Bolshevik Document Analysis Essay, Research Paper
Analysis of Document
In the document Bolshevik Opposition to Insurrection , Bolshevik party leaders
Zivnoviev and Kamenev state their opposition to any sort of immediate revolt being
thought of by the Bolshevik party. They begin by stating that the Russian working class
has reached the point where many of them feel that the only way to have a new
government is to start an armed uprising. The press and public alike feel that the clock is
running down and it is time to set a date. Zivnoviev and Kamanev state that they do not
feel that an immediate revolution would be wise, fearing that it would be a gamble to the
fate of the party as well as the Russian public. They find that the working conditions have
not become to horrible that the only way to change them is to form a militant uprising.
They argue that, in becoming a stronger party, they are gradually taking control of the
Constituent government. The bourgeoisie it at the point where they know that if they try
to upset the progression of Bolshevik lead in the government that they would be crushed.
Zinoviev and Kamanev go on to discuss how Bolshevik leader s chances of
being elected members to this Constituent government have become greater. The
bourgeoisie is becoming less and less powerful by the day. They also discuss how, in the
eyes of the world, a revolution would be a bad idea. They feel that an armed uprising
would jeopardize the nations security against other countries, eventhough some of those
countries are in support of the Russian proletariat.
In this essay, the authors seem to find that the best way for the proletariat to take
control is to wait it out. They feel that this provisional style of government that is in place
now will soon help them in their quest. They understood that most of the working class of
Russian was in favor of this revolution to occur in order for the proletariat to seize control
of the nation. However, they felt that this uprising was unnecessary. They saw that
eventhough well supported, they was not a strong enough force to keep them from
drowning in the sea of battle. Remember, a lot of Russia s armed forces were away
fighting a losing battle in WWI. Also, many of the workers were in and out of jobs so it s
hard to say who would be there on the front line if a armed battle was to be fought.
The authors also spend a great deal discussing Bolshevik power in the present
government. The reason that a majority of the Bolsheviks wanted to revolt was because
they wanted complete control to the government. Zinoviev and Kamanev argue that the
proletariat is gaining power in the government. Many of the representatives to the
Constituent government were of the Bolshevik party. The bourgeoisie parties are slowly
bending to the condition of the nation and will eventually break. With the condition of the
peasants and the great force that they are pushing representatives will eventually cause the
bourgeoisie to form alliances with the proletariat in order to overcome the rule of the
aristocracy. This shows the readers that the authors of this document felt that the peasant
of the country held a large amount of power and influence in how the government takes
action.
On the topic of revolutionary powers, Zivnoviev and Kamanev agree that the
working class and the soldiers back the Bolsheviks and will aid in an armed uprising.
However, they argue that support from the soldiers is because of a slogan of peace and
not that of war. Why would these soldiers who so desperately want peace want take up
arms in a revolutionary war? In attempting to seize power now, the Bolsheviks would risk
losing a great deal of military support.
Zivoniev and Kamanev feel that a revolution is not in the best interest of
international acceptance. They disagree with the idea that the international proletariat is
with them. Certainly, one cannot deny that a great deal of the proletarian parties are active
across the world but there is not nearly enough needed. The authors feel that this
revolution is not only a Russian one, but it is a revolt against the bourgeoisie the world
over. It is a highly dangerous thing to risk it all on a revolution that Russia is not absolutly
ready for. If a revolution is to occur, it has to be perfect in order for the proletariat to rise
to control.
Zivnoviev and Kamanev end on a simple point. They explain that Russia, as a
whole, does not have the right to gamble the safety of national security on one role of the
dice. They fear that a defeat in this battle would cause a defeat of the proletarian
movement. Be patient, and Russia will eventually get the government it deserves.