Russian Revolution Centennial, Part 3 of 7

Sun, Oct 29, 2017: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Sunday Morning at the Marxist Library
Russian Revolution Centennial, Part 3 of 7
• Richard Becker: The Bolsheviks in Power: Three Indispensable Tasks
ABSTRACT: Following the seizure of power, the Bolsheviks were confronted with three immense and immediate tasks: building the new Red Army to defend the Soviet republic against a war of annihilation by the imperialist countries and domestic counter-revolutionaries; addressing a deep economic crisis and widespread hunger; and, reorganizing the left-wing of the world working class movement on a revolutionary basis through the Communist International. How did the Revolution survive against seemingly overwhelming odds?
• Ron Kelch: A Marxist-Humanist Perspective: Lenin and Russian Revolution, especially "what happens after?"
ABSTRACT: One hundred years ago Russian workers and peasant masses shook the world as they overthrew the Tsar's regime and established a new order. What can today's movement, searching for revolutionary new beginnings in the face of the totality of the present crisis, learn from that history? Weighing heavily on today's mind is how events unfolded in the Russian Revolution and revolutions since. Indeed, the question, "What happens after the conquest of power?", preoccupied Lenin as he struggled to realize his vision of a new society, in which he sought to bring everyone "to a man, woman and child" into running the state and society. Let's examine the uniqueness and limits of Lenin's philosophic preparation for revolution and especially Lenin's struggles after the revolution from the 1920-21 Trade Union Debate to his 1922-23 Testament.
Moderator: Lew Finzel
At NPML, 6501 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94609