Ten Days That Shook the World · Chapter
Order No. 2 explained
The chapter presents Order No.
What happens
The chapter presents Order No. 2 from the Finland Guard Reserve Regiment, which accuses the bourgeoisie of distributing liquor to soldiers to undermine the revolutionary army. It commands house committees to report wine stockpiles under threat of arrest, property confiscation, and dynamite destruction, emphasizing that lenient measures have failed.
Themes in this chapter
Counterrevolution and Civil War
The order frames liquor distribution as a bourgeois tactic to incite dissatisfaction, highlighting fears of counterrevolutionary activity.
Struggle for Legitimacy and Power
The regimental committee asserts authority by issuing ultimatums and threatening severe punishment, demonstrating the struggle for control in revolutionary Petrograd.
Key passages
“The bourgeoisie has chosen a very sinister method of fighting against the proletariat; it has established in various parts of the city huge wine depots, and distributes liquor among the soldiers, in this manner attempting to sow dissatisfaction in the ranks of the Revolutionary army.”
The bourgeoisie is using alcohol to undermine the revolutionary army by setting up wine depots and giving liquor to soldiers.
This accusation reflects the revolutionary distrust of the bourgeoisie and the belief that alcohol was a tool of counterrevolution.
“Those who violate this order will be arrested and given trial before a merciless court, and their property will be confiscated, and the stock of wine discovered will be blown up with dynamite 2 hours after this warning, because more lenient measures, as experience has shown, do not bring the desired results.”
Violators face arrest, a harsh trial, property seizure, and the destruction of any wine found, as softer approaches have proven ineffective.
The order emphasizes the regime's willingness to use extreme force to enforce prohibition and maintain order.