The Bolshevik Myth · Chapter
XXV: Nestor Makhno explained
The chapter explores the figure of Nestor Makhno, the Ukrainian peasant revolutionary leader, through discussions among anarchist comrades.
What happens
The chapter explores the figure of Nestor Makhno, the Ukrainian peasant revolutionary leader, through discussions among anarchist comrades. It details Makhno's background, his guerrilla warfare against both White and Red forces, his anarchist principles of autonomous communes and free Soviets, and the complex, often treacherous relationship between the Makhnovist movement and the Bolsheviks. The narrative includes a plan for the narrator to meet Makhno and debates over the revolutionary significance of the Makhnovstchina.
Themes in this chapter
Revolutionary Idealism vs. Reality
The contrast between Makhno's anarchist vision of free communes and the brutal military and political realities of the Civil War.
Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals
The Bolsheviks' exploitation and subsequent betrayal of Makhno, as they sought to absorb his forces while undermining his movement.
Terror and Violence
The atrocities committed by both the Makhnovists and the Bolsheviks, and the violent suppression of dissent.
Dictatorship and State Absolutism
The Bolsheviks' authoritarian rule and their efforts to eliminate rival anarchist movements to maintain their monopoly on power.
Characters to notice
- Nestor Makhno
Central figure of the chapter; his life story, military tactics, anarchist ideals, and conflict with the Bolsheviks are discussed.
- Yossif
Anarchist comrade who narrates Makhno's story, defends the Makhnovist movement, and arranges a meeting between the narrator and Makhno.
- Yasha
Anarchist holding a high Soviet position; argues that the Makhnovstchina is the most significant expression of the Revolution.
- Unknown Narrator
The first-person narrator who seeks to understand Makhno and agrees to meet him.
- Trotsky
Mentioned as charging Makhno with opening the front to Denikin and as ordering Makhno's forces to the Polish front.
- Ataman Grigoriev
Mentioned as a former Communist ally who betrayed the Bolsheviks and was eliminated by Makhno.
- Petlura
Listed among the counterrevolutionary enemies Makhno fought against.
- Skoropadsky
Hetman mentioned as one of the rulers Makhno opposed during the Austro-German occupation.
Key passages
“‘I’m just clearing the field,’—that’s what he always tells the comrades visiting him. ‘I’m driving out the rulers, White and Red,’ he says, ‘and it’s up to you to take advantage of the opportunity. Agitate, propagate your ideals. Help to release and to apply the creative forces of the Revolution.’”
Makhno sees his role as removing all oppressive authorities, whether White or Red, so that anarchist comrades can freely spread their ideas and let the people build a new society.
Makhno's self-conception as a liberator clearing the way for grassroots revolution.
“The Communist Party is only a political body, attempting—successfully indeed—to create a new master class over the producers, a Socialist rulership. But the Makhno movement is the expression of the toilers themselves.”
Yasha argues that the Bolsheviks are merely creating a new ruling class, while Makhno's movement genuinely represents the working people's struggle for self-determination.
The ideological contrast between Bolshevik state-building and Makhnovist anarchism.
“It is difficult to say who is right or wrong in this conflict between the Bolsheviki and Makhno... Yet it is true that Makhno’s activities against Denikin’s rear, especially by cutting the White Army off from its artillery base, enabled the Bolsheviki to stem the advance on Moscow.”
A Red Army man acknowledges the ambiguity of the conflict but admits that Makhno's actions were crucial in stopping Denikin's advance on Moscow.
The complex and contradictory relationship between Makhno and the Bolsheviks.
