Ten Days That Shook the World · Chapter
VII: The Revolutionary Front explained
On November 10th, the Bolshevik government faces a multi-front crisis: Kerensky's counteroffensive approaches Petrograd, a general strike by civil servants paralyzes ministries and banks, and provincial forces declare against the Soviets.
What happens
On November 10th, the Bolshevik government faces a multi-front crisis: Kerensky's counteroffensive approaches Petrograd, a general strike by civil servants paralyzes ministries and banks, and provincial forces declare against the Soviets. Despite this, Smolny remains active, issuing decrees on press control, housing, and a workers' militia, while the Military Revolutionary Committee consolidates support from regiments and trade unions. The chapter captures the tense standoff between the new regime and its opponents, with rumors of collapse countered by Bolshevik bulletins of allegiance.
Themes in this chapter
Struggle for Legitimacy and Power
The Bolsheviks attempt to assert authority through decrees and commissars, but face mass resignations, strikes, and rival claims from the Peasants' Executive Committee and the Committee for Salvation.
Counterrevolution and Civil War
Kerensky's military advance, Kaledin's actions in the Don, and the Moscow uprising signal the onset of armed resistance against the Bolshevik seizure of power.
Workers' Control and Economic Transformation
Decrees on a workers' militia, housing requisition, and freight car unloading aim to reorganize urban life and distribution, while the question of workers' control of industry is postponed.
Characters to notice
- Leon Trotsky
Goes to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to order translation of the Decree on Peace; six hundred functionaries resign in protest.
- Alexander Shliapnikov
As Commissar of Labour, commands ministry employees to return within twenty-four hours or lose their positions; only door-servants respond.
- Vladimir Lenin
Authors the 'General Rules For the Press' decree, ordering suppression of newspapers inciting resistance to the new government.
- Pavel Dybenko
Leads a company of Cronstadt sailors to storm the Tsentroflot after its refusal to submit, establishing a new Tsentroflot.
- Grigory Petrovsky
Laughs wearily about the possibility of a 'long sleep' tomorrow, reflecting the grim mood among Bolshevik leaders.
- Solomon Lozovsky
Expresses doubt about the Bolsheviks' chances, calling them 'a mob against trained soldiers.'
- Mykola Skrypnyk
Secretary of the Factory-Shop Committees, with a drawn face, assures Reed that Kerensky has a whole army corps but declares 'They'll never take us alive!'
- Bill Shatov
On duty at the Military Revolutionary Committee, suspends business to read the latest bulletins of support.
Key passages
“Trotsky had gone to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ordered the clerks to translate the Decree on Peace into foreign languages; six hundred functionaries had hurled their resignations in his face.”
When Trotsky instructed the Foreign Ministry staff to translate the Peace Decree, six hundred employees resigned in protest.
Illustrates the civil service's refusal to cooperate with the new Bolshevik government.
“Shliapnikov, Commissar of Labour, had commanded all the employees of his Ministry to return to their places within twenty-four hours, or lose their places and their pension-rights; only the door-servants had responded.”
Labour Commissar Shliapnikov gave ministry employees an ultimatum to return to work or forfeit their jobs and pensions, but only the doormen complied.
Highlights the near-total strike by government workers against Bolshevik rule.
“The Military Revolutionary Committee declares that it will not tolerate any violation of revolutionary order. ... Following the example of the Paris Commune, the Committee will destroy without mercy any looter or instigator of disorder.”
The Military Revolutionary Committee warned it would ruthlessly suppress any looting or disorder, citing the precedent of the Paris Commune.
Shows the Bolsheviks' determination to maintain order and their ideological reference to the Paris Commune.
“Said a representative of the Railway Workers: 'Yesterday we sent a telegram all over Russia demanding that war between the political parties cease at once, and insisting on the formation of a coalition Socialist Government. Otherwise we shall call a strike tomorrow night.'”
A railway union representative announced an ultimatum: form a coalition socialist government or face a nationwide rail strike.
Demonstrates the pressure from key unions for a negotiated settlement rather than Bolshevik one-party rule.
