Introduction
The Russian Revolution remains one of the most significant events of revolutionary history. The depth of expropriation of capital and working class self-organisation, it's long-term effects on the twentieth century via Stalinism and the Cold War, and it's context within the period 1915-1926 when revolution appeared to be on the cards internationally remains one of the very high points of class struggle. An understanding of the Russian Revolution, and the many questions it raises about the role of revolutionary organisations, workers' control, the development of state capitalism and counter-revolution is essential to an understanding of the dynamics of revolution and class conflict for any who are remotely interested in these subjects. Continued...
Soviets and Factory Committees
The working class seized control of much of society after the fall of the Tsar in February 1917, with the resurgence of the soviets, originally formed during the 1905 revolution and the factory committees. Our archive contains a number of articles on these organs of working class power and their eventual suppression and incorporation into the state, including classic texts by Rod Jones, Peter Rachleff, "MK", and Maurice Brinton.
Anarchists and Socialist Revolutionaries
Outside the Makhnovists in the Ukraine, the anarchists were unable to exert much influence on the course of the revolution. Gregori Maximov, an influential anarchist in Russia wrote on the activities of syndicalists in the revolution. Academic Paul Avrich has also conducted in-depth research on anarchists in the Russian revolution. We also have some articles about the Socialist-Revolutionaries who had much influence amongst the peasantry.
The Bolsheviks
Rather than the official statements of Lenin and Trotsky, we focus on the role of the Bolsheviks in the establishment of state capitalism and opposition from within the party, including the Workers Opposition and Miasnikov's Workers Group which made a more fundamental split.
Kronstadt
The Kronstadt uprising and the Bolshevik's assault in March, 1921 marked the definitive end of the revolution for most commentators and shows the depth of the counter-revolution from within that was taking place.
The Revolutionary Wave
Parallel to the Russian Revolution were similar uprisings in the Ukraine, where anarchist Nestor Makhno's movement successfully fought off both the Whites and the Bolsheviks between 1918-21. The working class in Finland also attempted a revolution but were sacrificed in the treaty of Brest Livosk. Both Germany and Japan which were at war with Russia durring WWI experienced massive working class movements towards the end of the war. The international nature of the open conflict between the working class and capital at this time will be explored further in our revolutionary wave feature.
