned t*em t*at
t*e oensi5e .as doomed to ail#re, and .o#ld mean only
t*e extermination o t*e best #nits: T*e *i"*er 2o.ers
.a5ed a.ay t*ese .arnin"s .it* "eneral 2*rases: A0 last
s2ar8 o *o2e remains,B said t*e )*ie o t*e *eadG#arters
sta, t*e rea)tionary "eneral L#8oms8y, At*at 2er*a2s a
be"innin" o s#))ess#l battles .ill )*an"e t*e 2sy)*olo"y
o t*e masses, and t*e oi)ers .ill be able to sei<e t*e
reins t*at *a5e been torn rom t*eir *ands:B T*at .as t*eir
main 2#r2ose to "et *old o t*ose reins:
T*e )*ie blo. .as to be deli5ered, a))ordin" to a 2lan
.or8ed o#t lon" beore, by t*e or)es o t*e so#t*?.estern
ront in t*e dire)tion o L5o5J t*e .or8 o t*e nort*ern and
.estern ronts .as to *el2 t*is o2eration: T*e ad5an)e
.as to *a5e be"#n sim#ltaneo#sly on all ronts: It .as
soon e5ident t*at t*is 2lan .as ar beyond t*e 2o.ers o
t*e )ommand: T*ey de)ided to start o one ront ater t*e
ot*er, be"innin" .it* t*ose o se)ondary im2ortan)e: '#t
t*at too 2ro5ed im2ossible: AT*en t*e s#2reme
)ommand,B says 4eni8in, Ade)ided to "i5e #2 all idea o
2lanned strate"y, and *ad to allo. t*e ronts to be"in
o2erations .*ene5er t*ey .ere ready:B 0ll .as let to t*e
.ill o 3ro5iden)e: Only t*e i)ons o t*e )<arina .ere
la)8in": T*ey tried to re2la)e t*em .it* t*e i)ons o
demo)ra)y: 9erens8y tra5elled e5ery.*ere, a22ealin" and
2rono#n)in" benedi)tions: T*e oensi5e be"an: ,#ne 1(
on t*e so#t* .estern ront, ,#ly 7 on t*e .estern, 9t* on
t*e R#manian: T*e ad5an)e o t*e last t*ree ronts .as in
reality i)titio#s, )oin)idin" .it* t*e be"innin" o t*e
)olla2se o t*e 2rin)i2al one, t*e so#t*?.estern:
9erens8y re2orted to t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment: AToday
is t*e "reat tri#m2* o t*e re5ol#tion: On ,#ne 1$t* t*e
R#ssian re5ol#tionary army .it* )olossal ent*#siasm
ass#med t*e oensi5e:B AT*e lon" ex2e)ted ad5an)e *as
arri5ed,B .rote t*e 9adet or"an Rech, A.*i)* *as at one
stro8e restored t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion to its best days:B On
t*e 19t* t*e old man 3le8*ano5 a))laimed to a 2atrioti)
maniestation: A!iti<ens, i I as8 yo# .*at day t*is is, yo#
.ill say [Monday:; '#t t*at is a mista8e: Today is t*e
res#rre)tion day: K1L Res#rre)tion o o#r )o#ntry and o t*e
.*ole .orld: R#ssia, *a5in" t*ro.n o t*e yo8e o )<arism,
*as de)ided to t*ro. o t*e yo8es o t*e enemy:B Tseretelli
said on t*e same day at t*e so5iet )on"ress: A0 ne. 2a"e
is o2enin" in t*e *istory o t*e "reat R#ssian re5ol#tion:
T*e s#))ess o o#r re5ol#tionary army o#"*t to be
.el)omed not only by t*e R#ssian demo)ra)y, b#t ::: by all
t*ose .*o are really stri5in" to i"*t a"ainst im2erialism:B
T*e 2atrioti) demo)ra)y *ad o2ened all its ta2s: T*e
ne.s2a2ers mean.*ile )arried Eoy#l ne.s: AT*e 3aris
'o#rse "reets t*e R#ssian oensi5e .it* a rise in all
R#ssian se)#rities:B T*ose so)ialists .ere tryin" to
estimate t*e stability o t*e re5ol#tion by t*e sto)8?ti)8er:
'#t *istory tea)*es t*at bo#rses eel better t*e .orse it
"oes .it* re5ol#tions:
T*e .or8ers and t*e "arrison o t*e )a2ital .ere not or
one min#te ine)ted by t*is .a5e o artii)ially .armed?
o5er 2atriotism: Its sole arena .as t*e Ne5s8y 3ros2e)t:
A+e .ent o#t on t*e Ne5s8y,B relates t*e soldier !*ineno5
in *is memoirs, Aand tried to a"itate a"ainst t*e oensi5e:
Some o t*e bo#r"eois too8 ater #s .it* t*eir #mbrellas:::
+e "rabbed t*em and dra""ed t*em into t*e barra)8s :::
and told t*em t*at tomorro. t*ey .o#ld be sent to t*e
ront:B T*at .as a 2reliminary sym2tom o t*e ad5an)in"
ex2losion o )i5il .ar: T*e ,#ly days .ere dra.in" near:
On t*e 21st o ,#ne a ma)*ine "#n re"iment in 3etro"rad
resol5ed in "eneral meetin": AIn t*e #t#re .e .ill send
or)es to t*e ront only .*en t*e .ar s*all *a5e a
re5ol#tionary )*ara)ter:B In ans.er to t*e t*reat o
disbandment, t*e re"iment ans.ered t*at it .o#ld not
*esitate to disband At*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment and t*e
ot*er or"anisations .*i)* s#22ort it:B Iere a"ain a
t*reatenin" note ar in ad5an)e o t*e 'ols*e5i8 a"itation:
T*e 'hronicle of the Revolution remar8s #nder date o
,#ne 23: A4eta)*ments o t*e 2nd 0rmy *a5e o))#2ied t*e
irst and se)ond line tren)*es o t*e enemy :::B 0nd ri"*t
beside t*is: A0t t*e 'arano5s8y a)tory /(,%%% men1 t*ere
.ere re?ele)tions to t*e 3etro"rad So5iet: In 2la)e o t*ree
So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, t*ree 'ols*e5i8s .ere ele)ted:B
'y t*e end o t*e mont* t*e 2*ysio"nomy o t*e 3etro"rad
So5iet *ad already )onsiderably )*an"ed: It is tr#e t*at on
,#ne 2% t*e So5iet ado2ted a resol#tion o "reetin" to t*e
ad5an)in" army: '#t .it* .*at maEority@ D &72 5otes
a"ainst 271, .it* 39 abstainin": T*at is a totally ne.
)orrelation o or)es, somet*in" .e *a5e not seen beore:
T*e 'ols*e5i8s, to"et*er .it* t*e let "ro#2s o
Mens*e5i8s and So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, )onstit#te already
t.o?it*s o t*e So5iet: T*is means t*at in t*e a)tories
and barra)8s t*e o22onents o t*e oensi5e are already an
ind#bitable maEority:
T*e Vybor" distri)t so5iet ado2ted a resol#tion on ,#ne 2&
e5ery .ord o .*i)* stri8es li8e a *ea5y *ammer: A+e :::
2rotest a"ainst t*e ad5ent#re o t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment, .*i)* is )ond#)tin" an oensi5e or t*e old
robber treaties ::: and .e lay t*e .*ole res2onsibility or
t*is 2oli)y on t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment and t*e
Mens*e5i8 and So)ial Re5ol#tionary 2arties s#22ortin" it:B
Ia5in" been 2#s*ed o#t ater t*e >ebr#ary ins#rre)tion
into t*e ba)8yard, t*e Vybor" distri)t .as no. )onidently
ad5an)in" to t*e leadin" 2osition: T*e 'ols*e5i8s already
)om2letely dominated t*e Vybor" So5iet:
E5eryt*in" no. on t*e ate o t*e oensi5e D t*at is t*at is
#2on t*e tren)* soldiers: +*at )*an"es *ad t*e oensi5e
made in t*e )ons)io#sness o t*ose .*o .ere s#22osed to
)arry it t*ro#"*@ T*ey *ad been irre2ressibly lon"in" or
2ea)e: '#t t*e r#lers *ad s#))eeded to a )ertain de"ree D
at least amon" a 2art o t*e soldiers and or a s*ort time D
in )on5ertin" t*is 5ery lon"in" into a readiness to
ad5an)e:
0ter t*e re5ol#tion t*e soldiers *ad ex2e)ted rom t*e
ne. 2o.er a s.it )on)l#sion o 2ea)e, and *ad been
ready #ntil t*en to deend t*e ront: T*e 2ea)e did not
)ome: T*e soldiers resorted to attem2ts at raternisation
.it* t*e -ermans and 0#strians, 2artly #nder t*e
inl#en)e o 'ols*e5i8 a"itation, b#t )*iely see8in" t*eir
o.n road to 2ea)e: '#t a dri5e *ad been o2ened a"ainst
raternisation rom all sides: 0nd moreo5er it .as
dis)o5ered t*at t*e -erman soldiers .ere still ar rom
)astin" o obedien)e to t*eir oi)ers: >raternisation, not
*a5in" led to 2ea)e, d.indled ra2idly:
T*ere .as on t*e ront at t*at time a de facto armisti)e:
T*e -ermans a5ailed t*emsel5es o it or a .*olesale
transer o troo2s to t*e .estern ront: T*e R#ssian
soldiers noti)ed *o. t*e enemy tren)*es .ere em2tied,
ma)*ine "#ns remo5ed, )annon )arted a.ay: 62on t*is
rested t*e 2lan o t*e Amoral 2re2aration or t*e
oensi5e:B It .as systemati)ally s#""ested to t*e soldiers
t*at t*e enemy .as )om2letely .ea8ened, t*at *e *ad no
or)e let, t*at 0meri)a .as 2ressin" #2on *im rom t*e
.est, and t*at .e *ad only to "i5e a small 2#s* on o#r
side, and t*e enemy ront .o#ld )r#m2le and .e .o#ld
*a5e 2ea)e: T*e a#t*orities did not belie5e t*is or a
sin"le min#te, b#t t*ey )al)#lated t*at on)e *a5in" 2#t its
*and to t*e .ar ma)*ine, t*e army .o#ld not be able to
let "o:
Ia5in" ailed o t*eir "oal, bot* t*ro#"* t*e di2loma)y o
t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment and t*ro#"* raternisation, a
2art o t*e soldiers #ndo#btedly in)lined to t*is t*ird
s)*eme: to "i5e t*at 2#s* .*i)* .o#ld ma8e t*e .ar
)r#mble into d#st: One o t*e ront dele"ates to t*e
)on"ress re2orted exa)tly in t*is .ay t*e mood o t*e
soldiers: A0t 2resent .e *a5e beore #s a t*inned o#t
-erman rontJ t*ere are at 2resent no )annonJ and i .e
ad5an)e and o5ert*ro. t*e enemy t*en .e .ill be )lose to
t*e .is*ed?or 2ea)e:B
T*e enemy at irst a)t#ally did seem extremely .ea8, and
retired .it*o#t a))e2tin" t*e battle, .*i)* in)identally t*e
atta)8ers .ere not able to "i5e: '#t instead o )r#mblin":
t*e enemy re"ro#2ed and )on)entrated *is or)es:
3enetratin" a e. s)ore 8ilometres inland, t*e R#ssian
soldiers dis)o5ered a 2i)t#re s#i)iently amiliar to t*em in
t*e ex2erien)e o t*e 2re)edin" years: t*e enemy .as
.aitin" or t*em in ne. and reinor)ed 2ositions: Iere it
be)ame e5ident t*at alt*o#"* t*e soldiers *ad a"reed to
"i5e a 2#s* in t*e dire)tion o 2ea)e, t*ey .ere not in t*e
least desiro#s o .ar: Ia5in" been dra""ed into it by a
)ombination o or)e, moral 2ress#re, and most o all
de)eit, t*ey so m#)* t*e more indi"nantly t#rned ba)8:
A0ter an artillery ire #n2re)edented on t*e R#ssian side in
its intensity and 2o.er,B says t*e R#ssian *istorian o t*e
+orld +ar, -eneral Wayon)*8o5s8y, At*e troo2s o))#2ied
t*e enemy 2ositions almost .it*o#t loss and did not .is*
to "o any art*er: T*ere be"an a steady desertion and
.it*dra.al o .*ole #nits rom t*eir 2ositions:B 0
68rainian leader, 4oros*en8o, ormer )ommissar o t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment in -ali)ia, tells *o. ater t*e
sei<#re o t*e )ities !ali)* and 9al#s*: AIn 9al#s* t*ere
immediately o))#rred a ri"*t#l 2o"rom o t*e lo)al
2o2#lation D b#t only o 68rainians and ,e.s, t*ey did not
to#)* 3oles: Some ex2erien)ed *and "#ided t*e 2o"rom,
2ointin" o#t .it* s2e)ial )are t*e lo)al 68rainian )#lt#ral
and ed#)ational instit#tions:B T*e 2o"rom .as 2arti)i2ated
in by At*e better )lass o troo2s, t*e least de2ra5ed by t*e
re5ol#tionB D t*ose )are#lly 2i)8ed or t*e oensi5e: '#t
.*at still more )learly s*o.s its a)e in t*is aair is t*e
leaders*i2 o t*e oensi5e D t*e old )<arist )ommanders,
ex2erien)ed or"anisers o 2o"roms:
On ,#ly 9 t*e )ommittees and )ommissars o t*e 11t*
0rmy tele"ra2*ed t*e "o5ernment: A0 -erman atta)8
be"#n on ,#ly ( a"ainst t*e 11t* 0rmy ront is de5elo2in"
into an o5er.*elmin" )atastro2*e ::: In t*e morale o t*e
troo2s, only re)ently ind#)ed to mo5e by t*e *eroi) eorts
o a minority, a s*ar2 and r#ino#s brea8 *as o))#rred: T*e
a""ressi5e lare?#2 is ra2idly ex*a#stin" itsel: T*e
maEority o t*e troo2s are no. in a state o in)reasin"
disinte"ration: T*ere is not*in" let o a#t*ority or
obedien)e: 3ers#asions and ar"#ments *a5e lost t*eir
or)e: T*ey are ans.ered .it* t*reats and sometimes .it*
deat*:B
T*e )ommander?in?)*ie o t*e so#t*?.estern ront, .it*
t*e a"reement o t*e )ommissars and )ommittees, "a5e
an order to s*oot t*ose r#nnin" a.ay: On ,#ne 12 t*e
)ommander?in?)*ie o t*e .estern ront, 4eni8in, ret#rned
to *is *eadG#arters, as *e says, A.it* des2air in my *eart,
and .it* a )lear )ons)io#sness o t*e )om2lete )olla2se o
t*e last li)8erin" *o2e or ::: a mira)le:B
T*e soldiers did not .ant to i"*t: T*e rear troo2s, to
.*om t*e .ea8ened #nits t#rned or re2la)ements ater
o))#2yin" t*e enemy tren)*es, ans.ered: A+*at did yo#
ad5an)e or any.ay@ +*o told yo# to@ It;s time to end t*e
.ar, not atta)8: A T*e )ommander o t*e 1st Siberian
!or2s, )onsidered one o t*e best )ommanders, re2orted
*o. at ni"*tall t*e soldiers be"an to abandon t*e
#natta)8ed irst line in )ro.ds and .*ole )om2anies: AI
#nderstood t*at .e, t*e oi)ers, .ere 2o.erless to alter
t*e elemental 2sy)*olo"y o t*e soldier masses, and I
sobbed bitterly and lon":B One o t*e )om2anies re#sed
e5en to toss a lealet to t*e enemy anno#n)in" t*e
)a2t#re o -ali)*, #ntil a soldier )o#ld be o#nd .*o )o#ld
translate t*e -erman text into R#ssian: In t*at it
ex2ressed t*e #tter la)8 o )oniden)e o t*e soldier mass
in its r#lin" sta, bot* t*e old one and t*e ne. >ebr#ary
one: 0 )ent#ry o ta#nts and 5iolen)e *ad b#rst to t*e
s#ra)e li8e a 5ol)ano: T*e soldiers elt t*emsel5es a"ain
de)ei5ed: T*e oensi5e *ad not led to 2ea)e b#t .ar: T*e
soldiers did not .ant .ar: 0nd t*ey .ere ri"*t: 3atriots
*idin" in t*e rear .ere brandin" t*e soldiers as sla)8ers
and baitin" t*em: '#t t*e soldiers .ere ri"*t: T*ey .ere
"#ided by a tr#e national instin)t, rera)ted t*ro#"* t*e
)ons)io#sness o men o22ressed, de)ei5ed, tort#red,
raised #2 by a re5ol#tionary *o2e and a"ain t*ro.n ba)8
into t*e bloody mas*: T*e soldiers .ere ri"*t: 0
2rolon"ation o t*e .ar )o#ld "i5e t*e R#ssian 2eo2le
not*in" b#t ne. 5i)tims, *#miliation, disasters D not*in"
b#t an in)rease o domesti) and orei"n sla5ery:
T*e 2atrioti) 2ress o 1917 D not only t*e 9adet b#t also
t*e so)ialist 2ress D .as tireless in )ontrastin" t*e R#ssian
soldiers, )o.ards and deserters, .it* t*e *eroi) battalions
o t*e "reat >ren)* re5ol#tion: T*is testiies not only to a
ail#re to #nderstand t*e diale)ti) o a re5ol#tionary
2ro)ess, b#t also to a )r#de i"noran)e o *istory:
T*e remar8able .arriors o t*e >ren)* re5ol#tion and
em2ire reG#ently be"an t*eir )areers as brea8ers o
dis)i2line, disor"anisers D Mili#8o5 .o#ld say, as
'ols*e5i8s: T*e #t#re Mars*al 4a5o#t s2ent many mont*s
o 17$9?9% as Lie#tenant d;05o#t destroyin" t*e AnormalB
dis)i2line in t*e "arrison o Iesdin, dri5in" o#t t*e
)ommandin" sta: T*ro#"*o#t >ran)e #2 to t*e middle o
179% a )om2lete disinte"ration o t*e .*ole army .as
ta8in" 2la)e: T*e soldiers o t*e Vin)ennes re"iment
)om2elled t*eir oi)ers to eat .it* t*em: T*e leet dro5e
o#t t*eir oi)ers: T.enty re"iments did 5ario#s deeds o
5iolen)e #2on t*eir oi)ers: 0t Nan)y t*ree re"iments
lo)8ed t*eir *i"*est oi)ers in 2rison: 'e"innin" .it* 179%
t*e leaders o t*e >ren)* re5ol#tion ne5er tire o re2eatin"
on t*e s#bEe)t o soldier ex)esses: AT*e exe)#ti5e 2o.er
is, "#ilty, be)a#se it *as not remo5ed oi)ers *ostile to
t*e re5ol#tion:B It is remar8able t*at bot* Mirabea# and
Robes2ierre s2o8e in a5o#r o dismissin" t*e entire old
)or2s o oi)ers: T*e ormer .as tryin" t*e more G#i)8ly
to establis* a irm dis)i2line, t*e latter .anted to disarm
t*e )o#nter?re5ol#tion: '#t bot* #nderstood t*at t*e old
army )o#ld not s#r5i5e:
To be s#re, t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion, in )ontrast .it* t*e
>ren)*, too8 2la)e in a time o .ar: '#t yo# )annot iner
rom t*is an ex)e2tion to t*e *istori) la. noted by En"els:
On t*e )ontrary, )onditions o 2rolon"ed and #ns#))ess#l
.ar )o#ld only *asten and s*ar2en t*e 2ro)ess o
re5ol#tionary disinte"ration o t*e army: T*at miserable
and )riminal oensi5e o t*e demo)rats did t*e rest: T*e
soldiers .ere no. sayin", to t*e last man AEno#"* o
bloods*edO +*at "ood are land and reedom i .e are not
*ere@B +*en enli"*tened 2a)iists try to abolis* .ar by
rationalisti) ar"#ments t*ey are merely ridi)#lo#s, b#t
.*en t*e armed masses t*emsel5es brin" .ea2ons o
reason into a)tion a"ainst a .ar, t*at means t*at t*e .ar
is abo#t o5er:
Note
1: T*e R#ssian .ord or S#nday is ARes#rre)tion:B
Chapter 23: The Peasantr
T*e s#bsoil o t*e re5ol#tion .as t*e a"rarian 2roblem: In
t*e antiG#e land system, born dire)tly o#t o serdom, in
t*e traditional 2o.er o t*e landlord, t*e )lose ties
bet.een landlord, lo)al administration and )aste <emst5o,
lay t*e roots o t*e most barbaro#s eat#res o R#ssian lie
.*i)* *ad t*eir )ro.n in t*e Ras2#tin monar)*y: T*e
muzhik, a"e?old s#22ort o orientalism, 2ro5ed also its irst
5i)tim:
In t*e irst .ee8s ater t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion, t*e 5illa"e
remained almost inert: T*ose o t*e most a)ti5e a"e .ere
at t*e ront: T*e elderly "eneration let at *ome too .ell
remembered *o. re5ol#tions end in 2#niti5e ex2editions:
T*e 5illa"e .as silent, and t*ereore t*e )ity .as silent
abo#t t*e 5illa"e: '#t t*e s2e)tre o a 2easant .ar *#n"
o5er t*e nests o t*e landlords rom t*e irst Mar)* days:
O#t o t*e most aristo)rati) D t*at is ba)8.ard and
rea)tionary D 2ro5in)es a )ry or *el2 .as *eard almost
beore t*e real dan"er a22eared: T*e liberals sensiti5ely
rele)ted t*e ri"*t o t*e landlords: T*e !om2romisers
rele)ted t*e mood o t*e liberals: AIt .o#ld be
dan"ero#s,B rationalises t*e let radi)al, S#8*ano5, E#st
ater t*e re5ol#tion, A to or)e t*e a"rarian 2roblem in t*e
next e. .ee8sJ and moreo5er t*ere is not t*e sli"*test
need o it:B 0s .e 8no., S#8*ano5 li8e.ise t*o#"*t it
.o#ld be dan"ero#s to or)e t*e G#estion o 2ea)e, or o
t*e ei"*t?*o#r day: To *ide rom dii)#lties is sim2ler:
Moreo5er, t*e landlords .ere araid a s*a8e?#2 o land
relations .o#ld rele)t itsel *arm#lly #2on t*e s2rin"
so.in" and t*e 2ro5isionin" o t*e )ities: T*e Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee sent tele"rams to t*e lo)alities re)ommendin"
t*at t*ey s*o#ld not Abe)ome absorbed in t*e a"rarian
G#estion to t*e ne"le)t o ood s#22lies to t*e )ities:B
In many re"ions t*e landlords, ri"*tened by t*e
re5ol#tion, abstained rom t*e s2rin" so.in": +it* a *ea5y
ood )risis t*ro#"*o#t t*e )o#ntry, t*ose em2ty ields
t*emsel5es seemed to )ry or a ne. o.ner: T*e 2easantry
stirred dimly: Io2in" little rom t*e ne. 2o.er, t*e
landlords *astened to dis2ose o t*eir 2ro2erties: T*e
8#la8s be"an <ealo#sly to b#y #2 t*ese estates, i"#rin"
t*at as 2easants t*ey .o#ld es)a2e or)ible ex2ro2riation:
Many o t*ese land sales .ere notorio#sly i)titio#s: It .as
ass#med t*at 2ri5ate *oldin"s belo. a )ertain norm .o#ld
be s2aredJ in 5ie. o t*is, t*e landlords artii)ially di5ided
t*eir 2ro2erty into small allotments, )reatin" d#mmy
o.ners: Not inreG#ently t*e lands .ere transerred to
orei"ners )iti<ens o t*e allied or ne#tral )o#ntries: 9#la8
s2e)#lation and landlord tri)8ery t*reatened to lea5e
not*in" o t*e 2#bli) land by t*e time t*e !onstit#ent
0ssembly .as )on5o8ed:
T*e 5illa"es sa. t*ese manoe#5res: Ien)e t*eir demand:
sto2 all land sales by de)ree: 3easant dele"ates 8e2t
2o#rin" into t*e )ities to t*e ne. a#t*orities see8in" land
and E#sti)e: It *a22ened to t*e ministers more t*an on)e,
ater t*eir exalted debates and o5ations, to r#n into t*e
"rey i"#res o 2easant de2#ties at t*e door.ay: S#8*ano5
tells *o. one o t*ese dele"ates .it* tears in *is eyes
besee)*ed t*e )iti<en minister to 2rom#l"ate a la.
2rote)tin" t*e land rom bein" sold o: Ie .as im2atiently
interr#2ted by 9erens8y ex)ited and 2ale: AI said it .o#ld
be done, and t*at means it .ill be ::: and yo# needn;t loo8
at me .it* t*ose s#s2i)io#s eyes:B S#8*ano5, .*o .as
2resent at t*is s)ene, adds: AI re2ort t*is 5erbatim: 0nd
9erens8y .as ri"*t: t*e muzhik did loo8 .it* s#s2i)io#s
eyes at t*e eminent 2eo2le;s minister and leader:B In t*is
s*ort dialo"#e bet.een a 2easant .*o is still as8in" b#t
no lon"er tr#stin", and t*e radi)al minister "est#rin" a.ay
t*e 2easant;s distr#st, is )ontained t*e ine5itability o t*e
>ebr#ary rF"ime;s )olla2se:
T*e a)t )reatin" land )ommittees as or"ans o 2re2aration
or a"rarian reorm .as 2#blis*ed by t*e irst Minister o
0"ri)#lt#re, t*e 9adet S*in"are5: T*e main land
)ommittee, 2resided o5er by t*e liberal b#rea#)rati)
2roessor, 3ostni8o5, )onsisted )*iely o Narodni8s .*o
eared more t*an anyt*in" else to a22ear less moderate
t*an t*eir 2resident: Lo)al land )ommittees .ere
establis*ed in t*e, 2ro5in)es, )o#nties and r#ral distri)ts:
+*ereas t*e So5iets, .*i)* too8 *old rat*er slo.ly in t*e
5illa"es, .ere )onsidered 2ri5ate or"anisations, t*ese
)ommittees *ad a "o5ernmental )*ara)ter: '#t t*e more
indeinite t*eir #n)tions .ere a))ordin" to t*e a)t, t*e
*arder slit .as or t*em to resist t*e 2ress#re o t*e
2easants: T*e lo.er a )ommittee stood in t*e "eneral
*ierar)*y D t*e nearer, t*at is, to t*e land D t*e sooner it
be)ame an instr#ment o t*e 2easant mo5ement:
To.ard t*e end o Mar)* t*ere be"an to lo. into t*e
)a2ital t*e irst alarmin" tidin"s o t*e 2easants; entran)e
#2on t*e s)ene: T*e No5"orod )ommissar tele"ra2*ed o
disorders )a#sed by a )ertain )or2oral 3anasi#8, o
A#n.arranted arrests o landlords,B et): In Tambo5
2ro5in)e a )ro.d o 2easants, .it* )ertain #rlo#"*ed
soldiers at t*eir *ead, *ad sa)8ed a landlords estate: T*e
irst )omm#ni)ations .ere do#btless exa""erated: T*e
landlords )ertainly ma"niied t*ese )onli)ts in t*eir
)om2laints, r#nnin" a*ead o t*e a)t#al e5ents: '#t one
t*in" is beyond do#btJ namely, t*at t*e leadin" rHle in t*e
2easant mo5ement .as 2layed by t*e soldier, .*o
bro#"*t *ome rom t*e ront and rom t*e )ity barra)8s a
s2irit o initiati5e:
One o t*e distri)t land )ommittees o 9*ar8o5 2ro5in)e
de)ided, on 02ril =, to )ond#)t a sear)* or .ea2ons
amon" t*e lando.ners: T*at already sma)8s o t*e )omin"
)i5il .ar: 0 dist#rban)e arisin" in S8o2ins8y )o#nty, Ria<an
2ro5in)e, is ex2lained by t*e )ommissar as d#e to a
de)ree o t*e exe)#ti5e )ommittee o a nei"*bo#rin"
)o#nty establis*in" )om2#lsory rental to t*e 2easants o
t*e landlords; lands: AT*e a"itation o st#dents in a5o#r o
tranG#illity #ntil t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly, *as *ad no
s#))ess:B T*#s .e learn t*at t*e st#dents, A.*o *ad
s#mmoned t*e 2easants in t*e irst re5ol#tion to a
)am2ai"n o terror, s#)* bein" t*e ta)ti) o t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries at t*at time, .ere no., in 1917, 2rea)*in"
la.#lness and tranG#illity D to be s#re, .it*o#t s#))ess:
T*e )ommissar o Simbirs8 2ro5in)e dra.s t*e 2i)t#re o a
more de5elo2ed 2easant mo5ement: T*e distri)t and
5illa"e )ommittees D o .*i)* somet*in" .ill be said later
D are arrestin" t*e landlords, banis*in" t*em rom t*e
2ro5in)e, )allin" o#t t*e .or8ers rom t*e landlords; ields,
sei<in" t*e land, establis*in" arbitrary rentals: AT*e
dele"ates sent by t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee are ta8in"
t*eir stand on t*e side o t*e 2easants:B 0t t*e same time
t*ere be"ins a mo5ement o t*e )omm#nal 2easants
a"ainst t*e indi5id#al lando.ners D a"ainst stron"
2easants, t*at is, .*o *ad deta)*ed t*emsel5es and ta8en
#2 indi5id#al *oldin"s on t*e basis o Stoly2in;s la. o
No5ember 9, 19%(: AT*e sit#ation in t*e 2ro5in)es
mena)es t*e so.in" o t*e ields:B 0s early as 02ril, t*e
Simbirs8 2ro5in)e )ommissar )an see no .ay o#t b#t
immediately to de)lare t*e land national 2ro2erty, t*e
terms on .*i)* it is to be #sed to be deined later by t*e
!onstit#ent 0ssembly:
>rom 9as*ir )o#nty, E#st o#tside Mos)o., )ome )om2laints
t*at t*e exe)#ti5e )ommittee is in)itin" t*e 2o2#lation to
t*e sei<#re .it*o#t indemnity o t*e )*#r)*, monastery
and landlords; estates: In 9#rs8 2ro5in)e t*e 2easants are
remo5in" t*e .ar?2risoners rom .or8 on t*e estates, and
e5en lo)8in" t*em #2 in t*e lo)al Eail: 0ter t*e 2easant
)on"resses, t*e 2easants in t*e 3en<a 2ro5in)e, in)linin"
to a literal inter2retation o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary
resol#tion on land and reedom, be"in to 5iolate a re)ently
)on)l#ded )ontra)t .it* t*e landlords: 0t t*e same time
t*ey ma8e an assa#lt on t*e ne. or"ans o 2o.er: A62on
t*e or"anisation o t*e distri)t and )o#nty exe)#ti5e
)ommittees in Mar)*, t*e intelli"entsia )om2osed t*e
maEority o t*eir stas, b#t ater.ardsB D re2orts t*e
)ommissar o 3en<a D B5oi)es be"an to be *eard a"ainst
t*e intelli"entsia, and by t*e middle o 02ril t*e sta o
t*e )ommittees e5ery.*ere .as ex)l#si5ely )om2osed o
2easants .*ose tenden)y on t*e land G#estion .as )learly
la.less:B 0 "ro#2 o landlords o t*e nei"*bo#rin" 9a<an
2ro5in)e )om2lains to t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment o t*e
im2ossibility o )arryin" on t*eir b#siness, be)a#se t*e
2easants are )allin" o t*eir .or8ers, stealin" seed, in
many lo)alities )arryin" o t*e mo5ables o t*e estate, not
2ermittin" t*e landlord to )#t .ood in *is o.n orest,
t*reatenin" *im .it* 5iolen)e and deat*: AT*ere are no
)o#rtsJ e5erybody does as *e .is*esJ sensible 2eo2le are
terrorised:B T*e 9a<an landlords already 8no. .*o is
"#ilty o t*is anar)*y: AT*e instr#)tions o t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment are #n8no.n in t*e 5illa"e, b#t 'ols*e5i8
lealets are .idely distrib#ted:B Io.e5er, t*ere .as no
la)8 o instr#)tions rom t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment: In a
tele"ram o Mar)* 2%, 3rin)e L5o5 2ro2osed to t*e
)ommissars to )reate distri)t )ommittees as or"ans o t*e
lo)al 2o.er, re)ommendin" t*at t*ey s*o#ld dra. into t*e
.or8 o t*ese )ommittees At*e lo)al lando.ners and all
t*e intelle)t#al or)es o t*e 5illa"e:B It .as 2ro2osed to
or"anise t*e .*ole state str#)t#re in t*e manner o a
system o )*ambers o )on)iliation: T*e )ommissars,
*o.e5er, .ere soon .ee2in" abo#t t*e )ro.din" o#t o
t*e Aintelle)t#al or)es:B T*e m#<*i8 ob5io#sly did not
tr#st *is )o#nty and distri)t 9erens8ys:
On 02ril 3, 3rin)e L5o5;s s#bstit#te, 3rin)e C#r#sso5 D t*e
Ministry o t*e Interior .as adorned, .e see, .it* loty
titles D re)ommends t*at no arbitrary a)ts s*all be
2ermitted, and es2e)ially At*e reedom o e5ery 2ro2rietor
to dis2ose o *is o.n landB D s.eetest o all reedoms D
s*all be deended: Ten days later 3rin)e L5o5 *imsel
)onsiders it ne)essary to do somet*in", and re)ommends
to t*e )ommissars Ato 2#t a sto2 to e5ery maniestation o
5iolen)e and robbery .it* t*e .*ole 2o.er o t*e la.:B
0"ain t.o days later, 3rin)e C#r#sso5 instr#)ts t*e
2ro5in)ial )ommissars Ato ta8e meas#res or t*e 2rote)tion
o t*e st#d arms rom la.less a)ts, ex2lainin" to t*e
2easants ::: and so ort*:B On 02ril 1$, 3rin)e C#r#sso5 is
tro#bled be)a#se t*e .ar?2risoners .or8in" or t*e
landlords are be"innin" to 2resent immoderate demands,
and instr#)ts t*e )ommissars to 2enalise t*ese insolent
ello.s on t*e basis o t*e a#t*ority ormerly enEoyed by
t*e )<ar;s "o5ernors: !ir)#lars, instr#)tions, tele"ra2*i)
dire)tions 2o#r do.n rom abo5e in a )ontin#al s*o.er: On
May 12 3rin)e L5o5 en#merates in a ne. tele"ram t*e
#nla.#l a)ti5ities .*i)* are #n)easin" t*ro#"*o#t t*e
)o#ntry arbitrary arrests, sear)*esJ remo5als rom oi)e,
rom mana"ement o estates, rom administration o
a)tories and s*o2sJ .re)8in" o 2ro2ertiesJ 2illa"e,
ins#bordination, *ooli"anismJ a)ts o 5iolen)e a"ainst
oi)ial 2ersona"esJ im2osition o taxes #2on t*e
2o2#lation in)itin" one 2art o t*e 2o2#lation a"ainst
anot*er, et):, et): 0ll s#)* orms o a)ti5ity m#st be
re)o"nised as )learly #nla.#l and in )ertain )ases e5en
anar)*isti) :::B T*e )*ara)terisation is not 5ery )lear, b#t
t*e )on)l#sion is: AT*at t*e most de)isi5e meas#res m#st
be ta8en:B T*e 2ro5in)ial )ommissars resol#tely iss#ed
orders to t*e )o#nties, t*e )o#nties bro#"*t 2ress#re to
bear on t*e distri)t )ommittees, and all o t*em to"et*er
re5ealed t*eir im2oten)e in t*e a)e o t*e m#<*i8s:
0lmost e5ery.*ere t*e nearest military deta)*ments *ad
a *and in t*e b#siness: Otenest indeed t*ey too8 t*e
initiati5e: T*e mo5ement ass#med .idely dierent orms,
a))ordin" to lo)al )onditions and t*e s*ar2ness o t*e
str#""le: In Siberia, .*ere t*ere .ere no landlords, t*e
2easants too8 2ossession o t*e )*#r)* and monastery
lands: In ot*er 2arts o t*e )o#ntry, too, t*e )ler"y *ad a
*ard time: In t*e 2io#s 2ro5in)e o Smolens8, #nder t*e
inl#en)e o soldiers arri5in" rom t*e ronts, t*e 2riests
and t*e mon8s .ere arrested: Lo)al or"anisations .ere
oten )om2elled to "o art*er t*an t*ey .anted to, merely
to 2re5ent t*e 2easants rom ta8in" in)om2arably more
radi)al ste2s: Early in May a )o#nty exe)#ti5e )ommittee
o Samara 2ro5in)e a22ointed a so)ial tr#stee o5er t*e
2ro2erty o !o#nt Orlo5?4a5ido5, t*#s 2rote)tin" it rom
t*e 2easants: Sin)e t*e de)ree 2romised by 9erens8y
orbiddin" t*e sale o lands ne5er did a22ear, t*e 2easants
be"an to sto2 t*ese sales in t*eir o.n .ay, 2re5entin"
s#r5eys o t*e land: !onis)ation o t*e landlords;
.ea2ons, e5en t*eir *#ntin" .ea2ons, .as s2readin"
.ider and .ider: T*e 2easants o Mins8 2ro5in)e,
)om2lains t*e )ommissar, Ata8e t*e resol#tions o a
2easant )on"ress or la.:B Ces, and *o. )o#ld t*ey ta8e
t*em ot*er.ise@ T*ose )on"resses .ere t*e sole real
2o.er in t*e lo)alities: T*#s is re5ealed t*e 5ast
dissonan)e bet.een t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary intelli"entsia
dro.nin" in .ords, and t*e 2easantry demandin" a)tion:
To.ards t*e end o May t*e ar ste22es o 0sia billo.ed
#2: T*e 9ir"*i<, rom .*om t*e )<ardom #sed to ta8e
a.ay t*eir best lands or t*e beneit o its ser5ants, arose
no. a"ainst t*e landlords, s#""estin" t*at t*ey *and o5er
at on)e t*e stolen "oods: AT*is 5ie. is "ainin" "ro#nd in
t*e ste22es,B re2orted t*e 08molins8 )ommissar: 0t t*e
o22osite end o t*e )o#ntry, in Liland 2ro5in)e, a )o#nty
exe)#ti5e )ommittee sent a )ommission to in5esti"ate t*e
sa)8in" o t*e 2ro2erty o 'aron Sta*l Von Iolstein: T*e
)ommission de)lared t*e disorders insi"nii)ant and t*e
2resen)e o t*e baron in t*e )o#nty #ndesirable or t*e
2#bli) tranG#illity, and 2ro2osed: To or.ard *im alon"
.it* t*e baroness to 3etro"rad and 2la)e t*em at t*e
dis2osal o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment: T*#s arose one o
t*e inn#merable )onli)ts bet.een t*e lo)al and t*e
)entral 2o.ers, bet.een t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries do.n
belo. and t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries on to2:
0 re2ort o May 27 rom 3a5lo"rad )o#nty in E8aterinosla5
2ro5in)e 2aints an almost idylli) 2i)t#re o la. and order:
T*e members o t*e land )ommittee are ex2lainin" to t*e
2o2#lation all mis#nderstandin"s and t*#s A2re5entin"
any 8ind o ex)ess:B 0las, t*is idyll .ill last b#t a e.
.ee8s: T*e *ead o one o t*e 9ostroma monasteries
bitterly )om2lained at t*e end o May a"ainst a reG#isition
by t*e 2easants o a t*ird o *is *orned )attle: T*e
re5erend mon8 s*o#ld *a5e been more mee8: *e .ill soon
bid are.ell to t*e ot*er t.o?t*irds:
In 9#rs8 2ro5in)e t*ere be"an a 2erse)#tion o t*e
indi5id#al settlers .*o *ad re#sed to ret#rn to t*e
)omm#ne: In t*e *o#r o its "reat land re5ol#tion, its
A'la)8 4i5ision,B t*e 2easantry .anted to a)t as a sin"le
.*ole: Inner distin)tions mi"*t 2ro5e an obsta)leJ t*e
)omm#ne m#st stand ort* as one man: T*e i"*t or t*e
landlord;s land .as t*ereore a))om2anied by a)ts o
5iolen)e a"ainst t*e se2arate armer D t*e land
indi5id#alist:
On t*e last day o May, a soldier, Samoilo5, .as arrested
in 3erm 2ro5in)e or in)itin" to non?2ayment o land taxes:
Soldier Samoilo5 .ill soon be arrestin" ot*ers: 4#rin" a
reli"io#s 2ro)ession in one o t*e 5illa"es in 9*ar8o5
2ro5in)e, a 2easant -ri)*en8o )*o22ed do.n .it* an axe
beore t*e eyes o t*e entire 5illa"e t*e re5ered i)on o St:
Ni)*olas: T*#s all 8inds o 2rotests arise and ex2ress
t*emsel5es in a)tion: 0n anonymo#s na5al oi)er and
landlord, in *is Notes of a White .uard, "i5es an
interestin" 2i)t#re o t*e e5ol#tion o t*e 5illa"e in t*e irst
mont*s o t*e re5ol#tion: To all oi)es Aalmost e5ery.*ere
t*ey ele)ted at irst men rom t*e bo#r"eois layers:
E5erybody .as stri5in" or b#t one t*in" D to maintain
order:B T*e 2easants, to be s#re, made demands or t*e
land, b#t d#rin" t*e irst t.o or t*ree mont*s .it*o#t
5iolen)e: Co# )o#ld *ear e5ery.*ere s#)* 2*rases as A+e
do not .ant to rob, .e .ant to "et it by a"reement,B et):
In t*ese reass#rin", airmations t*e ear o t*e lie#tenant
)a#"*t a note o A)on)ealed t*reat:B 0nd in tr#t*, alt*o#"*
t*e 2easantry in t*e irst 2eriod did not resort to 5iolen)e,
still in relation to t*e so?)alled intelle)t#al or)es At*ey
immediately be"an to re5eal t*eir disres2e)t:B T*is *al?
.aitin" attit#de )ontin#ed, a))ordin" to t*e +*ite -#ard,
#ntil May or ,#ne, Aater .*i)* a s*ar2 )*an"e .as to be
obser5ed D a tenden)y a22eared to G#arrel .it* t*e
2ro5isional re"#lations, to 2#t t*in"s t*ro#"* to s#it
t*emsel5es:B In ot*er .ords, t*e 2easants "a5e t*e
>ebr#ary re5ol#tion a22roximately t*ree mont*s "ra)e on
t*e 2romissory notes o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, ater
.*i)* t*ey be"an to )olle)t t*eir o.n .ay:
0 soldier, !*ineno5, .*o *ad Eoined t*e 'ols*e5i8s, made
t.o tri2s rom Mos)o. ater t*e re5ol#tion to *is *ome in
Orel: In May t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries .ere dominant in
t*e distri)t: T*e muzhiks in many lo)alities .ere still
2ayin" rent to t*e landlords: !*ineno5 or"anised a
'ols*e5i8 n#)le#s o soldiers, 2easant arm*ands and 2oor
2easants: T*e n#)le#s ad5o)ated t*e )essation o rent
2ayments and a distrib#tion o land amon" t*e landless:
T*ey immediately re"istered t*e landlords; meado. lands,
di5ided t*em amon" t*e 5illa"es, and mo.ed t*em: AT*e
So)ial Re5ol#tionaries sittin" in t*e distri)t )ommittees
)ried o#t a"ainst t*e ille"ality o o#r a)t, b#t did not
reno#n)e t*eir o.n s*are o t*e *ay:B 0s t*e 5illa"e
re2resentati5es .o#ld "i5e #2 t*eir oi)es t*ro#"* ear o
res2onsibility, t*e 2easants .o#ld sele)t ne. ones .*o
.ere more resol#te: T*e latter .ere by no means al.ays
'ols*e5i8s: 'y dire)t 2ress#re t*e 2easants .ere
2rod#)in" a s2lit in t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary 3arty, di5idin"
t*e re5ol#tionary elements rom t*e #n)tionaries and
)areerists: Ia5in" mo.ed t*e manorial *ay, t*e m#<*i8s
t#rned to t*e allo. land and be"an to di5ide it or t*e all
so.in": T*e 'ols*e5i8 n#)le#s de)ided to loo8 o5er t*e
manorial "ranaries and send t*e reser5es o "rain to t*e
*#n"erin" )a2ital: T*e resol#tion o t*e n#)le#s .as
)arried o#t be)a#se it )oin)ided .it* t*e mood o t*e
2easants: !*ineno5 bro#"*t .it* *im to *is *omeland
some 'ols*e5i8 literat#re, a t*in" nobody *ad e5er *eard
o #ntil *e arri5ed: AT*e lo)al intelli"entsia and t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries,B *e said, As2read a r#mo#r t*at I .as
brin"in" .it* me a "reat deal o -erman "old and t*at I
.o#ld bribe t*e 2easants:B T*e same 2ro)ess de5elo2ed
on a small as on a lar"e s)ale: T*e distri)ts *ad t*eir
Mili#8o5s, t*eir 9erens8ys, and ::: t*eir Lenins:
In Smolens8 2ro5in)e t*e inl#en)e o t*e, So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries be"an to "ro. ater t*e 3ro5in)ial
!on"ress o 2easant de2#ties, .*i)* de)lared itsel, as
.as to be ex2e)ted, or a transer o land to t*e 2eo2le:
T*e 2easants s.allo.ed t*is de)ision .*ole, b#t in
distin)tion rom t*eir leaders t*ey s.allo.ed it in earnest:
T*en)eor.ard t*e n#mber o So)ial Re5ol#tionaries in t*e
5illa"es in)reased )ontin#o#sly: A0nyone .*o *ad been in
t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary a)tion at any )on"ress,B relates
one o t*e lo)al 2arty .or8ers, A)onsidered *imsel eit*er a
So)ial Re5ol#tionary, or somet*in" 5ery m#)* li8e it:B In
t*e )o#nty seat t*ere .ere t.o re"iments, also #nder t*e
inl#en)e o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries: T*e distri)t land
)ommittee be"an to 2lo#"* t*e landlord;s land and mo.
*is meado.s: T*e 2ro5in)ial )ommissar, a So)ial
Re5ol#tionary, Eimo5, iss#ed t*reatenin" orders: T*e
5illa"e .as be.ildered: +*y, didn;t t*is same )ommissar
tell #s t*at t*e 2easants t*emsel5es are no. t*e
"o5ernment and t*at only *e .*o .or8s t*e land )an
beneit by it@ '#t as a matter o a)t at t*e dire)tion o t*is
So)ial Re5ol#tionary )ommissar, Eimo5, 1( distri)t land
)ommittees o#t o 17, in Celnin )o#nty alone, .ere bro#"*t
to trial in t*e )omin" mont*s or sei<in" t*e landlords;
land: T*#s, in its o.n .ay, t*e roman)e bet.een t*e
Narodni8 intelli"entsia and t*e 2eo2le dre. to its
dFno#ement: In t*e .*ole )o#nty t*ere .ere not more
t*an t*ree or o#r 'ols*e5i8s: T*eir inl#en)e "re. G#i)8ly,
*o.e5er, )ro.din" o#t or s2littin" t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries:
0n 0ll?R#ssian 3easant !on"ress .as )on5o8ed in
3etro"rad at t*e be"innin" o May: T*e re2resentation .as
lar"ely #22er )r#st, and in many )ases a))idental: I t*e
.or8ers; and soldiers; )on"resses )ontin#ally la""ed
be*ind t*e )o#rse o e5ents and t*e 2oliti)al e5ol#tion o
t*e masses, it is needless to say *o. ar t*e
re2resentation o a s)attered 2easantry la""ed be*ind t*e
a)t#al mood o t*e R#ssian 5illa"es: 0s dele"ates t*ere
a22eared, on t*e one *and, Narodni8 intelle)t#als o t*e
extreme ri"*t, asso)iated .it* t*e 2easantry )*iely
t*ro#"* )ommer)ial )o?o2erati5es or t*e reminis)en)es o
)*ild*ood: T*e "en#ine A2eo2le,B on t*e ot*er *and, .ere
re2resented by t*e better o #22er strata o t*e 5illa"es,
8#la8s, s*o28ee2ers, 2easant )o?o2erators: T*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries dominated t*is )on"ress absol#tely, and
moreo5er in t*e 2erson o t*eir extreme ri"*t .in": 0t
times, *o.e5er, e5en t*ey 2a#sed in ri"*t beore t*e
ree8in" mixt#re o land "reed and 2oliti)al Abla)8*#ndred?
ismB .*i)* ex#ded rom some o t*e de2#ties: In re"ard to
t*e landlord 2roblem an extremely radi)al 2osition .as
orm#lated t*is )on"ress: A!on5ersion o all land into
national 2ro2erty or eG#al .or8in" #se, .it*o#t any
indemnity:B To be s#re, t*e kulak #nderstood eG#ality only
in t*e sense o *is eG#ality .it* t*e landlord, not at all in
t*e sense o *is eG#ality .it* t*e *ired *ands: Io.e5er,
t*is little mis#nderstandin" bet.een t*e i)titio#s
so)ialism o t*e Narodni8s and t*e a"rarian demo)ratism
o t*e muzhiks .o#ld )ome o#t in t*e o2en only in t*e
#t#re:
T*e Minister o 0"ri)#lt#re, !*erno5, b#rnin" .it* a desire
to 2resent an Easter e"" to t*e 3easant !on"ress, 5ainly
b#sied *imsel .it* t*e 2roEe)t o a de)ree orbiddin" land
sales: T*e Minister o ,#sti)e, 3ere5er<e5, also )o#ntin"
*imsel somet*in" o a So)ial Re5ol#tionary, iss#ed
instr#)tions d#rin" t*e 5ery days o t*e )on"ress t*at in
t*e 5ario#s lo)alities no obsta)les s*o#ld be 2#t in t*e .ay
o land sales: On t*is s#bEe)t t*e 2easant de2#ties raised a
noise: '#t t*e matter did not mo5e or.ard a ste2: T*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment o 3rin)e L5o5 .o#ld not a"ree to
lay a *and on t*e landlords; estates: T*e so)ialists did not
.ant to lay a *and on t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment: 0nd
least o all .as t*e sta o t*e )on"ress )a2able o indin"
a .ay o#t o t*e )ontradi)tion bet.een its a22etite or
land and its rea)tionism:
On t*e 2%t* o May, Lenin s2o8e at t*e 3easant !on"ress:
It seemed, says S#8*ano5, as t*o#"* Lenin *ad landed in
a 2it o )ro)odiles: AIo.e5er, t*e little muzhiks listened
attenti5ely and 5ery li8ely not .it*o#t sym2at*y, alt*o#"*
t*ey did not dare s*o. it:B T*e same t*in" .as re2eated
in t*e soldiers; se)tion, .*i)* .as extremely *ostile to t*e
'ols*e5i8s: In t*e style o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and
Mens*e5i8s, S#8*ano5 tries to "i5e Lenin;s ta)ti)s on t*e
land G#estion an anar)*ist tint: T*is is not so ar rom t*e
attit#de o 3rin)e L5o5, .*o .as al.ays in)lined to re"ard
inrin"ements o landlord ri"*ts as anar)*ist a)ti5ities:
0))ordin" to t*is lo"i), t*e re5ol#tion as a .*ole is
eG#i5alent to anar)*y: In reality Lenin;s .ay o 2osin" t*e
G#estion .as ar dee2er t*an it seemed to *is )riti)s: T*e
instr#ments o t*e a"rarian re5ol#tion, and 2rimarily o t*e
sei<#re o t*e landed estates, .ere to be t*e so5iets o
2easants; de2#ties .it* t*e land )ommittees s#bEe)t to
t*em: In Lenin;s eyes t*ese so5iets .ere t*e or"ans o a
#t#re state 2o.er, and t*at too a most )on)entrated
2o.er D namely, t*e re5ol#tionary di)tators*i2: T*is is
)ertainly ar rom anar)*ism, rom t*e t*eory and 2ra)ti)e
o non?"o5ernment: Lenin said on 02ril 2$ A+e a5o#r an
immediate transer o t*e land to t*e 2easants, .it* t*e
*i"*est de"ree o or"anisation 2ossible: +e are absol#tely
a"ainst anar)*ist sei<#res:B +*y, t*en, are .e #n.illin" to
a.ait t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly@ >or t*is reason: AT*e
im2ortant t*in" or #s is re5ol#tionary initiati5eJ t*e la.s
s*o#ld be t*e res#lt o it: I yo# .ait #ntil t*e la. is
.ritten, and do not yo#rsel5es de5elo2 re5ol#tionary
ener"y, yo# .ill "et neit*er la. nor land:B 0re not t*ese
sim2le .ords t*e 5oi)e o all re5ol#tions@
0ter a mont*;s sittin", t*e 3easant !on"ress ele)ted as a
2ermanent instit#tion an exe)#ti5e )ommittee )om2osed
o t.o *#ndred st#rdy 5illa"e 2etty bo#r"eois and
Narodni8s o t*e 2roessorial or trader ty2e, adornin" t*em
at t*e s#mmit .it* t*e de)orati5e i"#res o
'res*8o5s8aia, !*ai8o5s8y, Vera >i"ner and 9erens8y: 0s
2resident t*ey ele)ted t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary,
058sentie5, a man made or 2ro5in)ial banG#ets, b#t not
or a 2easant .ar:
Ien)eor.ard t*e more im2ortant G#estions .ere ta8en #2
at Eoint sessions o t*e t.o exe)#ti5e )ommittees, t*at o
t*e .or8er?soldiers and t*at o t*e 2easants: T*is
)ombination entailed a "reat stren"t*enin" o t*e ri"*t
.in" .*i)* blended dire)tly .it* t*e 9adets: In all )ases
.*ere it .as ne)essary to brin" 2ress#re a"ainst t*e
.or8ers, )ome do.n on t*e *eads o t*e 'ols*e5i8s, or
t*reaten t*e inde2endent 9ronstadt re2#bli) .it* .*i2s
and s)or2ions, t*e t.o *#ndred *ands, or rat*er t*e t.o
*#ndred ists, o t*e 2easant exe)#ti5e )ommittee .o#ld
be lited li8e a .all: T*ose 2eo2le .ere #lly in a))ord .it*
Mili#8o5, t*at it .as ne)essary to Ama8e an endB o t*e
'ols*e5i8s: '#t in re"ard to t*e landed estates, t*ey *ad
t*e 5ie.s not o liberals, b#t o m#<*i8s, and t*is bro#"*t
t*em into o22osition .it* t*e bo#r"eoisie and t*e
3ro5in)ial -o5ernment: T*e 3easant !on"ress *ad not *ad
time to dis2erse, .*en )om2laints be"an to arri5e t*at its
resol#tions .ere bein" ta8en serio#sly in t*e lo)alities and
t*at 2easants .ere "oin" abo#t t*e b#siness o
a22ro2riatin" t*e land and eG#i2ment o t*e landlords: It
.as sim2ly im2ossible to *ammer into t*ose st#bborn
2easant s8#lls t*e dieren)e bet.een .ords and deeds:
T*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, ri"*tened, so#nded t*e
retreat: 0t t*e be"innin" o ,#ne, at t*eir Mos)o.
)on"ress, t*ey solemnly )ondemned all arbitrary sei<#res
o land: .e m#st .ait or t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly: '#t
t*eir resol#tion 2ro5ed im2otent, not only to sto2, b#t
e5en to .ea8en t*e a"rarian mo5ement: T*e matter .as
#rt*er "reatly )om2li)ated by t*e a)t t*at in t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionary 2arty itsel t*ere .as no small n#mber o
elements a)t#ally ready to "o t*e limit .it* t*e m#<*i8s
a"ainst t*e landlords: T*ese let So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, not
yet *a5in" made #2 t*eir minds to brea8 .it* t*e 2arty,
*el2ed t*e muzhiks "et aro#nd t*e la., or at least
inter2ret it in t*eir o.n as*ion:
In 9a<an 2ro5in)e, .*ere t*e 2easant mo5ement ass#med
es2e)ially stormy 2ro2ortions, t*e let .in" o t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries deined itsel sooner t*an in ot*er 2la)es:
0t t*eir *ead stood 9ale"ae5, s#bseG#ently !ommissar o
0"ri)#lt#re in t*e So5iet -o5ernment d#rin" t*e blo)
bet.een t*e 'ols*e5i8s and t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries:
>rom t*e middle o May t*ere be"an in 9a<an 2ro5in)e a
systemati) transer o land to t*e distri)t )ommittees: T*is
meas#re .as ado2ted most boldly o all in S2ass8 )o#nty,
.*ere a 'ols*e5i8 stood at t*e *ead o t*e 2easant
or"anisations: T*e 2ro5in)ial a#t*orities )om2lained to t*e
)entre abo#t t*e a"rarian a"itation )arried on by
'ols*e5i8s )omin" rom 9ronstadt, and added t*at t*e
2io#s n#n Tamara .as arrested or Ama8in" obEe)tions:B
>rom t*e 2ro5in)e o Corene<* t*e )ommissar re2orted on
,#ne 2: AIn)idents o la.brea8in" and ille"al a)ti5ity in t*e
2ro5in)e are "ro.in" more n#mero#s e5ery day, es2e)ially
in t*e a"rarian matter:B In 3en<a 2ro5in)e also, t*e
sei<#res o land .ere be)omin" more insistent: One o t*e
distri)t land )ommittees in 9al#"a 2ro5in)e de2ri5ed t*e
monastery o *al o its meado. lands, and #2on t*e
)om2laint o t*e abbot t*e )o#nty )ommittee resol5ed:
t*at t*e meado.s s*o#ld be ta8en as a .*ole: It is not
oten t*at t*e *i"*er instit#tion 2ro5es more radi)al t*an
t*e lo.er: In 3en<a 2ro5in)e an abbess, Maria, .ee2s o5er
t*e sei<#re o t*e n#nnery;s land: AT*e lo)al a#t*orities
are 2o.erless:B
In Viat8a 2ro5in)e t*e 2easants )losed #2 t*e 2ro2erty o
t*e S8oro2ads8ys, t*e amily o t*e #t#re 68rainian
hetman, and A#ntil t*e de)ision o t*e G#estion o landed
2ro2ertyB resol5ed t*at nobody s*o#ld to#)* t*e orests,
and t*at t*e in)ome rom t*e 2ro2erty s*o#ld be 2aid into
t*e 2#bli) treas#ry: In a series o ot*er lo)alities t*e land
)ommittees not only lo.ered t*e rent i5e or six times, b#t
dire)ted t*at it s*o#ld not be 2aid to t*e landlords, b#t
2la)ed at t*e dis2osal o t*e )ommittees #ntil t*e G#estion
s*o#ld be settled by t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly: T*is .as
not a la.yer;s b#t a muzhik;s .ay D t*at is, a serio#s .ay D
o 2ost2onin" t*e G#estion abo#t land reorms #ntil t*e
!onstit#ent 0ssembly: In Sarato5 2ro5in)e t*e 2easants
.*o only yesterday orbade t*e landlords to )#t do.n t*e
orests *a5e today be"#n to ell t*e trees t*emsel5es:
Otener and otener t*e 2easants are sei<in" t*e )*#r)*
and monastery lands, es2e)ially .*ere t*ere are e.
landlords: In Liland, t*e Lettis* arm .or8ers, alon" .it*
soldiers o t*e Lettis* 'attalion, #nderta8e an or"anised
sei<#re o t*e baronial lands:
T*e l#mber 8in"s rom Vitebs8 2ro5in)e )ry lo#dly t*at t*e
meas#res ado2ted by t*e land )ommittees are destroyin"
t*e l#mber ind#stry and 2re5entin" t*em rom s#22lyin"
t*e needs o t*e ront: T*ose no less: disinterested
2atriots, t*e landlords o t*e 3olta5a 2ro5in)e, "rie5e o5er
t*e a)t t*at a"rarian disorders are ma8in" it im2ossibleJ
or t*em to s#22ly 2ro5isions or t*e army: >inally a
)on"ress o *orse breeders in Mos)o. "i5es .arnin" t*at
2easant sei<#res are t*reatenin" .it* "i"anti) misort#nes
t*e st#ds o t*e >at*erland: In t*ose days t*e 3ro)#ror o
t*e Ioly Synod, t*e same one .*o )alled t*e members o
t*at sa)red instit#tion Aidiots and s)o#ndrels,B )om2lains
to t*e "o5ernment t*at in 9a<an 2ro5in)e t*e 2easants are
ta8in" a.ay rom t*e mon8s not only lands and )attle, b#t
also t*e lo#r ne)essary or t*e *oly bread: In 3etro"rad
2ro5in)e, t.o ste2s rom t*e )a2ital, t*e 2easants dri5e
t*e lessee o#t o a 2ro2erty and be"in to r#n it
t*emsel5es: T*e .ide?a.a8e 3rin)e C#r#sso5 a"ain
tele"ra2*s on ,#ne 2 to t*e o#r .inds: AIn s2ite o a series
o demands rom me ::: et):, et): ::: I a"ain as8 yo# to ta8e
t*e most de)isi5e meas#res:B T*e 2rin)e only or"ets to
say .*at meas#res:
In t*ose times, .*en a "i"anti) Eob o tearin" #2 t*e
dee2est roots o medie5alist and serdom .as #nder .ay
t*ro#"*o#t t*e .*ole )o#ntry, t*e Minister o 0"ri)#lt#re,
!*erno5, .as "at*erin" in *is )*an)elleries materials or
t*e: !onstit#ent 0ssembly: Ie intended to introd#)e t*e
reorm no ot*er.ise t*an on t*e basis o t*e most
a))#rate a"ri)#lt#ral data and statisti)s o all 2ossible
8inds, and t*ereore 8e2t #r"in" t*e 2easants .it* t*e
s.eetest o 5oi)es to .ait #ntil *is exer)ises .ere inis*ed:
T*is did not, *o.e5er, 2re5ent t*e landlords rom 8i)8in"
o#t t*e AR#ral MinisterB lon" beore *e *ad )om2leted *is
sa)ramental tables:
On t*e basis o t*e ar)*i5es o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment
yo#n" in5esti"ators *a5e )on)l#ded t*at in Mar)* t*e
a"rarian mo5ement *ad arisen .it* more or less stren"t*
in only $& )o#nties: In 02ril, it *ad sei<ed 17& )o#ntiesJ in
May, 23(J in ,#ne, 2$%J in ,#ly, 32=: T*ese i"#res,
*o.e5er, do not "i5e )om2lete 2i)t#re o t*e a)t#al
"ro.t* o t*e mo5ement, be)a#se in ea)* )o#nty t*e
str#""le ass#med rom mont* to mont* more and more
st#bborn and broad mass )*ara)ter:
In t*at irst 2eriod, rom Mar)* to ,#ly t*e 2easants in t*eir
o5er.*elmin" maEority are still rerainin" rom dire)t a)ts
o 5iolen)e a"ainst t*e landlords, and rom o2en sei<#res
o t*e land: Ca8o5le5, t*e leader o t*e abo5e?mentioned
in5esti"ations, no. 3eo2le;s !ommissar o 0"ri)#lt#re o
t*e So5iet 6nion, ex2lains t*e )om2arati5ely 2ea)e#l
ta)ti)s o t*e 2easants by t*eir tr#st#lness to.ard t*e
bo#r"eoisie: T*is ex2lanation m#st be de)lared in5alid: To
say not*in" o t*e )ontin#al s#s2i)io#sness o t*e m#<*i8
to.ard t*e )ity t*e a#t*orities and )#lti5ated so)iety a
"o5ernment *eaded by 3rin)e L5o5 )o#ld not 2ossibly
dis2ose t*e 2easants to tr#st#lness: I t*e 2easants
d#rin" t*is irst 2eriod *ardly e5er resort to meas#res o
o2en 5iolen)e, and are still tryin" to "i5e t*eir a)ti5ities
t*e orm o le"al or semi?le"al 2ress#re, t*is is ex2lained
by t*eir 5ery distr#st#lness o t*e "o5ernment, )ombined
.it* an ins#i)ient tr#st in t*eir o.n 2o.ers: T*e 2easants
are only 2a)in" t*e ta8e?o, eelin" o#t t*e "ro#nd,
meas#rin" t*e resistan)e o t*e enemy D brin"in" 2ress#re
#2on t*e landlords rom all dire)tions: A+e do not .ant to
rob,B t*ey re)ite, A.e .ant to do e5eryt*in" ni)ely:B T*ey
are not a22ro2riatin" t*e meado., b#t only )#ttin" t*e
*ay: T*ey are only )om2ellin" t*e landlords to rent t*em
t*e land, b#t are t*emsel5es establis*in" t*e 2ri)e: Or
.it* a similar )om2#lsion t*ey are Ab#yin"B t*e land D b#t
at a 2ri)e desi"nated by t*emsel5es: 0ll t*ese le"al
)o5erin"s, none too )on5in)in" to t*e landlord or t*e
liberal E#rists, are di)tated in reality by a )on)ealed b#t
dee2 distr#st o t*e "o5ernment: ACo# .on;t "et it by
bein" "ood,B says t*e muzhik to *imsel, Aand or)e is
dan"ero#s D let;s try oxiness:B Ie .o#ld 2reer, o )o#rse,
to ex2ro2riate t*e landlord .it* *is o.n )onsent:
AT*ro#"*o#t all t*ese mont*s,B insists Ca8o5le5, At*ere
2re5ails a .*olly #niG#e met*od o [3ea)e#l; str#""le .it*
t*e landlord, a t*in" ne5er beore seen in *istory, a res#lt
o t*e 2easants; tr#st in t*e bo#r"eoisie and t*e
"o5ernment o t*e bo#r"eoisie:B T*ese met*ods *ere
de)lared to *a5e been ne5er beore seen in *istory, are in
reality t*e ty2i)al and ine5itable met*ods *istori)ally
obli"atory t*ro#"*o#t t*e entire 2lanet in t*e initial sta"es
o a 2easant .ar: T*e attem2t to dis"#ise its irst rebel
ste2s .it* le"ality, bot* sa)red and se)#lar, *as rom time
immemorial )*ara)terised t*e str#""le o e5ery
re5ol#tionary )lass, beore it *as "at*ered s#i)ient
stren"t* and )oniden)e to brea8 t*e #mbili)al )ord .*i)*
bo#nd it to t*e old so)iety: T*is is more )om2letely tr#e o
t*e 2easantry t*an o any ot*er )lass, or e5en in its best
2eriods t*e 2easantry ad5an)es in semi?dar8ness, loo8in"
#2on its )ity riends .it* distr#st#l eyes: It *as "ood
reasons or t*is: T*e riends o an a"rarian mo5ement in
its irst ste2s are t*e a"ents o t*e liberal and radi)al
bo#r"eoisie: 0nd .*ile 2romotin" a 2art o t*e 2easant
demands, t*ese riends are, ne5ert*eless alarmed or t*e
ate o bo#r"eois 2ro2erty ri"*ts, and t*ereore try t*eir
best to lead t*e 2easant #2risin" on to t*e rails o
bo#r"eois le"ality:
Lon" beore t*e re5ol#tion, ot*er a)tors o2erate in t*e
same dire)tion: >rom t*e milie# o t*e nobility itsel t*ere
arise 2rea)*ers o )on)iliation: Leo Tolstoy loo8ed dee2er
into t*e so#l o t*e m#<*i8 t*an anybody else: Iis
2*iloso2*y o non?resistan)e to e5il by 5iolen)e .as a
"eneralisation o t*e irst sta"es o t*e m#<*i8 re5ol#tion:
Tolstoy dreamed o a day .*en it .o#ld all )ome to 2ass
A.it*o#t robbery, by m#t#al )onsent:B Ie b#ilt #2 a
reli"io#s o#ndation #nder t*is ta)ti) in t*e orm o a
2#riied !*ristianity: Ma*atma -and*i is no. #lillin" t*e
same mission in India, only in a more 2ra)ti)al orm: I .e
"o ba)8.ard rom t*e 2resent day .e s*all *a5e no
dii)#lty in indin", similar Ane5er beore seen in *istoryB
2*enomena in all sorts o reli"io#s, national, 2*iloso2*i)al
and 2oliti)al dis"#ises, be"innin" .it* 'ibli)al times and
still earlier:
T*e 2e)#liarity o t*e 2easant #2risin" o 1917 lay only in
t*e a)t t*at t*e a"ents o bo#r"eois le"ality .ere 2eo2le
.*o )alled t*emsel5es so)ialists, and also re5ol#tionists:
'#t it .as not t*ey .*o determined t*e )*ara)ter o t*e
2easant mo5ement and its r*yt*m: T*e 2easants ollo.ed
t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries only in so ar as t*ey )o#ld
se)#re rom t*em adeG#ate orm#las or a settlement .it*
t*e landlord: 0t t*e same time t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries
ser5ed t*em in t*e )a2a)ity o a E#ridi)al dis"#ise: t*is
.as, ater all, t*e 2arty o 9erens8y, Minister o ,#sti)e and
ater.ards +ar Minister, and o !*erno5, Minister o
0"ri)#lt#re: T*e delay in t*e 2rom#l"ation o t*e
ne)essary de)rees .o#ld be ex2lained by t*e distri)t and
)o#nty So)ial Re5ol#tionaries as d#e to t*e resistan)e o
t*e landlords and liberals: T*ey .o#ld ass#re t*e 2easants
t*at Ao#r 2eo2leB in t*e "o5ernment are doin" t*eir 5ery
best: To t*is o )o#rse t*e muzhik *ad no ans.er: '#t not
s#erin" in t*e least rom t*at 2re)io#s Atr#st#lness,B *e
deemed it ne)essary to *el2 Ao#r 2eo2leB rom belo., and
*e did t*is so t*oro#"*ly t*at Ao#r 2eo2leB #2 abo5e soon
be"an to eel t*eir 5ery Eoints )ra)8in":
T*e .ea8ness o t*e 'ols*e5i8s in relation to t*e 2easant
.as tem2orary, and d#e to t*e a)t t*at t*e 'ols*e5i8s did
not s*are t*e 2easant ill#sions: T*e 5illa"e )o#ld )ome to
'ols*e5ism only t*ro#"* ex2erien)e and disa22ointment:
T*e stren"t* t*e 'ols*e5i8s lay in t*e a)t t*at on t*e
a"rarian G#estion, as on ot*ers, t*ey .ere ree o t*e
di5er"en)e bet.een .ord and deed:
-eneral so)iolo"i)al )onsiderations )o#ld not yield an a
2riori de)ision as to .*et*er t*e 2easantry as a .*ole
.ere )a2able o risin" a"ainst t*e landlords or not: T*e
stren"t*enin" o )a2italist tenden)ies in a"ri)#lt#re d#rin"
t*e 2eriod bet.een t*e t.o re5ol#tions, t*e di5idin" o o
a layer o .ealt*y armers rom t*e 2rimiti5e )omm#ne,
t*e extraordinary "ro.t* o r#ral )o?o2eration
administered by .ell?o and ri)* 2easants D all t*is made
it im2ossible to say .it* )ertainty .*i)* o t.o tenden)ies
.o#ld .ei"* t*e most in t*e re5ol#tion: t*e a"rarian )aste
anta"onism bet.een t*e 2easantry and t*e nobility, or t*e
)lass anta"onism .it*in t*e 2easantry itsel:
Lenin #2on *is arri5al too8 a 5ery )a#tio#s 2osition #2on
t*is G#estion: AT*e a"rarian mo5ement,B *e said on 02ril
1&, Ais only a 2ro2*e)y, not a a)t ::: +e m#st be 2re2ared
or a #nion o t*e 2easantry .it* t*e bo#r"eoisie:B T*at
.as not a t*o#"*t a))identally tossed o: On t*e )ontrary,
Lenin insistently re2eated it in many )onne)tions: 0t a
2arty )oneren)e on 02ril 2&, *e said atta)8in" t*e Aold
'ols*e5i8sB .*o *ad a))#sed *im o #nderestimatin" t*e
2easantry: AIt is not 2ermissible or a 2roletarian 2arty to
rest its *o2es at t*is time on a )omm#nity o interest .it*
t*e 2easantry: +e are str#""lin" to brin" t*e 2easantry
o5er to o#r side, b#t t*ey no. stand to a )ertain de"ree
)ons)io#sly D on t*e, side o t*e )a2italists:B T*is
demonstrates amon" ot*er t*in"s *o. ar Lenin .as rom
t*at t*eory o an eternal *armony o interest bet.een
2roletariat and 2easantry s#bseG#ently attrib#ted to *im
by t*e e2i"ones: +*ile admittin" t*e 2ossibility t*at t*e
2easantry, as a )aste, mi"*t a)t as a re5ol#tionary a)tor,
Lenin ne5ert*eless .as "ettin" ready in 02ril or a less
a5o#rable 5ariantJ namely, a stable blo) o t*e landlords,
bo#r"eoisie and broad layers o t*e 2easantry: ATo try to
attra)t t*e 2easant no.,B *e said, Ameans to t*ro.
o#rsel5es on t*e mer)y o Mili#8o5:B Ien)e t*e )on)l#sion:
ATranser t*e )entre o "ra5ity to t*e so5iets o arm?*and
de2#ties:B
'#t t*e more a5o#rable 5ariant .as realised: T*e a"rarian
mo5ement rom bein" a 2ro2*esy be)ame a a)t,
re5ealin" or a brie moment, b#t .it* extraordinary or)e,
t*e s#2eriority o t*e )aste ties o t*e 2easantry o5er t*e
)a2italisti) anta"onisms: T*e so5iets o arm?*and
de2#ties attained si"nii)an)e only in a e. lo)alities,
)*iely t*e 'alti) 2ro5in)es: T*e land )ommittees, on t*e
)ontrary, be)ame t*e instr#ments o t*e .*ole 2easantry,
.*o .it* t*eir *ea5y?*anded 2ress#re )on5erted t*em
rom )*ambers o )on)iliation into .ea2ons o a"rarian
re5ol#tion:
T*is a)t t*at t*e 2easantry as a .*ole o#nd it 2ossible
on)e more D or t*e last time in t*eir *istory D to a)t as a
re5ol#tionary a)tor, testiies at on)e to t*e .ea8ness o
)a2italist relations in t*e )o#ntry and to t*eir stren"t*: T*e
bo#r"eois e)onomy *ad not yet by any means s#)8ed #2
t*e land relations o medie5al serdom: 0t t*e same time
t*e )a2italist de5elo2ment *ad "one so ar t*at it *ad
made t*e old orms o landed 2ro2erty eG#ally #nbearable
or all layers o t*e 5illa"e: T*e inter.ea5in" o landlord
and 2easant 2ro2erty?G#ite oten )ons)io#s arran"ed in
s#)* a .ay as to )on5ert t*e landlord;s ri"*ts in a tra2 or
t*e .*ole )omm#ne D t*e ri"*t#l stri2ed o.ners o t*e
5illa"e land, and inally t*e 5ery re)ent anta"onism
bet.een t*e land )omm#ne and t*e indi5id#alist o.ners D
all t*is to"et*er )reated an #nbearable tan"le o land
relations*i2s rom .*i)* it .as im2ossible to es)a2e by
.ay o *al?*earted le"islati5e meas#res: Moreo5er, t*e
2easants elt it more dee2ly t*an any a"rarian
t*eoreti)ians )o#ld: T*e ex2erien)e o lie *anded do.n
t*ro#"* a series o "enerations led t*em all to t*e same
)on)l#sion: .e m#st b#ry bot* *ereditary and a)G#ired
ri"*ts in t*e land, erase all bo#ndary mar8s, and *and
o5er t*e land, 2#r"ed o *istori) de2osits, to t*ose .*o
.or8 it: T*is .as t*e meanin" o t*e muzhik;s a2*orism:
t*e land is no man;s, t*e land is -od;s: 0nd in t*is same
s2irit t*e 2easantry inter2reted t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary
2ro"ramme: so)ialisation o t*e land: 0ll Narodni8 t*eories
to t*e )ontrary not.it*standin", t*ere .as not in t*is one
"rain o so)ialism: T*e most a#da)io#s o a"rarian
re5ol#tions *as ne5er yet by itsel o5erste22ed t*e bo#nds
o t*e bo#r"eois rF"ime: T*at so)ialisation .*i)* .as to
"#arantee to ea)* toiler *is Ari"*t to t*e land,B .as .it*
t*e 2reser5ation o #nrestri)ted mar8et relations, an #tter
6to2ia: Mens*e5ism )riti)ised t*is 6to2ia rom t*e liberal?
bo#r"eois 2oint o 5ie.: 'ols*e5ism, on t*e ot*er *and,
ex2osed t*e 2ro"ressi5e demo)rati) tenden)y .*i)* .as
indin" in t*ese t*eories o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries a
6to2ian ex2ression: T*is ex2os#re o t*e "en#ine *istori)
meanin" o t*e R#ssian a"rarian mo5ement .as one o t*e
"reatest ser5i)es o Lenin:
Mili#8o5 .rote t*at or *im, Aas a so)iolo"ist and
in5esti"ator o R#ssian *istori) e5ol#tionB D t*at is, a man
s#r5eyin" t*e )o#rse o e5ents rom a *ei"*t D BLenin and
Trots8y are leadin" a mo5ement ar nearer to 3#"at)*e5
and Ra<in, to 'olotni8o5 D to t*e ei"*teent* and
se5enteent* )ent#ries o o#r *istory D t*an to t*e last
.ord in E#ro2ean anar)*o?syndi)alism:B T*at dole o tr#t*
.*i)* is )ontained in t*is assertion o t*e liberal
so)iolo"ist D lea5in" aside *is reeren)e to Aanar)*o?
syndi)alismB .*i)* .as dra""ed in *ere or some
#n8no.n reason D militates not a"ainst t*e 'ols*e5i8s, b#t
rat*er a"ainst t*e R#ssian bo#r"eoisie, t*eir belatedness
and 2oliti)al insi"nii)an)e: T*e 'ols*e5i8s are not to
blame t*at t*ose )olossal 2easant mo5ements o 2ast
a"es did not lead to a demo)ratisation o so)ial relations in
R#ssia D .it*o#t )ities to lead t*em it .as #nattainableO D
nor are t*e 'ols*e5i8s to blame t*at t*e so?)alled
liberation o t*e 2easants in 1$(1 .as )arried o#t in s#)*
a .ay as to in5ol5e stealin" o t*e )omm#nal land,
ensla5ement o t*e 2easant to t*e state, and )om2lete
2reser5ation o t*e )aste system: One t*in" is tr#e: t*e
'ols*e5i8s .ere obli"ed to )arry t*ro#"* in t*e irst
G#arter o t*e t.entiet* )ent#ry t*at .*i)* .as not
)arried t*ro#"* D or not e5en #nderta8en at all D in t*e
se5enteent*, ei"*teent* and nineteent* )ent#ries: 'eore
ta8in" #2 t*eir o.n "reat tas8, t*ey *ad to )lear t*e
"ro#nd o t*e *istori) r#bbis* o t*e old r#lin" )lasses and
t*e old a"es: +e may add t*at t*e 'ols*e5i8s at least
#lilled t*is 2reliminary tas8 most )ons)ientio#sly: T*is
Mili#8o5 .ill no. *ardly 5ent#re to deny:
Chapter 21: =hifts in the 'asses
In t*e o#rt* mont* o its existen)e t*e >ebr#ary rF"ime
.as already )*o8in" rom its o.n )ontradi)tions: ,#ne *ad
be"#n .it* t*e all?R#ssian )on"ress o t*e so5iets, .*ose
tas8 .as to )reate a 2oliti)al )o5er or t*e ad5an)e on t*e
ront: T*e be"innin" o t*e ad5an)e )oin)ided in 3etro"rad
.it* a "i"anti) demonstration o .or8ers and soldiers
or"anised by t*e !om2romisers a"ainst t*e 'ols*e5i8s,
b#t .*i)* t#rned o#t to be a 'ols*e5i8 demonstration
a"ainst t*e !om2romisers: T*e "ro.in" indi"nation o t*e
masses led ater t.o .ee8s to anot*er demonstration,
.*i)* bro8e o#t .it*o#t any s#mmons rom abo5e, led to
bloody en)o#nters, and *as "one into *istory #nder t*e
name o At*e ,#ly days:B Ta8in" 2la)e exa)tly *al.ay
bet.een t*e >ebr#ary and t*e O)tober re5ol#tions, t*e
,#ly semi?ins#rre)tion )loses t*e ormer and )onstit#tes a
8ind o dress re*earsal or t*e latter: +e s*all end t*is
5ol#me on t*e t*res*old o t*e ,#ly days, b#t beore
2assin" o5er to t*ose e5ents .*ose arena in ,#ne .as
3etro"rad, it is ne)essary to *a5e a "lan)e at )ertain
2ro)esses .*i)* .ere ta8in" 2la)e in t*e masses:
To a )ertain liberal .*o *ad airmed at t*e be"innin" o
May t*at t*e more t*e "o5ernment mo5es to t*e let, t*e
more t*e )o#ntry mo5es to t*e ri"*t?meanin" by
A)o#ntry,B o )o#rse, At*e 2ossessin" )lassesB?Lenin
re2lied: At*e [)o#ntry; o .or8ers and 2oorer and 2oorest
2easants, I ass#re yo#, )iti<en, is a t*o#sand times art*er
to t*e let t*an t*e !*erno5s and Tseretellis, and a
*#ndred times art*er t*an .e: Li5e a little and yo# .ill
see:B Lenin estimated t*at t*e .or8ers and 2easants .ere
Aa *#ndred timesB art*er to t*e let t*an t*e 'ols*e5i8s:
T*is may seem a little #no#nded: t*e .or8ers and soldiers
.ere still s#22ortin" t*e !om2romisers, and t*e maEority
o t*em .ere on t*eir "#ard a"ainst t*e 'ols*e5i8s: '#t
Lenin .as del5in" dee2er: T*e so)ial interests o t*e
masses, t*eir *atred and t*eir *o2e, .ere still only see8in"
a mode o ex2ression: T*e 2oli)y o t*e !om2romisers *ad
been or t*en a irst sta"e: T*e masses .ere
immeas#rably to t*e let o t*e !*erno5s and Tseretellis,
b#t .ere t*emsel5es still #n)ons)io#s o t*eir radi)alism:
Lenin .as ri"*t in assertin" t*at t*e masses .ere to t*e
let o t*e 'ols*e5i8s, or t*e 2arty in its immense maEority
*ad not yet realised t*e mi"*tiness o t*e re5ol#tionary
2assions t*at .ere simmerin" in t*e de2t*s o t*e
a.a8enin" 2eo2le: T*e indi"nation o t*e masses .as
no#ris*ed by t*e dra""in"?o#t o t*e .ar, t*e e)onomi)
r#in and t*e mali)io#s ina)ti5ity o t*e "o5ernment:
T*e meas#reless E#ro2ean?0siati) 2lain *ad be)ome a
)o#ntry only t*an8s to railroads: T*e .ar str#)8 t*em most
*ea5ily o all: Trans2ort .as steadily brea8in" do.nJ t*e
n#mber o disabled lo)omoti5es on )ertain roads *ad
rea)*ed =% 2er )ent: 0t *eadG#arters learned en"ineers
read re2orts to t*e ee)t t*at no later t*an in six mont*s
t*e railroad trans2ort .o#ld be in a state o )om2lete
2aralysis: In t*ese )al)#lations t*ere .as a )ertain amo#nt
o )ons)io#s s2readin" o 2ani): '#t t*e brea8do.n o
trans2ort *ad really rea)*ed t*reatenin" dimensions: It
*ad )reated tie?#2s on t*e roads, intensiied t*e
dist#rban)e o )ommodity ex)*an"e, and a#"mented t*e
*i"* )ost o li5in":
T*e ood sit#ation in t*e )ities .as be)omin" .orse and
.orse: T*e a"rarian mo5ement *ad establis*ed its )entre
in &3 2ro5in)es: T*e lo. o "rain to t*e army and t*e
to.ns .as dan"ero#sly d.indlin": In t*e more ertile
re"ions, to be s#re, t*ere .ere still tens and *#ndreds o
millions o 2ods o s#r2l#s "rain, b#t t*e 2#r)*asin"
o2erations at a ixed 2ri)e "a5e extremely #nsatisa)tory
res#lts: and moreo5er it .as dii)#lt to deli5er t*e ready
"rain to t*e )entres o.in" to t*e brea8do.n o trans2ort:
>rom t*e a#t#mn o 191( on, an a5era"e o abo#t one *al
o t*e ex2e)ted 2ro5ision trains arri5ed at t*e ront:
3etro"rad, Mos)o. and ot*er ind#strial )entres re)ei5ed
no more t*an 1% 2er )ent o .*at t*ey needed: T*ey *ad
almost no reser5es: T*e standard o li5in" o t*e )ity
masses os)illated bet.een #nder?no#ris*ment and *#n"er:
T*e arri5al o t*e !oalition -o5ernment .as si"nalised
.it* a demo)rati) order orbiddin" t*e ba8in" o .*ite
bread: It .ill be se5eral years ater t*at beore t*e A>ren)*
rollB .ill a"ain: a22ear in t*e )a2ital: T*ere .as not
eno#"* b#tter: In ,#ne t*e )ons#m2tion o s#"ar .as )#t
do.n by deinite rationin" or t*e .*ole )o#ntry:
T*e me)*anism o t*e mar8et, bro8en by t*e .ar, *ad not
been re2la)ed by t*at state re"#lation to .*i)* t*e
ad5an)ed )a2italist "o5ernments *ad been )om2elled to
resort, and .*i)* alone 2ermitted -ermany to *old on
t*ro#"* o#r years o .ar:
T*reatenin" sym2toms o e)onomi) )olla2se a22eared at
e5ery ste2: T*e all in 2rod#)ti5ity in t*e a)tories .as
)a#sed, aside rom t*e brea8do.n o trans2ort, by t*e
.earin" o#t o eG#i2ment, t*e la)8 o ra. materials and
s#22lies, t*e l#x o 2ersonnel, bad inan)in" t*e #ni5ersal
#n)ertainty:
T*e 2rin)i2al 2lants .ere still .or8in" or t*e .ar: Orders
*ad been distrib#ted or t.o or t*ree years a*ead:
Meantime t*e .or8ers .ere #n.illin" to belie5e t*at t*e
.ar .o#ld )ontin#e: T*e ne.s2a2ers .ere 2#blis*in"
a22allin" i"#res o .ar 2roits: T*e )ost o li5in" .as
risin": T*e .or8ers .ere a.aitin" a )*an"e: T*e te)*ni)al
and administrati5e 2ersonnel o t*e a)tories .ere #nitin"
in #nions and ad5an)in" t*eir demands: In t*is s2*ere t*e
Mens*e5i8s and So)ial Re5ol#tionaries dominated: T*e
rF"ime o t*e a)tories .as disinte"ratin": 0ll Eoints .ere
.ea8enin": T*e 2ros2e)ts o t*e .ar and o t*e national
e)onomy .ere be)omin" misty, and 2ro2erty ri"*ts
#nreliable: 3roits .ere allin" o, dan"ers "ro.in", t*e
bosses losin" t*eir taste or 2rod#)tion #nder t*e
)onditions )reated by t*e re5ol#tion: T*e bo#r"eoisie as a
.*ole .as enterin" #2on a 2oli)y o e)onomi) deeatism:
Tem2orary losses and dei)its d#e to e)onomi) 2aralysis
.ere in t*eir eyes t*e o5er*ead ex2enses o a str#""le
.it* t*e re5ol#tion .*i)* t*reatened t*e o#ndations o
A)#lt#re:B 0t t*e same time t*e 5irt#o#s 2ress .as
a))#sin" t*e .or8ers rom day to day o mali)io#sly
sabota"in" ind#stry, stealin" ra. materials, #nne)essarily
b#rnin" #2 #el in order to 2rod#)e sto22a"es: T*e alsity
o t*ese a))#sations ex)eeded all bo#nds, and sin)e t*is
.as t*e 2ress o a 2arty .*i)* a)t#ally stood at t*e *ead
o t*e !oalition 2o.er, t*e indi"nation o t*e .or8ers
nat#rally transerred itsel to t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment:
T*e ind#strialists *ad not or"otten t*e ex2erien)e o 19%=
.*en a )orre)tly or"anised lo)8o#t a)ti5ely s#22orted by
t*e "o5ernment *ad not only bro8en #2 t*e str#""le o t*e
.or8ers or an ei"*t?*o#r day, b#t also *ad rendered t*e
monar)*y an in5al#able ser5i)e in t*e matter o .i2in" o#t
t*e re5ol#tion: T*e G#estion o a lo)8o#t .as no. a"ain
bro#"*t #2 or dis)#ssion at a !o#n)il o t*e !on"resses o
ind#stry and Trade?t*#s inno)ently t*ey named t*e
i"*tin" or"an o tr#stiied and syndi)ated )a2ital: One o
t*e leaders o ind#stry, t*e en"ineer ex2lained later in *is
memoirs .*y t*e idea o a lo)8o#t .as reEe)ted: AT*is
.o#ld *a5e loo8ed li8e a blo. at t*e rear o t*e army : : :
T*e )onseG#en)es ?o s#)* a ste2, in the a!sence of
"overnmental suort' loo8ed to t*e maEority 5ery dar8:B
T*e .*ole misort#ne lay in t*e absen)e o a ArealB
"o5ernment: T*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment .as 2aralysed
by t*e So5ietJ t*e reasonable leaders o t*e So5iet .ere
2aralysed by t*e massesJ t*e .or8ers in t*e a)tories .ere
armedJ moreo5er, almost e5ery a)tory *ad in t*e
nei"*bo#r*ood a riendly re"iment or battalion: In t*ese
)ir)#mstan)es t*ese "entlemen ind#strialists )onsidered a
lo)8o#t Aodio#s in its national as2e)t:B '#t t*ey did not by
any means reno#n)e t*e idea o an oensi5e, b#t merely
ada2ted it to existin" )ir)#mstan)es, "i5in" it not a
sim#ltaneo#s, b#t a )ree2in" )*ara)ter: 0))ordin" to t*e
di2lomati) ex2ression o 0#erba)*, t*e ind#strialists
Ainally )ame to t*e )on)l#sion t*at an obEe)t lesson .o#ld
be "i5en by lie itsel, in t*e orm o an ine5itable "rad#al
)losin" o t*e a)tories, so to s2ea8, one at a time?a t*in"
.*i)* soon did a)t#ally o))#r:B In ot*er .ords, reno#n)in"
a demonstrati5e lo)8o#t as in5ol5in" Aan enormo#s
res2onsibility,B t*is !o#n)il o t*e 6nited Ind#stries
re)ommended to its members to )lose #2 t*e enter2rises
one at a time, see8in" o#t a res2e)table 2retext:
T*is 2lan o a )ree2in" lo)8o#t .as )arried o#t .it*
remar8able system: Leaders o !a2ital li8e t*e 9adet
9#tler, a ormer Minister in t*e )abinet o +itte, read
si"nii)ant re2orts abo#t t*e brea8do.n o ind#stry, layin"
t*e blame, not on t*e t*ree years o .ar, b#t on t*e t*ree
mont*s o re5ol#tion: AIn t*e )o#rse o t.o or t*ree
.ee8s,B 2ro2*esied t*e im2atient ne.s2a2er Rech' At*e
s*o2s and a)tories .ill be"in to s*#t do.n one ater
anot*er,B 0 t*reat .as *ere dressed #2 in t*e orm o a
2ro2*e)y: En"ineers, 2roessors, Eo#rnalists started a
)am2ai"n in bot* t*e "eneral and t*e s2e)ialised 2ress, in
.*i)* a bridlin" o t*e .or8ers .as 2resented as t*e
#ndamental )ondition o sal5ation: T*e minister?
ind#strialist 9ono5alo5 *ad de)lared on t*e 17 o May, E#st
beore *is demonstrati5e .it*dra.al rom "o5ernment: AI
t*ere does not soon )ome a soberin" #2 o )lo#dy *eads :::
.e .ill .itness a sto22a"e o tens and *#ndreds o
2lants:B
In t*e middle o ,#ne a !on"ress o Trade and Ind#stry
demands o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment Aa radi)al brea8
.it* t*e system o de5elo2in" t*e re5ol#tion:B +e *a5e
already *eard t*is demand made by t*e "enerals: ASto2
t*e Re5ol#tion:B '#t t*e ind#strialists ma8e it more
)on)ise: AT*e so#r)e o all e5il is not only t*e 'ols*e5i8s,
b#t also t*e so)ialist 2arties: Only a irm iron *and )an
sa5e R#ssia:B
Ia5in" 2re2ared t*e 2oliti)al settin", t*e ind#strialists
2assed rom .ords to deeds: In t*e )o#rse o Mar)* and
02ril, 129 small 2lants in5ol5in" 9,%%% .or8ers .ere s*#t
do.nJ in May, 1%$ .it* a li8e n#mber o .or8ersJ in ,#ne,
12= 2lants .it* 3$,%%% .or8ers .ere s*#t do.nJ in ,#ly,
2%( 2lants t*re. o#t on t*e streets &$,%%% .or8ers: T*e
lo)8o#t de5elo2ed in a "eometri) 2ro"ression: '#t t*at
.as only a be"innin": Textile Mos)o. "ot into motion ater
3etro"rad, and t*e 2ro5in)es ater Mos)o.: T*e
man#a)t#rers .o#ld reer to an absen)e o #el, ra.
materials, a))essories, )redits: T*e a)tory )ommittees
.o#ld interere in t*e matter and in many )ases
ind#bitably establis* t*e a)t o a mali)io#s dislo)ation o
ind#stry .it* t*e "oal o brin"in" 2ress#re on t*e .or8ers,
or *oldin" #2 t*e "o5ernment or s#bsidies: Es2e)ially
im2#dent .ere t*e orei"n )a2italists a)tin" t*ro#"* t*e
mediation o t*eir embassies: In se5eral )ases t*e
sabota"e .as so ob5io#s t*at as a res#lt o t*e ex2os#res
o t*e s*o2 )ommittees t*e ind#strialists o#nd
t*emsel5es )om2elled to re?o2en t*e a)tories, t*#s layin"
bare one )ontradi)tion ater anot*er: T*e re5ol#tion soon
arri5ed at t*e )*ie o t*em all: t*at bet.een t*e so)ial
)*ara)ter o ind#stry and t*e 2ri5ate o.ners*i2 o its tools
and eG#i2ment: In t*e interests o 5i)tory o5er t*e
.or8ers, t*e entre2rene#r )loses t*e a)tory as t*o#"* it
.ere a G#estion o a mere sn# box, and not an enter2rise
ne)essary to t*e lie o t*e .*ole nation:
T*e ban8s, *a5in" s#))ess#lly boy)otted t*e Liberty Loan,
too8 a militant attit#de a"ainst is)al en)roa)*ments on
bi" )a2ital: In a letter addressed to t*e Ministry o >inan)e
t*e ban8ers A2ro2*esiedB a lo. o )a2ital abroad and a
transer o 2a2ers to t*e saes in )ase o radi)al inan)ial
reorms: In ot*er .ords t*e ban8er?2atriots t*reatened a
inan)ial lo)8o#t to )om2lete t*e ind#strial one: T*e
"o5ernment *astened to a))ede: ater all, t*e or"anisers
o t*is sabota"e .ere res2e)ted 2eo2le .*o *ad been
)om2elled as t*e res#lt o t*e .ar and t*e re5ol#tion to
ris8 t*eir )a2ital, and not any old 9ronstadt sailors .*o
ris8ed not*in" b#t t*eir *eads:
T*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee )o#ld not ail to #nderstand t*at
t*e res2onsibility or t*e e)onomi) ate o t*e )o#ntry,
es2e)ially sin)e t*e o2en asso)iation o t*e so)ialists in
t*e "o5ernment, .o#ld lie in t*e eyes o t*e masses #2on
t*e r#lin" So5iet maEority: T*e e)onomi) de2artment o t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee *ad .or8ed o#t a broad 2ro"ramme
o state re"#lation o t*e e)onomi) lie: 6nder 2ress#re o
t*e t*reatenin" sit#ation, t*e 2ro2osals o 5ery moderate
e)onomists *ad 2ro5ed m#)* more radi)al t*an t*eir
a#t*ors: A>or many bran)*es o ind#stry,B read t*is
2ro"ramme, At*e time is ri2e or a state trade mono2oly
/bread, meat, salt: leat*er1J or ot*ers, t*e )onditions are
ri2e or t*e ormation o re"#latin" state tr#sts /)oal, oil,
metals, s#"ar, 2a2er1J and inally, or almost all bran)*es
o ind#stry )ontem2orary )onditions demand a re"#lati5e
2arti)i2ation o t*e state in t*e distrib#tion o ra.
materials and inis*ed 2rod#)ts, and also in t*e ixation o
2ri)es:::: Sim#ltaneo#sly .it* t*is it is ne)essary to 2la)e
#nder )ontrol ::: all )redit instit#tions:B
On May 1(, t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .it* its be.ildered
2oliti)al leaders*i2 ado2ted t*e 2ro2osals o t*e
e)onomists almost .it*o#t debate, and ba)8ed t*em #2
.it* a #niG#e .arnin" addressed to t*e "o5ernment: It
s*o#ld ta8e #2on itsel At*e tas8 o a 2lanned or"anisation
o t*e national ind#stry and labo#r,B )allin" to memory
t*at in )onseG#en)e o t*e non #lilment o t*is tas8 At*e
old rF"ime ell and it *ad been ne)essary to reor"anise t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment:B In order to 2#m2 #2 t*eir
)o#ra"e t*e !om2romisers .ere s)arin" t*emsel5es:
AT*e 2ro"ramme is ex)ellent,B .rote Lenin, Abot* t*e
)ontrol and t*e "o5ernmentalisin" o t*e tr#sts, also t*e
str#""le .it* s2e)#lation, and liability or labo#r: : : : It is
ne)essary to re)o"nise t*is 2ro"ramme o ;ri"*t#l;
'ols*e5ism, or no ot*er 2ro"ramme and no ot*er .ay o#t
o t*e a)t#ally t*reatenin" terrible )olla2se )an be
o#nda:B Io.e5er, t*e .*ole G#estion .as: +*o .as to
)arry o#t t*is ex)ellent 2ro"ramme@ +o#ld it be t*e
!oalition@ T*e ans.er .as "i5en immediately: T*e day
ater t*e ado2tion by t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee o t*e
e)onomi) 2ro"ramme, t*e Minister o Trade and Ind#stry,
9ono5alo5, resi"ned and slammed t*e door be*ind *im: Ie
.as tem2orarily re2la)ed by t*e en"ineer 3al)*ins8y, a no
less loyal b#t more ener"eti) re2resentati5e o bi" )a2ital:
T*e minister?so)ialists did not e5en dare serio#sly 2ro2ose
t*e 2ro"ramme o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee to t*eir liberal
)ollea"#es: !*erno5, yo# remember, .as 5ainly tryin" to
"et t*e "o5ernment to ado2t a 5eto on land sales: In
ans.er to its "ro.in" dii)#lties, t*e "o5ernment, on its
side, bro#"*t or.ard a 2ro"ramme o #nloadin"
3etro"rad, t*at is, transerrin" s*o2s and a)tories into t*e
de2t*s o t*e )o#ntry: T*is 2ro"ramme .as moti5ated
bot* by military )onsiderations?t*e dan"er t*at t*e
-ermans mi"*t sei<e t*e )a2ital?and by e)onomi):
3etro"rad .as too ar rom t*e so#r)es o #el and ra.
materials: T*is #nloadin" .o#ld *a5e meant t*e
liG#idation o t*e 3etro"rad ind#stries or a series o
mont*s and years: T*e 2oliti)al aim .as to s)atter
t*ro#"*o#t t*e .*ole )o#ntry t*e 5an"#ard o t*e .or8in"
)lass: 3arallel .it* t*is t*e military 2o.er bro#"*t or.ard
one 2retext ater anot*er or de2ortin" rom 3etro"rad t*e
re5ol#tionary military #nits:
3al)*ins8y tried .it* all *is mi"*t to )on5in)e t*e .or8ers;
se)tion o t*e So5iet o t*e ad5anta"es o an #nloadin": To
a))om2lis* t*is tas8 a"ainst t*e .ill o t*e .or8ers .as
im2ossible: '#t t*e .or8ers .o#ld not a"ree: T*e
#nloadin" s)*eme "ot or.ard as little as t*e re"#lation o
ind#stry t*e brea8 do.n .as "oin" dee2er: 3ri)es .ere
risin": T*e silent lo)8o#t .as broadenin", and t*e
t*ere.it* #nem2loyment: T*e "o5ernment .as mar8in"
time: Mili#8o5 .rote later: AT*e ministry .as sim2ly
s.immin" .it* t*e )#rrent, and t*e )#rrent .as r#nnin" in
t*e 'ols*e5i8 )*annel:B Ces, t*e )#rrent .as r#nnin" in t*e
'ols*e5i8 )*annel:
T*e 2roletariat .as t*e )*ie moti5e or)e o re5ol#tion: 0t
t*e same time t*e re5ol#tion .as "i5in" s*a2e to t*e
2roletariat: 0nd t*e 2roletariat .as badly in need o t*is:
+e *a5e obser5ed t*e de)isi5e rHle o t*e 3etro"rad
.or8ers in t*e >ebr#ary days: T*e most militant 2ositions
.ere o))#2ied by t*e 'ols*e5i8s: Immediately ater t*e
o5ert#rn, *o.e5er, t*e 'ols*e5i8s retired into t*e
ba)8"ro#nd: T*e !om2romise 2arties ad5an)ed to t*e
ront o t*e 2oliti)al sta"e: T*ey t#rned o5er t*e 2o.er to
t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie: 3atriotism .as t*e )o#ntersi"n o
t*is blo): Its assa#lt .as so stron" t*at at least one *al o
t*e leaders o t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty )a2it#lated to it: +it*
Lenin;s arri5al t*e )o#rse o t*e 2arty )*an"ed abr#2tly,
and t*ereater its inl#en)e "re. s.itly: In t*e armed 02ril
demonstration t*e ront ran8s o t*e .or8ers and soldiers
.ere already tryin" to brea8 t*e )*ain o t*e
!om2romisers: '#t ater a irst eort t*ey ell ba)8: T*e
!om2romisers remained at t*e *elm:
Later on, ater t*e O)tober re5ol#tion, a "ood deal .as
.ritten to t*e ee)t t*at t*e 'ols*e5i8s o.ed t*eir 5i)tory
to t*e 2easant army, tired o t*e .ar: T*at is a 5ery
s#2eri)ial ex2lanation: T*e o22osite statement .o#ld be
nearer to t*e tr#t*: I t*e !om2romisers "ot a dominant
2osition in t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion, it is t*an8s most o all
to t*e #n#s#al 2la)e o))#2ied in t*e lie o t*e )o#ntry by
a 2easant army: I t*e re5ol#tion *ad de5elo2ed in 2ea)e
time, t*e leadin" rHle o t*e 2roletariat .o#ld *a5e *ad
rom t*e be"innin" a ar more s*ar2ly ex2ressed
)*ara)ter: +it*o#t t*e .ar t*e re5ol#tionary 5i)tory .o#ld
*a5e )ome later, and i yo# do not )o#nt t*e 5i)tims o t*e
.ar, .o#ld *a5e been 2aid or at a *i"*er 2ri)e: '#t it
.o#ld not *a5e let a 2la)e or an in#ndation o
)om2romisin" 2atrioti) moods: 0t any rate, t*e R#ssian
Marxists .*o *ad 2ro2*esied lon" beore t*ese e5ents a
)onG#est o 2roletariat in t*e )o#rse o t*e bo#r"eois
re5ol#tion did not ta8e or t*eir startin" 2oint t*e
tem2orary moods army, b#t t*e )lass str#)t#re o t*e
R#ssian so)iety: T*at 2ro2*e)y .as .*olly )onirmed: '#t
t*e #ndamental )orrelation o )lasses .as rera)ted
t*ro#"* t*e .ar and tem2orarily s*ited by t*e 2ress#re o
t*e army?t*at is, by an or"anisation o de)lassed and
armed 2easants: It .as E#st t*is artii)ial so)ial ormation
.*i)* so extraordinarily stren"t*ened t*e *old o t*e 2etty
bo#r"eois )om2romise 2oli)y, and made 2ossible an ei"*t?
mont*s; 2eriod o ex2eriments, .ea8enin" to t*e )o#ntry
and t*e re5ol#tion:
Io.e5er, t*e G#estion as to t*e roots o )om2romisism is
not ex*a#sted by reeren)e to t*e 2easant army: In t*e
2roletariat itsel, in its ma8e?#2, its 2oliti)al le5el, .e m#st
see8 s#22lementary )a#ses or t*e tem2orary
entren)*ment o t*e Mens*e5i8s and So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries: T*e .ar bro#"*t 5ast )*an"es in t*e
)onstit#tion and mood o t*e .or8in" )lass: I t*e
2re)edin" years *ad been a time o re5ol#tionary al#x,
t*e .ar s*ar2ly bro8e o t*at 2ro)ess: T*e mobilisation
.as t*o#"*t o#t and )ond#)ted not only rom a military,
b#t still more rom a 2oli)e 5ie.2oint: T*e "o5ernment
made *aste to )lean o#t rom t*e ind#strial distri)ts t*e
more a)ti5e and restless "ro#2s o .or8ers: +e may
)onsider it establis*ed t*at t*e mobilisation o t*e irst
mont*s o .ar tore a.ay rom t*e ind#stries as many as
&% 2er )ent o t*e .or8ers, )*iely t*e s8illed .or8ers:
T*eir absen)e, *a5in" a 5ery dama"in" ee)t on t*e
)o#rse o 2rod#)tion, )alled o#t *ot 2rotests rom t*e
ind#strialists in 2ro2ortion to t*eir *i"* 2roits rom t*e
.ar ind#stries: 0 #rt*er destr#)tion o t*e .or8ers; )adres
.as t*#s sto22ed: T*e .or8ers indis2ensable to t*e
ind#stries remained in t*e )a2a)ity o men on military
d#ty: T*e brea)*es ee)ted by t*e mobilisation .ere
made #2 by immi"rants rom t*e 5illa"es, small?to.n
2eo2le, badly G#aliied .or8ers, .omen, boys: T*e
2er)enta"e o .omen in ind#stry rose rom 32 to &% 2er
)ent:
T*e 2ro)ess o rene.al and dil#tion o t*e 2roletariat
rea)*ed its extreme dimensions in t*e )a2ital: >or t*e
years o t*e .ar, 191&?17, t*e n#mber o .or8ers in lar"e
enter2rises, t*ose *irin" more t*an =%%, almost do#bled in
t*e 3etro"rad 2ro5in)e: In )onseG#en)e o t*e liG#idation
o 2lants and a)tories in 3oland, and es2e)ially in t*e
'alti) states, and still more in )onseG#en)e o t*e "eneral
"ro.t* o t*e .ar ind#stries, t*ere .ere )on)entrated in
3etro"rad by 1917 abo#t &%%,%%% .or8ers in 2lants and
a)tories: O#t o t*ese, 33=,%%% .ere in t*e one *#ndred
and orty "iant 2lants: T*e more militant elements o t*e
3etro"rad 2roletariat 2layed no small 2art at t*e ront in
"i5in" orm to t*e re5ol#tionary moods o t*e army: '#t
t*ose yesterday;s immi"rants rom t*e 5illa"es .*o
re2la)ed t*em, oten .ell?to?do 2easants and s*o28ee2ers
*idin" rom t*e ront, .omen and boys, .ere ar more
s#bmissi5e t*an t*e ran8in" .or8ers: To t*is .e m#st add
t*at t*e G#aliied .or8ers .*o o#nd t*emsel5es in t*e
2osition o men on military d#ty?and o t*ese t*ere .ere
*#ndreds o t*o#sands?obser5ed an extraordinary )a#tion
t*ro#"* ear o bein", t*ro.n o5er to t*e ront: S#)* .as
t*e so)ial basis o t*e 2atrioti) mood, .*i)* *ad 2re5ailed
.it* a 2art o t*e .or8ers e5en #nder t*e )<ar: '#t t*ere
.as no stability in t*is 2atriotism: T*e mer)iless military
and 2oli)e re2ression, t*e redo#bled ex2loitation, deeats
at t*e ront, and ind#strial brea8do.n, 2#s*ed t*e .or8ers
into t*e str#""le: Stri8es: d#rin" t*e .ar .ere
2redominantly e)onomi) in )*ara)ter, *o.e5er, and
distin"#is*ed by ar more moderation t*an beore t*e .ar:
T*e .ea8enin" o t*e )lass .as in)reased by t*e
.ea8enin" o its 2arty: 0ter t*e arrest and exile o t*e
'ols*e5i8 4#ma de2#ties, t*ere .as )arried o#t .it* t*e
*el2 o a 2re5io#sly 2re2ared *ierar)*y o 2ro5o)ate#rs a
"eneral smas*?#2 o t*e 'ols*e5i8 or"anisations, rom
.*i)* t*e 2arty did not re)o5er #ntil t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion: 4#rin" 191= and 191( t*e dil#ted .or8in"
)lass *ad to "o t*ro#"* an elementary s)*ool o str#""le
beore t*e 2artial e)onomi) stri8es and demonstrations o
*#n"ry .omen )o#ld in >ebr#ary 1917 #se in a "eneral
stri8e, and dra. t*e army into an ins#rre)tion:
T*e 3etro"rad 2roletariat t*#s entered t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion not only in a *etero"eneo#s )ondition, not yet
*a5in" amal"amated its )onstit#ent 2arts, b#t .it* a
lo.ered 2oliti)al le5el e5en o its ad5an)ed layers: In t*e
2ro5in)es it .as still .orse: It .as t*is re5i5al o 2oliti)al
illitera)y and semi?illitera)y in t*e 2roletariat, )a#sed by
t*e .ar, .*i)* )reated t*e se)ond )ondition ne)essary or
t*e tem2orary dominan)e o t*e !om2romise 2arties:
0 re5ol#tion tea)*es and tea)*es ast: In t*at lies its
stren"t*: E5ery .ee8 brin"s somet*in" ne. to t*e masses:
E5ery t.o mont*s )reates an e2o)*: 0t t*e end o
>ebr#ary, t*e ins#rre)tion: 0t t*e end o 02ril, a
demonstration o t*e armed .or8ers and soldiers in
3etro"rad: 0t t*e be"innin" o ,#ly, a ne. assa#lt, ar
broader in s)o2e and #nder more resol#te slo"ans: 0t t*e
end o 0#"#st, 9ornilo5;s attem2t at an o5ert*ro. beaten
o by t*e masses: 0t t*e end o O)tober, )onG#est o
2o.er by t*e 'ols*e5i8s: 6nder t*ese e5ents, so stri8in" in
t*eir r*yt*m, mole)#lar 2ro)esses .ere ta8in" 2la)e,
.eldin" t*e *etero"eneo#s 2arts o t*e .or8in" )lass into
one 2oliti)al .*ole: In t*is a"ain t*e )*ie rHle .as 2layed
by t*e stri8e:
>ri"*tened by t*e li"*tnin" o re5ol#tion stri8in" in t*e
midst o t*eir ba))*analia o .ar 2roits, t*e ind#strialists
made )on)essions in t*e irst .ee8s to t*e .or8ers: T*e
3etro"rad a)tory o.ners e5en a"reed, .it* G#alii)ations
and ex)e2tions, to t*e ei"*t?*o#r day: '#t t*at did not
G#iet t*in"s, sin)e t*e standard o li5in" )ontin#ally san8:
In May t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee .as obli"ed to )on)ede
t*at .it* t*e in)reasin" )ost o li5in" t*e sit#ation o t*e
.or8ers Aborders or many )ate"ories #2on )*roni)
star5ation:B T*e mood in t*e .or8er distri)ts .as
be)omin" more and more ner5o#s and tense: +*at
de2ressed t*em most o all .as t*e absen)e o 2ros2e)ts:
T*e masses are )a2able o end#rin" t*e *ea5iest
de2ri5ations .*en t*ey #nderstand .*at or, b#t t*e ne.
rF"ime .as more and more re5ealin" itsel to t*em as a
mere )amo#la"e o t*e old relations a"ainst .*i)* t*ey
*ad re5olted in >ebr#ary: T*is t*ey .o#ld not end#re:
T*e stri8es .ere es2e)ially stormy amon" t*e more
ba)8.ard and ex2loited "ro#2s o .or8ers: La#ndry
.or8ers, dyers, )oo2ers, trade and ind#strial )ler8s,
str#)t#ral .or8ers, bron<e .or8ers, #ns8illed .or8ers,
s*oema8ers, 2a2er?box ma8ers, sa#sa"e ma8ers, #rnit#re
.or8ers, .ere stri8in", layer ater layer, t*ro#"*o#t t*e
mont* o ,#ne: T*e metal?.or8ers .ere be"innin", on t*e
)ontrary, to 2lay a restrainin" rHle: To t*e ad5an)ed
.or8ers it .as be)omin" more and more )lear t*at
indi5id#al e)onomi) stri8es in t*e )onditions o .ar,
brea8do.n and inlation )o#ld not brin" a serio#s
im2ro5ement, t*at t*ere m#st be some )*an"e in t*e 5ery
o#ndations: T*e lo)8o#t not only made t*e .or8ers
a5o#rable to t*e demand or t*e )ontrol o ind#stry, b#t
e5en 2#s*ed t*em to.ard t*e t*o#"*t o t*e ne)essity o
ta8in" t*e a)tories into t*e *ands o t*e state: T*is
ineren)e seemed t*e more nat#ral in t*at t*e maEority o
2ri5ate a)tories .ere .or8in" or t*e .ax, and t*at
alon"side t*em .ere state enter2rises o t*e same ty2e:
0lready in t*e s#mmer o 1917 dele"ations be"an to arri5e
in t*e )a2ital rom t*e ar ends o R#ssia, dele"ations o
.or8ers and )ler8s, .it* a 2lea t*at t*e a)tories s*o#ld be
ta8en o5er by t*e treas#ry, sin)e t*e s*are*olders *ad
sto22ed inan)in" t*em: '#t t*e "o5ernment .o#ld not
*ear o t*isJ )onseG#ently it .as ne)essary to )*an"e t*e
"o5ernment: T*e !om2romisers o22osed t*is: T*e .or8ers
be"an to s*it t*eir ront a"ainst t*e !om2romisers: T*e
3#tilo5 a)tory .it* its &%,%%% .or8ers .as a stron"*old o
t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries d#rin" t*e irst mont*s o t*e
re5ol#tion: '#t its "arrison did not lon" deend it a"ainst
'ols*e5i8s: 0t t*e *ead o t*e 'ols*e5i8 atta)8 most oten
.as to be seen Volodars8y, a tailor in t*e 2ast: 0 ,e. .*o
*ad s2ent some years in 0meri)a and s2o8e En"lis* .ell,
Volodars8y .as a ma"nii)ent mass orator, lo"i)al,
in"enio#s and bold: Iis 0meri)an intonation "a5e a #niG#e
ex2ressi5eness to *is resonant 5oi)e, rin"in" o#t )on)isely
at meetin"s o many t*o#sands: A>rom t*e moment o *is
arri5al in t*e Nar5a distri)t,B says t*e .or8er Mini)*e5,
At*e "ro#nd in t*e 3#tilo5 a)tory be"an to sli2 #nder t*e
eet o t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionary "entlemen, and in t*e
)o#rse o somet*in" li8e t.o mont*s t*e 3#tilo5 .or8ers
*ad "one o5er to t*e 'ols*e5i8s:B
T*e "ro.t* o stri8es, and o t*e )lass str#""le in "eneral,
almost a#tomati)ally raised t*e inl#en)e o t*e
'ols*e5i8s: In all )ases .*ere it .as a G#estion o lie?
interests t*e .or8ers be)ame )on5in)ed t*at t*e
'ols*e5i8s *ad no #lterior moti5es, t*at t*ey .ere
)on)ealin" not*in", and t*at yo# )o#ld rely on t*em: In
t*e *o#rs o )onli)t all t*e .or8ers tended to.ard t*e
'ols*e5i8s, t*e non?2arty .or8ers, t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries, t*e Mens*e5i8s: T*is is ex2lained by t*e
a)t t*at t*e a)tory and s*o2 )ommittees, .a"in" a
str#""le or t*e lie o t*eir a)tories a"ainst t*e sabota"e
o t*e administration and t*e 2ro2rietors, .ent o5er to t*e
'ols*e5i8s m#)* sooner t*an t*e So5iet: 0t a )oneren)e
o t*e a)tory and s*o2 )ommittees o 3etro"rad and its
en5irons at t*e be"innin" o ,#ne, t*e 'ols*e5i8 resol#tion
.on $$= o#t o &21 5otes: T*is a)t .ent by #tterly
#nnoti)ed in t*e bi" ne.s2a2ers: Ne5ert*eless it meant
t*at in t*e #ndamental G#estions o e)onomi) lie t*e
3etro"rad 2roletariat, not yet *a5in" bro8en .it* t*e
!om2romisers, *ad ne5ert*eless as a a)t "one o5er to t*e
'ols*e5i8s:
0t t*e ,#ne )oneren)e o trade #nions it be)ame 8no.n
t*at in 3etro"rad t*ere .ere o5er =% #nions .it* no less
t*an 2=%,%%% members: T*e metal .or8ers; #nion
n#mbered abo#t 19%,%%% .or8ersJ its members*i2 *ad
do#bled in t*e )o#rse o t*e one mont* o May: T*e
inl#en)e o t*e 'ols*e5i8s in t*e #nion *ad "ro.n still
more s.itly: 0ll t*e by?ele)tions to t*e so5iets s*o.ed a
5i)tory or t*e 'ols*e5i8s: 'y t*e 1st o ,#ne in t*e Mos)o.
So5iet t*ere .ere already 2%( 'ols*e5i8s a"ainst 17(
Mens*e5i8s and 11% So)ial Re5ol#tionaries: T*e same
s*its o))#rred in t*e 2ro5in)es, only more slo.ly: T*e
members*i2 o t*e 2arty .as "ro.in" steadily: 0t t*e end
o 02ril t*e 3etro"rad or"anisation *ad 1=,%%% members:
'y t*e end o ,#ne, o5er $2,%%%:
T*e .or8ers; se)tion o t*e 3etro"rad So5iet *ad at t*at
time already a 'ols*e5i8 maEority: '#t at a Eoint session o
bot* se)tions t*e soldier dele"ates o5er.ei"*ted t*e
'ols*e5i8s: 3ra5da as more and more insistently
demandin" "eneral ele)tions: T*e =%%,%%% 3etro"rad
.or8ers *a5e o#r times e.er dele"ates in t*e So5iet t*an
t*e 1=%,%%% soldiers o t*e 3etro"rad "arrison:B
0t t*e ,#ne )on"ress o t*e So5iets Lenin demanded
serio#s meas#res o str#""le a"ainst lo)8o#ts, 2l#nderin"s
and or"anised disr#2tion o e)onomi) lie on t*e 2art o
t*e ind#strialists and ban8ers: A3#blis* t*e 2roits o t*e
)a2italist "entlemen, arrest ity or a *#ndred o t*e
bi""est millionaires: It .ill be eno#"* to *old t*em or a
e. .ee8s, e5en on s#)* 2ri5ile"ed terms as Ni)*olas
Romano5 is *eld, .it* t*e sim2le aim o )om2ellin" t*em
to re5eal t*e t*reads, t*e tri)8y mani2#lations, t*e ilt*,
and selis*ness, .*i)* e5en #nder t*e ne. "o5ernment
are )ostin" o#r )o#ntry millions:B To t*e So5iet leaders
Lenin;s 2ro2osal seemed monstro#s: ACo# ima"ine t*at
yo# )an alter t*e la.s o e)onomi) lie by a)ts o 5iolen)e
a"ainst indi5id#al )a2italists@B T*e )ir)#mstan)e t*at
t*ese ind#strialists .ere di)tatin" t*e la.s by .ay o a
)ons2ira)y a"ainst t*e nation .as )onsidered a 2art o t*e
d#e order o t*in"s: 9erens8y, .*o )ame do.n on Lenin
.it* t*#ndero#s indi"nation, did not *esitate a mont* later
to arrest many t*o#sands o .or8ers .*o diered .it* t*e
ind#strialists in t*eir #nderstandin" o t*e Ala.s o
e)onomi) lieB:
T*e bond bet.een e)onomi)s and 2oliti)s .as bein"
re5ealed: T*e state, a))#stomed to a22ear in t*e G#ality
o a mysti) 2rin)i2le, .as o2eratin" no. otener and
otener in its most 2rimiti5e orm, t*at is, in t*e orm o
deta)*ments o armed men: T*e .or8ers in 5ario#s 2arts
o t*e )o#ntry .ere s#bEe)tin" t*e bosses .*o re#sed to
ma8e )on)essions or e5en ne"otiate, no. to enor)ed
a22earan)e beore t*e so5iet, no. to *o#se arrest: It is no
.onder t*at t*e .or8ers; militia be)ame an obEe)t o
s2e)ial *atred to t*e 2ossessin" )lasses:
T*e initial de)ision o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee to arm ten
2er )ent o t*e .or8ers *ad not been )arried o#t: '#t t*e
.or8ers s#))eeded in armin" 2artially E#st t*e same, and
moreo5er t*e more a)ti5e elements "ot into t*e ran8s o
t*e militia: T*e leaders*i2 o t*e .or8ers; militia .as
)on)entrated in t*e *ands o t*e a)tory )ommittees, and
t*e leaders*i2 o t*e a)tory )ommittees .as )omin" o5er
more and more into t*e *ands o t*e 'ols*e5i8s: 0 .or8er
o t*e Mos)o. a)tory, 3osta5s*)*i8, relates: AOn t*e 1st
o ,#ne as soon as t*e ne. >a)tory !ommittee .as ele)ted
.it* a 'ols*e5i8 maEority : : : a deta)*ment o ei"*ty men
.as ormed, .*i)* in t*e absen)e o .ea2ons drilled .it*
sti)8s, #nder t*e leaders*i2 o an old soldier, !omrade
Le5a8o5:B
T*e 2ress a))#sed t*e militia o a)ts o 5iolen)e,
reG#isitions, and ille"al arrests: It is ind#bitable t*at t*e
militia did em2loy 5iolen)e: it .as )reated exa)tly or t*at:
Its )rime )onsisted, *o.e5er, in resortin" to 5iolen)e in
dealin" .it* re2resentati5es o t*at )lass .*i)* .as not
a))#stomed to be t*e obEe)t o 5iolen)e and did not .ant
to "et a))#stomed to it:
In t*e 3#tilo5 a)tory, .*i)* 2layed t*e leadin" rHle in t*e
str#""le or *i"*er .a"es, a )oneren)e assembled on t*e
23rd o ,#ne, in .*i)* 2arti)i2ated re2resentati5es o t*e
!entral !o#n)il o >a)tory and S*o2 !ommittees, t*e
!entral '#rea# o t*e Trade 6nions and 73 2lants: 6nder
t*e inl#en)e o t*e 'ols*e5i8s t*e )oneren)e re)o"nised
t*at t*e stri8e o a a)tory #nder t*e "i5en )onditions
mi"*t entail an Adisor"anised 2oliti)al str#""le o t*e
3etro"rad .or8ers,B and t*ereore 2ro2osed to t*e 3#tilo5
.or8ers to Arestrain t*eir le"itimate indi"nation and
2re2are t*eir or)es or a "eneral atta)8:
On t*e e5e o t*at im2ortant )oneren)e t*e 'ols*e5i8
a)tion *ad .arned t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee: A0 mass o
&%,%%% may any day stri8e and )ome into t*e street: It
.o#ld already *a5e done so i o#r 2arty *ad not restrained
it: 0nd moreo5er t*ere is no "#arantee t*at in t*e #t#re
.e )an restrain it: '#t a )omin" o#t o t*e 3#tilo5 men?
t*ere )an be no do#bt o it?.ill ine5itably brin" ater it an
a)tion o t*e maEority o t*e .or8ers and soldiers:B
T*e leaders o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee E#d"ed t*ese
.arnin"s to be dema"o"y, or else sim2ly let t*em "o in
one ear and o#t t*e ot*er, 2reser5in" t*eir tranG#illity:
T*ey t*emsel5es *ad almost )eased to 5isit t*e a)tories
and barra)8s, sin)e t*ey *ad s#))eeded in ma8in"
t*emsel5es odio#s in t*e eyes o t*e soldiers and .or8ers:
Only t*e 'ols*e5i8s enEoyed s#i)ient a#t*ority to ma8e it
2ossible or t*em to restrain t*e .or8ers, and soldiers
rom s)attered a)tion: '#t t*e im2atien)e o t*e masses
.as already sometimes dire)ted e5en a"ainst t*e
'ols*e5i8s:
0nar)*ists a22eared in t*e a)tories and in t*e leet: 0s
al.ays in t*e a)e o "reat e5ents and "reat masses, t*ey
ex2osed t*eir or"ani) ban8r#2t)y: T*ey o#nd it t*e more
easy to reEe)t t*e state 2o.er in t*at t*ey )om2letely
ailed to #nderstand t*e si"nii)an)e o t*e so5iets as
or"ans o a ne. state: Moreo5er, st#nned by t*e
re5ol#tion, t*ey most oten sim2ly 8e2t m#m on t*e
s#bEe)t o t*e state: T*ey re5ealed t*eir ban8r#2t)y or t*e
most 2art by en)o#ra"in" 2etty lare?#2s: T*e e)onomi)
blind alley and t*e "ro.in" embitterment o t*e 3etro"rad
.or8ers "a5e )ertain 2oints o s#22ort to t*e anar)*ists:
In)a2able o serio#sly a22raisin" t*e )orrelation o or)es
on a national s)ale, ready to re"ard e5ery little im2#lse
rom belo., as t*e last stro8e o sal5ation, t*ey sometimes
a))#sed t*e 'ols*e5i8s o irresol#tion and e5en o
)om2romisism: '#t beyond "r#mblin" t*ey #s#ally did not
"o: T*e res2onse o t*e masses to t*e a)tion o t*e
anar)*ists sometimes ser5ed t*e 'ols*e5i8s as a "a#"e o
t*e steam 2ress#re o t*e re5ol#tion:
T*e sailors .*o *ad met Lenin at t*e >inland station
de)lared t.o .ee8s later, #nder 2atrioti) 2ress#re rom all
sides: AI .e *ad 8no.n::: by .*at .ays *e )ame to #s,
instead o ra2t#ro#s )ries o *#rra*O .e .o#ld *a5e made
*eard o#r indi"nant s*o#ts: ;4o.n .it* yo#O 'a)8 to t*e
)o#ntry yo# )ame t*ro#"*:;B T*e soldiers; so5iets in t*e
!rimea t*reatened one ater anot*er to 2re5ent .it*
armed ists Lenin;s entry into t*at 2atrioti) 2enins#la,
.*ere *e *ad no idea o "oin": T*e Volyns8y re"iment, t*e
)ory2*ee o >ebr#ary 27, in t*e *eat o t*e moment e5en
resol5ed to arrest Lenin, so t*at t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee
o#nd itsel obli"ed to ta8e its o.n meas#res a"ainst s#)*
an e5ent: Moods o t*is 8ind *ad not inally dissi2ated #2
to t*e ,#ne oensi5e, and t*ey lared #2 s*ar2ly a"ain
ater t*e ,#ly days: 0t t*e same time in t*e most ar?a.ay
"arrisons and t*e most remote 2arts o t*e ront t*e
soldiers .ere s2ea8in" more and more boldly in t*e
lan"#a"e o 'ols*e5ism, oten eno#"* ne5er "#essin" it:
T*e 'ols*e5i8s in t*e re"iments .ere only sin"le
indi5id#als, b#t t*e 'ols*e5i8 slo"ans .ere 2enetratin"
dee2er: T*ey seemed to be )omin" #2 s2ontaneo#sly in a
t*e )o#ntry: Liberal obser5ers sa. not*in" in t*is b#t
i"noran)e and )*aos: Rech .rote: AO#r >at*erland is
5eritably t#rnin" into a sort o mad*o#se, .*ere t*ose
2ossessed are in a)tion and )ommand, and 2eo2le .*o
*a5e not yet lost t*eir reason stand aside in ri"*t and
)lin" alon" t*e .alls:B In exa)tly t*ese .ords t*e
AmoderatesB *a5e 2o#red o#t t*eir so#ls in all re5ol#tions:
T*e !om2romisers; 2ress )omorted itsel t*at t*e soldiers
in s2ite o all mis#nderstandin" did not .ant to *a5e
anyt*in" to do .it* t*e 'ols*e5i8s: Mean.*ile t*e
#n)ons)io#s 'ols*e5ism o t*e mass, rele)tin" t*e lo"i) o
e5ol#tion, .as )onstit#tin" t*e #n)onG#erable 2o.er o
t*e Lenin 2arty:
T*e soldier 3irei8o relates *o. at t*e ele)tions at t*e ront
to t*e )on"ress o so5iets, ater a t*ree?day debate, only
So)ial Re5ol#tionaries .ere ele)ted: '#t ri"*t ater t*at,
not.it*standin" t*e 2rotest o t*e leaders, t*e soldiers
ado2ted a resol#tion in a5o#r o ta8in" t*e land rom t*e
landlords, .it*o#t .aitin" or t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly:
AIn "eneral on G#estions .*i)* t*e soldiers #nderstood,
t*ey .ere in)lined art*er to t*e let t*an t*e most
extreme o extreme 'ols*e5i8s:B T*at is?.*at Lenin *ad in
mind .*en *e said t*at t*e masses Aare a *#ndred times
to t*e let o #s:B
0 )ler8 in a motor?)y)le s*o2 some.*ere in t*e Ta#ride
2ro5in)e tells *o. not inreG#ently ater readin" t*e
bo#r"eois, 2a2ers, t*e soldiers .o#ld ab#se some sort o
#n8no.n )reat#res )alled 'ols*e5i8s, and t*en
immediately ta8e #2 t*e dis)#ssion o t*e ne)essity o
sto22in" t*e .ar, sei<in" t*e land rom t*e landlords, et):
T*ese .ere t*ose same 2atriots .*o s.ore not to let Lenin
into t*e !rimea: T*e soldiers in t*e "i"anti) rear "arrisons
.ere )*ain": 0 5ast a))#m#lation o idle 2eo2le
im2atiently a.aitin" a )*an"e in t*eir ate )reated a
ner5o#s )ondition .*i)* ex2ressed itsel in a )ontin#o#s
readiness to brin" t*eir dis)ontent o#t into t*e street, in
.*olesale tram.ay rides and an e2idemi)al )*e.in" o
s#nlo.er seeds: T*e soldier .it* *is tren)*?)oat t*ro.n
o5er *is s*o#lders, .it* a seeds*ell on *is li2, be)ame t*e
most *ated ima"e to t*e bo#r"eois 2ress: T*is man .*om
in .ar time t*ey *ad )r#dely lattered, namin" *im no less
t*an *ero?.*i)* did not 2re5ent t*eir lo""in" t*is *ero at
t*e ront?*e .*om ater t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion t*ey *ad
lited alot as a liberator, be)ame s#ddenly a t*#", a
traitor, a "#nman, a -erman a"ent: Really, t*ere .as no
5ileness t*at t*e 2atrioti) 2ress .o#ld not attrib#te to t*e
R#ssian soldiers and sailors:
0ll t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee did .as to E#stiy itsel,
str#""le .it* anar)*y, abate ex)esses, distrib#te
ri"*tened G#estionnaires and moral instr#)tions: T*e
2resident o t*e so5iet in !<aritsyn?t*at )ity .as
)onsidered a nest o anar)*o?'ols*e5ism?to a
G#estionnaire rom t*e )entre as to t*e state o aairs,
ans.ered .it* a )lean?)#t 2*rase: AT*e more t*e "arrison
"oes to t*e let, t*e more t*e e5eryday man "oes to t*e
ri"*t:B Co# )an extend t*is orm#la rom !<aritsyn to t*e
.*ole )o#ntry: T*e soldier is mo5in" to t*e let, t*e
bo#r"eois to t*e ri"*t:
E5ery soldier .*o ex2ressed a little more boldly t*an t*e
rest .*at t*ey .ere all eelin", .as so 2ersistently
s*o#ted at rom abo5e as a 'ols*e5i8 t*at *e .as obli"ed
in t*e lon" r#n to belie5e it: >rom 2ea)e and land t*e
soldiers; t*o#"*ts be"an to 2ass o5er to t*e G#estion o
2o.er: Res2onsi5eness to t*e s)attered slo"ans o
'ols*e5ism )*an"ed into a )ons)io#s sym2at*y or t*e
'ols*e5i8 3arty: In t*e Volyns8y re"iment, .*i)* in 02ril
*ad intended to arrest Lenin, t*e mood s*ited in t*e
)o#rse o t.o mont*s in a5o#r o t*e 'ols*e5i8s: T*e
same in t*e E"ers8y and Lito5s8y re"iments: T*e Lettis*
s*ar2s*ooters *ad been bro#"*t into bein" by t*e
a#to)ra)y in order to #se or t*e ends o .ar t*e *atred o
2ar)elled?o#t 2easants and arm?*ands a"ainst t*e 'alti)
barons: T*ese re"iments o#"*t ma"nii)ently: '#t t*at
s2irit o )lass *atred on .*i)* t*e monar)*y t*o#"*t to
rely, o#nd a road o its o.n: T*e Lettis* s*ar2s*ooters
.ere amon" t*e irst to brea8 .it* t*e monar)*y, and
ater.ards .it* t*e !om2romisers: 0s early as May 17, t*e
re2resentati5es o ei"*t Lettis* re"iments almost
#nanimo#sly ad*ered to t*e 'ols*e5i8 slo"an: A0ll 3o.er
to t*e So5iets:B In t*e #rt*er )o#rse o t*e re5ol#tion t*ey
.ill 2lay a mi"*ty rHle:
0n #n8no.n soldier .rites rom t*e ront: AToday, ,#ne 13,
.e *ad a little meetin" at *eadG#arters, and t*ey tal8ed o
Lenin and 9erens8y: T*e soldiers or t*e most 2art .ere or
Lenin, b#t t*e oi)ers said t*at Lenin .as 5ery ;bo#r"#i:;B
0ter t*e )olla2se o t*e oensi5e 9erens8y;s name
be)ame #tterly *ate#l to t*e army:
On ,#ne 21 t*e military st#dents in 3eter*o mar)*ed
t*ro#"* t*e streets .it* banners and 2la)ards : A4o.n
.it* t*e S2ies,B ALon" Li5e 9erens8y and 'r#ssilo5:B It .as
'r#ssilo5, o; )o#rse, t*at t*e military st#dents t*emsel5es
stood or: Soldiers o t*e &t* 'attalion atta)8ed t*e
military st#dents and ro#"**o#sed t*em, s)atterin" t*e
demonstration: T*e 2la)ard in *ono#r o 9erens8y .as
.*at 2ro5o8ed t*e most *atred:
T*e ,#ne demonstration "reatly a))elerated t*e 2oliti)al
e5ol#tion o t*e army: T*e 2o2#larity o t*e 'ols*e5i8s, t*e
only 2arty .*i)* *ad raised its 5oi)e in ad5an)e a"ainst
t*e oensi5e, be"an to "ro. .it* extraordinary s2eed: It is
tr#e t*at t*e 'ols*e5i8 2a2ers only .it* "reat dii)#lty
o#nd a))ess to t*e army: T*eir )ir)#lation .as extremely
small in )om2arison .it* t*e liberal 2ress and t*e 2atrioti)
2ress in "eneral: AT*ere is not e5en one o yo#r 2a2ers to
be seen any.*ere,B .rites to Mos)o. a )l#msy soldier;s
*and, Aand .e only ma8e #se o t*e r#mo#r o yo#r
2a2ers: T*ey s2rin8le #s *ere .it* ree bo#r"eois 2a2ers,
)arryin" t*em alon" t*e ront in .*ole bales:B '#t it .as
E#st t*ese 2atrioti) 2a2ers .*i)* "a5e t*e 'ols*e5i8s an
in)om2arable 2o2#larity: E5ery )ase o 2rotest rom t*e
o22ressed, o land sei<#re, o a))o#nts sG#ared .it* t*e
*ated oi)ers, t*ese 2a2ers attrib#ted to 'ols*e5i8s: T*e
soldiers )on)l#ded t*at t*e 'ols*e5i8s are a ri"*teo#s ol8:
T*e )ommissar o t*e 12t* 0rmy re2orts to 9erens8y at
t*e be"innin" o ,#ly as to t*e mood o t*e soldiers:
AE5eryt*in" is in t*e lon" r#n blamed on t*e bo#r"eois
ministers and t*e So5iet, .*i)* *as sold o#t to t*e
bo#r"eoisie: '#t in "eneral in t*e immense mass is an
o2aG#e dar8nessJ I am #n*a22y to re2ort t*at e5en t*e
ne.s2a2ers axe b#t little read lately )om2lete distr#st o
t*e 2rinted .ord: ;T*ey .rite 2retty,; T*ey are "ood at t*e
tall tal8:;B In t*e irst mont*s t*e re2orts o t*e 2atrioti)
)ommissars .ere ordinarily a *ymn to t*e re5ol#tionary
army, its )ons)io#sness, its dis)i2line: T*en, ater o#r
mont*s o #ninterr#2ted disa22ointments, .*en t*e army
*ad lost )oniden)e in t*e "o5ernment orators and
Eo#rnalists, t*ese same )ommissars dis)o5ered in it
not*in" b#t o2aG#e dar8ness:
T*e more t*e "arrison mo5es to t*e let, t*e more t*e
e5eryday man mo5es to t*e ri"*t: Stim#lated by t*e
oensi5e, )o#nter?re5ol#tionary #nions s2ran" #2 in
3etro"rad li8e m#s*rooms ater rain: T*ey "a5e
t*emsel5es names, one more resonant t*an t*e ot*er:
6nion o t*e Iono#r o t*e >at*erland, 6nion o Military
4#ty, 'attalion o >reedom, Or"anisation o t*e S2irit, et):
T*ese admirable si"nboards )on)ealed t*e ambitions and
attem2ts o t*e nobility, t*e oi)ers, t*e oi)ialdom, t*e
b#rea#)ra)y, t*e bo#r"eoisie: Some o t*ese
or"anisations, s#)* as t*e Military Lea"#e, t*e 6nion o
t*e !a5aliers o St: -eor"e, or t*e Vol#nteers; 4i5ision,
.ere t*e inis*ed n#)lei o a military 2lot: !omin" or.ard
as lamin" 2atriots, t*ese 8ni"*ts o A*ono#rB and At*e
s2iritB not only o#nd easy a))ess to t*e 0llied Missions,
b#t e5en at times re)ei5ed "o5ernmental s#bsidies, a
t*in" .*i)* *ad in its day been re#sed to t*e So5iet as a
A2ri5ate or"anisation:B One o t*e os*oots o t*e amily
o t*e ne.s2a2er ma"nate S#5orin #ndertoo8 t*e
2#bli)ation in t*ose days o a Little Newsaer' .*i)* as
an or"an o Ainde2endent so)ialismB ad5o)ated an iron
di)tators*i2, ad5an)in" 0dmiral 9ol)*a8 as its )andidate:
T*e more solid 2ress, .it*o#t as yet G#ite dottin" its i;s,
tried in e5ery .ay to )reate a 2o2#larity or 9ol)*a8: T*e
#rt*er )areer o t*e admiral testiies t*at already in t*e
s#mmer o 1917 t*ere .as a broad 2lan )onne)ted .it*
*is name, and t*at t*ere .ere inl#ential )ir)les be*ind
S#5orin;s ba)8:
In obedien)e to a sim2le ta)ti)al )al)#lation, t*e rea)tion,
aside rom )ertain indi5id#al ex2losions, 2retended t*at it
.as dire)tin" its blo.s only a"ainst Leninists: T*e .ord
A'ols*e5i8B be)ame a synonym or satani) ori"in: ,#st as
beore t*e re5ol#tion t*e )<arist )ommanders *ad 2#t t*e
res2onsibility or all misort#nes, in)l#din" t*eir o.n
st#2idity, #2on -erman s2ies and more 2arti)#larly #2on
ACids,B so no., ater t*e )olla2se o t*e ,#ne oensi5e, t*e
blame or ail#re and deeat .as #n)easin"ly laid #2on
'ols*e5i8s: In t*is matter demo)rats s#)* as 9erens8y and
Tseretelli .ere almost in no.ise distin"#is*ed, not only
rom liberals li8e Mili#8o5, b#t rom o#ts2o8en e#dalists
li8e -eneral 4eni8in:
0s al.ays *a22ens .*en )ontradi)tions are intensiied to
t*e limit b#t t*e moment o ex2losion *as not yet )ome,
t*e "ro#2in" o 2oliti)al or)es re5ealed itsel more ran8ly
and )learly not on #ndamental G#estions, b#t on
a))idental side iss#es: One o t*e li"*tenin" rods or t*e
di5ersion o 2oliti)al 2assions in t*ose days .as 9ronstadt:
T*at old ortress .*i)* .as to *a5e been a loyal sentry at
t*e sea "ates o t*e im2erial )a2ital, *ad in t*e 2ast more
t*an on)e lited t*e banner o re5olt: In s2ite o r#t*less
5en"ean)es, t*e lame o rebellion ne5er .ent o#t in
9ronstadt: It lared #2 t*reatenin"ly ater t*e re5ol#tion:
T*e name o t*is na5al ortress soon be)ame on t*e 2a"es
o t*e 2atrioti) 2ress a synonym o t*e .orst as2e)t o t*e
re5ol#tion, a synonym o 'ols*e5ism: In reality, t*e
9ronstadt So5iet .as not yet 'ols*e5i8: It )ontained in May
1%7 'ols*e5i8s, 112 So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, 3%
Mens*e5i8s, and 97 non?2arty men: '#t t*ese .ere
9ronstadt So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and 9ronstadt non?2arty
men, li5in" #nder *i"* 2ress#re: a maEority o t*em on
im2ortant G#estions ollo.ed t*e 'ols*e5i8s:
In t*e 2oliti)al s2*ere t*e 9ronstadt sailors .ere not
in)lined eit*er to.ard manoe#5rin" or to.ard di2loma)y:
T*ey *ad t*eir o.n r#le: no sooner said t*an done: It is no
.onder t*at in relation to a 2*antom "o5ernment t*ey
tended to.ard an extremely sim2liied met*od o a)tion:
On May 13 t*e so5iet resol5ed: AT*e sole 2o.er in
9ronstadt is t*e So5iet o +or8ers; and Soldiers; 4e2#ties:B
T*e remo5al o t*e "o5ernment )ommissar, t*e 9adet
3e2elyae5, .*o o))#2ied t*e 2osition o it* .*eel in a
.a"on, 2assed o in t*e ortress totally #nnoti)ed: Model
order .as maintained: !ard 2layin" in t*e )ity .as
orbidden: 0ll brot*els .ere )losed, and t*eir inmates
de2orted: 6nder t*reat o A)onis)ation o 2ro2erty and
banis*ment to t*e ront,B t*e so5iet orbade dr#n8enness
in t*e streets: T*e t*reat .as more t*an on)e )arried into
a)tion:
Tem2ered in t*e terrible rF"ime o t*e )<arist leet and t*e
na5al ortress, a))#stomed to stern .or8, to sa)rii)es, b#t
also to #ry, t*ese sailors, no. .*en t*e )#rtain o t*e ne.
lie .as be"innin" to rise beore t*em, a lie in .*i)* t*ey
elt t*emsel5es to be t*e )omin" masters, ti"*tened all
t*eir sine.s in order to 2ro5e t*emsel5es .ort*y o t*e
re5ol#tion: T*ey t*irstily t*re. t*emsel5es #2on bot*
riends and enemies in 3etro"rad and almost dra""ed
t*em by or)e to 9ronstadt, in order to s*o. t*em .*at
re5ol#tionary seamen are in a)tion: S#)* moral tension
)o#ld not o )o#rse last or e5er, b#t it lasted a lon" time:
T*e 9ronstadt sailors be)ame a 8ind o i"*tin" )r#saders
o t*e re5ol#tion: '#t .*at re5ol#tion@ Not t*at, in any
)ase in)arnated in t*e minister Tseretelli and *is
)ommissar 3e2elyae5: 9ronstadt stood t*ere as a *erald o
t*e ad5an)in" se)ond re5ol#tion: >or t*at reason it .as
*ated by all t*ose or .*om t*e irst re5ol#tion *ad been
more t*an eno#"*:
T*e 2ea)e#l and #nnoti)ed remo5al o 3e2elyae5 .as
2ortrayed in t*e 2ress o t*e existin" order almost as an
armed ins#rre)tion a"ainst t*e #nity o t*e state: T*e
"o5ernment )om2lained to t*e So5iet: T*e So5iet
immediately a22ointed a dele"ation to exert inl#en)e:
T*e ma)*ine o t*e do#ble so5erei"nty )ame into a)tion
.it* a )rea8: On May 2& t*e 9ronstadt So5iet, .it*
Tseretelli and S8obele5 2resent, a"reed, #2on t*e
insisten)e o t*e 'ols*e5i8s, to a)8no.led"e t*at in
2rolon"in" its str#""le or t*e 2o.er o t*e so5iets, it .as
2ra)ti)ally obli"ed to s#bmit to t*e 2o.er o t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernment #ntil t*e 2o.er o t*e so5iets .as
establis*ed t*ro#"*o#t t*e land: Io.e5er, t*e next day,
#nder 2ress#re rom t*e sailors, indi"nant at t*is
s#bmissi5eness, t*e So5iet anno#n)ed t*at t*e ministers
*ad re)ei5ed only an Aex2lanationB o t*e 2oint o 5ie. o
9ronstadt .*i)* remained #n)*an"ed: T*is .as )learly a
ta)ti)al mista8e, b#t one be*ind .*i)* not*in" .as
)on)ealed ex)e2t re5ol#tionary ambition:
It .as de)ided #2 abo5e to ma8e #se o t*is l#)8y )*an)e
to "i5e t*e 9ronstadters a lesson, ma8in" t*em 2ay at t*e
same time or t*eir 2re5io#s sins: T*e 2rose)#tor, o
)o#rse, .as Tseretelli: +it* *eartbrea8in" reeren)es to *is
2rison days Tseretelli t*#ndered es2e)ially a"ainst t*e
9ronstadters or *oldin" ei"*ty oi)ers be*ind t*e ortress
bars: 0ll t*e 5irt#o#s 2ress ba)8ed *im #2: Io.e5er, e5en
t*e !om2romisist, t*at is, t*e ministerial, 2a2ers *ad to
a)8no.led"e t*at it .as a G#estion o Adire)t
embe<<lementB and o Amen .*o )arried ist r#le to a
2oint o *orror:B A T*e sailor .itnessesB?a))ordin" to
I%vestia, t*e oi)ial 2a2er o Tseretelli *imsel Atestiy to
t*e 2#ttin" do.n /by t*e arrested oi)ers1 o t*e
ins#rre)tion o 19%(, to mass s*ootin"s, to bar"es illed
.it* t*e )or2ses o men exe)#ted and dro.ned in t*e sea,
and to ot*er *orrors:::: T*ey tell o t*ese t*in"s G#ite
sim2ly as o e5eryday e5ents:B
T*e 9ronstadters st#bbornly re#sed to "i5e #2 t*e
arrestees to t*e "o5ernment, to .*om t*e *an"men and
t*e 2e)#lators o noble birt* .ere in)om2arably nearer
t*an .ere t*ose tort#red sailors o 19%( and ot*er years:
It .as no a))ident t*at t*e Minister o ,#sti)e, 3ere5er<e5,
.*om S#8*ano5 mildly des)ribes as Aone o t*e most
s#s2i)io#s i"#res in t*e !oalition -o5ernment,B
systemati)ally liberated rom t*e 3eter and 3a#l ortress
t*e 5ilest a"ents o t*e )<arist 2oliti)al 2oli)e: T*e
demo)rati) #2starts .ere abo5e all stri5in" to )om2el t*e
rea)tionary b#rea#)ra)y to a)8no.led"e t*eir nobleness:
To Tseretelli;s indi)tment t*e 9ronstadters ans.ered in
t*eir a22eal: AT*e oi)ers, "endarmes and 2oli)e arrested
by #s in t*e days o t*e re5ol#tion *a5e t*emsel5es
de)lared to re2resentati5es o t*e "o5ernment t*at t*ey
*a5e not*in" to )om2lain o in t*e treatment t*ey *a5e
re)ei5ed rom t*e 2rison mana"ement: It is tr#e t*at t*e
2rison b#ildin"s o 9ronstadt are *orrible, b#t t*ose are t*e
same 2risons .*i)* .ere b#ilt by )<arism or #s: +e
*a5en;t any ot*ers: 0nd i .e 8ee2 t*e enemies o t*e
2eo2le in t*ose 2risons it is not o#t o 5en"ean)e, b#t rom
)onsiderations o re5ol#tionary sel?2reser5ation:B
On t*e 27t* o May t*e 3etro"rad So5iet tried t*e
9ronstadters: 022earin" in t*eir deen)e, Trots8y .arned
Tseretelli t*at in )ase o dan"er A.*en a )o#nter?
re5ol#tionary "eneral tries to t*ro. a noose aro#nd t*e
ne)8 o t*e re5ol#tion, t*e 9adets .ill soa2 t*e ro2e, and
t*e 9ronstadt sailors .ill )ome to i"*t and die .it* #s:B
T*is .arnin" )ame tr#e t*ree mont*s later .it*
#nex2e)ted literalness: .*en -eneral 9ornilo5 raised *is
re5olt and led troo2s a"ainst t*e )a2ital, 9erens8y,
Tseretelli and S8obele5 s#mmoned t*e 9ronstadt sailors to
deend t*e +inter 3ala)e: '#t .*at o t*at@ In ,#ne t*e
demo)rati) "entlemen .ere deendin" la. and order
a"ainst anar)*y, and no ar"#ments or 2ro2*e)ies *ad
.ei"*t .it* t*em: 'y a maEority o =$% 5otes a"ainst 1(2,
.it* 7& abstainin", Tseretelli )arried t*ro#"* t*e 3etro"rad
So5iet a resol#tion deno#n)in" t*e Aa2ostasyB o
Aanar)*istB 9ronstadt rom t*e re5ol#tionary demo)ra)y:
No sooner *ad t*e im2atiently a.aited ne.s rea)*ed t*e
Mariins8y 3ala)e t*at t*is b#ll o ex)omm#ni)ation *ad
been ado2ted t*an t*e "o5ernment immediately )#t o
tele2*one )omm#ni)ation or 2ri5ate 2eo2le bet.een t*e
)a2ital and t*e ortress in order to 2re5ent t*e 'ols*e5i8
)entre rom inl#en)in" t*e 9ronstadters, ordered all t*e
trainin" s*i2s to lea5e t*e 9ronstadt .aters, and
demanded o its so5iet A#n)onditional s#bmission:B T*e
)on"ress o 2easant de2#ties sittin" at t*at time
t*reatened to Are#se oodst#s to 9ronstadt:B T*e
rea)tion standin" be*ind t*e ba)8 o t*e !om2romisers
so#"*t a de)isi5e and, to t*e extent 2ossible, a bloody
settlement:
AT*e re)8less ste2 o t*e 9ronstadt So5iet,B .rites one o
t*e yo#n" *istorians, C#"o5, Ami"*t *a5e bro#"*t
#ndesirable )onseG#en)es: It .as ne)essary to ind a
s#itable .ay to "et o#t o t*e sit#ation )reated: +it* t*is
aim Trots8y .ent to 9ronstadt, .*ere *e addressed t*e
so5iet and .rote a de)laration .*i)* .as ado2ted by t*e
so5iet and ater.ards )arried #nanimo#sly?by Trots8y at a
meetin" on Ca8orny SG#are:B 3reser5in" t*eir 2osition in
2rin)i2le, t*e 9ronstadters yielded #2on t*e 2ra)ti)al
iss#e:
T*e 2ea)e#l settlement o t*e )onli)t let t*e bo#r"eois
2ress )om2letely beside t*emsel5es: T*ere is anar)*y in
t*e ortressJ t*e 9ronstadters are 2rintin" t*eir o.n
money?antasti) s2e)imens o it .ere re2rod#)ed in t*e
2a2ers?t*ey are 2l#nderin" state 2ro2erty, t*e .omen are
nationalised, robberies and dr#n8en or"ies are in 2ro"ress:
T*e sailors, so 2ro#d o t*eir a#stere order, do#bled t*eir
*orny ists on readin" t*ese 2a2ers .*i)* in millions o
)o2ies .ere distrib#tin" slanders a"ainst t*em t*ro#"*o#t
all R#ssia:
Ia5in" "ot t*e 9ronstadt oi)ers in t*eir *ands t*e E#di)ial
instit#tions o 3ere5er<e5 reed t*em one ater anot*er: It
.o#ld be 5ery instr#)ti5e to ind o#t *o. many o t*em
s#bseG#ently 2arti)i2ated in t*e )i5il .ar, and *o. many
sailors, soldiers, .or8ers and 2easants .ere s*ot and *#n"
by t*em: 6nort#nately, .e are not *ere in a 2osition to
)arry o#t t*is instr#)ti5e )ens#s:
T*e a#t*ority o t*e "o5ernment .as sa5ed: '#t t*e
sailors soon "ot satisa)tion or t*e indi"nities s#ered:
>rom all )orners o t*e )o#ntry t*ere be"an to arri5e
resol#tions o "reetin" to Red 9ronstadt: rom indi5id#al
let so5iets, rom a)tories, re"iments, mass?meetin"s: T*e
irst ma)*ine?"#n re"iment demonstrated in solid ran8s on
t*e streets o 3etro"rad its res2e)t or t*e 9ronstadters
Aor t*eir irm attit#de o non?)oniden)e in t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment:B
9ronstadt .as "ettin" ready, *o.e5er, to ta8e a more
si"nii)ant re5en"e: T*e baitin" o t*e bo#r"eois 2ress
*ad?made it a a)tor o all?national im2ortan)e: A>ortiyin"
itsel in 9ronstadt,B .rites Mili#8o5, A'ols*e5ism .it* t*e
*el2 o s#itably trained a"itators t*re. o#t .idely o5er
R#ssia a net o 2ro2a"anda: 9ronstadt emissaries .ere
sent also to t*e ront, .*ere t*ey #ndermined dis)i2line,
and to t*e rear, into t*e 5illa"es, .*ere t*ey in)ited to t*e
sa)8in" o estates: T*e 9ronstadt So5iet "a5e t*ese
emissaries s2e)ial mandates: ;N: N: *as been sent to *is
2ro5in)e to be 2resent .it* t*e ri"*t o a de)idin" 5ote in
t*e )o#nty, distri)t and 5illa"e )ommittees, and also to
s2ea8 at meetin"s and )all meetin"s at *is o.n dis)retion
.*ere e5er *e .ants to,; .it* ;t*e ri"*t to bear arms, .it*
#n*indered and ree trans2ortation on all railroads and
steams*i2s:; 0nd t*ere.it* ;t*e in5iolability o t*e 2erson
o t*e said a"itator is "#aranteed by t*e So5iet o t*e !ity
o 9ronstadt:; B
In ex2osin" t*e #nderminin" .or8 o t*e 'alti) sailors
Mili#8o5 only or"ets to ex2lain *o. and .*y,
not.it*standin" t*e 2resen)e o learned a#t*orities,
instit#tions and ne.s2a2ers, solitary sailors armed .it*
t*is stran"e mandate o t*e 9ronstadt So5iet tra5elled all
o5er t*e )o#ntry .it*o#t *indran)e, o#nd ood and
lod"in" e5ery.*ere, .ere admitted to all 2o2#lar
meetin"s, e5ery.*ere attenti5ely listened to, and let t*e
im2rint o a sailor;s *and on t*e e5ents o *istory: T*e
*istorian in t*e ser5i)e o liberal 2oliti)s does not as8
*imsel t*is sim2le G#estion: '#t t*e 9ronstadt mira)le
.as t*in8able only be)a#se t*e sailors ar more dee2ly
ex2ressed t*e demands o *istori) e5ol#tion t*an t*e 5ery
intelli"ent 2roessors: T*e semi?literate mandate .as, to
s2ea8 in t*e lan"#a"e o Ie"el real be)a#se it .as
reasonable, .*ereas t*e s#bEe)ti5ely most intelli"ent
2lans .ere s2e)tral be)a#se t*e reason o *istory .as not
e5en )am2in" in t*em or t*e ni"*t:
T*e so5iets la""ed be*ind t*e s*o2 )ommittees: T*e s*o2
)ommittees la""ed be*ind t*e masses: T*e soldiers
la""ed be*ind t*e .or8ers: Still more t*e 2ro5in)es la""ed
be*ind t*e )a2ital: S#)* is t*e ine5itable dynami) o a
re5ol#tionary 2ro)ess, .*i)* )reates t*o#sands o
)ontradi)tions only in order a))identally and in 2assin", as
t*o#"* in 2lay, to resol5e t*em and immediately )reate
ne. ones: T*e 2arty also la""ed be*ind t*e re5ol#tionary
dynami)?an or"anisation .*i)* *as t*e least ri"*t to la",
es2e)ially in a time o re5ol#tion: In s#)* .or8ers; )entres
as E8aterinb#r", 3erm, T#la, Ni<*ni?No5"orod, Sormo5o,
9olomna, C#<o58a, t*e 'ols*e5i8s se2arated rom t*e
Mens*e5i8s only at t*e end o May: In Odessa, Ni8olae5,
Elisa5et"rad, 3olta5a and ot*er 2oints in t*e 68raine, t*e
'ols*e5i8s did not *a5e inde2endent or"anisations e5en in
t*e middle o ,#ne: In 'a8#, Wlatio#st, 'e<*ets8, 9ostroma,
t*e 'ols*e5i8s di5ided rom t*e Mens*e5i8s only to.ards
t*e end o ,#ne: T*ese a)ts )annot b#t seem s#r2risin"
.*en yo# ta8e into )onsideration t*at .it*in o#r mont*s
t*e 'ols*e5i8s are "oin" to sei<e t*e 2o.er: Io. ar t*e
2arty d#rin" t*e .ar *ad allen be*ind t*e mole)#lar
2ro)ess in t*e masses, and *o. ar t*e Mar)* leaders*i2
o 9amene5 and Stalin la""ed be*ind t*e "i"anti) *istori)
tas8sO T*e most re5ol#tionary 2arty .*i)* *#man *istory
#ntil t*is time *ad e5er 8no.n .as ne5ert*eless )a#"*t
#na.are by t*e e5ents o *istory: It re)onstr#)ted itsel in
t*e ires, and strai"*tened o#t its ran8s #nder t*e
onsla#"*t, o e5ents: T*e masses at t*e t#rnin" 2oint .ere
Aa *#ndred timesB to t*e let o t*e extreme let 2arty: T*e
"ro.t* o t*e 'ols*e5i8 inl#en)e, .*i)* too8 2la)e .it*
t*e or)e o a nat#ral *istori)al 2ro)ess, re5eals its o.n
)ontradi)tion #2on a )loser examination, its <i"<a"s, its
ebbs and lo.s: T*e masses are not *omo"eneo#s, and
more o5er t*ey learn to *andle t*e ire o re5ol#tion only
by b#rnin" t*eir *ands and E#m2in" a.ay: T*e 'ols*e5i8s
)o#ld only a))elerate t*e 2ro)ess o ed#)ation o t*e
masses: T*ey 2atiently ex2lained: 0nd *istory t*is time did
not ta8e ad5anta"e o t*eir 2atien)e:
+*ile t*e 'ols*e5i8s .ere resol#tely .innin" t*e s*o2s,
a)tories and re"iments, t*e ele)tions to t*e demo)rati)
d#mas "a5e an enormo#s and a22arently "ro.in"
ad5anta"e to t*e !om2romisers: T*is .as one o t*e
s*ar2est and most eni"mati) )ontradi)tions o t*e
re5ol#tion: To be s#re, t*e d#ma o t*e Vybor" distri)t,
.*i)* .as 2#rely 2roletarian, 2rided itsel #2on its
'ols*e5i8 maEority: '#t t*at .as an ex)e2tion: In t*e )ity
ele)tions o Mos)o. in ,#ne, t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries "ot
more t*an (% 2er )ent o t*e 5otes: T*ey t*emsel5es .ere
astonis*ed at t*is i"#re, or t*ey )o#ld not b#t eel t*at
t*eir inl#en)e .as s.itly d.indlin": In t*e eort to
#nderstand t*e m#t#al relation bet.een t*e real
de5elo2ment o t*e re5ol#tion and its rele)tion in t*e
mirrors o demo)ra)y t*e Mos)o. ele)tions *a5e an
extraordinary interest: T*e 5ast layers o .or8ers and
soldiers .ere already *astily s*a8in" o t*eir
!om2romisist ill#sions: Mean.*ile, t*e broadest layers o
t*e small to.n 2eo2le .ere also be"innin" to stir: >or
t*ese s)attered masses t*e demo)rati) ele)tions oered
almost t*e irst, and in any )ase one o t*e 5ery rare
o22ort#nities to s*o. t*emsel5es 2oliti)ally: +*ile t*e
.or8er, yesterday;s Mens*e5i8 or So)ial Re5ol#tionary,
"a5e *is 5ote to t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty and dre. t*e soldier
alon" .it* *im, t*e )abman, t*e deli5eryman, t*e Eanitor,
t*e mar8et .oman, t*e s*o28ee2er, *is assistant, t*e
tea)*er, in 2erormin" so *eroi) a deed as "i5in" t*eir
5ote to t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries, or t*e irst time
emer"ed rom 2oliti)al non?existen)e: T*e 2etty bo#r"eois
layers belatedly 5oted or 9erens8y be)a#se *e 2ersoniied
in t*eir eyes t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion, .*i)* *ad only today
see2ed do.n to t*em: +it* its (% 2er )ent So)ial
Re5ol#tionary maEority t*e Mos)o. 4#ma "lo.ed .it* t*e
last lare o a dyin" l#minary: It .as so also .it* all t*e
ot*er or"ans o demo)rati) sel?administration: Ia5in"
barely arri5ed, t*ey .ere already stri)8en .it* t*e
im2oten)e o belatedness: T*at meant t*at t*e )o#rse o
t*e re5ol#tion de2ended #2on t*e .or8ers and soldiers,
and not #2on t*at *#man d#st .*i)* *ad been 8i)8ed #2
and .as dan)in" in t*e .*irl.ind o t*e re5ol#tion:
S#)* is t*e dee2 and at t*e same time sim2le diale)ti) o
t*e re5ol#tionary a.a8enin" o t*e o22ressed )lasses: T*e
most dan"ero#s o t*e aberrations o t*e re5ol#tion arises
.*en t*e me)*ani)al a))o#ntant o demo)ra)y balan)es
in one )ol#mn yesterday, today and tomorro., and
t*ereby im2els t*e ormal demo)rats to loo8 or t*e *ead
o t*e re5ol#tion .*ere in reality is to be o#nd its 5ery
*ea5y tail: Lenin ta#"*t *is 2arty to distin"#is* *ead rom
tail:
Chapter 22: The =oviet Con&ress and
the >une Demonstration
T*e irst )on"ress o t*e so5iets, .*i)* san)tioned t*e
oensi5e or 9erens8y, assembled in 3etro"rad on ,#ne 3
in t*e b#ildin" o t*e !adet !or2s: T*ere .ere $2%
dele"ates .it* a 5ote and 2($ .it* a 5oi)e: T*ey
re2resented 3%= lo)al so5iets, =3 distri)t and re"ional
or"anisations at t*e ront, t*e rear instit#tions o t*e army,
and a e. 2easant or"anisations: T*e ri"*t to a 5ote .as
a))orded to So5iets )ontainin" not less t*an 2=,%%% men:
So5iets )ontainin" rom 1%,%%% to 2=,%%% *ad a 5oi)e: On
t*e basis o t*is r#le D by t*e .ay, none too stri)tly
obser5ed D .e may ass#me t*at o5er 2%,%%%,%%% 2eo2le
stood be*ind t*e so5iets: O#t o 777 dele"ates "i5in"
inormation as to t*eir 2arty alle"ian)e, 2$= .ere So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries, 2&$ Mens*e5i8s, 1%= 'ols*e5i8sJ a e.
belon"ed to less im2ortant "ro#2s: T*e let .in" D t*e
'ols*e5i8s, and t*e Internationalists ad*erin" to t*em D
)onstit#ted less t*an a it* o t*e dele"ates: T*e )on"ress
)onsisted or t*e most 2art o 2eo2le .*o *ad re"istered
as so)ialists in Mar)* b#t "ot tired o t*e re5ol#tion by
,#ne: 3etro"rad m#st *a5e seemed to t*em a to.n "one
mad:
T*e !on"ress be"an by ratiyin" t*e banis*ment o
-rimm, an #n*a22y S.iss so)ialist .*o *ad been tryin" to
sa5e t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion and t*e -erman so)ial
demo)ra)y by means o ba)8?sta"e ne"otiations .it* t*e
Io*en<ollern di2lomats: T*e demand o t*e let .in" t*at
t*ey ta8e #2 immediately t*e G#estion o t*e )omin"
oensi5e .as reEe)ted by an o5er.*elmin" maEority: T*e
'ols*e5i8s loo8ed li8e a tiny "ro#2: '#t on t*at 5ery day
and 2er*a2s *o#r, a )oneren)e o t*e a)tory and s*o2
)ommittees o 3etro"rad ado2ted, also .it* an
o5er.*elmin" maEority, a resol#tion t*at only a
"o5ernment o so5iets )o#ld sa5e t*e )o#ntry:
T*e !om2romisers, no matter *o. near?si"*ted t*ey .ere,
)o#ld not *el2 seein" .*at .as *a22enin" aro#nd t*em
e5ery day: In t*e session o ,#ne & t*e 'ols*e5i8?*ater,
Lieber, e5idently #nder t*e inl#en)e o t*e 2ro5in)ials,
deno#n)ed t*e "ood?or?not*in" )ommissars o t*e
"o5ernment to .*om t*e 2o.er *ad not been s#rrendered
in t*e 2ro5in)es: A0 .*ole series o #n)tions o t*e
"o5ernmental or"ans *a5e as a res#lt "one o5er into t*e
*ands o t*e so5iets, e5en .*en t*e so5iets did not .ant
t*em:B T*ose 2eo2le *ad to )om2lain to somebody e5en
a"ainst t*emsel5es:
One o t*e dele"ates, a s)*ool tea)*er, )om2lained to t*e
)on"ress t*at ater o#r mont*s o re5ol#tion t*ere *ad not
been t*e sli"*test )*an"e in t*e s2*ere o ed#)ation: 0ll o
t*e old tea)*ers, ins2e)tors, dire)tors, o5erseers o
distri)ts, many o t*em ormer members o t*e 'la)8
I#ndreds, all o t*e old s)*ool 2ro"rammes, rea)tionary
textboo8s, e5en t*e old assistant ministers, remained
2ea)e#lly at t*eir 2osts: Only t*e )<ar;s 2ortraits *ad
been remo5ed to t*e atti)s, and t*ese mi"*t any day be
st#)8 ba)8 in t*eir 2la)es:
T*e )on"ress )o#ld not ma8e #2 its mind to lit a *and
a"ainst t*e State 4#ma, or a"ainst t*e State !o#n)il: Its
timidity beore t*e rea)tion .as )o5ered #2 by t*e
Mens*e5i8 orator 'o"dano5 .it* t*e remar8 t*at t*e
4#ma and t*e So5iet are Adead and non?existent
or"anisations any.ay:B Marto5, .it* *is 2olemi)al .it,
ans.ered: A'o"dano5 2ro2oses t*at .e s*o#ld de)lare t*e
4#ma dead b#t not ma8e any attem2t #2on its lie:B
T*e )on"ress, in s2ite o its solid "o5ernment maEority,
2ro)eeded in an atmos2*ere o alarm and #n)ertainty:
3atriotism *ad "ro.n rat*er dam2 and "a5e o#t only la<y
las*es: It .as ob5io#s t*at t*e masses .ere dissatisied,
and t*e 'ols*e5i8s .ere immeas#rably stron"er
t*ro#"*o#t t*e )o#ntry, and es2e)ially in t*e )a2ital, t*an
at t*e )on"ress: Red#)ed to its elements, t*e G#arrel
bet.een t*e 'ols*e5i8s and t*e !om2romisers in5ariably
re5ol5ed aro#nd t*e G#estion: +it* .*om s*all t*e
demo)rats side, t*e im2erialists or t*e .or8ers@ T*e
s*ado. o t*e Entente stood o5er t*e )on"ress: T*e
G#estion o t*e oensi5e .as 2redeterminedJ t*e
demo)rats *ad not*in" to do b#t a))ede:
A0t t*is )riti)al moment,B 2rea)*ed Tseretelli, Anot one
so)ial or)e o#"*t to be t*ro.n o#t o t*e s)ales, so lon"
as it may be #se#l to t*e )a#se o t*e 2eo2le:B S#)* .as
t*e E#stii)ation or a )oalition .it* t*e bo#r"eoisie: Seein"
t*at t*e 2roletariat, t*e army, and t*e 2easantry .ere
#2settin" t*eir 2lans at e5ery ste2, t*e demo)rats *ad to
o2en a .ar a"ainst t*e 2eo2le #nder "#ise o a .ar
a"ainst t*e 'ols*e5i8s: T*#s Tseretelli *ad de)lared t*e
9ronstadt sailors a2ostates in order not to t*ro. o#t o *is
s)ales t*e 9adet 3e2elyae5: T*e )oalition .as ratiied by a
maEority o =&3 5otes a"ainst 12(, .it* =2 abstainin":
T*e .or8 o t*is enormo#s and labby assembly in t*e
!adet !or2s .as distin"#is*ed by "rande#r in t*e matter
o de)larations, and )onser5ati5e stin"iness in 2ra)ti)al
tas8s: T*is laid on all its de)isions a stam2 o *o2elessness
and *y2o)risy: T*e )on"ress re)o"nised t*e ri"*t o all
R#ssian nationalities to sel: determination, b#t "a5e t*e
8ey to t*is 2roblemati) ri"*t not to t*e o22ressed nations
t*emsel5es, b#t to a #t#re !onstit#ent 0ssembly, in .*i)*
t*e !om2romisers *o2ed to be in a maEority and )a2it#late
beore t*e im2erialists, exa)tly as t*ey *ad done in t*e
"o5ernment:
T*e )on"ress re#sed to 2ass a de)ree on t*e ei"*t?*o#r
day: Tseretelli ex2lained t*is side?ste22in" by t*e dii)#lty
o re)on)ilin" t*e interests o t*e dierent layers o t*e
2o2#lation: 0s t*o#"* any sin"le "reat need in *istory .as
e5er a))om2lis*ed by Are)on)ilin" interests,B and not by
t*e 5i)tory o 2ro"ressi5e interests o5er rea)tionaryO
-ro*man, a So5iet e)onomist, introd#)ed to.ard t*e end
o t*e )on"ress *is ine5itable resol#tion: as to: t*e
on)omin" e)onomi) )atastro2*e and t*e ne)essity o
"o5ernmental re"#lation: T*e )on"ress ado2ted t*is rit#al
resol#tion, b#t only so t*at e5eryt*in" mi"*t remain as
beore:
AIa5in" de2orted -rimm,B .rote Trots8y, on t*e 7t* o
,#ne, At*e )on"ress ret#rned to t*e order o t*e day: '#t
)a2italisti) 2roits remain as beore in5iolable or S8obele5
and *is )ollea"#es: T*e ood )risis is "ettin" s*ar2er e5ery
*o#r: In t*e di2lomati) s2*ere t*e "o5ernment is ta8in"
blo. ater blo.: 0nd inally t*is so *ysteri)ally 2ro)laimed
oensi5e is ob5io#sly "ettin" ready to )ome do.n on t*e
nation, a monstro#s ad5ent#re:
A+e s*o#ld be .illin" to .at)* 2ea)e#lly t*e san)tiied
a)ti5ities o t*e ministers D L5o5DTeres*)*en8oDTseretelli D
or a n#mber o mont*s: +e need time or o#r o.n
2re2arations: '#t t*e #nder"ro#nd mole di"s too ast: +it*
t*e *el2 o t*e [so)ialist; ministers t*e 2roblem o 2o.er
may rise beore t*e members o t*is )on"ress a "reat deal
sooner t*an any o #s ima"ineB
Tryin" to s*ield t*emsel5es rom t*e masses .it* a *i"*er
a#t*ority, t*e leaders dra""ed t*e )on"ress into all )#rrent
)onli)ts, 2itilessly )om2romisin" it in t*e eyes o t*e
3etro"rad .or8ers and soldiers: T*e most reso#ndin"
e2isode o t*is 8ind .as t*e in)ident abo#t t*e s#mmer
*ome o 4#rno5o, an old )<arist b#rea#)rat .*o *ad made
*imsel amo#s as Minister o t*e Interior by 2#ttin" do.n
t*e re5ol#tion o 19%=: T*e 5a)ant *ome o t*is *ated, and
moreo5er dirty?*anded, b#rea#)rat .as sei<ed by .or8ers;
or"anisations on t*e Vybor" side D )*iely be)a#se o t*e
enormo#s "ardens .*i)* be)ame a a5o#rite 2lay"ro#nd
or )*ildren: T*e bo#r"eois 2ress re2resented t*e 2la)e as
a lair o 2o"romists and *old?#2 men D t*e 9ronstadt o t*e
Vybor" distri)t: No one too8 t*e tro#ble to ind o#t .*at
t*e a)ts .ere: T*e "o5ernment, )are#lly a5oidin" all
im2ortant G#estions, #ndertoo8 .it* res* 2assion to
res)#e t*is *o#se: T*ey demanded san)tion or t*e *eroi)
#nderta8in" rom t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, and Tseretelli
o )o#rse did not re#se: T*e 3ro)#ror "a5e an order to
e5i)t t*e "ro#2 o anar)*ists rom t*e 2la)e in t.enty?o#r
*o#rs: Learnin" abo#t t*e military a)ti5ities in 2re2aration,
t*e .or8ers so#nded t*e alarm: T*e anar)*ists on t*eir
side t*reatened armed resistan)e: T.enty?ei"*t a)tories
2ro)laimed a 2rotest stri8e: T*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee
iss#ed a 2ro)lamation a))#sin" t*e Vybor" .or8ers o
aidin" t*e )o#nter?re5ol#tion: 0ter all t*ese 2reliminaries
a re2resentati5e o E#sti)e and t*e militia 2enetrated into
t*e lions; den: T*ey o#nd )om2lete order rei"nin"J t*e
*o#se .as o))#2ied by a n#mber o .or8ers; ed#)ational
or"anisations: T*ey .ere )om2elled to .it*dra. in s*ame:
T*is *istory *ad, *o.e5er, a #rt*er de5elo2ment:
On t*e 9t* o ,#ne a bomb .as ex2loded at t*e )on"ress:
in t*e mornin";s edition o Pravda a22eared an a22eal or
a demonstration on t*e ollo.in" day: !*eid<e, .*o 8ne.
*o. to "et s)ared, and .as t*ereore in)lined to s)are
ot*ers, anno#n)ed in a 5oi)e rom t*e tomb: AI meas#res
are not ta8en by t*e )on"ress, tomorro. .ill be atal:B T*e
dele"ates lited t*eir *eads in alarm:
T*e idea o a s*o.do.n bet.een t*e 3etro"rad .or8ers
and soldiers and t*e )on"ress .as s#""ested by t*e .*ole
sit#ation: T*e masses .ere #r"in" on t*e 'ols*e5i8s: T*e
"arrison es2e)ially .as seet*in" D earin" t*at in
)onne)tion .it* t*e oensi5e t*ey .o#ld be distrib#ted
amon" t*e re"iments and s)attered alon" t*e ront: To t*is
.as #nited a bitter satisa)tion .it* t*e 4eclaration of the
Ri"hts of the .oldier, .*i)* *ad been a bi" ba)8.ard ste2
in )om2arison .it* Order No$1, and .it* t*e rF"ime
a)t#ally establis*ed in t*e army: T*e initiati5e or t*e
demonstration )ame rom t*e military or"anisation o t*e
'ols*e5i8s: Its leaders asserted, and G#ite ri"*tly as
e5ents s*o.ed, t*at i t*e 2arty did not ta8e t*e
leaders*i2 #2on itsel, t*e soldiers t*emsel5es .o#ld "o
into t*e streets: T*at s*ar2 t#rn in t*e mood o t*e
masses, *o.e5er, )o#ld not be easily a22re*ended, and
*en)e t*ere .as a )ertain 5a)illation in t*e ran8s o t*e
'ols*e5i8s t*emsel5es: Volodars8y .as not s#re t*at t*e
.or8ers .o#ld )ome o#t on t*e street: T*ere .as ear, too,
as to t*e 2ossible )*ara)ter o t*e demonstration:
Re2resentati5es o t*e military or"anisation de)lared t*at
t*e soldiers, earin" atta)8s and re2risals, .o#ld not "o
o#t .it*o#t .ea2ons: A+*at .ill )ome o#t o t*e
demonstration@B as8ed t*e 2r#dent Toms8y, and
demanded s#22lementary deliberations: Stalin t*o#"*t
t*at At*e ermentation amon" t*e soldiers is a a)tJ amon"
t*e .or8ers t*ere is no s#)* deinite mood,B b#t
ne5ert*eless E#d"ed it ne)essary to s*o. resistan)e to t*e
"o5ernment: 9alinin, al.ays more in)lined to a5oid t*an
.el)ome a battle, s2o8e em2*ati)ally a"ainst t*e
demonstration, reerrin" to t*e absen)e o any )lear
moti5e, es2e)ially amon" t*e .or8ers: AT*e demonstration
.ill be 2#rely artii)ial:B On ,#ne $, at a )oneren)e .it*
t*e re2resentati5es o t*e .or8ers; se)tions, ater a series
o 2reliminary Votes, 131 *ands a"ainst ( .ere inally
raised or t*e demonstration, .it* 22 abstainin":
T*e .or8 o 2re2aration .as )arried on #2 to t*e last
moment se)retly, in order not to 2ermit t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries and Mens*e5i8s to start a )o#nter?
a"itation: T*at le"itimate meas#re o )a#tion .as
ater.ards inter2reted as e5iden)e o a military
)ons2ira)y: T*e !entral !o#n)il o >a)tory and S*o2
!ommittees Eoined in t*e de)ision to or"anise t*e
demonstration: A62on t*e insisten)e o Trots8y and a"ainst
t*e obEe)tion o L#na)*ars8y,B .rites C#"o5, At*e
!ommittee o t*e Me<*rayont<i de)ided to Eoin t*e
demonstration:B 3re2arations .ere )arried on .it* boilin"
ener"y:
T*e maniestation .as to raise t*e banner o A3o.er to t*e
So5iets:B T*e i"*tin" slo"an ran: A4o.n .it* t*e Ten
Minister?!a2italistsB T*at .as t*e sim2lest 2ossible
ex2ression or a brea8?#2 o t*e )oalition .it* t*e
bo#r"eoisie: T*e 2ro)ession .as to mar)* to t*e !adet
!or2s .*ere t*e )on"ress .as sittin": T*is .as to
em2*asise t*at t*e G#estion .as not o o5ert*ro.in" t*e
"o5ernment, b#t o brin"in" 2ress#re on t*e So5iet
leaders:
To be s#re, ot*er ideas .ere ex2ressed at t*e 2reliminary
)oneren)es o t*e 'ols*e5i8s: >or instan)e, Smil"a, t*en a
yo#n" member o t*e !entral !ommittee, 2ro2osed t*at
t*ey s*o#ld not A*esitate to sei<e t*e 3ost Oi)e,
tele"ra2*, and arsenal, i e5ents de5elo2ed to t*e 2oint o
a )las*:B 0not*er 2arti)i2ant in t*e )oneren)e, a member
o t*e 3etro"rad !ommittee, Latsis, )omments in *is diary
#2on t*e reEe)tion o Smil"a;s 2ro2osal: AI )annot re)on)ile
mysel ::: I arran"e .it* )omrades Semas*8o and Ra8*ia
to be #lly armed in )ase o ne)essity and sei<e t*e
railroad terminals, arsenals, ban8s, 2ost and tele"ra2*
oi)es, .it* t*e *el2 o a ma)*ine?"#n re"iment:B
Semas*8o .as t*e oi)er o a ma)*ine?"#n re"iment:
Ra8*ia, a .or8er, one o t*e militant 'ols*e5i8s:
T*e existen)e o s#)* moods is easily #nderstandable: T*e
.*ole )o#rse o t*e 2arty .as to.ard a sei<#re o 2o.er,
and t*e G#estion .as merely o a22raisin" t*e 2resent
sit#ation: 0n ob5io#s brea8 in a5o#r o t*e 'ols*e5i8s .as
ta8in" 2la)e in 3etro"rad, b#t in t*e 2ro5in)es t*e same
2ro)ess .as "oin" slo.er: Moreo5er t*e ront needed t*e
lesson o an ad5an)e beore it )o#ld s*a8e o its distr#st
o t*e 'ols*e5i8s: Lenin t*ereore stood irm on *is 02ril
2osition: A3atiently ex2lain:B
S#8*ano5 in *is Notes des)ribes t*e 2lan o t*e
demonstration o ,#ne 1%, as a dire)t de5i)e o Lenin or
sei<in" t*e 2o.er Ai t*e sit#ation 2ro5es a5o#rable:B 0s a
matter o a)t, only indi5id#al 'ols*e5i8s tried to 2#t t*e
matter t*is .ay, aimin" a))ordin" to t*e ironi) ex2ression
o Lenin, AE#st a .ee bit too ar to t*e let:B Stran"ely
eno#"*, S#8*ano5 does not e5en try to )om2are *is
arbitrary "#esses .it* t*e 2oliti)al line o Lenin ex2ressed
in inn#merable s2ee)*es and arti)les: Ksee 022endix 3 or
more inormation on t*isL
T*e '#rea# o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee immediately
2resented t*e 'ols*e5i8s .it* a demand to )all o t*e
demonstration: On .*at "ro#nds@ Only t*e state 2o.er,
ob5io#sly, )o#ld ormally orbid a demonstrationJ b#t t*e
state 2o.er did not dare t*in8 o it: Io. )o#ld t*e So5iet,
itsel a A2ri5ate or"anisation,B led by a blo) )om2osed o
t.o 2oliti)al 2arties, 2re5ent a t*ird 2arty rom
demonstratin"@ T*e 'ols*e5i8 !entral !ommittee re#sed
to a))ede to t*e demand, b#t de)ided to em2*asise more
s*ar2ly t*e 2ea)e#l )*ara)ter o t*e demonstration: On
t*e 9t* o ,#ne, a 'ols*e5i8 2ro)lamation .as 2asted #2 in
t*e .or8ers; distri)ts: A+e are ree )iti<ens, .e *a5e t*e
ri"*t to 2rotest, and .e o#"*t to #se t*is ri"*t beore it is
too late: T*e ri"*t to a 2ea)e#l demonstration is o#rs:B
T*e !om2romisers )arried t*e G#estion beore t*e
)on"ress: It .as at t*at moment t*at !*eid<e 2rono#n)ed
*is .ords abo#t t*e atal o#t)ome, and t*at it .o#ld be
ne)essary or t*e )on"ress to sit all ni"*t: 0 member o
t*e 2r\sidi#m, -e"e)*8ori, also one o t*e sons o t*e
-ironde, )on)l#ded *is s2ee)* .it* a r#de )ry in t*e
dire)tion o t*e 'ols*e5i8s: ATa8e yo#r dirty *ands o a
"lorio#s )a#seOB T*ey did not "i5e t*e 'ols*e5i8s time,
t*o#"* it .as demanded, to ta8e #2 t*e G#estion in a
meetin" o t*eir a)tion: T*e )on"ress 2assed a resol#tion
orbiddin" all demonstrations or t*ree days: 'esides bein"
an a)t o 5iolen)e .it* relation to t*e 'ols*e5i8s, t*is .as
an a)t o #s#r2ation .it* relation to t*e "o5ernment: T*e
so5iets )ontin#ed to steal t*e 2o.er rom #nder t*eir o.n
2illo.:
Mili#8o5 .as s2ea8in" at t*is time at a !ossa)8
)oneren)e, and )alled t*e 'ols*e5i8s At*e )*ie enemies
o t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion:B Its )*ie riend, *e allo.ed
t*em to iner, .as Mili#8o5 *imsel, .*o E#st beore
>ebr#ary *ad a"reed to a))e2t deeat rom t*e -ermans
rat*er t*an re5ol#tion rom t*e R#ssian 2eo2le: To a
G#estion rom t*e !ossa)8s as to t*e attit#de to.ards
Leninists, Mili#8o5 ans.ered: AIt;s time to ma8e an end o
t*ese 2eo2le:B T*e leader o t*e bo#r"eoisie .as in too
"reat a *#rry: Io.e5er, *e really )o#ld not aord to .aste
time:
Mean.*ile meetin"s .ere bein" *eld in a)tories and
re"iments, ado2tin" resol#tions to "o into t*e streets t*e
next day .it* t*e slo"an A0ll 3o.er to t*e So5iets:B 6nder
t*e noise o t*e so5iet and !ossa)8 )on"resses, t*e a)t
2assed #nnoti)ed t*at 37 'ols*e5i8s .ere ele)ted to t*e
d#ma o t*e Vybor" distri)t, only 22 rom t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionary?Mens*e5i8 blo), and & 9adets:
!onronted .it* t*e )ate"ori)al resol#tion o t*e )on"ress
D and moreo5er .it* a mysterio#s reeren)e to a
t*reatenin" blo. rom t*e ri"*t D t*e 'ols*e5i8s de)ided
to re)onsider t*e G#estion: T*ey .anted a 2ea)e#l
demonstration, not an ins#rre)tion, and t*ey )o#ld not
*a5e any moti5e or )on5ertin" a or bidden demonstration
into a *al?ins#rre)tion: On its side t*e 2r\sidi#m o t*e
)on"ress de)ided to ta8e meas#res: Se5eral *#ndred
dele"ates .ere "ro#2ed in tens and sent o#t to t*e
.or8ers; distri)ts and t*e barra)8s to 2re5ent t*e
demonstration: T*ey .ere to meet in t*e mornin" at t*e
Ta#ride 3ala)e and )om2are notes: T*e exe)#ti5e
)ommittee o t*e 2easant de2#ties Eoined in t*is
ex2edition, a22ointin" 7% rom its members*i2:
T*#s, in *o.e5er #nex2e)ted a manner, t*e 'ols*e5i8s
a)*ie5ed t*eir "oal: T*e dele"ates o t*e )on"ress o#nd
t*emsel5es obli"ed to "et a)G#ainted .it* t*e .or8ers
and soldiers o t*e )a2ital: I t*e mo#ntain .as not allo.ed
to )ome to t*e 2ro2*et, t*e 2ro2*et at least .ent to t*e
mo#ntain: T*e meetin" 2ro5ed instr#)ti5e in t*e *i"*est
de"ree: In t*e I%vestia o t*e Mos)o. So5iet, a Mens*e5i8
)orres2ondent 2aints t*e ollo.in" 2i)t#re: A0ll ni"*t lon",
.it*o#t a .in8 o slee2, a maEority o t*e )on"ress, more
t*an =%% members, di5idin" t*emsel5es into tens,
tra5elled t*ro#"* t*e a)tories and s*o2s and military
#nits o 3etro"rad, #r"in" e5erybody to stay a.ay rom t*e
demonstration ::: T*e )on"ress *ad no a#t*ority in a "ood
many o t*e a)tories and s*o2s, and also in se5eral
re"iments o t*e "arrison ::: T*e members .ere reG#ently
met in a ar rom riendly manner, sometimes *ostilely,
and G#ite oten t*ey .ere sent a.ay .it* ins#lts:B T*is
oi)ial So5iet or"an does not exa""erate in t*e least: On
t*e )ontrary, it "i5es a 5ery m#)* sotened 2i)t#re o t*is
no)t#rnal meetin" o t.o dierent .orlds:
T*e 3etro"rad masses at least let no do#bt amon" t*e
dele"ates as to .*o .as able *en)eort* to s#mmon a
demonstration, or to )all it o: T*e .or8ers o t*e 3#tilo5
a)tory a"reed to 2aste #2 t*e de)laration o t*e )on"ress
a"ainst t*e demonstration only ater t*ey learned rom
Pravda t*at it did not )ontradi)t t*e resol#tion o t*e
'ols*e5i8s: T*e irst ma)*ine "#n re"iment D .*i)* 2layed
t*e leadin" rHle in t*e "arrison, as did t*e 3#tilo5 a)tory
amon" t*e .or8ers D ater *earin" t*e s2ee)*es o
!*eid<e and 058sentie5 re2resentin" t*e t.o exe)#ti5e
)ommittees, ado2ted t*e ollo.in" resol#tion: AIn
a"reement .it* t*e !entral !ommittee o t*e 'ols*e5i8s
and t*eir military or"anisation, t*e re"iment 2ost2ones its
a)tion:B
T*is bri"ade o 2a)iiers arri5ed at t*e Ta#ride 3ala)e ater
t*eir slee2less ni"*t in a )ondition o )om2lete
demoralisation: T*ey *ad ass#med t*at t*e a#t*ority o
t*e )on"ress .as in 5iolable, b#t *ad r#n into a stone .all
o distr#st and *ostility: AT*e masses are t*i)8 .it*
'ols*e5i8s:B AT*e attit#de to t*e Mens*e5i8s and So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries is *ostile:B AT*ey tr#st only Pravda:B AIn
some 2la)es t*ey s*o#ted: ;+e are not yo#r )omrades:;B
One ater anot*er t*e dele"ates re2orted *o., alt*o#"*
t*ey *ad )alled o t*e battle, t*ey .ere deeated:
T*e masses s#bmitted to t*e de)ision o t*e 'ols*e5i8s,
b#t not .it*o#t 2rotest and indi"nation: In )ertain a)tories
t*ey ado2ted resol#tions o )ens#re o t*e !entral
!ommittee: T*e more iery members o t*e 2atty in t*e
se)tions tore #2 t*eir members*i2 )ards: T*at .as a
serio#s .arnin":
T*e !om2romisers *ad moti5ated t*eir t*ree?day 5eto o
demonstrations by reeren)es to a monar)*ist 2lot, .*i)*
*o2ed to a5ail itsel o t*e a)tion o t*e 'ols*e5i8sJ t*ey
mentioned t*e 2arti)i2ation in it o a 2art o t*e !ossa)8
)on"ress and t*e a22roa)* to 3etro"rad o )o#nter?
re5ol#tionary troo2s:
It is not s#r2risin" i ater )allin" o t*e demonstration t*e
'ols*e5i8s demanded an ex2lanation as to t*is )ons2ira)y:
In 2la)e o an ans.er t*e leaders o t*e )on"ress a))#sed
t*e 'ols*e5i8s t*emsel5es o a )ons2ira)y: T*ey o#nd t*is
*a22y .ay o#t o t*e sit#ation:
It m#st be a)8no.led"ed t*at on t*e ni"*t o ,#ne 1% t*e
!om2romisers did dis)o5er a )ons2ira)y, and one .*i)*
s*oo8 t*em badly D a )ons2ira)y o t*e masses .it* t*e
'ols*e5i8s a"ainst t*e !om2romisers: Io.e5er, t*e
s#bmission o t*e 'ols*e5i8s to t*e resol#tion o t*e
)on"ress en)o#ra"ed t*em and 2ermitted t*eir 2ani) to
t#rn into madness: T*e Mens*e5i8s and So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries de)ided to s*o. an iron ener"y: On t*e
1%t* o ,#ne t*e Mens*e5i8 2a2er .rote: AIt is time to
brand t*e Leninists as traitors and betrayers o t*e
re5ol#tion:B 0 re2resentati5e o t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee
a22eared at t*e !ossa)8 )on"ress and reG#ested t*em to
s#22ort t*e So5iet a"ainst t*e 'ols*e5i8s: Ie .as
ans.ered by t*e )*airman, t*e ataman o t*e 6rals,
4#to5: A+e, !ossa)8s, .ill ne5er "o a"ainst t*e So5iet:B
0"ainst t*e 'ols*e5i8s t*e rea)tionaries .ere ready to "o
*and in *and e5en .it* t*e So5iet D in order t*e better to
stran"le it later on:
On ,#ne 11 t*ere assembles a ormidable )o#rt o E#sti)e:
t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee, members o t*e 2r\sidi#m o
t*e )on"ress, leaders o t*e a)tions D in all abo#t a
*#ndred men: Tseretelli as #s#al a22ears in t*e rHle o
2rose)#tor: !*o8in" .it* ra"e, *e demands deadly
meas#res, and s)orn#lly .a5es a.ay 4an, .*o is al.ays
ready to bait t*e 'ols*e5i8s, b#t still not G#ite ready to
destroy t*em: A+*at t*e 'ols*e5i8s are no. doin" is not
ideolo"i)al 2ro2a"anda, b#t a )ons2ira)y: T*e 'ols*e5i8s
m#st ex)#se #s: No. .e are "oin" to ado2t dierent
met*ods o str#""le ::: 5e have "ot to disarm the
6olsheviks$ +e )annot lea5e in t*eir *ands t*ose t.o "reat
te)*ni)al instr#ments .*i)* t*ey *a5e 2ossessed #2 to
no.: +e )annot lea5e ma)*ine "#ns and riles in t*eir
*ands: +e .ill not tolerate )ons2ira)ies:B T*at .as a ne.
note: +*at did it mean exa)tly to disarm t*e 'ols*e5i8s@
S#8*ano5 .rites on t*is s#bEe)t: AT*e 'ols*e5i8s really did
not *a5e any s2e)ial stores o .ea2ons: 0ll t*e .ea2ons
.ere a)t#ally in t*e *ands o soldiers and .or8ers, t*e
immense mass o .*om .ere ollo.in" t*e 'ols*e5i8s:
4isarmin" t*e 'ols*e5i8s )o#ld mean only disarmin" t*e
2roletariat: More t*an t*at, it meant disarmin" t*e troo2s:B
In ot*er .ords, t*at )lassi) moment o t*e re5ol#tion *ad
arri5ed .*en t*e bo#r"eois demo)ra)y, #2on t*e demand
o t*e rea)tion, #nderta8es to disarm t*e .or8ers .*o *ad
"#aranteed t*e re5ol#tionary 5i)tory: T*ese demo)rati)
"entlemen, amon" .*om .ere .ell?read 2eo2le, *ad
in5ariably "i5en t*eir sym2at*y to t*e disarmed, not to t*e
disarmers D so lon" as it .as a G#estion o readin" old
boo8s: '#t .*en t*is G#estion 2resented itsel in reality,
t*ey did not re)o"nise it: T*e mere a)t t*at Tseretelli, a
re5ol#tionist, a man .*o *ad s2ent years at *ard labo#r, a
Wimmer.aldist o yesterday, .as #nderta8in" to disarm
t*e .or8ers, *ad some dii)#lty in ma8in" its .ay into
2eo2le;s *eads: T*e *all .as st#nned into silen)e: T*e
2ro5in)ial dele"ates ne5ert*eless elt t*at someone .as
2#s*in" t*em into an abyss: One o t*e oi)ers .ent into
*ysteri)s:
No less 2ale t*an Tseretelli, 9amene5 rose in *is seat and
)ried o#t .it* a di"nity t*e stren"t* o .*i)* .as elt by
t*e a#dien)e: AMr: Minister, i yo# are not merely tal8in"
into t*e .ind, yo# *a5e no ri"*t to )onine yo#rsel to
s2ee)*: 0rrest me, and try me or )ons2ira)y a"ainst t*e
re5ol#tion:B T*e 'ols*e5i8s let t*e *all .it* a 2rotest,
re#sin" to 2arti)i2ate in t*is mo)8ery o t*eir o.n 2arty:
T*e tenseness in t*e *all be)ame almost #nbearable:
Lieber *astened to t*e aid o Tseretelli: Restrained ra"e
.as re2la)ed by *ysteri)al #ry: Lieber )alled or r#t*less
meas#res: AI yo# .ant to .in t*e masses .*o ollo. t*e
'ols*e5i8s, t*en brea8 .it* 'ols*e5ism:B '#t *e .as *eard
.it*o#t sym2at*y, e5en .it* a *al?*ostility:
Im2ressionable as al.ays, L#na)*ars8y immediately tried
to ind a )ommon "ro#nd .it* t*e maEority: 0lt*o#"* t*e
'ols*e5i8s *ad ass#red *im t*at t*ey *ad in mind only a
2ea)e#l demonstration, ne5ert*eless *is o.n ex2erien)e
*ad )on5in)ed *im t*at Ait .as a mista8e to or"anise a
demonstrationBJ *o.e5er, .e m#st not s*ar2en t*e
)onli)ts: +it*o#t 2a)iyin" *is enemies, L#na)*ars8y
irritated *is riends:
A+e are not i"*tin" .it* t*e let tenden)y,B said 4an
Ees#iti)ally D *e .as t*e most ex2erien)ed, b#t also most
#tile o t*e leaders o t*e s.am2: A+e are i"*tin" .it*
t*e )o#nter re5ol#tion: It is not o#r a#lt i be*ind yo#r
s*o#lders stand t*e a"ents o -ermany:B T*e reeren)e to
-ermans .as merely a s#bstit#te or an ar"#ment: O
)o#rse t*ese "entlemen )o#ld not 2oint to any a"ents o
-ermany:
Tseretelli .anted to deal a blo.J 4an merely .anted to
s*o. *is ist: In its *el2lessness t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee
sided .it* 4an: T*e resol#tion oered to t*e )on"ress next
day *ad t*e )*ara)ter o an ex)e2tional la. a"ainst
'ols*e5i8s, b#t .it*o#t immediate 2ra)ti)al ineren)es:
ACo# )an *a5e no do#bt ater t*e 5isit o yo#r dele"ates to
t*e a)tories and re"iments,B said a de)laration addressed
to t*e )on"ress in .ritin" by t*e 'ols*e5i8s, At*at i t*e
demonstration did not ta8e 2la)e, it .as not be)a#se o
yo#r 5eto, b#t be)a#se o#r 2arty )alled it o ::: T*e i)tion
o a military )ons2ira)y .as )reated by t*e members o
t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment in order to )arry o#t t*e
disarmin" o t*e 2roletariat o 3etro"rad and t*e
disbandin" o t*e 3etro"rad "arrison ::: E5en i t*e state
2o.er .ent o5er .*olly into t*e *ands o t*e So5iet D
.*i)* .e ad5o)ate D and t*e So5iet tried to 2#t etters
#2on o#r a"itation, t*at .o#ld not ma8e #s 2assi5ely
s#bmitJ .e s*o#ld "o to meet im2risonment and ot*er
2#nis*ments in t*e name o t*e idea o international
so)ialism .*i)* se2arates #s rom yo#:B
T*e So5iet maEority and t*e So5iet minority )onronted
ea)* ot*er breast to breast t*ree days as t*o#"* or a
de)isi5e battle: '#t bot* sides ste22ed ba)8 at t*e last
moment: T*e 'ols*e5i8s "a5e #2 t*e demonstration: T*e
!om2romisers abandoned t*e idea o disarmin" t*e
.or8ers:
Tseretelli remained in t*e minority amon" *is o.n 2eo2le:
'#t ne5ert*eless rom *is 2oint o 5ie. *e .as ri"*t: T*e
2oli)y o #nion .it* t*e bo#r"eoisie *ad arri5ed at a 2oint
.*ere it be)ame ne)essary to 2aralyse t*e masses .*o
.ere not re)on)iled to t*e )oalition: To )arry t*e
!om2romise 2oli)y t*ro#"* to a s#))ess#l end D t*at is, to
t*e establis*ment o a 2arliamentary r#le o t*e
bo#r"eoisie D demanded t*e disarmin" o t*e .or8ers and
soldiers: '#t Tseretelli .as not only ri"*t: Ie .as besides
t*at 2o.erless: Neit*er t*e soldiers nor t*e .or8ers .o#ld
*a5e 5ol#ntarily "i5en #2 t*eir arms: It .o#ld *a5e been
ne)essary to em2loy or)e a"ainst t*em: '#t Tseretelli .as
already .it*o#t or)es: Ie )o#ld 2ro)#re t*em, i at all,
only rom t*e *ands o t*e rea)tion: '#t t*ey, In )ase o a
s#))ess#l )r#s*in" o t*e 'ols*e5i8s, .o#ld *a5e
immediately ta8en #2 t*e Eob o )r#s*in" t*e !om2romise
so5iets, and .o#ld not *a5e ailed to remind Tseretelli t*at
*e .as a ormer *ard?labo#r )on5i)t and not*in" more:
Io.e5er, t*e #rt*er )o#rse o e5ents .ill s*o. t*at e5en
t*e rea)tion did not *a5e or)es eno#"* or t*is:
3oliti)ally Tseretelli "ro#nded *is ar"#ment or i"*tin" t*e
'ols*e5i8s #2on t*e assertion t*at t*ey .ere se2aratin"
t*e 2roletariat rom t*e 2easantry: Marto5 ans.ered *im:
Tseretelli does not "et *is "#idin" ideas Arom t*e de2t* o
t*e 2easantry: 0 "ro#2 o ri"*t 9adets, a "ro#2 o
)a2italists, a "ro#2 o landlords, a "ro#2 o im2erialists,
t*e bo#r"eoisie o t*e +estB D t*ese are t*e ones .*o are
demandin" t*e disarmament o t*e .or8ers and soldiers:
Marto5 .as ri"*t: t*e 2ossessin" )lasses *a5e more t*an
on)e in *istory *idden t*eir 2retensions be*ind t*e ba)8s
o a 2easantry:
>rom t*e moment o 2#bli)ation o Lenin;s 02ril t*eses, a
reeren)e to t*e dan"er o isolatin" t*e 2roletariat rom
t*e 2easants be)ame t*e 2rin)i2al ar"#ment o all t*ose
.*o .anted to dra" t*e re5ol#tion ba)8.ard: It .as no
a))ident t*at Lenin )om2ared Tseretelli to t*e Aold
'ols*e5i8s:B
In one o *is .or8s o t*e year 1917, Trots8y .rote on t*is
t*eme: AT*e isolation o o#r 2arty rom t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionaries and Mens*e5i8s, e5en its extreme
isolation, e5en by .ay o solitary )oninement, .o#ld still
in no )ase mean t*e isolation o t*e 2roletariat rom t*e
o22ressed 2easantry and t*e o22ressed )ity masses: On
t*e )ontrary, a s*ar2 demar)ation o t*e 2oli)y o t*e
re5ol#tionary 2roletariat rom t*e trea)*ero#s a2ostasy o
t*e 2resent leaders o t*e So5iet, )an alone brin" a sa5in"
2oliti)al dierentiation into t*e 2easant millions, dra.
a.ay t*e 2oor 2easants rom t*e traitoro#s leaders*i2 o
t*e a""ressi5e So)ial Re5ol#tionary ty2e o m#<*i8 and
)on5ert t*e so)ialist 2roletariat into "en#ine leaders o t*e
national 2lebeian re5ol#tion:B
'#t Tseretelli;s totally alse ar"#ment remained ali5e: On
t*e e5e o t*e O)tober re5ol#tion it rea22eared .it*
redo#bled or)e as t*e ar"#ment o many Aold 'ols*e5i8sB
a"ainst t*e #2risin": Se5eral years later .*en t*e
intelle)t#al rea)tion a"ainst O)tober be"an, Tseretelli;s
orm#la be)ame t*e )*ie t*eoreti)al .ea2on o t*e s)*ool
o t*e e2i"ones:
0t t*e same session o t*e )on"ress .*i)* )ondemned t*e
'ols*e5i8s in t*eir absen)e, a re2resentati5e o t*e
Mens*e5i8s #nex2e)tedly mo5ed to a22oint or t*e
ollo.in" S#nday, t*e 1$t* o ,#ne, a maniestation o
.or8ers and soldiers in 3etro"rad and ot*er im2ortant
)ities, in order to demonstrate to t*e enemy t*e #nity and
stren"t* o t*e demo)ra)y: T*e motion .as )arried,
alt*o#"* not .it*o#t be.ilderment: Somet*in" o5er a
mont* later Mili#8o5 airly .ell ex2lained t*is #n ex2e)ted
t#rn on t*e 2art o t*e !om2romisers: AIn deli5erin" 9adet
s2ee)*es at t*e )on"ress o t*e so5iets, in disor"anisin"
t*e armed demonstration o ,#ne 1% ::: t*e minister?
so)ialists elt t*at t*ey *ad "one too ar in o#r dire)tion,
t*at t*e "ro#nd .as sli22in" #nder t*eir eet: T*ey "ot
ri"*tened and ba)8ed a.ay abr#2tly to.ard t*e
'ols*e5i8s:B T*e de)ision to *old a demonstration on ,#ne
1$ .as, o )o#rse not a ste2 in t*e dire)tion o t*e
'ols*e5i8s, b#t an attem2t to t#rn to.ard t*e masses as
a"ainst t*e 'ols*e5i8s: T*eir no)t#rnal ex2erien)e .it*
t*e .or8ers and soldiers bad )a#sed a )ertain amo#nt o
tre2idation amon" t*e *eads o t*e so5iets: T*#s, or
instan)e, in dire)t o22osition to .*at *ad been in mind at
t*e be"innin" o t*e )on"ress, t*ey *astily 2rod#)ed in t*e
name o t*e "o5ernment a resol#tion )allin" or t*e
abolition o t*e State 4#ma and t*e s#mmonin" o a
!onstit#ent 0ssembly or t*e 3%t* o Se2tember: T*e
slo"ans o t*e demonstration .ere )*osen .it* t*is same
idea o not )a#sin" any irritation to t*e masses: A6ni5ersal
3ea)e,B AImmediate !on5o)ation o a !onstit#ent
0ssembly,B A4emo)rati) Re2#bli):B Not a .ord eit*er
abo#t t*e oensi5e or t*e )oalition: Lenin as8ed in
Pravda: A0nd .*at *as be)ome o ;!om2lete !oniden)e
to t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment,; "entlemen@ : : +*y does
yo#r ton"#e sti)8 in yo#r t*roat@B T*is irony .as
a))#rately to t*e 2oint: t*e !om2romisers did not dare
demand o t*e masses )oniden)e in t*at "o5ernment o
.*i)* t*ey t*emsel5es .ere members:
T*e So5iet dele"ates, *a5in" a se)ond time made t*e
ro#nds o t*e .or8ers; distri)ts and t*e barra)8s, "a5e
.*olly en)o#ra"in" re2orts on t*e e5e o t*e
demonstration to t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee: Tseretelli, to
.*om t*ese )omm#ni)ations restored *is eG#ilibri#m and
in)lination to.ards )om2la)ent sermonisin", addressed
some remar8s to t*e 'ols*e5i8s:
ANo. .e s*all *a5e an o2en and *onest re5ie. o t*e
re5ol#tionary or)es ::: No. .e s*all see .*om t*e
maEority is ollo.in", yo# or #s:B T*e 'ols*e5i8s *ad
a))e2ted t*e )*allen"e e5en beore it .as so in)a#tio#sly
orm#lated: A+e s*all Eoin t*e demonstration on t*e 1$t*,B
.rote Pravda, Ain order to str#""le or t*ose aims or
.*i)* .e *ad intended to demonstrate on t*e 1%t*:B
T*e line o mar)* D e5idently in memory o t*e #neral
2ro)ession o t*ree mont*s beore, .*i)* *ad been, at
least s#2eri)ially, a "i"anti) maniestation o t*e #nity o
t*e demo)ra)y D a"ain led to Mars >ield and t*e "ra5e o
t*e >ebr#ary martyrs: '#t aside rom t*e line o mar)*
not*in" .*ate5er .as reminis)ent o t*ose earlier days:
0bo#t &%%,%%% 2eo2le 2araded, )onsiderably less t*an at
t*e #neral: absent rom t*e So5iet demonstration .ere
not only t*e bo#r"eoisie .it* .*om t*e so5iets .ere in
)oalition, b#t also t*e radi)al intelli"entsia, .*i)* *ad
o))#2ied so 2rominent a 2la)e in t*e ormer 2arades o
t*e demo)ra)y: >e. b#t t*e a)tories and barra)8s
mar)*ed:
T*e dele"ates o t*e )on"ress, assembled on Mars >ield,
read and )o#nted t*e 2la)ards: T*e irst 'ols*e5i8 slo"ans
.ere met *al?la#"*in"ly D Tseretelli *ad so )onidently
t*ro.n do.n *is )*allen"e t*e day beore: '#t t*ese same
slo"ans .ere re2eated a"ain and a"ain: A4o.n .it* t*e
Ten Minister?!a2italistsOB A4o.n .it* t*e Oensi5eB A0ll
3o.er to t*e So5ietsOB T*e ironi)al smiles ro<e, and t*en
"rad#ally disa22eared: 'ols*e5i8 banners loated
e5ery.*ere: T*e dele"ates sto22ed )o#ntin" t*e
#n)omortable totals: T*e tri#m2* o t*e 'ols*e5i8s .as
too ob5io#s: AIere and t*ere,B .rites S#8*ano5, At*e )*ain
o 'ols*e5i8 banners and )ol#mns .o#ld be bro8en by
s2e)ii)ally So)ial Re5ol#tionary or oi)ial So5iet slo"ans:
'#t t*ese .ere dro.ned in t*e mass: So5iet oi)ialdom
.as re)o#ntin" t*e next day [*o. ier)ely *ere and t*ere
t*e )ro.d tore #2 banners bearin" t*e slo"an A!oniden)e
to t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment:B;B T*ere is ob5io#s
exa""eration in t*is: Only t*ree small "ro#2s )arried
2la)ards in *ono#r o t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment: t*e
)ir)le o 3le8*ano5, a !ossa)8 deta)*ment, and a *and#l
o ,e.is* intelle)t#als .*o belon"ed to t*e '#nd: T*is
t*reeold )ombination, .*i)* "a5e t*e im2ression .it* its
5arie"ated members*i2 o a 2oliti)al )#rio, seemed to
*a5e set itsel t*e tas8 o 2#bli)ly ex*ibitin" t*e im2oten)e
o t*e rF"ime: 6nder t*e *ostile )ries o t*e )ro.d t*e
3le8*ano5ites and t*e '#nd lo.ered t*eir 2la)ards: T*e
!ossa)8s .ere st#bborn, and t*eir banners .ere literally
torn rom t*em by t*e demonstrators, and destroyed: AT*e
stream .*i)* *ad been lo.in" G#ietly alon" #ntil t*en,B
.rites I%vestia, At#rned into a 5eritable ri5er at t*e lood,
E#st at t*e 2oint o o5erlo.in" its ban8s:B T*at .as t*e
Vybor" se)tion, all #nder t*e banners o t*e 'ols*e5i8s:
A4o.n .it* t*e Ten Minister?!a2italistsB One o t*e
a)tories )arried a 2la)ard: AT*e ri"*t to Lie is Ii"*er t*an
t*e ri"*ts o 3ri5ate 3ro2erty:B T*is slo"an *ad not been
s#""ested by t*e 2arty:
4ismayed 2ro5in)ials .ere loo8in" e5ery.*ere or t*eir
leaders: T*e latter lo.ered t*eir eyes or sim2ly .ent into
*idin": T*e 'ols*e5i8s .ent ater t*e 2ro5in)ials: 4oes t*is
loo8 li8e a "an" o )ons2irators@ T*e dele"ates a"reed
t*at it did not: AIn 3etro"rad yo# are t*e 2o.er,B t*ey
)on)eded in a totally dierent tone rom t*at in .*i)* t*ey
*ad s2o8en at t*e oi)ial sessions, Ab#t not in t*e
2ro5in)es, not at t*e ront: 3etro"rad )annot "o a"ainst
t*e .*ole )o#ntry:B T*at;s all ri"*t, ans.ered t*e
'ols*e5i8s, yo#r t#rn .ill soon )ome D t*e same slo"ans
.ill be raised:
A4#rin" t*is demonstration,B .rote t*e old man 3le8*ano5,
AI stood on Mars >ield beside !*eid<e: I sa. in *is a)e t*at
*e .as not de)ei5in" *imsel in t*e least abo#t t*e
si"nii)an)e o t*e astonis*in" n#mber o 2la)ards
demandin" t*e o5ert*ro. o t*e )a2italist ministers: It .as
em2*asised as t*o#"* intentionally by t*e 5eritably
im2erio#s )ommands .it* .*i)* some o t*e Leninists
addressed *im as t*ey 2assed by li8e 2eo2le )elebratin" a
*oliday:B T*e 'ols*e5i8s )ertainly *ad "ro#nd or a *oliday
eelin": A,#d"in" by t*e 2la)ards and slo"ans o t*e
demonstrators,B .rote -or8y;s 2a2er, At*e S#nday
demonstration re5ealed t*e )om2lete tri#m2* o
'ols*e5ism amon" t*e 3etersb#r" 2roletariat:B It .as a
"reat 5i)tory, and moreo5er it .as .on on t*e arena and
.it* t*e .ea2ons )*osen by t*e enemy: +*ile san)tionin"
t*e oensi5e, re)o"nisin" t*e )oalition, and )ondemnin"
t*e 'ols*e5i8s, t*e so5iet )on"ress *ad )alled t*e masses
on its o.n initiati5e into t*e streets: T*ey )ame .it* t*e
anno#n)ement: +e don;t .ant eit*er oensi5e or
)oalitionJ .e are or 'ols*e5ism: S#)* .as t*e 2oliti)al
meanin" o t*e demonstration: No .onder t*e 2a2ers o
t*e Mens*e5i8s, .*o *ad initiated t*e demonstration,
as8ed t*emsel5es mo#rn#lly t*e next day: +*o s#""ested
t*at #n*a22y idea@
O )o#rse not all t*e .or8ers and soldiers in t*e )a2ital
too8 2art in t*e demonstration, and not all t*e
demonstrators .ere 'ols*e5i8s: '#t by t*is time not one o
t*em .anted a )oalition: T*ose .or8ers .*o still remained
*ostile to 'ols*e5ism did not 8no. .*at to o22ose to it:
T*eir *ostility .as t*#s )on5erted into a .at)*#l
ne#trality: 6nder t*e 'ols*e5i8 slo"ans mar)*ed no small
n#mber o Mens*e5i8s and So)ial Re5ol#tionaries .*o *ad
not yet bro8en .it* t*eir 2arty, b#t *ad already lost ait*
in its slo"ans:
T*e demonstration o ,#ne1$ made an enormo#s
im2ression on its o.n 2arti)i2ants: T*e masses sa. t*at
t*e 'ols*e5i8s *ad be)ome a 2o.er, and t*e 5a)illatin"
.ere dra.n to t*em: In Mos)o., 9ie5, 9*ar8o5,
E8aterinosla5, and many ot*er 2ro5in)ial to.ns t*e
demonstrations re5ealed an immense "ro.t* o t*e
inl#en)e o t*e 'ols*e5i8s: E5ery.*ere t*e same slo"ans
.ere ad5an)ed, and t*ey str#)8 at t*e 5ery *eart o t*e
>ebr#ary rF"ime: It .as im2ossible not to dra.
)on)l#sions: It seemed as t*o#"* t*e !om2romisers *ad
no.*ere to "o: '#t t*e oensi5e *el2ed t*em at t*e 5ery
last moment: On t*e 19t* o ,#ne, t*ere .as a 2atrioti)
demonstration on t*e Ne5s8y #nder t*e leaders*i2 o
9adets, and .it* a 2ortrait o 9erens8y: In t*e .ords o
Mili#8o5, AIt .as so dierent rom .*at *a22ened on t*e
same street t*e day beore t*at t*ere min"led .it* t*e
eelin" o tri#m2* an in5ol#ntary eelin" o #neasiness:B
Le"itimate eelin"O '#t t*e !om2romisers "a5e a si"* o
relie: T*eir t*o#"*ts immediately soared abo5e bot*
demonstrations in t*e orm o a demo)rati) synt*esis:
T*ose 2eo2le .ere ated to drain t*e )#2 o ill#sion and
*#miliation to t*e dre"s:
In t*e 02ril days t.o sim#ltaneo#s demonstrations, one
re5ol#tionary and t*e ot*er 2atrioti), *ad "one to meet
ea)* ot*er, and t*eir )las* res#lted in )as#alties: T*e
*ostile demonstrations o t*e 1$t* and 19t* o ,#ne
ollo.ed one ater t*e ot*er: T*ere .as no dire)t )las*
t*en: '#t a )las* .as not to be a5oided: It *ad only been
2ost2oned or t.o .ee8s:
T*e anar)*ists, not 8no.in" *o. else to s*o. t*eir
inde2enden)e, a5ailed t*emsel5es o t*e demonstration o
,#ne 1$ or an atta)8 on t*e Vybor" 2risons: T*e 2risoners,
a maEority o t*em )riminal, .ere liberated .it*o#t a i"*t
and .it*o#t )as#alties D and not rom one 2rison, b#t rom
se5eral sim#ltaneo#sly: It seems ob5io#s t*at t*e atta)8
*ad not )a#"*t t*e administration #na.are D t*at t*e
administration *ad "ladly "one *al.ay to meet a)t#al and
2retended anar)*ists: T*at .*ole eni"mati) e2isode *ad
not*in" .*ate5er to do .it* t*e demonstration: '#t t*e
2atrioti) 2ress lin8ed t*em to"et*er: T*e 'ols*e5i8s
2ro2osed to t*e )on"ress o so5iets a stri)t in5esti"ation o
t*e manner in .*i)* &(% )riminals *ad been let loose rom
5ario#s 2risons: Io.e5er, t*e !om2romisers )o#ld not
2ermit t*emsel5es t*is l#x#ry: t*ey .ere araid t*ey .o#ld
r#n into men *i"*er #2 in t*e administration and t*eir o.n
allies in a 2oliti)al blo): Moreo5er, t*ey *ad no desire to
deend t*eir o.n demonstration a"ainst mali)io#s
slanders:
T*e Minister o ,#sti)e, 3ere5er<e5 D .*o *ad dis"ra)ed
*imsel a e. days beore in )onne)tion .it* t*e s#mmer
*o#se o 4#rno5o D de)ided to *a5e 5en"ean)e, and #nder
t*e 2retext o a sear)* or es)a2ed )on5i)ts made a ne.
raid on t*e 2la)e: T*e anar)*ists resistedJ one o t*em .as
8illed, and t*e *o#se .re)8ed: T*e .or8ers o t*e Vybor"
side, )onsiderin" t*e *o#se t*eir o.n, so#nded t*e alarm:
Se5eral a)tories G#it .or8J t*e alarm s2read to ot*er
se)tions and e5en to t*e barra)8s:
T*e last days o ,#ne 2ass in a )ontin#al )ommotion: 0
ma)*ine "#n re"iment 2re2ares or an immediate atta)8
on t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment: +or8ers rom t*e stri8in"
a)tories ma8e t*e ro#nds o t*e re"iments )allin" t*em
into t*e streets: 'earded 2easants in soldiers; )oats, many
o t*em "rey?*aired, 2ass in 2ro)essions o 2rotest alon"
t*e 2a5ements: t*ese middle?a"ed 2easants are
demandin" t*at t*ey be dis)*ar"ed or .or8 in t*e ields:
T*e 'ols*e5i8s are )arryin" on an a"itation a"ainst "oin"
into t*e streets: T*e demonstration o t*e 1$t* *as said all
t*at )an be said: in order to 2rod#)e a )*an"e,
demonstratin" is not eno#"*J and yet t*e *o#r o
re5ol#tion *as not yet str#)8: On t*e 22nd o ,#ne, t*e
'ols*e5i8 2ress a22eals to t*e "arrison: A4o not tr#st any
s#mmons to a)tion in t*e Street deli5ered in t*e name o
t*e Military Or"anisation:B 4ele"ates are arri5in" rom t*e
ront .it* )om2laints o 5iolen)e and 2#nis*ments:
T*reats to reor"anise t*e #ns#bmissi5e re"iments 2o#r oil
on t*e ire: AIn many re"iments t*e soldiers are slee2in"
.it* .ea2ons in t*eir *ands,B says a de)laration o t*e
'ols*e5i8s to t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee: 3atrioti)
demonstrations, oten armed, lead to street i"*ts: T*ese
are small dis)*ar"es o t*e a))#m#lated ele)tri)ity:
Neit*er side dire)tly intends to atta)8: t*e rea)tion is too
.ea8, t*e re5ol#tion is not yet #lly )onident o its 2o.er:
'#t t*e streets o t*e to.n seem 2a5ed .it* ex2losi5e
material: 0 battle *o5ers in t*e air: T*e 'ols*e5i8 2ress
ex2lains and restrains: T*e 2atrioti) 2ress "i5es a.ay its
ri"*t .it* an #n bridled baitin" o 'ols*e5i8s: On t*e 2=t*,
Lenin .rites: AT*is #ni5ersal .ild )ry o s2ite and ra"e
a"ainst t*e 'ols*e5i8s is t*e )ommon )om2laint o 9adets,
So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and Mens*e5i8s a"ainst t*eir o.n
labbiness: T*ey are in a maEority: T*ey are t*e
"o5ernment: T*ey are all to"et*er in a blo): 0nd t*ey see
t*at not*in" )omes o it: +*at )an t*ey do b#t ra"e
a"ainst t*e 'ols*e5i8s@B
Chapter 23: Conclusion
In t*e irst 2a"es o t*is .or8 .e tried to s*o. *o. dee2ly
t*e O)tober re5ol#tion .as rooted in t*e so)ial relations o
R#ssia: O#r analysis, ar rom *a5in" been a))ommodated
e% ost facto to t*e a)*ie5ed e5ents, .as on t*e )ontrary
made by #s lon" beore t*e re5ol#tion D indeed beore its
2rolo"#e o 19%=:
In t*e #rt*er 2a"es .e tried to see *o. t*e so)ial or)es
o R#ssia re5ealed t*emsel5es in t*e e5ents o t*e
re5ol#tion: +e re)orded t*e a)ti5ity o t*e 2oliti)al 2arties
in t*eir interrelations .it* t*e )lasses: T*e sym2at*ies and
anti2at*ies o t*e a#t*or may be set aside: 0 *istori)
ex2osition *as a ri"*t to demand t*at its obEe)ti5ity be
re)o"nised i, restin" #2on a))#rately establis*ed a)ts, it
re2rod#)es t*eir inner )onne)tion on t*e basis o t*e real
de5elo2ment o so)ial relations: T*e inner )a#sal order o
t*e 2ro)ess t*#s )omin" to lie be)omes itsel t*e best
2roo o t*e obEe)ti5ity o t*e ex2osition:
T*e e5ents o t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion 2assin" beore t*e
reader *a5e )onirmed o#r t*eoreti)al 2ro"nosis or t*e
time bein" by one *al at least D t*ro#"* a met*od o
s#))essi5e elimination: 'eore t*e 2roletariat )ame to
2o.er all t*e ot*er 5ariants o t*e 2oliti)al de5elo2ment
.ere s#bEe)ted to t*e test o lie and t*ro.n aside as
.ort*less:
T*e "o5ernment o t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie .it* 9erens8y
as a demo)rati) *osta"e, 2ro5ed a total ail#re: T*e A02ril
daysB .ere t*e irst )andid .arnin" addressed by t*e
O)tober to t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion: T*e bo#r"eois
3ro5isional -o5ernment .as re2la)ed ater t*is by a
!oalition .*ose r#itlessness .as re5ealed on e5ery day o
its existen)e, In t*e ,#ne demonstration s#mmoned by t*e
Exe)#ti5e !ommittee on its o.n initiati5e, alt*o#"*
2er*a2s not G#ite 5ol#ntarily, t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion tried
to meas#re stren"t* .it* t*e O)tober and s#ered a )r#el
deeat: T*e deeat .as t*e more atal in t*at it o))#rred in
t*e 3etro"rad arena, and at t*e *ands o t*ose same
.or8ers and soldiers .*o *ad a)*ie5ed t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion and t#rned it o5er to t*e rest o t*e )o#ntry: T*e
,#ne demonstration 2ro5ed t*at t*e .or8ers and soldiers
o 3etro"rad .ere on t*eir .ay to a ne. re5ol#tion .*ose
alms .ere ins)ribed on t*eir banners: 6nmista8able si"ns
testiied t*at all t*e rest o t*e )o#ntry, alt*o#"* .it* an
ine5itable delay, .o#ld )at)* #2 .it* 3etro"rad: T*#s by
t*e end o its o#rt* mont* t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion *ad
already ex*a#sted itsel 2oliti)ally: T*e !om2romisers *ad
lost t*e )oniden)e o t*e soldiers and .or8ers: 0 )onli)t
bet.een t*e leadin" so5iet 2arties and t*e so5iet masses
no. be)ame in ine5itable: 0ter t*e maniestation o ,#ne
1$, .*i)* .as a 2ea)e#l test o t*e )orrelation o or)es o
t*e t.o re5ol#tions, t*e )ontradi)tion bet.een t*em m#st
ine5itably ta8e an o2en and 5iolent orm:
T*#s arose t*e A,#ly days:B T.o .ee8s ater t*e
demonstration .*i)* *ad been or"anised rom abo5e, t*e
same .or8ers and soldiers .ent o#t into t*e street on t*eir
o.n initiati5e and demanded o t*e !entral Exe)#ti5e
!ommittee t*at it sei<e t*e 2o.er: T*e !om2romisers
latly re#sed: T*e ,#ly days led to street en)o#nters and
)as#alties, and ended .it* t*e dis2ersion o t*e 'ols*e5i8s
.*o .ere de)lared res2onsible or t*e ban8r#2t)y o t*e
>ebr#ary rF"ime: T*at resol#tion .*i)* Tseretelli *ad
introd#)ed on ,#ne 11 and .*i)* .as t*en 5oted do.n D to
de)lare t*e 'ols*e5i8s beyond t*e la. and disarm t*em D
.as )arried o#t in #ll at t*e be"innin" o ,#ly: T*e
'ols*e5i8 2a2ers .ere s*#t do.nJ t*e 'ols*e5i8 military
#nits .ere dissol5ed: T*e .or8ers .ere disarmed: T*e
leaders o t*e 2arty .ere de)lared *irelin"s o t*e -erman
Sta: One o t*em .ent into *idin", t*e ot*ers .ere lo)8ed
#2 in Eail:
'#t E#st t*is A5i)toryB o t*e !om2romisers o5er t*e
'ols*e5i8s )om2letely re5ealed t*e im2oten)e o t*e
demo)ra)y: 0"ainst t*e .or8ers and soldiers t*e
demo)rats .ere )om2elled to em2loy notorio#sly )o#nter?
re5ol#tionary #nits, *ostile not only to t*e 'ols*e5i8s, b#t
also to t*e So5iet: t*e Exe)#ti5e !ommittee already *ad
no troo2s o its o.n:
T*e liberals dre. rom t*is t*e )orre)t )on)l#sion, .*i)*
Mili#8o5 orm#lated in t*e orm o an alternati5e: 9ornilo5
or Lenin@ T*e re5ol#tion a)t#ally let no more room or t*e
em2ire o t*e "olden mean: T*e )o#nter?re5ol#tion .as
sayin" to itsel: no. or ne5er: T*e s#2reme )ommander?in?
)*ie, 9ornilo5, raised a rebellion a"ainst t*e re5ol#tion
#nder t*e "#ise o a )am2ai"n a"ainst t*e 'ols*e5i8s: ,#st
as all orms o t*e le"al o22osition beore t*e re5ol#tion
*ad ado2ted t*e )amo#la"e o 2atriotism D t*at is, t*e
ne)essities o t*e str#""le a"ainst t*e -ermans D so no.
all orms o le"al )o#nter?re5ol#tion ado2ted as
)amo#la"e t*e ne)essities o t*e str#""le a"ainst t*e
'ols*e5i8s: 9ornilo5 *ad t*e s#22ort o t*e 2ossessin"
)lasses and t*eir 2arty, t*e 9adets: T*is did not *inder, b#t
rat*er 2romoted, t*e res#lt t*at t*e troo2s de2loyed
a"ainst 3etro"rad by 9ornilo5 .ere deeated .it*o#t a
i"*t, )a2it#lated .it*o#t an en)o#nter, .ent #2 in 5a2o#r
li8e a dro2 allin" on a *ot sto5e?lid: T*#s t*e attem2t at a
re5ol#tion from the ri"ht .as made, and moreo5er by a
man standin" at t*e *ead o t*e army: T*e )orrelation o
or)es bet.een t*e 2ossessin" )lasses and t*e 2eo2le .as
tested in a)tion: In t*e )*oi)e bet.een 9ornilo5 and Lenin,
9ornilo5 ell li8e a rotten r#it, alt*o#"* Lenin .as still at
t*at time )om2elled to re main in dee2 *idin":
+*at 5ariant ater t*at still remained #n#sed, #ntried,
#ntested@ T*e 5ariant o 'ols*e5ism: 0)t#ally ater t*e
9ornilo5 attem2t and its in"lorio#s )olla2se, t*e masses
stormily and de)isi5ely s.#n" o5er to t*e 'ols*e5i8s: T*e
O)tober re5ol#tion ad5an)ed .it* a 2*ysi)al ne)essity: In
distin)tion rom t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion, .*i)* *as been
)alled bloodless al t*o#"* it )ost 3etro"rad a )onsiderable
n#mber o 5i)tims, t*e O)tober re5ol#tion .as a)t#ally
a)*ie5ed in t*e )a2ital .it*o#t bloods*ed: Ia5e .e not
t*e ri"*t to as8: +*at #rt*er demonstration )o#ld be
"i5en o t*e dee2 nat#ral ine5itability o t*e O)tober
re5ol#tion@ Is it not )lear t*at t*is re5ol#tion )an seem t*e
r#it o ad5ent#rism and dema"o"y only to t*ose .*om it
dama"ed at t*e most sensiti5e 2oint, t*e 2o)8etboo8@ T*e
bloody str#""le brea8s o#t only ater t*e )onG#est o
2o.er by t*e 'ols*e5i8 so5iets .*en t*e o5ert*ro.n
)lasses, .it* material s#22ort rom t*e "o5ernments o
t*e Entente, ma8e des2erate eorts to "et ba)8 .*at t*ey
*a5e lost: T*en )ome t*e years o )i5il .ar: T*e Red 0rmy
is )reated, t*e *#n"ry )o#ntry is 2#t #nder t*e rF"ime o
military )omm#nism and )on5erted into a S2artan .ar
)am2: T*e O)tober re5ol#tion ste2 by ste2 lays do.n its
road, beats ba)8 all enemies, 2asses o5er t*e sol#tion o
its ind#strial 2roblems, *eals t*e *ea5iest .o#nds o t*e
im2erialist and )i5il .ar, and a)*ie5es "i"anti) s#))esses
in t*e s2*ere o t*e de5elo2ment o ind#stry: T*ere arise
beore it, *o.e5er, ne. dii)#lties lo.in" rom its isolated
2osition .it* mi"*ty )a2italisti) lands s#rro#ndin" it: T*at
belatedness o de5elo2ment .*i)* *ad bro#"*t t*e
R#ssian 2roletariat to 2o.er, *as im2osed #2on t*at 2o.er
tas8s .*i)* in t*eir essen)e )annot be #lly a)*ie5ed
.it*in t*e rame.or8 o an isolated state: T*e ate o t*at
state is t*#s .*olly bo#nd #2 .it* t*e #rt*er )o#rse o
.orld *istory:
T*is irst 5ol#me, dedi)ated to t*e >ebr#ary re5ol#tion,
s*o.s *o. and .*y t*at re5ol#tion .as bo#nd to )ome to
not*in", T*e se)ond 5ol#me .ill s*o. *o. t*e O)tober
re5ol#tion tri#m2*ed:
Chronolo&ical Table for ?olume <ne
/00-
3#"at)*e5 Rebellion o !ossa)8s and
2easants:
/123
4e8abrist /4e)embrist1 #2risin" a"ainst
)<arism led by liberal oi)ers:
/1-1
The 'ommunist 4anifesto 2#blis*ed by
9arl Marx and >riedri)* En"els: T*e
o#ndation o re5ol#tionary so)ialism or
)omm#nism
/15/
3easant ReormJ abolition o serdom in
R#ssia:
/15-
AT*e InternationalB /irst international
or"anisation o so)ialist .or8ers1 establis*ed
by Marx and ot*ers:
/10/
T*e 3aris !omm#ne:
/112
3le8*ano5 2#blis*es irst 2am2*let
introd#)in" Marxian so)ialism into R#ssia:
/673
T*e Re5ol#tion o 19%= in R#ssia: >irst
or"anisation o so5iets by R#ssian .or8ers:
78anuary 9: S'loody S#ndayS: .or8ers led by
>at*er -a2on and )arryin" a 2etition to t*e
)<ar KNi)*olas IIL, are mo.ed do.n by t*e
)<ar;s troo2s:
/6/-
7;u"ust 1: D +orld +ar be"ins: -ermany
de)lares .ar a"ainst R#ssia:
7Novem!er <: D 'ols*e5i8 de2#ties in t*e
State 4#ma arrested and sent to Siberia
/6/3
7;ril: D R#ssian re5ol#tionary
internationalist 2a2er, Nashe .lovo, a22ears
in 3aris .it* Trots8y on t*e editorial sta:
7.etem!er: D International so)ialist
)on"ress in Wimmer.ald, S.it<erland:
/6/5
7May: D Se)ond !on"ress o so)ialist
internationalists at 9ient*al:
/6/0
78anuary 9: D Street meetin"s and a 2rinters;
stri8e )elebrate t*e anni5ersary o A'loody
S#ndayB
7=e!ruary 1<: D T*e last State 4#ma
assembles:
7=e!ruary 2>: D !elebration o International
+oman;s 4ay be"ins t*e re5ol#tion:
7=e!ruary 2<: D T.o *#ndred t*o#sand
.or8ers on stri8e in 3etro"rad:
7=e!ruary 2?: D -eneral stri8e in 3etro"rad:
S*ootin"s and arrests o re5ol#tionists:
7=e!ruary 2@: 4#ma dissol5ed by t*e )<ar
KNi)*olas IIL: T*e de2#ties dis2erse b#t
de)ide not to lea5e to.n:
Tens o
t*o#sands o
.or8ers in t*e
streets:
M#tiny o t*e
-#ard
re"iments:
>ormation o t*e
So5iet o
+or8ers;
de2#ties:
>ormation o
3ro5isional
!ommittee o
t*e 4#ma:
7=e!ruary 2A: D 0rrest o t*e )<ar;s
ministers:
!a2t#re o
S)*l#sselber"
3rison:
>irst iss#e o
I%vestia D AT*e
Ne.s o t*e
So5iet:B
7March 1: D Order No$ 1 is iss#ed to t*e
soldiers:
>ormation o t*e
soldiers; se)tion
o t*e So5iet:
>irst session o
t*e Mos)o.
So5iet:
7March 2: D T*e )<ar abdi)ates in a5o#r o
t*e -rand 4#8e Mi8*ail:
T*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment is
ormed by t*e
3ro5isional
!ommittee o
t*e 4#ma, .it*
t*e s#22ort o
t*e So5iet and
.it* 9erens8y a
Minister o
,#sti)e:
7March >: D T*e -rand 4#8e Mi8*ail
abdi)ates:
T*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment
anno#n)es t*e
re5ol#tion to t*e
.orld by radio:
7March ?: D t*e irst iss#e o Pravda, )entral
or"an o t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty:
7March @: D T*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment
de)lares amnesty or 2oliti)al 2risoners:
7March A: D T*e )<ar arrested at Mo"*ilie:
7March 1<: D 0ddress o t*e So5iet To the
eole of the whole world de)larin" or
2ea)e .it*o#t annexations or indemnities:
7March 2>: D >#neral o t*e martyrs o t*e
re5ol#tion:
7March 29: D 0ll?R#ssian )oneren)e o t*e
So5iets:
7;ril >: D Lenin, Wino5ie5 and ot*er
'ols*e5i8 arri5e rom S.it<erland:
7;ril <: D Lenin;s ;ril Theses o#tlinin" *is
2oli)y o 2roletarian re5ol#tion:
7;ril 1A: D !elebration o t*e international
so)ialist *oliday o May 1:
>orei"n Minister
Mili#8o5 sends a
note to t*e
0llies 2romisin"
.ar to 5i)tory on
t*e old terms:
7;ril 2B: D 0rmed demonstrations o 2rotest
a"ainst t*e note o Mili#8o5R t*e A02ril
4aysB
7;ril 2<: D 'e"innin" o an 0ll?R#ssian
)oneren)e o t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty:
7May 1: D T*e 3etro"rad So5iet 5otes or a
)oalition "o5ernment:
7May 2: D Mili#8o5 resi"ns:
7May <: D Trots8y arri5es rom 0meri)a,
se)ondin" t*e 2oli)ies o Lenin:
0n 0ll?R#ssian
!on"ress o
3easants;
4e2#ties o2ens
in 3etro"rad:
7May ?: D !oalition "o5ernment is or"anised
.it* 9erens8y as Minister o +ar:
7May 1C: D T*e 9ronstadt So5iet de)lares
itsel t*e sole "o5ernin" 2o.er in 9ronstadt:
7May 2?: D 0ll?R#ssian !on"ress o t*e So)ial
Re5ol#tionary 2arty:
7May >B: D >irst )oneren)e o a)tory and
s*o2 )ommittees o2ens in 3etro"rad:
78une >: D >irst 0ll?R#ssian !on"ress o
So5iets:
78une 1@: D 9erens8y orders R#ssian armies
to ta8e t*e oensi5e:
78une 1A: D 0 demonstration )alled by t*e
Mens*e5i8s and So)ial Re5ol#tionaries t#rns
o#t to be a 'ols*e5i8 demonstration:
78une 19: D 3atrioti) demonstration on
Ne5s8y 3ros2e)t, )arryin" 2ortrait o
9erens8y:
78uly >#?: D A,#ly 4aysB D semi?ins#rre)tion
ollo.ed by attem2ted stam2in" o#t o
'ols*e5ism in 3etro"rad:
Note: R#ssian dates are "i5en a))ordin" to
t*e old /,#lian1 )alender: 0dd 13 days to ind
t*e date a))ordin" to t*e /-re"orian1
)alender t*at is no. international:
%ppendi2 #
*To the Chapter Peculiarities of
Russias Development.
T*e G#estion o t*e 2e)#liarities o R#ssia;s *istori)
de5elo2ment, and, bo#nd #2 t*ere.it*, t*e G#estion o its
#t#re destinies, lay at t*e bottom o all t*e debates and
"ro#2in"s o t*e R#ssian intelli"entsia t*ro#"*o#t almost
t*e .*ole o t*e nineteent* )ent#ry: Sla5o2*ilism and
+esternism resol5ed t*is G#estion in o22osite .ays b#t
.it* similar do"matism: T*ey .ere re2la)ed by t*e
t*eories o t*e Narodni8s and Marxism: 'eore t*e
Narodni8 t*eory )on)l#si5ely aded o#t #nder t*e inl#en)e
o bo#r"eois liberalism, it lon" and st#bbornly deended
t*e idea o a )om2letely #niG#e )o#rse o de5elo2ment or
R#ssia, a deto#r aro#nd )a2italism: In t*is sense t*e
Narodni8s )ontin#ed t*e Sla5o2*ile tradition, 2#r"in" it
*o.e5er o monar)*ist?)*#r)*ly?3an?Sla5i) elements, and
"i5in" it a re5ol#tionary?demo)rati) )*ara)ter:
In t*e essen)e o t*e matter t*e Sla5o2*ile )on)e2tion,
.it* all its rea)tionary antasti)ness, and also
Narodni8ism, .it* all its demo)rati) ill#sions, .ere by no
means mere s2e)#lations, b#t rested #2on ind#bitable and
moreo5er dee2 2e)#liarities o R#ssia;s de5elo2ment,
#nderstood one?sidedly *o.e5er and in)orre)tly
e5al#ated: In its str#""le .it* Narodni8ism, R#ssian
Marxism, demonstratin" t*e identity o t*e la.s o
de5elo2ment or all )o#ntries, not inreG#ently ell into a
do"mati) me)*anisation dis)o5erin" a tenden)y to 2o#r
o#t t*e baby .it* t*e bat*: T*is tenden)y is re5ealed
es2e)ially s*ar2ly in many o t*e .or8s o t*e .ell?8no.n
3roessor 3o8ro5s8y:
In 1922 3o8ro5s8y )ame do.n #2on t*e *istori)
)on)e2tion o t*e a#t*or .*i)* lies at t*e basis o t*e
t*eory o 3ermanent Re5ol#tion, +e )onsider it #se#l, at
least or readers interestin" t*em sel5es not only in t*e
dramati) )o#rse o e5ents b#t also in re5ol#tionary
do)trine, to add#)e *ere t*e more essential ex)er2ts rom
o#r ans.ers to 3roessor 3o8ro5s8y 2#blis*ed in t.o iss#es
o t*e )entral or"an o t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty, Pravda, ,#ly 1
and 2,1922:
Concernin& the Peculiarities of Russias
@istoric Development
3o8ro5s8y *as 2#blis*ed an arti)le dedi)ated to my boo8:
/673, .*i)* demonstrates D ne"ati5ely, alasO D .*at a
)om2lex matter it is to aly met*ods o *istori)
materialism to li5in" *#man *istory, and .*at a r#bber?
stam2 aair is oten made o#t o *istory e5en by s#)*
dee2ly er#dite 2eo2le as 3o8ro5s8y: T*e boo8 .*i)*
3o8ro5s8y )riti)ises .as dire)tly )alled o#t by a desire to
establis* *istori)ally and E#stiy t*eoreti)ally t*e slo"an o
t*e )onG#est o 2o.er by t*e 2roletariat, as a"ainst t*e
slo"an o a bo#r"eois demo)rati) re2#bli), and also t*at o
a demo)rati) "o5ernment o t*e 2roletariat and t*e
2easantry ::: T*is line o t*o#"*t 2rod#)ed a 5ery "reat
t*eoreti) indi"nation on t*e 2art o no small n#mber o
Marxists, indeed an o5er.*elmin" maEority o t*em: T*ose
.*o ex2ressed t*is indi"nation .ere not only Mens*e5i8s,
b#t also 9amene5 and Ro<*8o5 /a 'ols*e5i8?*istorian1:
T*eir 2oint o 5ie. in broad o#tlines .as as ollo.s: T*e
2oliti)al r#le o t*e bo#r"eoisie m#st 2re)ede t*e 2oliti)al
r#le o t*e 2roletariatJ t*e bo#r"eois demo)rati) re2#bli)
m#st be a 2rolon"ed *istori) s)*oolin" or t*e 2roletariatJ
t*e attem2t to E#m2 o5er t*is sta"e is ad5ent#rismJ i t*e
.or8in" )lass in t*e +est *as not yet )onG#ered t*e
2o.er, *o. )an t*e R#ssian 2roletariat set itsel t*is tas8@
et):, et): >rom t*e 2oint o 5ie. o t*is 2se#do?Marxism,
.*i)* )onines itsel to *istori)al me)*anisms, ormal
analo"ies, )on5ertin" *istori) e2o)*s into a lo"i)al
s#))ession o inlexible so)ial )ate"ories /e#dalism,
)a2italism, so)ialism, a#to)ra)y, bo#r"eois re2#bli),
di)tators*i2 o t*e 2roletariat1 D rom t*is 2oint o 5ie. t*e
slo"an o t*e )onG#est o 2o.er by t*e .or8in" )lass in
R#ssia m#st *a5e seemed a monstro#s de2art#re rom
Marxism: Io.e5er, a serio#s em2iri)al e5al#ation o t*e
so)ial or)es as t*ey stood in 19%3 D %= 2o.er#lly
s#""ested t*e entire 5iability o a str#""le or a )onG#est
o 2o.er by t*e .or8in" )lass: Is t*is a 2e)#liarity, or is it
not@ 4oes it ass#me 2roo#nd 2e)#liarities in t*e .*ole
*istori)al de5elo2ment or does it not@ Io. does it )ome
t*at s#)* a tas8 arose beore t*e 2roletariat o R#ssia D
t*at is, t*e most ba)8.ard /.it* 3o8ro5s8y;s 2ermission1
)o#ntry o E#ro2e@
0nd in .*at )onsists t*e ba)8.ardness o R#ssia@ Merely
in t*e a)t t*at R#ssia is belatedly re2eatin" t*e *istory o
t*e .estern E#ro2ean )o#ntries@ '#t in t*at )ase .o#ld it
be 2ossible to tal8 o a )onG#est o 2o.er by t*e R#ssian
2roletariat@ T*is )onG#est, *o.e5er /.e 2ermit o#rsel5es
to remember1, .as a)t#ally made: +*ere lies t*e essen)e
o all t*is@ In t*at t*e ind#bitable and irre#table
belatedness o R#ssia;s de5elo2ment #nder inl#en)e and
2ress#re o t*e *i"*er )#lt#re rom t*e +est, res#lts not in
a sim2le re2etition o t*e +estern E#ro2ean *istori)
2ro)ess, b#t in t*e )reation o 2roo#nd 2e)#liarities
demandin" inde2endent st#dy:
T*is dee2 #niG#eness in o#r 2oliti)al sit#ation, .*i)* led to
t*e 5i)torio#s O)tober re5ol#tion beore t*e be"innin" o
t*e re5ol#tion in E#ro2e, *ad its roots in t*e 2e)#liar
)orrelation o or)es amon" t*e dierent )lasses and t*e
state 2o.er: +*en 3o8ro5s8y and Ro<*8o5 G#arrelled .it*
t*e Narodni8s or liberals, demonstratin" t*at t*e
or"anisation and 2oli)y o )<arism .as determined by t*e
e)onomi) de5elo2ment and t*e interests o t*e 2ossessin"
)lasses, t*ey .ere #ndamentally ri"*t: '#t .*en
3o8ro5s8y tries to re2eat t*is a"ainst me, *e sim2ly *its
t*e .ron" mar8:
T*e res#lt o o#r belated *istori) de5elo2ment, in t*e
)onditions o t*e im2erialist en)ir)lement, .as t*at o#r
bo#r"eoisie did not *a5e time to 2#s* o#t )<arism beore
t*e 2roletariat *ad be)ome an inde2endent re5ol#tionary
or)e:
'#t or 3o8ro5s8y t*e 5ery G#estion .*i)* )onstit#tes or
#s t*e )entral t*eme o t*e in5esti"ation, does not exist:
3o8ro5s8y .rites: ;To 2ortray t*e Mos)o. R#ss o t*e
sixteent* )ent#ry on a ba)8"ro#nd o "eneral E#ro2ean
relations o t*at time is an extremely all#rin" enter2rise:
T*ere is no better .ay to re#te t*e 2reE#di)es 2re5ailin"
#ntil no. e5en in Marxist )ir)les abo#t t*e [2rimiti5eness;
o t*ose e)onomi) o#ndations #2on .*i)* t*e R#ssian
a#to)ra)y arose,B 0nd #rt*er: ATo 2resent t*is a#to)ra)y
in its real *istori) )onne)tions, as one o t*e as2e)ts o
)ommer)ial?)a2italist E#ro2e ::: t*at is an #nderta8in" not
only o extraordinary interest to t*e *istorian, b#t also o
extraordinary ed#)ational im2ortan)e or t*e readin"
2#bli): t*ere is no more radi)al .ay o 2#ttin" an end to
t*e le"end o [2e)#liarities; o t*e R#ssian *istori)
2ro)ess:B 3o8ro5s8y as .e see, latly denies t*e
2rimiti5eness and ba)8.ardness o o#r e)onomi)
de5elo2ment, and t*ere.it* rele"ates t*e 2e)#liarities o
t*e R#ssian *istori) 2ro)ess to t*e s2*ere o le"end: 0nd
t*e .*ole tro#ble is t*at 3o8ro5s8y is )om2letely
*y2notised by t*e )om2arati5ely broad de5elo2ment o
trade noti)ed by *im and also by Ro<*8o5 in sixteent*
)ent#ry R#ssia: It is *ard to #nderstand *o. 3o8ro5s8y
)o#ld ma8e s#)* a mista8e: Co# mi"*t indeed ima"ine t*at
trade is t*e basis o e)onomi) lie and its inallible
meas#rin" rod: T*e -erman e)onomist 9arl '#)*er t.enty
years a"o tried to ind in trade /t*e 2at* bet.een t*e
2rod#)er and t*e )ons#mer1 a )riterion o t*e .*ole
e)onomi) de5elo2ment: Str#5e, o )o#rse, *astened to
trans2ort t*is Adis)o5eryB into t*e R#ssian e)onomi)
s)ien)e:B 0t t*at time t*e t*eory o 'P)*er met a 2ere)tly
nat#ral o22osition rom t*e Marxists: +e ind t*e )riteria o
e)onomi) de5elo2ment in 2rod#)tion D in te)*niG#e and
t*e so)ial or"anisation o labo#r D and t*e 2at* ollo.ed by
t*e 2rod#)t rom t*e 2rod#)er to t*e )ons#mer .e re"ard
as a se)ondary 2*enomenon, .*ose roots are to be o#nd
in t*at same 2rod#)tion:
T*e lar"e s)o2e, at least in a s2atial sense, o R#ssian
trade in t*e sixteent* )ent#ry D *o.e5er 2aradoxi)al rom
t*e stand2oint o t*e 'P)*er?Str#5e )riterion D is ex2lained
exa)tly by t*e extraordinary 2rimiti5eness o R#ssian
e)onomy: T*e +est E#ro2ean )ity .as a )rat?"#ild and
trade?lea"#e )ityJ o#r )ities .ere abo5e all administrati5e,
military, )onseG#ently )ons#min", and not 2rod#)in",
)entres: T*e )rat?"#ild )#lt#re o t*e +est ormed itsel on
a relati5ely *i"* le5el o e)onomi) de5elo2ment .*en all
t*e #ndamental 2ro)esses o t*e man#a)t#rin"
ind#stries *ad been distin"#is*ed rom a"ri)#lt#re, and
*ad been )on5erted into inde2endent )rats, *ad )reated
t*eir o.n or"anisations, t*eir o.n o)#ses D t*e )ities D
and at irst a limited /belon"in" to lo)al distri)ts1, b#t
ne5ert*eless stable, mar8et: 0t t*e basis o t*e medie5al
E#ro2ean )ity t*ereore lay a )om2arati5ely *i"*
dierentiation o ind#stry, "i5in" rise to re"#lar
interrelations bet.een t*e )ity )entre and its a"ri)#lt#ral
2eri2*ery: O#r e)onomi) ba)8.ardness, on t*e ot*er *and,
o#nd its ex2ression in t*e a)t t*at )rat, not yet
se2arated rom a"ri)#lt#re, 2reser5ed t*e orm o *ome
ind#stry: Iere .e .ere nearer to India t*an to E#ro2e, E#st
as o#r medie5al )ities .ere nearer to t*e 0siati) t*an t*e
E#ro2ean ty2e, and as o#r a#to)ra)y, standin" bet.een
t*e E#ro2ean absol#tism and t*e 0siati) des2otism, in
many eat#res a22roa)*ed t*e latter:
+it* t*e bo#ndlessness o o#r s2a)es and t*e s2arseness
o t*e 2o2#lation /also a s#i)iently obEe)ti5e si"n, it
.o#ld seem, o ba)8.ardness1 t*e ex)*an"e o 2rod#)ts
2res#22osed a mediatin" rHle o trade?)a2ital on t*e
broadest s)ale: T*is s)ale .as 2ossible exa)tly be)a#se
t*e +est stood at a ar *i"*er le5el o de5elo2ment, *ad
its o.n inn#merable demands, sent o#t its mer)*ants and
its "oods, and t*ere.it* stim#lated o#r trade t#rno5er
.it* its extremely 2rimiti5e, and in a )ertain meas#re
barbarian, e)onomi) basis: Not to see t*is immense
2e)#liarity o o#r *istori) de5elo2ment means not to see
o#r .*ole *istory:
My Siberian boss /I s2ent t.o mont*s enterin" ods and
arsines in *is led"er1, ,a)ob 0ndreie5i)* !*erny8* D t*is
.as not in t*e sixteent* )ent#ry, b#t at t*e 5ery be"innin"
o t*e t.entiet* D enEoyed an almost #nlimited r#lers*i2
.it*in t*e limits o 9irens8y )o#nty, t*an8s to *is trade
o2erations: ,a)ob 0ndreie5i)* bo#"*t #2 #rs rom t*e
T#n"*#< and bo#"*t in t*e 2aris* )ontrib#tions in 8ind
rom t*e 2riests o more remote distri)ts, im2orted )ali)o
rom t*e Irbits8 and Ni<*ni?No5"orod mar8et, and abo5e
all s#22lied 5od8a: /In t*e Ir8#ts8 2ro5in)e at t*at e2o)*
t*e mono2oly *ad not yet been introd#)ed:1 ,a)ob
0ndreie5i)* .as illiterate, b#t a millionaire /a))ordin" to
t*e 5al#e o t*e de)imal in t*ose days, not no.1: Iis
Adi)tators*i2,B as t*e re2resentati5e o trade )a2ital, .as
ind#bitable: Ie e5en al.ays tal8ed o ;my little T#n"*#<i:B
T*e )ity o 9irens8, li8e Ver8*olens8 and Ni<*ni?Ilims8, .as
a residen)e o s*eris and ma"istrates, kulaks in
*ierar)*i)al de2enden)e one #2on anot*er, all 8inds o
oi)ials, and a e. .ret)*ed artisans: 0n or"anised
*andi)rat as t*e basis o )ity e)onomi) lie I did not ind
t*ere, neit*er "#ilds, nor "#ild *olidays, nor trade lea"#es,
alt*o#"* ,a)ob 0ndreie5i)* )o#nted *imsel a member o
t*e Ase)ond Lea"#e:B Really t*is li5e bit o Siberian reality
)arries #s ar dee2er into an #nderstandin" o t*e *istori)
2e)#liarities o R#ssia;s de5elo2ment t*an .*at 3o8ro5s8y
says on t*is s#bEe)t: T*at is a a)t: T*e trade o2erations o
,a)ob 0ndreie5i)* extended rom t*e midstream o t*e
Lena and its eastern trib#taries to Ni<*ni?No5"orod and
e5en Mos)o.: >e. trades o !ontinental E#ro2e )an mar8
o s#)* distan)es on t*eir ma2s: Io.e5er, t*is trade
di)tator D t*is ;8in" o )l#bs,B in t*e lan"#a"e o t*e
Siberian armers D .as t*e most inis*ed and )on5in)in"
in)arnation o o#r ind#strial ba)8.ardness, barbarism,
2rimiti5eness, s2arseness o 2o2#lation, s)atteredness o
2easant to.ns and 5illa"es, im2assable )o#ntry roads,
)reatin" aro#nd t*e )o#nties, distri)ts and 5illa"es in t*e
s2rin" and a#t#mn loods a t.o?mont*s; s.am2y
blo)8ade, o o#r #ni5ersal illitera)y, et):, et): 0nd
!*erny8* *ad risen to *is )ommer)ial im2ortan)e on t*e
basis o t*e Siberian /mid?Lens8y1 barbarism, be)a#se t*e
+est D ARassea,B AMos85aB D .as exertin" 2ress#re, and
.as ta8in" Siberia in to., )reatin" a )ombination o
nomad e)onomi) 2rimiti5eness .it* alarm )lo)8s rom
+arsa.:
T*e "#ild )rat .as t*e basis o t*e medie5al )ity )#lt#re,
.*i)* radiated also into t*e 5illa"e: Medie5al s)ien)e,
s)*olasti)ism, reli"io#s reormation, "re. o#t o a )rat?
"#ild soil: +e did not *a5e t*ese t*in"s: O )o#rse t*e
embryo sym2toms, t*e si"ns, )an be o#nd, b#t in t*e
+est t*ese t*in"s .ere not si"ns b#t 2o.er#l )#lt#ral
e)onomi) ormations .it* a )rat?"#ild basis: 62on t*is
basis stood t*e medie5al E#ro2ean )ity, and #2on t*is it
"re. and entered into t*e )onli)t .it* t*e )*#r)* and t*e
e#dal lords, and bro#"*t into 2lay a"ainst t*e lords t*e
*and o t*e monar)*y: T*at same )ity )reated t*e
te)*ni)al 2remises or standin" armies in t*e s*a2e o
irearms:
+*ere .ere o#r )rat?"#ild )ities e5en in a remote de"ree
similar to t*e .estern )ities@ +*ere .as t*eir str#""le
.it* t*e e#dal lords@ 0nd .as t*e o#ndation or t*e
de5elo2ment o t*e R#ssian a#to)ra)y laid by a str#""le o
t*e ind#strial?)ommer)ial )ity .it* t*e e#dal lord@ 'y t*e
5ery nat#re o o#r )ities .e *ad no s#)* str#""le, E#st as
.e *ad no Reormation: Is t*is a 2e)#liarity or is not it@
O#r *andi)rat remained at t*e sta"e o *ome ind#stry D
t*at is, did not s2lit o rom 2easant a"ri)#lt#re: O#r
Reormation remained at t*e sta"e o t*e 2easant se)t,
be)a#se it o#nd no leaders*i2 rom t*e )ities:
3rimiti5eness and ba)8.ardness *ere )ry to t*e
*ea5ens :::
!<arism arose as an inde2endent state or"anisation /a"ain
only relati5ely inde2endent .it*in t*e limits o t*e str#""le
o li5in" *istori) or)es on an e)onomi) o#ndation1, not
t*an8s to a str#""le o 2o.er#l e#dal )ities .it* 2o.er#l
lords, b#t in s2ite o t*e )om2lete ind#strial eebleness o
o#r )ities and t*an8s to t*e eebleness o o#r e#dal lords:
3oland in *er so)ial str#)t#re stood bet.een R#ssia and
t*e +est, E#st as R#ssia stood bet.een 0sia and E#ro2e:
T*e 3olis* )ities 8ne. already m#)* more o "#ild )rat
t*an o#rs did, b#t t*ey did not s#))eed in risin" *i"*
eno#"* to *el2 t*e 8in"ly 2o.er brea8 t*e barons: T*e
state 2o.er remained in t*e immediate *ands o t*e
nobility: T*e res#lt: )om2lete im2oten)e o t*e state and
its disinte"ration:
+*at *as been said o )<arism relates also to )a2ital and
t*e 2roletariat: I )annot #nderstand .*y 3o8ro5s8y dire)ts
*is ra"e only a"ainst my irst )*a2ter dealin" .it* )<arism:
R#ssian )a2italism did not de5elo2 rom *andi)rat t*ro#"*
man#a)t#re to t*e a)tory, be)a#se E#ro2ean )a2ital, at
irst in t*e trade orm and ater.ards in t*e inan)e and
ind#strial orm, 2o#red do.n on #s d#rin" t*at 2eriod
.*en R#ssian *andi)rat *ad not in t*e mass di5ided itsel
rom a"ri)#lt#re: Ien)e t*e a22earan)e amon" #s o t*e
most modern )a2italist ind#stry in an en5ironment o
e)onomi) 2rimiti5eness: t*e 'el"ian or 0meri)an a)tory,
and ro#nd abo#t it settlements, 5illa"es o .ood and
stra., b#rnin" #2 e5ery year, et): T*e most 2rimiti5e
be"innin"s and t*e latest E#ro2ean endin"s: Ien)e t*e
mi"*ty rHle o +est E#ro2dan )a2ital in R#ssian ind#stryJ
*en)e t*e 2oliti)al .ea8ness o t*e R#ssian bo#r"eoisieJ
*en)e t*e ease .it* .*i)* .e settled a))o#nts .it* t*e
R#ssian bo#r"eoisieJ *en)e o#r #rt*er dii)#lties .*en
t*e E#ro2ean bo#r"eoisie interered:
0nd o#r 2roletariat@ 4id it 2ass t*ro#"* t*e s)*ool o t*e
medie5al a22renti)e brot*er*oods@ Ias it t*e an)ient
tradition o t*e "#ilds@ Not*in" o t*e 8ind: It .as t*ro.n
into t*e a)tory )a#ldron snat)*ed dire)tly rom t*e
2lo#"*: Ien)e t*e absen)e o )onser5ati5e tradition,
absen)e o )aste in t*e 2roletariat itsel, re5ol#tionary
res*ness: *en)e D alon" .it* ot*er )a#ses D O)tober, t*e
irst .or8ers; "o5ernment in t*e .orld: '#t *en)e also
illitera)y, ba)8.ardness, absen)e o or"anisational *abits,
absen)e o system in labo#r, o )#lt#ral and te)*ni)al
ed#)ation: 0ll t*ese min#ses in o#r )#lt#ral e)onomi)
str#)t#re .e are eelin" at e5ery ste2:
T*e R#ssian state en)o#ntered t*e military or"anisation o
+estern nations standin" on a *i"*er 2oliti)al and )#lt#ral
le5el: T*#s R#ssian )a2ital in its irst ste2 ran into t*e ar
more de5elo2ed and 2o.er#l )a2ital o t*e +est and ell
#nder its leaders*i2: T*#s t*e R#ssian .or8in" )lass in its
irst ste2s also o#nd ready .ea2ons .or8ed o#t by t*e
ex2erien)e o t*e +est E#ro2ean 2roletariatJ t*e Marxian
t*eory, t*e trade #nion, t*e 2oliti)al 2arty: +*oe5er
ex2lains t*e )*ara)ter and 2oli)y o t*e a#to)ra)y merely
by t*e interests o t*e R#ssian 2ossessin" )lasses or"ets
t*at besides t*e more ba)8.ard, 2oorer and more i"norant
ex2loiters in R#ssia, t*ere .ere t*e ri)*er and more
2o.er#l ex2loiters in E#ro2e: T*e 2ossessin" )lasses o
R#ssia *ad to en)o#nter t*e 2ossessin" )lasses o E#ro2e,
*ostile or semi?*ostile: T*is en)o#nter .as mediated
t*ro#"* a state or"anisation: S#)* an or"anisation .as t*e
a#to)ra)y: T*e .*ole str#)t#re and *istory o t*e
a#to)ra)y .o#ld *a5e been dierent i it *ad not been or
t*e E#ro2ean )ities, E#ro2ean "#n2o.der /or .e did not
in5ent it1, i it *ad not been or t*e E#ro2ean sto)8
mar8ets:
In t*e last e2o)* o its existen)e t*e a#to)ra)y .as not
only an or"an o t*e 2ossessin" )lasses o R#ssia, b#t also
o t*e or"anisation o E#ro2ean sto)8 mar8ets or t*e
ex2loitation o R#ssia: T*is do#ble rHle a"ain "a5e it a 5ery
)onsiderable inde2enden)e: 0 s*ar2 ex2ression o t*is is
t*e a)t t*at t*e >ren)* 'o#rse made a loan or t*e
s#22ort o t*e a#to)ra)y in 19%= a"ainst t*e .ill o t*e
2arty o t*e R#ssian bo#r"eoisie:
!<arism .as s*attered in t*e im2erialist .ar: 0nd .*y@
'e)a#se it *ad #nder it a too lo.?"rade 2rod#)ti5e
o#ndation /ArimitivenessB1: In military?te)*ni)al matters
)<arism tried to all in line .it* more 2ere)ted models: It
.as e5ery .ay assisted in t*is by t*e more ri)* and
)#lt#red 0llies: T*an8s to t*is a)t )<arism *ad at its
dis2osal t*e most inis*ed .ea2ons o .ar, b#t it *ad not,
and )o#ld not *a5e, t*e )a2a)ity to re2rod#)e t*ese
.ea2ons and trans2ort t*en /and t*e *#man masses also1
on railroads and .ater.ays .it* s#i)ient s2eed: In ot*er
.ords, )<arism .as deendin" t*e interests o t*e r#lin"
)lasses o R#ssia in t*e international str#""le, .*ile relyin"
#2on a more 2rimiti5e e)onomi) basis t*an *er enemies
and allies:
!<arism ex2loited t*is basis d#rin" t*e .ar mer)ilessly D
de5o#red, t*at is to say, a ar "reater 2er)enta"e o t*e
national .ealt* and t*e national in)ome t*an *er mi"*ty
enemies and allies: T*is a)t inds its )onirmation on t*e
one *and in t*e system o .ar debts, on t*e ot*er in t*e
)om2lete r#in o R#ssia :::
0ll t*ese )ir)#mstan)es, .*i)* immediately 2re?
determined t*e O)tober re5ol#tion, t*e 5i)tory o t*e
2roletariat and its #t#re dii)#lties, remain totally
#nex2lained by t*e )ommon2la)es o 3o8ro5s8y:
%ppendi2 ##
*To the Chapter Re+armin& the Part.
In a Ne. Cor8 daily 2a2er, Novy 4ir, 2#blis*ed or t*e
R#ssian .or8ers in 0meri)a, t*e a#t*or o t*is boo8
attem2ted an analysis and a 2ro"nosis o t*e de5elo2ment
o t*e re5ol#tion on t*e basis o t*e s)ant inormation
s#22lied by t*e 0meri)an 2ress: AT*e inner *istory o t*e
de5elo2in" e5ents,B .rote t*e a#t*or on Mar)* (, 1917
/old style1, Ais 8no.n to #s only in ra"ments and *ints
.*i)* *a5e )re2t into t*e oi)ial des2at)*es:B T*e series
o arti)les de5oted to t*e re5ol#tion be"ins on >ebr#ary 27
and brea8s o on Mar)* 1& .it* t*e de2art#re o t*e
a#t*or rom Ne. Cor8: +e re2rod#)e belo. a series o
ex)er2ts rom t*ese arti)les in )*ronolo"i)al order, .*i)*
.ill "i5e an idea o t*e 5ie.s o t*e re5ol#tion .it* .*i)*
t*e a#t*or arri5ed in R#ssia on May &:
>E'R60RC 27:
AT*e disor"anised, )om2romised, disinte"rated
"o5ernment at t*e to2, t*e army s*a8en to t*e de2t*s, t*e
dis)ontent, #n)ertainty and ear amon" t*e r#lin" )lasses,
dee2 bitterness in t*e 2o2#lar masses, t*e n#meri)ally
de5elo2ed 2roletariat tem2ered in t*e ire o e5ents D all
t*is "i5es #s t*e ri"*t to say t*at .e are .itnessin" t*e
be"innin" o t*e se)ond R#ssian re5ol#tion: Let #s *o2e
t*at many o #s .ill be 2arti)i2ants in it:B
M0R!I 3:
AT*e Rod<ian8os and Mili#8o5s *a5e be"#n tal8in" too
soon abo#t la. and orderJ not tomorro. .ill tranG#illity
des)end on billo.in" R#ssia: Strat#m ater strat#m no.,
t*e )o#ntry .ill arise D all t*e o22ressed, destit#te, robbed
by )<arism and t*e r#lin" )lasses D t*ro#"*o#t t*e .*ole
meas#reless s2a)e o t*e .*ole R#ssian 2rison o t*e
2eo2le: T*e 3etro"rad e5ents are only be"innin": 0t t*e
*ead o t*e 2o2#lar masses t*e R#ssian re5ol#tionary
2roletariat .ill #lil its *istori) tas8: it .ill dri5e o#t t*e
monar)*i)al and aristo)rati) rea)tion rom all its re#"es,
and stret)* o#t its *and to t*e 2roletariat o -ermany and
all E#ro2e: >or it is ne)essary to liG#idate not only )<arism,
b#t also t*e .ar:B
ANo. t*e se)ond .a5e o t*e re5ol#tion .ill roll o5er t*e
*eads o t*e Rod<ian8os and Mili#8o5s, b#sy .it* t*eir
attem2ts to restore order and )ome to terms .it*
monar)*y: >rom its o.n de2t*s t*e re5ol#tion .ill 2rod#)e
its "o5ernment, a re5ol#tionary or"an o t*e 2eo2le
mar)*in" to 5i)tory: 'ot* t*e )*ie battles and t*e )*ie
sa)rii)es are in t*e #t#re, and only ater t*em .ill )ome
)om2lete and "en#ine 5i)tory:B
M0R!I &:
AT*e lon"?restrained dis)ontent o t*e masses *as bro8en
to t*e s#ra)e so late, on t*e 32nd mont* o t*e .ar, not
be)a#se t*ere stood beore t*e masses a 2oli)e b#l.ar8,
5ery m#)* s*a8en d#rin" t*e .ar, b#t be)a#se all t*e
liberal instit#tions and or"ans in)l#din" t*eir so)ial?
2atrioti) *an"ers?on, *a5e exer)ised an enormo#s 2oliti)al
2ress#re #2on t*e less )ons)io#s layers o t*e .or8ers,
s#""estin" to t*em t*e ne)essity o ;2atrioti); dis)i2line
and order:B
ANo. only /ater t*e 5i)tory o t*e ins#rre)tion1 )ame t*e
t#rn o t*e 4#ma: T*e )<ar tried at t*e last moment to
dis2erse it: 0nd it .o#ld *a5e s#bmissi5ely dis2ersed
[ollo.in" t*e 2re)edent o ormer years,; i it *ad been
able to: '#t t*e )a2itals .ere already in t*e )ontrol o t*e
re5ol#tionary 2eo2le, t*at same 2eo2le .*o, a"ainst t*e
.ill o t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie, )ome o#t into t*e street to
i"*t: T*e army .as .it* t*e 2eo2le: 0nd i t*e bo#r"eoisie
*ad not made an attem2t to or"anise t*eir 2o.er, a
re5ol#tionary "o5ernment .o#ld *a5e iss#ed rom t*e
midst o t*e ins#rre)tionary .or8er masses: T*at 4#ma o
,#ne 3 .o#ld ne5er *a5e 5ent#red to snat)* t*e 2o.er
rom t*e *ands o )<arism, b#t it )o#ld not *el2 ma8in"
#se o t*e )reated interre"n#m: t*e monar)*y *ad
tem2orarily disa22eared rom t*e a)e o t*e eart* and a
re5ol#tionary 2o.er .as not yet )reated:B
M0R!I (:
A0n o2en )onli)t bet.een t*e or)es o re5ol#tion at
.*ose *ead stands t*e )ity 2roletariat, and t*e anti?
re5ol#tionary liberal bo#r"eoisie tem2orarily in 2o.er, is
absol#tely ine5itable: Co# )an, o )o#rse, D and t*e liberal
bo#r"eois and mo#ntain so)ialist o t*e 2*ilistine ty2e are
*eartily b#sy abo#t it D 2ile #2 many 2iti#l .ords on t*e
s#bEe)t o t*e immense ad5anta"es o national #nity o5er
)lass s2lit: '#t nobody *as yet s#))eeded .it* s#)*
in)antations in remo5in" so)ial )ontradi)tions and
sto22in" t*e nat#ral de5elo2ment o a re5ol#tionary
str#""le:B
A0lready at t*is moment, immediately, t*e re5ol#tionary
2roletariat o#"*t to o22ose its re5ol#tionary instit#tions,
t*e so5iets o .or8ers;, soldiers; and 2easants; de2#ties,
to t*e exe)#ti5e in instit#tions o t*e 3ro5isional
-o5ernment: In t*is str#""le t*e 2roletariat, #nitin"
aro#nd itsel t*e risin" 2o2#lar masses, o#"*t to ma8e its
dire)t "oal t*e )onG#est o 2o.er: Only a re5ol#tionary
.or8ers; "o5ernment .ill *a5e t*e .ill and ability, e5en
d#rin" t*e 2re2aration or a !onstit#ent 0ssembly, to )arry
o#t a radi)al demo)rati) )lean?#2 t*ro#"*o#t t*e )o#ntry,
re)onstr#)t t*e army rom to2 to bottom, )on5ert it into a
re5ol#tionary militia and demonstrate in a)tion to t*e
lo.er ran8s o t*e 2easants t*at t*eir sal5ation lies only in
s#22ortin" a re5ol#tionary .or8ers; rF"ime:B
M0R!I 7:
A+*ile t*e )liG#e o Ni)*olas II *eld t*e 2o.er, dynasti)
and rea)tionary aristo)rati) interests *ad t*e last .ord in
orei"n 2oli)y: >or E#st t*is reason in 'erlin and Vienna
t*ey .ere )ontin#ally *o2in" or a se2arate 2ea)e .it*
R#ssia: '#t no. t*e interests o na8ed im2erialism are
ins)ribed on t*e "o5ernmental banners: [T*e )<ar;s
"o5ernment is no more,; t*e -#)*8o5s and Mili#8o5s are
tellin" t*e 2eo2le, [No. yo# m#st 2o#r o#t yo#r blood or
t*e all?national interests:; '#t by national interests t*e
R#ssian im2erialists mean t*e "ettin" ba)8 o 3oland, t*e
)onG#est o -ali)ia, !onstantino2le, 0rmenia, 3ersia: In
ot*er .ords, R#ssia no. ta8es *er 2la)e in t*e Eoint ran8s
o im2erialism .it* ot*er E#ro2ean states, and irst o all
.it* *er allies, En"land and >ran)e:B
AT*e 2roletariat o R#ssia )annot 2ossibly re)on)ile t*e
transition rom a dynasti) aristo)rati) im2erialism to a
2#rely bo#r"eois rF"ime .it* t*is b#t)*ery: T*e
international str#""le a"ainst t*e .orld b#t)*ery and
im2erialism is no. o#r tas8 more t*an e5er beore:B
AT*e im2erialist boast o Mili#8o5 D to )r#s* -ermany,
0#stria?I#n"ary and T#r8ey D no. 2lays 2ere)tly into t*e
*ands o t*e Io*en<ollerns and Ia2sb#r"s, Mili#8o5 .ill
no. 2lay t*e rHle o a "arden s)are)ro. in t*eir *ands:
'eore t*e ne. im2erialisti)?liberal "o5ernment
#nderta8es reorms in t*e army, it .ill *el2 t*e
Io*en<ollern raise t*e 2atrioti) s2irit and restore t*e
[national #nity; o t*e -erman 2eo2le, no. )ra)8in" in all
its seams: I t*e -erman 2roletariat s*o#ld "et t*e ri"*t to
t*in8 t*at t*e .*ole R#ssian 2eo2le, and amon" t*em t*e
)*ie or)e o t*e re5ol#tion D t*e R#ssian 2roletariat D
stands be*ind its ne. bo#r"eois "o5ernment, t*at .o#ld
be a terrible blo. to o#r )ollea"#es, t*e re5ol#tionary
so)ialists o -ermany:B
[It is t*e strai"*t d#ty o t*e re5ol#tionary 2roletariat o
R#ssia to s*o. t*at be*ind t*e e5il im2erialist .ill o t*e
liberal bo#r"eoisie t*ere is no stren"t*, or it *as no
s#22ort in t*e .or8er masses: T*e R#ssian re5ol#tion
o#"*t to re5eal its a#t*enti) a)e beore t*e .*ole .orld D
t*at is, its irre)on)ilable *ostility not only to t*e dynasti)
aristo)rati) rea)tion, b#t to liberal im2erialism:B
M0R!I $:
A6nder t*e banner [Sal5ation o t*e !o#ntry; t*e liberal
bo#r"eois is tryin" to 8ee2 t*e re5ol#tionary leaders*i2 o
t*e 2eo2le in *is *ands, and .it* t*is aim is dra""in" ater
*im on a to.?line not only t*e Tr#do5i8 9erens8y, b#t
e5idently also !*eid<e, re2resentati5e o t*e o22ort#nist
elements o t*e so)ial demo)ra)y:B
AT*e a"rarian G#estion .ill dri5e a dee2 .ed"e into t*e
2resent aristo)rati) bo#r"eois so)ial?2atrioti) blo):
9erens8y .ill *a5e to )*oose bet.een t*e [liberal,; t*e 3rd
o ,#ne K1L men, .*o .ant to steal t*e .*ole re5ol#tion or
)a2italist "oals, and t*e re5ol#tionary 2roletariat, .*i)*
.ill #nold to its #ll .idt* t*e 2ro"ramme o a"rarian
re5ol#tion D t*at is, )onis)ation in be*al o t*e 2eo2le o
t*e )<arist, landlord, a22ana"e, monastery and )*#r)*
lands: +*at 2ersonal )*oi)e 9erens8y ma8es .ill ma8e no
dieren)e ::: It is anot*er matter .it* t*e 2easant masses,
t*e r#ral lo.er ran8s: To brin" t*em o5er to t*e side o t*e
2roletariat is t*e most #r"ent #n2ost2onable tas8:B
AIt .o#ld be a )rime to try to a))om2lis* t*is tas8 /t*e
brin"in" o5er t*e 2easantry1 by ada2tin" o#r 2oli)y to t*e
national?2atrioti) limitedness o t*e 5illa"e: t*e R#ssian
.or8er .o#ld )ommit s#i)ide i *e 2aid or *is #nion .it*
t*e 2easant at t*e 2ri)e o a brea8in" o *is ties .it* t*e
E#ro2ean 2roletariat: '#t t*ere is no 2oliti)al need or t*isJ
.e *a5e a more 2o.er#l .ea2on In o#r *ands: .*ereas
t*e 2resent 3ro5isional -o5ernment and t*e ministry o
L5o5, -#)*8o5, Mili#8o5, 9erens8y K2L, are )om2elled D in
t*e name o a 2reser5ation o t*eir #nity D to side?ste2 t*e
a"rarian G#estion, .e )an and m#st 2resent it in its #ll
stat#re beore t*e 2easant masses o R#ssia:
A[Sin)e a"rarian reorm is im2ossible, .e are or t*e
im2erialist .ar,; said t*e R#ssian bo#r"eoisie ater t*e
ex2erien)e o 19%=?%7:
A[T#rn yo#r ba)8 to t*e im2erialist .ar, o22osin" to it t*e
a"rarian re5ol#tionO; .e .ill say to t*e 2easant masses,
reerrin" to t*e ex2erien)e o 191&?17:
AT*is same G#estion, t*e land G#estion, .ill 2lay an
immense rHle in #nitin" t*e 2roletarian )adres o t*e army
.it* its 2easant de2t*s: T*e land o t*e landlords, and not
!onstantino2le:; t*e soldier 2roletarian .ill say to t*e
soldier 2easant, ex2lainin" to *im .*om and .*at t*e
im2erialist .ar is ser5in": 0nd #2on t*e s#))ess o o#r
a"itation and str#""le a"ainst t*e .ar D abo5e all amon"
t*e .or8ers, and in t*e se)ond 2la)e amon" t*e 2easant
and soldier masses D .ill de2end t*e ans.er to t*e
G#estion *o. soon t*e liberal im2erialist "o5ernment )an
be re2la)ed by a re5ol#tionary .or8ers; "o5ernment
restin" dire)tly #2on t*e 2roletariat, and t*e r#ral lo.er
ran8s ad*erin" to it:B
AT*e Rod<ian8os, -o)*8o5s, Mili#8o5s .ill bend all t*eir
eorts to "et a !onstit#ent 0ssembly in t*eir ima"e: T*e
stron"est tr#m2 in t*eir *and .ill be t*e slo"an o t*e
)ommon national .ar a"ainst an external enemy: T*ey .ill
no. tal8, o )o#rse, abo#t t*e ne)essity o deendin" t*e
[)onG#ests o t*e re5ol#tion; a"ainst destr#)tion by t*e
Io*en<ollerns: 0nd t*e so)ial 2atriots .ill Eoin t*e son":B
A[I .e *ad somet*in" to deend; .e .ill say: T*e irst t*in"
is to ins#re t*e re5ol#tion a"ainst t*e domesti) enemy: +e
m#st, .it*o#t .aitin" or t*e !onstit#ent 0ssembly, s.ee2
o#t t*e monar)*i) and e#dal r#bbis* to t*e last )orner:
+e m#st tea)* t*e R#ssian 2easant not to tr#st t*e
2romises o Rod<ian8o and t*e 2atrioti) lies o Mili#8o5: +e
m#st #nite t*e 2easant millions a"ainst t*e liberal
im2erialists #nder t*e banner o a"rarian re5ol#tion and
t*e re2#bli): Only a re5ol#tionary "o5ernment relyin" on
t*e 2roletariat, .*i)* .ill remo5e t*e -#)*8o5s and
Mili#8o5s rom 2o.er, )an )arry o#t t*is .or8 to t*e #ll:
T*is .or8ers; "o5ernment .ill brin" into 2lay all t*e
instr#ments o state 2o.er in order to raise to t*eir eet,
ed#)ate, and #nite t*e most ba)8.ard and dar8 de2t*s o
t*e toilin" masses o t*e )ity and 5illa"e:B
A[0nd i t*e -erman 2roletariat does not rise@ +*at s*all
.e do t*en@;
AT*at is, yo# ass#me t*at t*e R#ssian re5ol#tion )an "o by
.it*o#t ae)tin" -ermany D e5en in )ase o#r re5ol#tion
2#ts a .or8ers; "o5ernment in 2o.er@ '#t s#rely t*at is
#tterly im2robable:
B[Ces, b#t s#22ose it *a22ens@;
AI t*e im2robable s*o#ld *a22en, i t*e )onser5ati5e
so)ial? 2atrioti) or"anisation s*o#ld 2re5ent t*e -erman
.or8in" )lass rom risin" a"ainst its r#lin" )lasses in t*e
)omin" e2o)*, t*en o )o#rse t*e R#ssian .or8in" )lass
.o#ld deend its re5ol#tion .it* arms in its *ands: T*e
re5ol#tionary .or8ers; "o5ernment .o#ld .a"e .ar
a"ainst t*e Io*en<ollerns, s#mmonin" t*e brot*er
2roletariat o -ermany to rise a"ainst t*e )ommon enemy:
In exa)tly t*e same .ay t*e -erman 2roletariat, i in t*e
)omin" e2o)* it )ame to 2o.er, .o#ld not only *a5e t*e
[ri"*t,; b#t .o#ld be obli"ed, to .a"e .ar a"ainst -#)*8o5
and Mili#8o5 in order to *el2 t*e R#ssian .or8er settle
a))o#nts .it* *is im2erialist enemy: In bot* t*ese
sit#ations t*e .ar )ond#)ted by a 2roletarian "o5ernment
.o#ld be only an armed re5ol#tion: It .o#ld be a G#estion
not o t*e [deen)e o t*e "o5ernment,; b#t o t*e deen)e
o t*e re5ol#tion, and its trans2lantation into ot*er
)o#ntries:B
It is *ardly ne)essary to demonstrate t*at in t*e abo5e
extended ex)er2ts rom 2o2#lar arti)les to be read by
.or8ers, t*e same 5ie. o t*e de5elo2ment o t*e
re5ol#tion is ex2o#nded as t*at .*i)* o#nd its ex2ression
in Lenin;s Theses of +pril -:
In )onne)tion .it* t*e )risis .*i)* t*e 'ols*e5i8 3arty
.ent t*ro#"* in t*e irst t.o mont*s o t*e >ebr#ary
re5ol#tion, it is not s#2erl#o#s to add#)e *ere a G#otation
rom an arti)le .ritten by t*e a#t*or o t*is boo8 in 19%9
or t*e 3olis* Eo#rnal o Rosa L#xemb#r":
AI t*e Mens*e5i8s, startin" rom t*e abstra)tion [O#r
re5ol#tion is a bo#r"eois re5ol#tion,; arri5e at t*e idea o
ada2tin" t*e .*ole ta)ti) o t*e 2roletariat to t*e )ond#)t
o t*e liberal bo#r"eoisie, e5en to t*e 2oint o a )onG#est
by it o t*e state 2o.er, t*en t*e 'ols*e5i8s, startin" rom
an eG#ally bare abstra)tion [a demo)rati) and not a
so)ialist di)tators*i2,; .ill arri5e at t*e idea o a bo#r"eois
demo)rati) sel?limitation o t*e 2roletariat in .*ose *ands
t*e "o5ernmental 2o.er .ill be o#nd: To be s#re, t*e
dieren)e bet.een t*em on t*is G#estion is 5ery
)onsiderable: .*ile t*e anti?re5ol#tionary sides o
Mens*e5ism are ex2ressed in t*eir #ll stren"t* e5en no.,
t*e anti?re5ol#tionary traits o 'ols*e5ism t*reaten a "reat
dan"er only in t*e )ase o a re5ol#tionary 5i)tory:B
0ter 1923 t*ose .ords .ere .idely #sed by t*e e2i"ones
in t*eir str#""le a"ainst ATrots8yism:B 0s a matter o a)t
t*ey "i5e D ei"*t years beore t*e e5ent D a 2ere)tly
a))#rate )*ara)terisation o t*e )ond#)t o t*e 2resent
e2i"ones in t*e )ase o a re5ol#tionary 5i)tory:
T*e 2arty iss#ed rom t*e 02ril )risis .it* *ono#r, *a5in"
settled a))o#nts .it* t*e Aanti?re5ol#tionary traitsB o its
ri"*t lan8: >or t*is reason t*e a#t*or in 1922
s#22lemented t*e 2assa"e G#oted abo5e .it* t*e
ollo.in" remar8:
AT*is, as is .ell 8no.n, did not *a22en, be)a#se #nder t*e
leaders*i2 o Lenin: 'ols*e5ism )arried o#t /not .it*o#t
inner str#""le1 its intelle)t#al rearmament #2on t*is all?
im2ortant G#estion in t*e s2rin" o 1917 D t*at is, beore
t*e )onG#est o 2o.er:B
Lenin, in 02ril 1917, in *is str#""le .it* t*e o22ort#nist
tenden)ies o t*e dominant layer o t*e 'ols*e5i8s, .rote:
AT*e 'ols*e5i8 slo"ans and ideas in "eneral are
)om2letely )onirmed, b#t concretely t*in"s *a5e s*a2ed
t*emsel5es other wise t*an anybody /no matter .*o1
)o#ld *a5e ex2e)ted D more ori"inally, #niG#ely, 5ario#sly:
To i"nore, to or"et t*is a)t .o#ld mean to be li8e t*ose
[old 'ols*e5i8s; .*o *a5e more t*an on)e already 2layed
a 2iti#l rHle in t*e *istory o o#r 2arty, meanin"lessly
re2eatin" a orm#la learned !y rote instead o studyin"
t*e #niG#e li5in" reality: +*oe5er tal8s now only o a
[re5ol#tionary?demo)rati) di)tators*i2 o t*e 2roletariat
and 2easantry; is la""in" be*ind Lie: Ie *as by t*at 5ery
a)t "one over a)t#ally to t*e bo#r"eoisie a"ainst t*e
2roletarian )lass str#""le: Iim .e m#st 2#t a.ay in t*e
ar)*i5es o ['ols*e5i8; 2re?re5ol#tionary )#riosities /yo#
mi"*t )all t*em t*e ar)*i5es o t*e [old 'ols*e5i8s;1:B
Notes
1: Members o t*e 4#ma .*i)* iss#ed rom t*e state
o5ert#rn o ,#ne 3, 19%7:
2: 'y 3ro5isional -o5ernment t*e 0meri)an 2ress meant
3ro5isional !ommittee o t*e 4#ma:
%ppendi2 ###
*To the Chapter The =oviet Con&ress
and the >une Demonstration.
To 3roessor 0: 9a#n, T*e 6ni5ersity o !aliornia:
Co# as8 me *o. )orre)tly S#8*ano5 des)ribes my meetin"
in May 1917 .it* t*e editors o Novy ,hi%n, a ne.s2a2er
nominally dire)ted by Maxim -or8y: In order t*at .*at
ollo.s may be #nder stood, I m#st say a e. .ords as to
t*e "eneral )*ara)ter o t*e se5en?5ol#me Notes of the
Revolution by S#8*ano5: +it* all t*e a#lts o t*at .or8
/.ordiness, im2ressionism, 2oliti)al s*ort?si"*tedness1
.*i)* ma8e t*e readin" o it at times #nbearable, it is
im2ossible not to re)o"nise t*e )ons)ientio#sness o t*e
a#t*or .*i)* renders *is Notes a 5al#able so#r)e or t*e
*istorian: ,#rists 8no., *o.e5er, t*at t*e
)ons)ientio#sness o a .itness by no means "#arantees
t*e reliability o *is testimony: It is ne)essary to ta8e into
)onsideration *is le5el o de5elo2ment, *is 5ision, *earin",
memory, *is mood at t*e moment o t*e e5ent, et):
S#8*ano5 is an im2ressionist o t*e intelle)t#al ty2e, and
li8e t*e maEority o s#)* 2eo2le la)8s t*e ability to
#nderstand t*e 2oliti)al 2sy)*olo"y o men o a dierent
mo#ld: Not.it*standin" t*e a)t t*at *e *imsel in 1917
stood in t*e let .in" o t*e !om2romise )am2, and so in
)lose nei"*bo#r*ood to t*e 'ols*e5i8s, *e .as and
remained, .it* *is Iamlet tem2erament, t*e 5ery
o22osite o a 'ols*e5i8: T*ere li5es al.ays in *im a eelin"
o *ostile re5ol#tion rom inte"rated 2eo2le, 2eo2le .*o
8no. irmly .*at t*ey .ant and .*ere t*ey are "oin": 0ll
o t*is brin"s it abo#t t*at S#8*ano5 in *is No,es 0uite
cons)ientio#sly 2iles #2 mista8e ater mista8e so soon as
*e tries to #nderstand t*e s2rin"s o a)tion o t*e
'ols*e5i8s, or re5eal t*eir moti5ation be*ind t*e s)enes:
0t times it seems as t*o#"* *e )ons)io#sly )on#ses
sim2le and )lear G#estions: In reality *e is or"ani) ally
in)a2able, at least in 2oliti)s, o indin" t*e s*ortest
distan)e bet.een t.o 2oints:
S#8*ano5 .astes no little stren"t* in t*e eort to )ontrast
my line .it* Lenin;s: 'ein" 5ery sensiti5e to t*e moods o
t*e )o#loir and t*e "ossi2 o intelle)t#al )ir)les D in .*i)*,
by t*e .ay, lies one o t*e merits o t*e Notes, .*i)*
)ontain m#)* material or )*ara)terisin" t*e 2sy)*olo"y o
t*e liberal, radi)al, and so)ialisti) #22er )ir)les D S#8*ano5
nat#rally no#ris*ed a *o2e t*at disa"reements .o#ld arise
bet.een Lenin and Trots8y D t*e more so t*at t*is m#st
li"*ten some.*at t*e #nen5iable ate o Novy Dhizn'
standin" bet.een t*e So)ial 3atriots and t*e 'ols*e5i8s: In
*is Notes S#8*ano5 is still li5in" in t*e atmos2*ere o
t*ose #nrealised *o2es #nder t*e orm o 2oliti)al
re)olle)tions and ex 2ost a)to "#esses:
3e)#liarities o 2ersonality, tem2erament, style, *e tries to
inter2ret as a 2oliti)al line:
In )onne)tion .it* t*e abandoned 'ols*e5i8 maniestation
o ,#ne 1%, and more es2e)ially t*e armed demonstration
o t*e ,#ly days, S#8*ano5 tries t*ro#"*o#t many 2a"es to
demonstrate t*at Lenin .as dire)tly stri5in" in t*ose days
or a sei<#re o 2o.er by .ay o )ons2ira)y and
ins#rre)tion, .*ile Trots8y by )ontrast .as stri5in" or t*e
real 2o.er o t*e so5iets in t*e 2erson o t*e, t*en
dominant 2arties, t*at is, t*e So)ial Re5ol#tionaries and
Mens*e5i8s: T*ere is not a s*ado. o o#ndation or all
t*is:
0t t*e irst )on"ress o t*e so5iets on ,#ne &, Tseretelli
d#rin" *is s2ee)* remar8ed in 2assin": SIn R#ssia at t*e
2resent moment t*ere is not one 2oliti)al 2arty .*i)*
.o#ld say, -i5e #s t*e 2o.er in o#r *ands:B 0t t*at
moment a 5oi)e .as *eard rom t*e ben)*es:
ST*ere isOS Lenin did not li8e to interr#2t orators, and did
not li8e to be interr#2ted: Only serio#s )onsiderations
)o#ld *a5e im2elled *im to abandon on t*at o))asion *is
)#stomary restraint: 0))ordin" to Tseretelli;s lo"i), .*en
t*e nation "ets into a tan"le o enormo#s dii)#lty, t*e
irst t*in" to do is to try to sli2 t*e 2o.er to ot*ers: In t*is
lay t*e )le5erness o t*e R#ssian !om2romisers .*o ater
t*e >ebr#ary #2risin" sli22ed t*e 2o.er to t*e liberals: To
a not 5ery attra)ti5e ear o res2onsibility, Tseretelli .as
"i5in" t*e )olo#r o 2oliti)al disinterestedness and
extraordinary ar?si"*tedness: To a re5ol#tionist .*o
belie5es in t*e mission o *is 2arty s#)* )o.ardly
s.an8in" is absol#tely intolerable: 0 re5ol#tionary 2arty
.*i)* is )a2able in dii)#lt )onditions o t#rnin" a.ay
rom t*e 2o.er, deser5es only )ontem2t:
In a s2ee)* at t*at same session Lenin ex2lained *is re2ly
rom t*e ben)*es: ST*e !iti<en Minister o 3osts and
Tele"ra2* /Tseretelli1 said t*at t*ere is no 2oliti)al 2arty in
R#ssia .*i)* .o#ld ex2ress its readiness to ta8e #2on
itsel t*e .*ole 2o.er: I ans.er t*ere is: No 2arty )an
de)line to do t*at, and o#r 2arty does not de)line: It is
ready at any min#te to ta8e t*e .*ole 2o.er: /022la#se
and la#"*ter,1 Co# may la#"* all yo# .ant to, b#t i t*e
!iti<en Minister 2#ts t*is G#estion to #s *e .ill "et t*e
2ro2er ans.er:B It .o#ld seem as t*o#"* Lenin;s t*o#"*t
is trans2arent t*ro#"* and t*ro#"*:
0t t*e same )on"ress o t*e so5iets, s2ea8in" ater t*e
Minister o 0"ri)#lt#re, 3es*e8*ono5, I ex2ressed mysel
as ollo.s: SI do not belon" to t*e same 2arty .it* *im
/3es*e8*ono51 b#t i t*ey told me t*at a ministry .as to
be ormed o#t o t.el5e 3es*e8*ono5s, I s*o#ld say t*at
t*is .as an immense ste2 or.ard:B
I do not t*in8 t*at at t*at time, amid t*ose e5ents, my
.ords abo#t a ministry o 3es*e8*ono5s )o#ld be
#nderstood as an anti t*esis to Lenin;s readiness to ta8e
2o.er: S#8*ano5 a22ears as an e% ost facto t*eoreti)ian
o t*is 2retended antit*esis: Inter2retin" t*e 'ols*e5i8
2re2aration o t*e demonstration o ,#ne 1% in a5o#r o
t*e 2o.er o t*e so5iets as a 2re2aration or t*e sei<#re o
2o.er, S#8*ano5 .rites: SLenin t.o or t*ree days beore
t*e maniestation; 2#bli)ly stated t*at *e .as ready to
ta8e t*e 2o.er in *is *ands: '#t Trots8y said at t*e same
time t*at *e .o#ld li8e to see t.el5e 3es*e8*ono5s is
2o.er: T*at is t*e dieren)e: '#t ne5ert*eless I ass#me
t*at Trots8y .as dra.n into t*e aair o ,#ne 1%: : : : Lenin
.as not t*en in)lined to enter a de)isi5e en"a"ement
.it*o#t t*e d#bio#s ;Me<*d#rayonets:;; >or Trots8y .as to
*im a 8ind o mon#mental 2artner in a mon#mental "ame,
and in *is o.n 2arty ater Lenin *imsel t*ere .as not*in"
D or a lon", lon", lon" distan)e:B
T*is .*ole 2assa"e is #ll o )ontradi)tions: 0))ordin" to
S#8*ano5, Lenin .o#ld seem to *a5e been really intendin"
.*at Tseretelti a))#sed *im o: S0n immediate sei<#re o
2o.er by t*e 2roletarian minority:B 0 2roo o s#)*
'lanG#ism S#8*ano5 sees, i yo# )an belie5e it: in t*ose
.ords o Lenin abo#t t*e readiness o t*e 'ols*e5i8s to
ta8e t*e 2o.er in s2ite o all dii)#lties: '#t i Lenin *ad
really intended on ,#ne 1% to sei<e t*e 2o.er by .ay o a
)ons2ira)y, *e .o#ld *ardly *a5e ore.arned *is enemies
o t*is at a 2lenary session o t*e so5iets on ,#ne &: It
s*o#ld *ardly be ne)essary to re)all t*at rom t*e irst day
o *is arri5al in 3etro"rad, Lenin *ad been tellin" t*e 2arty
t*at t*e 'ols*e5i8s )o#ld ass#me t*e tas8 o o5ert*ro.in"
t*e 3ro5isional -o5ernment only ater .innin" a maEority
in t*e so5iets: In t*e 02ril days Lenin de)isi5ely o22osed
t*ose 'ols*e5i8s .*o ad5an)ed t*e slo"an S4o.n .it* t*e
3ro5isional -o5ernmentS as t*e tas8 o t*e day: Lenin;s
re2ly o ,#ne & *ad only one meanin": +e, t*e 'ols*e5i8s,
are ready to ta8e t*e 2o.er e5en today i t*e .or8ers and
soldiers "i5e #s t*eir )oniden)e: in t*is .e are
distin"#is*ed rom t*e !om2romisers .*o, 2ossessin" t*e
)oniden)e o t*e .or8ers and soldiers, dare not ta8e t*e
2o.er:
S#8*ano5 )ontrasts Trots8y .it* Lenin as a realist .it* a
'lanG#ist: S+it*o#t a))e2tin" Lenin, one )o#ld #lly a"ree
to Trots8y;s 2resentation o t*e G#estion:B 0t t*e same
time S#8*ano5 anno#n)es t*at: STrots8y .as dra.n into
t*e aair o ,#ne 1%S D t*at is, to t*e )ons2ira)y or t*e
sei<#re o 2o.er: Ia5in" dis)o5ered t.o lines .*ere t*ere
.ere not t.o, :S#8*ano5 )annot deny *imsel t*e 2lea
s#re o ater.ards #nitin" t*ese t.o lines in one in order to
be able to )on5i)t me o ad5ent#rism: T*is is a #niG#e and
some.*at 2latoni) re5en"e or t*e disa22ointed *o2e o
t*e let intelli"entsia or a s2lit bet.een Lenin and Trots8y:
On t*e 2la)ards .*i)* *ad been 2re2ared by t*e
'ols*e5i8s or t*e )an)elled demonstration o ,#ne 1%, and
.*i)* .ere ater.ards )arried by t*e demonstrators o
,#ne 1$, a )entral 2la)e .as o))#2ied by t*e slo"an S4o.n
.it* t*e Ten Minister?!a2italistsS S#8*ano5, in t*e G#ality
o bst*ete, admires t*e sim2le ex2ressi5eness o t*is
slo"an, b#t in *is G#ality o statesman *e re5eals an in
)om2re*ension o its meanin": In t*e "o5ernment besides
t*e Sten Minister?!a2italistsS t*ere .ere also six Minister?
!om2romisers: T*e 'ols*e5i8 2la)ards *ad not*in" to say
o t*em: On t*e )ontrary, a))ordin" to t*e sense o t*e
slo"an, t*e Minister?!a2italists .ere to be re2la)ed by
Minister?So)ialists, re2resentati5es o t*e So5iet maEority: It
.as exa)tly t*is sense o t*e 'ols*e5i8 2la)ards t*at I
ex2ressed beore t*e So5iet !on"ress: 'rea8 yo#r blo)
.it* t*e liberals, remo5e t*e bo#r"eois ministers and
re2la)e t*em .it* yo#r 3es*e8*ono5s: In 2ro2osin" to t*e
So5iet maEority to ta8e t*e 2o.er, t*e 'ols*e5i8s did not,
o )o#rse, bind t*emsel5es in t*e least as to t*eir attit#de
to t*ese 3es*e8*ono5sJ on t*e )ontrary, t*ey made no
se)ret o t*e a)t t*at .it*in t*e rame o t*e So5iet
demo)ra)y t*ey .o#ld .a"e an im2la)able str#""le D or a
maEority in t*e so5iets and or t*e 2o.er:
'#t all t*is is ater all mere 0?'?!: Only t*e abo5e?
mentioned traits o S#8*ano5 D not so m#)* as a 2erson
b#t as a ty2e D )an ex2lain *o. t*is 2arti)i2ant and
obser5er o e5ents )o#ld "et so *o2elessly mixed #2 #2on
so serio#s and at t*e same time so sim2le a G#estion:
In t*e li"*t o t*is analysis o a 2oliti)al e2isode it is easy
to #nderstand t*e alse li"*t .*i)* S#8*ano5 t*ro.s #2on
my meetin" .*i)* interests yo# .it* t*e editors o Navy
Dhizn$ T*e moral o my en)o#nter .it* t*e )ir)le o Maxim
-or8y is ex2ressed by Sti8*ano5 in t*e )on)l#din" 2*rase
.*i)* *e 2#ts in my mo#t*:
SNo. I see t*at not*in" remains or me b#t to o#nd a
2a2er to"et*er .it* Lenin:B T*e ineren)e is t*at only my
inability to rea)* an a"reement .it* -or8y and S#8*ano5 D
t*at is, .it* 2eo2le .*om I ne5er re"arded as eit*er men
o 2oliti)s or re5ol#tionists D )om2elled me to ind my .ay
to Lenin: It is only ne)essary to orm#late t*is idea in order
to demonstrate its abs#rdity:
In)identally, *o. )*ara)teristi) o S#8*ano5 is t*e 2*rase,
So#nd a 2a2er to"et*er .it* LeninS D as t*o#"* t*e tas8s
o a re5ol#tionary 2oli)y red#)ed t*emsel5es to t*e
o#ndin" o a ne.s2a2er: >or anybody .it* a minim#m o
)reati5e ima"ination, it o#"*t to be )lear t*at I )o#ld not
so t*in8 or so deine my tas8s:
In order to ex2lain my 5isit to t*e ne.s2a2er )ir)le o
-or8y, it is ne)essary to remember t*at I arri5ed in
3etro"rad at t*e be"innin" o May: somet*in" o5er t.o
mont*s ater t*e re5ol#tion, a mont* ater t*e arri5al o
Lenin: 4#rin" t*is time many t*in"s *ad adE#sted and
deined t*emsel5es: I *ad to *a5e a dire)t, and so to say
em2iri)al orientation, not only in t*e #ndamental or)es o
t*e re5ol#tion, in t*e moods o t*e .or8ers and soldiers,
b#t also in all t*e "ro#2in"s and 2oliti)al s*ades o
Sed#)atedS so)iety: T*e 5isit to t*e editors o Navy Dhizn
.as or me a small 2oliti)al re)onnoitre exe)#ted .it* a
5ie. to indin" o#t t*e or)es o attra)tion and re2#lsion
2ossessed by t*is SletS "ro#2, t*e )*an)es o s2littin" o
)ertain elements, et): 0 s*ort )on5ersation )on5in)ed me
o t*e )om2lete *o2elessness o t*is )ir)le o literary
.isea)res, or .*om re5ol#tion red#)ed itsel to t*e
2roblem o t*e leadin" editorial: 0nd, besides t*at, sin)e
t*ey .ere a))#sin" t*e 'ols*e5i8s o sel? isolation, layin"
t*e blame or t*is #2on Lenin and *is 02ril T*eses, I
#ndo#btedly m#st *a5e told t*em t*at .it* all t*eir
s2ee)*es t*ey *ad only on)e more demonstrated to me
t*at Lenin .as )om2letely ni"*t in isolatin" t*e 2arty rom
t*em, or rat*er isolatin" t*em rom t*e 2arty: T*is
)on)l#sion, .*i)* I *ad to em2*asise .it* s2e)ial ener"y
or t*e sa8e o its ee)t #2on Ria<ano5 and L#na)*ars8y,
.*o 2arti)i2ated in t*e )on5ersation, and .*o .ere
o22osed to a #nion .it* Lenin, e5idently s#22lied t*e
o))asion or S#8*ano5;s Version:
Q Q Q
It "oes .it*o#t sayin" t*at yo# are )om2letely ri"*t in
ass#min" t*at I .o#ld in no )ase *a5e a"reed in t*e
a#t#mn o 1917 to s2ea8 abo#t a -or8y E#bilee rom t*e
trib#ne o t*e 3etro"rad So5iet: S#8*ano5 did .ell t*at
time at least in reno#n)in" one o *is antasti) ideas: to
indi)ate me on t*e e5e o t*e O)tober ins#rre)tion to ta8e
2art in a )elebration o -or8y, .*o stood on t*e ot*er side
o t*e barri)ades: