# XL: The Lessons of the “Bolshevik Myth” explained — The Bolshevik Myth

> Chapter companion for The Bolshevik Myth by Alexander Berkman.

## What happens

The narrator reflects on their initial faith in the Bolsheviks and the October Revolution, describing how they came to Soviet Russia eager to work alongside the Communists despite theoretical differences. Over eighteen months, they witnessed growing inequality, repression, and the betrayal of revolutionary ideals, culminating in the brutal suppression of the Kronstadt uprising, which shattered their remaining hope.

## Themes in this chapter

### Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals

The narrator details how the Bolsheviks abandoned the principles of the October Revolution, substituting terror and state absolutism for popular initiative and liberty.

### Terror and Violence

The chapter extensively discusses terrorism as the Bolsheviks' ultima ratio, describing the red terror, the crushing of Kronstadt, and the systematic repression of workers and peasants.

### Dictatorship and State Absolutism

The narrator critiques the Communist Party dictatorship as an irresponsible absolutism that suppressed the masses and concentrated power in a few overlords.

### Revolutionary Idealism vs. Reality

The narrator contrasts their initial idealistic vision of the revolution with the harsh reality of Bolshevik rule, marked by inequality, deceit, and oppression.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator recounts their personal journey from revolutionary hope to disillusionment with Bolshevik rule.

### Lenin

Lenin is cited as the architect of the Communist State doctrine and the policy of compromise and zigzag politics.

### Emma Goldman

The narrator refers to themselves in first person, but the text is from Emma Goldman's perspective, detailing her experiences and changing views.

### Alexander Berkman

Implied as a close comrade; the narrator mentions 'my friends' and 'nearest comrades' alienated by their partiality toward the Bolsheviks.

## Key lines

> Having paralyzed the constructive efforts of the people, the Communist Party could henceforth count only on its own initiative.

The Communist Party stifled the people's ability to build, leaving itself as the sole source of action.

_Critique of the party's monopolization of power and suppression of grassroots initiative._

> Terrorism has always been the ultima ratio of government alarmed for its existence.

Terror is the last resort of a government that fears for its survival.

_Analysis of the Bolsheviks' reliance on terror as a tool of control._

> Kronstadt was crushed as ruthlessly as Thiers and Gallifet slaughtered the Paris Communards.

The suppression of Kronstadt mirrored the brutal massacre of the Paris Commune.

_Comparison of Bolshevik violence to historical state repression._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters/xl-the-lessons-of-the-bolshevik-myth
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters