Revolucao bolchevique: na verdade, um golpe autoritario e ilegitimo - Victor Sebestyen

Today's selection -- from Lenin by Victor Sebestyen. When the Communist Party, led by Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (better known by the alias Lenin), took over Russia in 1917, not a shot was fired: "Lenin was desperate to get to the [center of the takeover attempt in] Smolny. The leader should be lead­ing, not hiding away. ... "Lenin then put on his disguise -- the old clothes of a labourer, a pair of spectacles and the wig that refused to stay in place even when he donned the workman's peaked cap that would become familiar in coming years. "He had shaved off his trademark reddish beard earlier in the summer. He wrapped a dirty handkerchief around his face. If anyone stopped him the plan was to say that he was suffering from toothache. ... Boris Kustodiev's 1920 painting "Bolshevik" "[Lenin and his bodyguard, Eino Rakhia] walked down Liteiny Prospekt -- close to the Smolny -- but ran into two army cadets, young officers, who asked for their identification papers. Rakhia was armed with two revolvers and reckoned that if nec­essary he was prepared to fight it out with them. Then he had a better idea. He whispered to Lenin, 'I can deal with those soldiers, you go on,' and Lenin moved off. Rakhia began to distract the guards by arguing with them, swaying unsteadily on his feet and slurring his words. The cadets reached for their pistols but decided to do nothing. They let them through thinking they were merely two harmless old drunks. Marxists are not supposed to believe in luck, accident or happenstance, but rather explain life through broad historical forces. Yet the second most influ­ential Bolshevik leader in 1917, Leon Trotsky, said simply that if Lenin had been arrested, or shot, or had not been in Petrograd, 'there would have been no October Revolution'. "They reached 'great Smolny', a huge ochre-coloured Palladian build­ing with a colonnaded facade spanning more than 150 metres. ... Lenin was ushered into Room 10, where the Military Revolution­ary Committee had been in permanent session for days. 'We found ourselves in the presence of a little grey-haired old man, wearing a pince­nez,' recalled Vladimir Antonov-Ovseyenko, soon to become one of the Bolsheviks' most ruthless hatchet men. 'You could have taken him for a schoolmaster or a second-hand book dealer. He took off his wig ... and then we recognised his eyes, sparkling as usual with a glint of humour. "Any news?" he asked.' "In hiding Lenin had known little about the precise details of the coup. The artist of the insurrection dealt in broad brush strokes. Now he saw maps of the city spread out on tables and he was told how the main strongpoints of Petrograd would be in Bolshevik hands by the morning. There were about 25,000 armed Red Guards available, but only a frac­tion of them would be needed, said Trotsky. The revolutionaries would take power without firing a shot. ... "It has been an enduring myth that the Revolution was an impeccably organised operation by a group of highly disciplined conspirators who knew exactly what they were doing throughout. It is a version of events that suited both sides. Soviet historians in the following decades pre­sented 'glorious October' as a rising of the masses, brilliantly led by the master of timing and tactics, V. I. Lenin, and his skilful, heroic lieuten­ants in the Bolshevik Party, who kept to a strict timetable of insurrection. "The defeated 'Whites', as they would soon be called, also held to a comforting myth: that they lost power in a precisely calibrated military takeover masterminded by an evil genius whose plans, diabolical though they were, cleverly took account of chaos on the streets of Petrograd. It would not have impressed the loyalists' supporters -- or soothed their own amour propre -- if it was put about that they were beaten by a group of plotters who very nearly botched their revolution. The Bolsheviks might easily have failed if at certain key moments they had met some slight resistance. "In reality the 'plot' was the worst-kept secret in history. Everyone in Petrograd had heard that the Bolsheviks were preparing an imminent coup. It had been discussed in the press for the past ten days. The main right-wing newspaper Rech (Speech) had even revealed the date, 25 October, and the leftist Novaya Zhizn (New Life), run by the writer Maxim Gorky, had warned the Bolsheviks against using violence and 'shedding more blood in Russia'. The supposedly perfect clockwork timekeeping of the insurrection was so vague that nobody could tell for certain exactly when it began. At one stage the Mayor of Petrograd sent a delegation to the participants of both sides wondering if the uprising had started. He could not get an accurate answer. The Bolsheviks had little military experience. Alexander Genevsky, one of their main commanders on the ground, had been a temporary lieutenant in the Tsarist army, declared unfit after he was gassed early in the First World War. He had been asked to become a 'general' in the rebel forces. His orders were to keep the military planners at the Smolny up to date with events by ring­ing a number that he was told would always be available, 148-11. The few times it wasn't out of order, it was engaged. The Bolsheviks failed to master the Petrograd telephone system and had to send runners through­out the city streets. The key force of sailors from the Kronstadt naval base -- reliable Bolshevik supporters -- arrived in Petrograd a day late. "They won because the other side, the Provisional Government and its backers -- a coalition of the centre-right, liberals and moderate so­cialists -- were even more incompetent and divided, and because they didn't take the Bolsheviks seriously until it was too late. But mainly it was because most of the people didn't care which side won. In fact, few people realised anything significant had happened until it was all over." To subscribe, please click here or text "nonfiction" to 22828.

Lenin: The Man, the Dictator, and the Master of Terror Author: Victor Sebestyen Publisher: Pantheon Books Copyright 2017 by Victor Sebestyen Pages: 9-15 If you wish to read further:   Click for Purchase Options

7 de Novembro de 1917: o putsch bolchevique na Russia

ON THIS DAY

On Nov. 7, 1917, Russia's Bolshevik Revolution took place as forces led by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin overthrew the provisional government of Alexander Kerensky.
The New York Times,  November 1917

Bolsheviki Seize State Buildings, Defying Kerensky

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Premier Posts Troops in Capital and Declares Workmen's Council Illegal

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NORTHERN ARMY OFFERS AID

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And Preliminary Parliament, Forced by Rebels to Leave Palace, Supports Him

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WOMEN SOLDIERS ON GUARD

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Petrograd Conditions Generally Normal Save for Outrages by So-Called Apaches

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Bolsheviki Seize State Buildings

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OTHER HEADLINES Tammany Sees An Orgy Of Jobs With Hylan In Suffrage Fight Won In Cities: Up State Gave a Bare Majority for the Amendment, but New York Clinched the Victory: Total, 94,000 in Favor: Complete Vote in Metropolis Is 334,011 For, 241,315 Against - 92,692 Majority Women Citizens Pledge Votes To Nation's Welfare: Great Victory Mass Meeting Dedicates New-Won Suffrage to Loyal Service: Federal Amendment Next: Thousands in Cooper Union Cheer Call to Battle for National Enfranchisement: Gratitude for the Men: Congressmen Promise Help - Lincoln Paraphrased in Name of Universal Freedom Foe Rains Shells On Our Trenches: Another Barrage for a Raid Is Indicated at One Time, but None Develops: Pound Enemy Batteries: Americans Return Bombardment - Dugouts Pumped Out in Continual Rain House In Europe, Heads War Envoys: President's Adviser, Gen. Bliss, Admiral Benson, and Others Arrive for Paris Conclave: Lansing Tells of Mission: Essentially a War Conference to Devise Ways to Push the Conflict, He Says Teuton Conference Is Held At Berlin: Hungarian Foreign Minister There- Hertling's Position Is Now Reported to be Shaky U-Boat Sinkings Lowest Since War Began; 12 British Vessels Lost, 8 Over 1,600 Tons $4,617,532,300 Total Of Second Liberty Loan: Government Will Issue $3,808,766,150 Bonds, Including Half of Immense Oversubscription: 9,500,000 Persons Respond: Soldiers and Sailors Took More Per Capita Than Civilians - Full Allotment Up to $50,000: New York Leads Districts: Took $1,550,453,450, and All Exceeded Quotas - New Loan in January Made Needless New Italian Line Reached By Enemy: Berlin Reports Several Thousand Prisoners Taken in Pursuit to Livenza River: Rome Admits Retreat: Says Army Withdrew in Good Order From the Tagliamento- Real Stand at the Piave Cadorna May Save Venice At The Piave: : Ultimate Objective of Invaders the Great Industrial Centres of Northern Italy

Petrograd, Nov. 7--An armed naval detachment, under orders of the Maximalist Revolutionary Committee, has occupied the offices of the official Petrograd Telegraph Agency. The Maximalists also occupied the Central Telegraph office, the State Bank and Marin Palace, where the Preliminary Parliament had suspended its proceedings in view of the situation.
Numerous precautions have been taken by Premier Kerensky to thwart the threatened outbreak. The Workmen's and Soldiers' Committee has been decreed an illegal organization. The soldiers guarding the Government buildings have been replaced by men from the officers' training schools. Small guards have been placed at the Embassies. The women's battalion is drawn up in the square in front of the Winter Palace.
The commander of the northern front has informed the Premier that his troops are against any demonstration and are ready to come to Petrograd to quell a rebellion if necessary.
No disorders are yet reported, with the exception of some outrages by Apaches. The general life of the city remains normal and street traffic has not been interrupted.
Leon Trotzky, President of the Central Executive Committee of the Petrograd Council of Workmen's Soldiers' Delegates, has informed members of the Town Duma that he has given strict orders against outlawry and has threatened with death any persons attempting to carry out pogroms.
Trotzky added that it was not the intention of the Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates to seize power, but to represent to a Congress of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates, to be called shortly, that the body take over control of the capital, for which all necessary arrangements had been perfected.
In the early hours of the morning a delegation of Cossacks appeared at the Winter Palace and told Premier Kerensky that they were disposed to carry out the Government's orders concerning the guarding of the capital, but they insisted that if hostilities began it would be necessary for their forces to be supplemented by infantry units. They further demanded that the Premier define the Government's attitude toward the Bolsheviki, citing the release from custody of some of those who had been arrested for participation in the July disturbances. The Cossacks virtually made a demand that the Government proclaim the Bolsheviki outlaws.
The Premier replied:
"I find it difficult to declare the Bolsheviki outlaws. The attitude of the Government toward the present Bolsheviki activities is known."
The Premier explained that those who had been released were on bail, and that any of them found participating in new offenses against peace would be severely dealt with.
The Revolutionary Military Committee of the Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates demanded the right to control all orders of the General Staff in the Petrograd district, which was refused. Thereupon the committee announced that it had appointed special commissioners to undertake the direction of the military, and invited the troops to observe only orders signed by the committee. Machine gun detachments moved to the Workmen's and Soldiers' headquarters.
In addressing the Preliminary Parliament yesterday Premier Kerensky charged the Military Committee of the Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates with having distributed arms and ammunition to workmen.
"That is why I consider part of the population of Petrograd in a state of revolt," he said, "and have ordered an immediate inquiry and such arrests as are necessary. The Government will perish rather than cease to defend the honor, security, and independence of the State."
The Preliminary Parliament, in response to the Premier's appeal for a vote of confidence, voted to "work in contact with the Government." The resolution, which originated with the Left, was carried by a vote of 123 to 102, with 26 members abstaining from voting. A resolution offered by the Centre calling for the suppression of the Bolshevikis and a full vote of confidence failed to reach a vote. The Cabinet, however, considers the resolution adopted as expressive of the Parliament's support.
The reported resignation of Admiral Verdervski, Minister of Marine, was denied after the Cabinet meeting. It was stated that all the ministers had agreed to retain their portfolios.
The Bolshevik Chairman of the Petrograd Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates, realizing that there are more ways than one of acquiring real authority, not only attempted its capture by armed force but also by a far more ingenuous plan, which was disclosed today. He formed a so-called Military Revolutionary Committee of the Petrograd Soviet, and informed the Headquarters Staff of the Petrograd military district that only orders sanctioned by the Military Revolutionary Committee would be executed.
On Sunday night the committee appeared at the staff offices and demanded the right of entry, control and veto. Receiving a natural and emphatic refusal, the military revolutionaries wired everywhere to the general effect that the Petrograd district headquarters were opposed to the wishes of the revolutionary garrison, and were becoming a counter revolutionary centre. This bid for the loyalty of the garrison has so far yielded no definite results, but obviously is extremely dangerous, especially in view of the fact that in the Petrograd garrison discipline is extremely lax.
It is said the Provisional Government intends to prosecute the Military Revolutionary Committee. It should be noted that the All-Russian Executive Committee of the Soviets is backing the Provisional Government. There is a general feeling of reaction against the Bolshevik-ridden Soviets, a feeling completely loyal to the revolution but impatient of disorders.

1917: a revolucao que deu chabu (mas depois de 70 anos apenas)

O New York Times retoma nesta data comemorativa, a matéria transcrita abaixo, anunciando que os bolcheviques de Lênin estavam "desafiando Kerensky", ao tomar posse violentamente de vários edifícios públicos em Petrogrado, no que era, não uma revolução, exatamente -- que já tinha ocorrido em fevereiro de 1917 -- mas um putsch, um golpe armado por uma minoria preparada para assaltar o poder e conservá-lo, algo que os velhos bolcheviques não acreditavam fosse possível, mas que Lênin soube aproveitar o momento certo... O NYTimes certamente não antecipava um regime como o que surgiu, um grande divisor na história do século 20 (junto com o fascismo), que demorou três gerações inteiras para vir a cabo, não sem antes ter deixado um imenso rastro de miséria humana.
Os anos seguintes a 1917 foram de guerra civil, de imensos sofrimentos para o povo russo, seguidos do estabelecimento de uma das mais completas experiências totalitárias da história da humanidade. Nem o regime hitlerista, horrendo como ele pode ter sido para os judeus e no decurso da guerra terrível que ele deslanchou contra praticamente meio mundo (pelo menos toda a Europa), conseguiu matar tanta gente do seu próprio povo como o regime stalinista. Registre-se que Hitler matou, presumivelmente, todos aqueles que ele julgava serem inimigos de seu regime. Stalin matou todos os seus companheiros bolcheviques da revolução de 1917 e, não contente, matou muitos outros comunistas, centenas de milhares deles, e alguns milhões de indivíduos no Gulag e nas repressões organizadas contra populações inteiras. Atenção: eu disse milhões, e quero reforçar: MILHÕES de pessoas foram sacrificadas na mais terrível experiência totalitária do século 20 (e talvez de todos os séculos)
O socialismo não resolveu NENHUM dos problemas que pretendia resolver: penúria, desigualdade, injustiça, opressão "burguesa", exploração do homem pelo homem, enfim, não trouxe nem prosperidade, nem liberdade. Ao contrário: trouxe opressão, miséria, mais desigualdade (ou uma relativa igualdade na pobreza e na penúria) e a mais disseminada miséria moral que se conheceu na história da humanidade, feita de delações, de mentiras, de fraudes, no quadro de um Estado policial que inspirou George Orwell a escrever duas obras primas da literatura política: Animal Farm e 1984.
Poucos, hoje em dia -- só um punhado de loucos e debilóides abrigados em partidos da ultra-esquerda -- pensariam em defender o espírito e o legado da revolução bolchevique, que no entanto conquistou muitos admirados em todo o mundo, inclusive este que aqui escreve.
Já resumi um pouco o sentido dessa adesão aos cânones do bolchevismo numa longa resenha que fiz do livro de François Furet, Le Passé d'une Illusion (vou postar aqui novamente).
Por enquanto deixo vocês com o retrato daquele momento, nas páginas do NYTimes.
Paulo Roberto de Almeida

Bolsheviki Seize State Buildings, Defying Kerensky

---

Premier Posts Troops in Capital and Declares Workmen's Council Illegal

---

NORTHERN ARMY OFFERS AID

---

And Preliminary Parliament, Forced by Rebels to Leave Palace, Supports Him

---

WOMEN SOLDIERS ON GUARD

---

Petrograd Conditions Generally Normal Save for Outrages by So-Called Apaches

---

Bolsheviki Seize State Buildings

---

OTHER HEADLINES Tammany Sees An Orgy Of Jobs With Hylan In Suffrage Fight Won In Cities: Up State Gave a Bare Majority for the Amendment, but New York Clinched the Victory: Total, 94,000 in Favor: Complete Vote in Metropolis Is 334,011 For, 241,315 Against - 92,692 Majority Women Citizens Pledge Votes To Nation's Welfare: Great Victory Mass Meeting Dedicates New-Won Suffrage to Loyal Service: Federal Amendment Next: Thousands in Cooper Union Cheer Call to Battle for National Enfranchisement: Gratitude for the Men: Congressmen Promise Help - Lincoln Paraphrased in Name of Universal Freedom Foe Rains Shells On Our Trenches: Another Barrage for a Raid Is Indicated at One Time, but None Develops: Pound Enemy Batteries: Americans Return Bombardment - Dugouts Pumped Out in Continual Rain House In Europe, Heads War Envoys: President's Adviser, Gen. Bliss, Admiral Benson, and Others Arrive for Paris Conclave: Lansing Tells of Mission: Essentially a War Conference to Devise Ways to Push the Conflict, He Says Teuton Conference Is Held At Berlin: Hungarian Foreign Minister There- Hertling's Position Is Now Reported to be Shaky U-Boat Sinkings Lowest Since War Began; 12 British Vessels Lost, 8 Over 1,600 Tons $4,617,532,300 Total Of Second Liberty Loan: Government Will Issue $3,808,766,150 Bonds, Including Half of Immense Oversubscription: 9,500,000 Persons Respond: Soldiers and Sailors Took More Per Capita Than Civilians - Full Allotment Up to $50,000: New York Leads Districts: Took $1,550,453,450, and All Exceeded Quotas - New Loan in January Made Needless New Italian Line Reached By Enemy: Berlin Reports Several Thousand Prisoners Taken in Pursuit to Livenza River: Rome Admits Retreat: Says Army Withdrew in Good Order From the Tagliamento- Real Stand at the Piave Cadorna May Save Venice At The Piave: : Ultimate Objective of Invaders the Great Industrial Centres of Northern Italy

Petrograd, Nov. 7--An armed naval detachment, under orders of the Maximalist Revolutionary Committee, has occupied the offices of the official Petrograd Telegraph Agency. The Maximalists also occupied the Central Telegraph office, the State Bank and Marin Palace, where the Preliminary Parliament had suspended its proceedings in view of the situation.
Numerous precautions have been taken by Premier Kerensky to thwart the threatened outbreak. The Workmen's and Soldiers' Committee has been decreed an illegal organization. The soldiers guarding the Government buildings have been replaced by men from the officers' training schools. Small guards have been placed at the Embassies. The women's battalion is drawn up in the square in front of the Winter Palace.
The commander of the northern front has informed the Premier that his troops are against any demonstration and are ready to come to Petrograd to quell a rebellion if necessary.
No disorders are yet reported, with the exception of some outrages by Apaches. The general life of the city remains normal and street traffic has not been interrupted.
Leon Trotzky, President of the Central Executive Committee of the Petrograd Council of Workmen's Soldiers' Delegates, has informed members of the Town Duma that he has given strict orders against outlawry and has threatened with death any persons attempting to carry out pogroms.
Trotzky added that it was not the intention of the Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates to seize power, but to represent to a Congress of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates, to be called shortly, that the body take over control of the capital, for which all necessary arrangements had been perfected.
In the early hours of the morning a delegation of Cossacks appeared at the Winter Palace and told Premier Kerensky that they were disposed to carry out the Government's orders concerning the guarding of the capital, but they insisted that if hostilities began it would be necessary for their forces to be supplemented by infantry units. They further demanded that the Premier define the Government's attitude toward the Bolsheviki, citing the release from custody of some of those who had been arrested for participation in the July disturbances. The Cossacks virtually made a demand that the Government proclaim the Bolsheviki outlaws.
The Premier replied:
"I find it difficult to declare the Bolsheviki outlaws. The attitude of the Government toward the present Bolsheviki activities is known."
The Premier explained that those who had been released were on bail, and that any of them found participating in new offenses against peace would be severely dealt with.
The Revolutionary Military Committee of the Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates demanded the right to control all orders of the General Staff in the Petrograd district, which was refused. Thereupon the committee announced that it had appointed special commissioners to undertake the direction of the military, and invited the troops to observe only orders signed by the committee. Machine gun detachments moved to the Workmen's and Soldiers' headquarters.
In addressing the Preliminary Parliament yesterday Premier Kerensky charged the Military Committee of the Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates with having distributed arms and ammunition to workmen.
"That is why I consider part of the population of Petrograd in a state of revolt," he said, "and have ordered an immediate inquiry and such arrests as are necessary. The Government will perish rather than cease to defend the honor, security, and independence of the State."
The Preliminary Parliament, in response to the Premier's appeal for a vote of confidence, voted to "work in contact with the Government." The resolution, which originated with the Left, was carried by a vote of 123 to 102, with 26 members abstaining from voting. A resolution offered by the Centre calling for the suppression of the Bolshevikis and a full vote of confidence failed to reach a vote. The Cabinet, however, considers the resolution adopted as expressive of the Parliament's support.
The reported resignation of Admiral Verdervski, Minister of Marine, was denied after the Cabinet meeting. It was stated that all the ministers had agreed to retain their portfolios.
The Bolshevik Chairman of the Petrograd Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates, realizing that there are more ways than one of acquiring real authority, not only attempted its capture by armed force but also by a far more ingenuous plan, which was disclosed today. He formed a so-called Military Revolutionary Committee of the Petrograd Soviet, and informed the Headquarters Staff of the Petrograd military district that only orders sanctioned by the Military Revolutionary Committee would be executed.
On Sunday night the committee appeared at the staff offices and demanded the right of entry, control and veto. Receiving a natural and emphatic refusal, the military revolutionaries wired everywhere to the general effect that the Petrograd district headquarters were opposed to the wishes of the revolutionary garrison, and were becoming a counter revolutionary centre. This bid for the loyalty of the garrison has so far yielded no definite results, but obviously is extremely dangerous, especially in view of the fact that in the Petrograd garrison discipline is extremely lax.
It is said the Provisional Government intends to prosecute the Military Revolutionary Committee. It should be noted that the All-Russian Executive Committee of the Soviets is backing the Provisional Government. There is a general feeling of reaction against the Bolshevik-ridden Soviets, a feeling completely loyal to the revolution but impatient of disorders.