October Revolution Centenary

Latin America and the October Revolution: We Are All Bolsheviks

ON October 15, 2017, the Venezuelan people went to the polls to elect their regional governors. Tensions swept through not only Venezuela, but across Latin America. Would the attrition of the Bolivarian project in Venezuela now be complete? Would this presage the defeat of the government of Nicolas Maduro in the presidential elections to be held in October 2018? US President Donald Trump waded into the Venezuelan elections, calling for the defeat of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), the party led by Maduro. He failed.

Europe: A Hundred Years of Revolution and Reformism

THE Russian Revolution marked a historic break from the dominant social democratic reformist current in Europe.  Lenin had hoped that the Russian Revolution would be succeeded by the German Revolution.  However, those expectations were dashed after the crushing of the revolutionary uprising in Germany in 1919.

Before the Second World War, there was a keen tussle between the social democratic reformist parties and the Communist parties affiliated to the Third International for winning over the allegiance of the working class in their respective countries.

Neo-liberal Capitalism and its Crisis

“NEO-liberal capitalism” is the term used to describe the phase of capitalism where restrictions on the global flows of commodities and capital, including capital in the form of finance, have been substantially removed. Since such removal happens under pressure from globally-mobile (or international) finance capital, neo-liberal capitalism is characterised by the hegemony of international finance capital, with which the big capitals in particular countries get integrated, and which ensures that a common set of “neo-liberal” policies are pursued by all countries across the globe.

October Revolution: A Lodestar for Intensifying Class Struggles in Today’s Conditions

NOVEMBER 7, 2017 will see the culmination of the year-long commemoration of the centenary of the great October Socialist revolution as decided by the CPI(M)’s 21st Congress. During this year, the Party at all levels has conducted political, ideological and cultural activities highlighting the achievements of socialism, its contributions in shaping the history of the 20th century and the irreversible imprint it has had on the future human civilisational advance. 

Bolsheviks on Forward March – September 1917

LENIN, who was in exile, kept pace with the developments in Russia which were moving with ‘hurricane like velocity’. Along with directing Bolshevik activities from exile, he was immersed in another important task of finishing his monumental work, ‘State and Revolution’, which he started writing in August. He used his experiences from the Russian revolution to explain the theoretical propositions of Karl Marx and Engels.

Repelling the Kornilov Rebellion – August 1917

THE Sixth Congress of the Bolsheviks was held secretly from 26th July to 3rd August in Petrograd. 157 delegates with vote and 128 observers representing 240,000 members participated in the Congress. Lenin could not personally participate in the Congress as he was in exile. In absentia, he guided the proceedings of the Congress from his place of concealment. Stalin presented the report on current situation and replied to the discussions. The Mezhrayontsi group led by Trotsky joined the Bolsheviks in this Congress.

Consolidation of Counter Revolution, Change in Tactics – July 1917

JULY was welcomed with massive demonstrations in Russia. Workers and soldiers came out onto the streets spontaneously on July 1st, protesting against the provincial government’s decision to restart the war and its failure to meet any of their demands. On July 2nd, the Cadets had threatened to resign from the ministry. This made the Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs) to further capitulate to the demands of the bourgeoisie and surrender the power of the Soviets.

Combating Deception and Counter-Revolution – June 1917

BY the end of May, Lenin was increasingly coming to the conclusion that due to the compromises of the Menshevik and Socialist Revolutionaries led Soviets, the counter revolutionary forces in the country were gaining the offensive. With each passing day in June, the worst fears of Lenin were confirmed and he decisively stated: “The counter revolution has mustered strength enough to assume the offensive. With the aid of the Narodnik and the Menshevik ministers, the capitalists are organising an assault on liberty”.

All Power to Soviets – May 1917

THERE were many incidents and mass protests that were happening in the months of April and May 1917, which had accentuated the crisis of power in Russia. Minister Guchkov, head of the Octoberists was forced to resign. The growing discontent among the people increasingly made it clear that ‘dual power’ was no longer tenable. The capitalists wanted to capture State power, all for themselves, depriving the Soviets of any ‘control’. On the other hand, there were Mensheviks and Narodniks, who wanted to join the provincial government and get some ministerial portfolios.

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