My Disillusionment in Russia · Chapter
XXVIII: Persecution of Anarchists explained
The chapter details the systematic persecution of anarchists by the Bolshevik regime despite their significant contributions to the revolution.
What happens
The chapter details the systematic persecution of anarchists by the Bolshevik regime despite their significant contributions to the revolution. It describes the arrest, torture, and execution of prominent anarchists like Fanya Baron and Lev Tcherny, the brutal conditions in prisons like Butyrki, and the use of false charges of banditism to justify repression. The narrator also recounts their personal decision to live independently of the state after the Kronstadt uprising, observing the hypocrisy of the New Economic Policy which revived capitalism while continuing to suppress leftist movements.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals
The Bolshevik regime's persecution of anarchists who had helped build the revolution, and the execution of idealists like Fanya Baron and Lev Tcherny, exemplifies the betrayal of revolutionary principles.
State Power vs. Individual Freedom
The Cheka's unchecked power, secret executions, and brutal prison conditions illustrate the conflict between state authority and individual liberty.
Suffering of the People
The torture, hunger strikes, and maltreatment of political prisoners, especially women dragged by their hair, highlight the immense suffering inflicted by the regime.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
Describes personal decision to live without state support after Kronstadt, exchanging clothing for food and living in Kropotkin's daughter's former room.
- Lev Tcherny
Executed by the Cheka, listed under his real name 'Turchaninoff'; known as a gifted poet, writer, and founder of the 'Federation of Brain Workers'; rumored to have died under torture.
- Fanya Baron
Escaped from Ryazan prison, recaptured and executed; described as completely consecrated to the cause of humanity, having endured persecution and torture.
- Lenin
Mentioned for his speech at the Tenth Congress declaring 'merciless war' against 'petty bourgeois Anarchist elements,' which coincided with mass arrests.
- Peter Kropotkin
His daughter's former room is rented by the narrator in Moscow.
- G. Maximoff
Imprisoned and forced to hunger strike due to unhygienic conditions.
Key passages
“Power is corrupting, and Anarchists are no exception. It must in truth be admitted that a certain Anarchist element became demoralized by it; by far the largest majority retained their integrity.”
The narrator acknowledges that power corrupts even anarchists, but notes that most remained true to their ideals despite persecution and bribery.
Reflects on the moral complexity within the anarchist movement.
“It had become the established policy of the Bolshevik Government to mask its barbaric procedure against Anarchists with the uniform charge of banditism.”
The Bolsheviks routinely labeled arrested anarchists as bandits to justify secret executions without trial.
Highlights the regime's use of false accusations to eliminate political opponents.
“The slogan, 'Rob the robbers,' was now turned into 'Respect the robbers,' and again was proclaimed the sanctity of private property.”
Under the New Economic Policy, the revolutionary call to expropriate the wealthy was replaced by a defense of private property and commerce.
Critique of the hypocrisy of the NEP, which revived capitalism while suppressing leftists.
