# The Council of People’s Commissars explained — Ten Days That Shook the World

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

## What happens

The chapter describes the initial composition of the Council of People's Commissars, which consisted entirely of Bolsheviks after the Left Socialist Revolutionaries declined the portfolios offered to them on November 8th.

## Themes in this chapter

### Struggle for Legitimacy and Power

The Bolsheviks' initial exclusive control of the Council of People's Commissars highlights the ongoing struggle for political legitimacy and the refusal of other socialist factions to join the government.

## Key lines

> On November 8th they offered portfolios to members of the Left Socialist Revolutionaries, who declined.

On November 8th, the Bolsheviks offered government positions to the Left Socialist Revolutionaries, but they refused.

_This illustrates the political fragmentation and the Bolsheviks' attempt to broaden their coalition._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ten_days_that_shook_the_world_se/chapters/5-the-council-of-people-s-commissars
- 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