Ten Days That Shook the World · Chapter
Instruction to Peasants explained
This chapter presents an official decree from the new Bolshevik government, explaining that all power now resides in the Soviets of Workers', Soldiers', and Peasants' Deputies.
What happens
This chapter presents an official decree from the new Bolshevik government, explaining that all power now resides in the Soviets of Workers', Soldiers', and Peasants' Deputies. It announces the cancellation of landlords' titles to land, the transfer of all estates to the Peasants' Soviets and Volost Land Committees, and the establishment of the Council of People's Commissars. The decree calls on peasants to take local power, promises workers' support with machinery, and requests peasant aid in grain transport.
Themes in this chapter
Peasant Question and Land Reform
The decree directly addresses the peasantry, canceling landlord titles and transferring land to Peasants' Soviets, embodying the Bolshevik land reform policy.
Workers' Control and Economic Transformation
The decree promises workers' support with machinery and requests grain transport, illustrating the economic transformation and mutual aid between workers and peasants.
Struggle for Legitimacy and Power
By invoking the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets and establishing the Council of People's Commissars, the decree asserts the Bolshevik government's authority over local Soviets.
Characters to notice
- Vladimir Lenin
Signed the decree as President of the Council of People's Commissars, asserting the authority of the new government.
Key passages
“All landlords’ titles to the land are cancelled by the second All-Russian Congress of Soviets.”
The Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets has abolished all property rights of landowners.
This statement formalizes the abolition of private land ownership by landlords.
“The Workers’ and Peasants’ Government appointed by the second All-Russian Congress of Soviets has received the name of the Council of People’s Commissars.”
The government formed by the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets is now called the Council of People's Commissars.
This establishes the official name of the new Bolshevik government.
“The workers will in every way absolutely and entirely support the peasants, arrange for them all that is required in connection with machines and tools, and in return they request the peasants to help with the transport of grain.”
Workers will fully assist peasants with machinery and tools, asking only that peasants help transport grain in return.
This outlines a reciprocal arrangement between workers and peasants for economic cooperation.