# From the Council of People’s Commissars to the Toiling Cossacks explained — Ten Days That Shook the World

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

## What happens

The Council of People's Commissars issues an appeal to the Cossacks, urging them to reject the lies of their generals and landowners, join the Soviets, support peace without annexations, and take control of their own affairs. It condemns the counterrevolutionary actions of Kaledin, Kornilov, Dutov, and Karaulov, and calls for the formation of Cossack Soviets and the transfer of land to the toiling Cossacks.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class Conflict and Polarization

The appeal explicitly divides Cossacks into 'toiling' and 'rich' categories, urging the former to side with the Soviets against the landowners and generals.

### Counterrevolution and Civil War

The document directly addresses the armed revolts of Kaledin, Dutov, and others, calling for decisive action against them.

### Peasant Question and Land Reform

The decree promises transfer of landowners' lands to the toiling Cossacks, emphasizing land redistribution as a key Bolshevik policy.

### National Self-Determination and Emancipation

The appeal advocates for peace without annexations and the right of every nation to decide its own fate, aligning with Bolshevik principles.

## Character check-ins

### Vladimir Lenin

As leader of the Council of People's Commissars, Lenin is the driving force behind the appeal to the Cossacks.

### Victor Tchernov

Mentioned as one of the leaders who drove the July 1st offensive, opposed to the Bolshevik peace policy.

### Irakli Tsereteli

Mentioned alongside Tchernov and Skobeliev as a supporter of the July offensive.

### Matvei Skobelev

Mentioned as a supporter of the July offensive, opposed to the Bolsheviks.

### General Lavr Kornilov

Denounced as an enemy of the people who introduced capital punishment and leads counterrevolutionary forces.

### Alexei Kaledin

Condemned for threatening the Don Soviets and assembling troops against the people.

### General Alexander Dutov

Accused of arresting the Soviet in Orenburg and disarming the garrison.

### Karaulov

Denounced for shooting local tribes in the Caucasus as part of the counterrevolution.

## Key lines

> The only salvation for the whole of our country and for the Cossacks in particular is a prompt and honest peace.

A quick and fair peace is the only way to save Russia and the Cossacks.

_Highlights the Bolshevik emphasis on ending the war as a unifying goal._

> Your own Generals and landowners are deceiving you, in order to keep you in darkness and slavery.

The Cossacks are being misled by their generals and landowners to maintain their oppression.

_Illustrates the class-based rhetoric used to win Cossack support._

> The All-Russian Congresses of Soldiers’, Workers’, and Peasants’ Deputies have passed a resolution to transfer all landowners’ land into the possession of the toiling people.

The Congresses have decreed that all land owned by landowners will be given to the working people.

_Reinforces the land reform policy as a key incentive for the Cossacks._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ten_days_that_shook_the_world_se/chapters/16-from-the-council-of-people-s-commissars-to-the-toiling-cossacks
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ten_days_that_shook_the_world_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ten_days_that_shook_the_world_se/chapters