# Appendix to Chapter V explained — Ten Days That Shook the World

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

## What happens

This appendix contains key documents from the early days of the Bolshevik seizure of power: proclamations from the Military Revolutionary Committee announcing the overthrow of Kerensky's government and ordering the arrest of Kornilov; a protest from the Petrograd Municipal Duma against Bolshevik encroachment; the full text of the Land Decree based on the Peasants' Nakaz, abolishing private land ownership; a note on deserters and land rights; and an explanation of the exclusively Bolshevik composition of the Council of People's Commissars.

## Themes in this chapter

### Proletarian Revolution and Dictatorship

The MRC proclamations assert the overthrow of the Provisional Government and the establishment of Soviet power, emphasizing revolutionary authority and the suppression of counterrevolution.

### Peasant Question and Land Reform

The Land Decree and Peasants' Nakaz detail the abolition of private land ownership, confiscation without compensation, and equalized distribution to working peasants, addressing the central agrarian issue.

### Struggle for Legitimacy and Power

The Duma's protest and the MRC's orders illustrate the conflict between the new Bolshevik regime and existing democratic institutions over legitimate authority.

## Character check-ins

### Alexander Kerensky

Mentioned as the head of the overthrown government in the Military Revolutionary Committee's proclamation.

### General Lavr Kornilov

Ordered to be brought to Petrograd for trial as a conspirator by the Military Revolutionary Committee.

## Key lines

> The Petrograd garrison has overturned the Government of Kerensky, which had risen against the Revolution and the People.

The Petrograd garrison has overthrown Kerensky's government, which had opposed the revolution and the people.

_Opening of the MRC's proclamation to army committees and soviets._

> The right of private ownership of land is abolished forever; land cannot be sold, nor leased, nor mortgaged, nor alienated in any way.

Private land ownership is permanently abolished; land may not be sold, leased, mortgaged, or transferred.

_Core principle of the Land Decree from the Peasants' Nakaz._

> The Central City Duma... declares loudly that it will not submit to any encroachments on its rights and its independence.

The Petrograd City Duma firmly refuses to accept any violations of its rights and autonomy.

_The Duma's protest against Bolshevik demands for submission._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ten_days_that_shook_the_world_se/chapters/appendix-to-chapter-v
- 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