# XXIX: Kiev explained — The Bolshevik Myth

> Chapter companion for The Bolshevik Myth by Alexander Berkman.

## What happens

The narrator describes Kiev's beauty and recent violent history under various occupying forces. The city appears peaceful, but Soviet institutions are chaotic, inefficient, and plagued by bureaucracy and antisemitism. Ukrainian Communists criticize Moscow's centralization and ignorance of local conditions. The economy is in collapse, with factories idle and sugar refineries operating at a loss. Labor unions have been stripped of power and replaced by Communist appointees. Rumors of military reverses and Makhno activity circulate. A Ukrainian Communist, T⸺, expresses frustration with Moscow's domination and the alienation of the local population.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict

Antisemitism is rampant in Kiev, with pogroms and popular hatred of Jews; Ukrainian nationalism clashes with Moscow's centralism.

### Economic Collapse and Survival

Factories are idle or operating at a deficit; sugar refineries lose money; workers pretend to work while making items for private sale.

### Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals

Labor unions have been stripped of power and replaced by Communist appointees; the elective principle is abolished, and bureaucracy stifles worker initiative.

### Distrust of the Masses

Officials treat petitioners with indifference and contempt; the 'revolutionary method' is used arbitrarily, alienating workers and peasants.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

Observes Kiev's beauty, Soviet bureaucracy, and antisemitism; gathers documents for the Museum; interacts with T⸺.

### Chicherin

Mentioned for protesting alleged Polish vandalism of Kiev's cathedrals, which the narrator finds baseless.

### T⸺

Ukrainian Communist met in Kharitonensky; criticizes Moscow's centralization and lack of autonomy for Ukraine.

### Skoropadsky

Mentioned as one of the rulers who turned Kiev into a slaughterhouse and issued the decree to Ukrainianize business signs.

### Petlura

Mentioned among the leaders responsible for violence in Kiev.

### Nestor Makhno

Rumored to be active in the Kiev province.

## Key lines

> We know the conditions and needs of the people better than those who sit in the Kremlin.

Ukrainian Communists claim superior understanding of local needs compared to Moscow's distant leadership.

_Expresses frustration with centralization and lack of autonomy._

> Kill the Jews, save Russia!

A man in the Podol market shouted this antisemitic slogan while stabbing people.

_Illustrates the intense antisemitism among the populace._

> Pogroms are sad, but if that is the only way to get rid of the Bolsheviki, then we must have pogroms.

A recent publication by an intellectual justifies pogroms as a means to eliminate Bolsheviks.

_Shows how antisemitism was rationalized even by educated figures._

> We are a republic in name only; in reality we are just a Russian province.

T⸺ says Ukraine's nominal independence is meaningless under Moscow's control.

_Highlights the tension between central authority and regional autonomy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters/xxix-kiev
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters