# Chapter 1 explained — Ten Days That Shook the World

> Chapter companion for Ten Days That Shook the World by John Reed.

## What happens

The chapter introduces the political landscape of Russia in 1917, focusing on the division among socialist groups regarding the continuation of World War I. The 'Oborontsi' (Defenders) are moderate socialists who support the war under Allied leadership as a national defense, while the Bolsheviks, Left Socialist Revolutionaries, Menshevik Internationalists, and Gorky's group advocate for forcing the Allies to declare democratic war aims and offer peace to Germany.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class Conflict and Polarization

The split between moderate and radical socialists over the war highlights deepening class and ideological divisions in Russian society.

### National Self-Determination and Emancipation

The call for democratic war aims and peace reflects the struggle for national self-determination and emancipation from imperialist war.

## Character check-ins

### Julius Martov

Leader of the Menshevik Internationalists, advocating for democratic peace terms.

### Maxim Gorky

Leader of the Social Democrats Internationalists group, supporting peace initiatives.

## Key lines

> Oborontsi ⁠—“Defenders.” All the “moderate” Socialist groups adopted or were given this name, because they consented to the continuation of the war under Allied leadership, on the ground that it was a war of National Defence.

The moderate socialist groups, called 'Defenders,' supported continuing the war alongside the Allies, believing it was a war of national defense.

_Explains the origin and rationale of the Oborontsi label._

> The Bolsheviki, the Left Socialist Revolutionaries, the Mensheviki Internationalists (Martov’s faction), and the Social Democrats Internationalists (Gorky’s group) were in favour of forcing the Allies to declare democratic war-aims, and to offer peace to Germany on those terms.

The Bolsheviks, Left SRs, Martov's Menshevik Internationalists, and Gorky's group wanted to pressure the Allies to state democratic war goals and then propose peace to Germany based on those goals.

_Describes the peace-oriented coalition opposing the Oborontsi._

## Links

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