Ten Days That Shook the World · Question
How does Ten Days That Shook the World develop the theme of Proletarian Revolution and Dictatorship?
Answer
Ten Days That Shook the World by John Reed develops Proletarian Revolution and Dictatorship across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
The book centers on the Bolshevik-led insurrection and the establishment of the 'Dictatorship of the Proletariat,' portraying it as the fundamental struggle of the international labor movement, as endorsed by Lenin.
The Bolsheviki are explicitly described as proposing immediate proletarian insurrection and seizure of government to hasten socialism, while the Left Socialist Revolutionaries share the Bolshevik program of dictatorship of the working-class.
The Bolsheviks aimed to establish a dictatorship of the proletariat, overthrowing the Provisional Government and transferring power to the soviets.
Lenin's speech emphasizes the necessity of proletarian dictatorship to achieve the revolution and save the people.
Evidence in the book
- Political Parties
The Bolsheviki are explicitly described as proposing immediate proletarian insurrection and seizure of government to hasten socialism, while the Left Socialist Revolutionaries share the Bolshevik program of dictatorship of the working-class.
- Ten Days That Shook the World
The Bolsheviks aimed to establish a dictatorship of the proletariat, overthrowing the Provisional Government and transferring power to the soviets.
- III: On the Eve
Lenin's speech emphasizes the necessity of proletarian dictatorship to achieve the revolution and save the people.
- XI: The Conquest of Power
The chapter describes the Bolshevik conquest of power as driven by the masses, not a small clique, and the establishment of a Soviet government responsible to the Tsay-ee-kah, reflecting the dictatorship of the proletariat.
- XII: The Peasants’ Congress
Lenin argues that the Land question is inseparable from the global Social Revolution, and that only the triumph of the workers' revolution can secure peasant gains.
- Appendix to Chapter II
Lenin's letter explicitly argues for the dictatorship of the proletariat as the only alternative to Kornilov's dictatorship.
- Lenin's "Letter to the Comrades"
Lenin insists the only way out is the dictatorship of the proletariat, rejecting any middle course.
- Events of the Night, November 6th
The coordinated occupation of state and communication institutions by Red Guards and soldiers demonstrates the proletarian seizure of power.
