The April Theses

by Vladimir Lenin

Είναι οι θέσεις που ανέπτυξε ο Λένιν στην εισήγησή του «Για τα καθήκοντα του προλεταριάτου στην τωρινή επανάσταση». Οι θέσεις αυτές έδωσαν στο μπολσεβίκικο κόμμα και στο ρωσικό προλεταριάτο σχέδιο πάλης για το πέρασμα από την αστικοδημοκρατική στη σοσιαλιστική επανάσταση.
Δημοσιεύτηκε στην Πράβντα, αρ. φύλ. 26 της 7 του Απρίλη 1917 με την υπογραφή «Ν. Λένιν».
Στην παρούσα επανέκδοση Των Θέσεων του Απρίλη έχουν προστεθεί σε παράρτημα τρία κείμενα του Β. Ι. Λένιν:
α. «Εισήγηση στη συγκέντρωση των μπολσεβίκων που πήραν μέρος στην πανρωσική σύσκεψη των σοβιέτ των εργατών και στρατιωτών βουλευτών, 4 [17] Απρίλη 1917»,
β. «Προσχέδιο άρθρου ή λόγου για την υπεράσπιση “Των Θέσεων του Απρίλη”,
γ. «Για τη δυαδική εξουσία»,
καθώς και ένας κατάλογος ονομάτων.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Philosophy, Lenin, Theory, Russia

First published April 7, 1917

About the author

Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known as Vladimir Lenin, was a Russian revolutionary, leader of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (Bolsheviks), statesman and political theorist. After the October Revolution he served as the first and founding head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 until his death in 1924 and of the Soviet Union from 1922 until his death in 1924.

Reviews

[Serenata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lenin is the undisputed master of sass and I freakin love it. This one has an even higher density of zingers than State and Revolution.

Not just giving it five stars coz I laughed though: this man was a political genius and it really shows in his works. He had an almost mystical ability to analyse the current situation, plan where to go and then convey this to the party and the working class. Here he condenses, into one little pamphlet, topics as far ranging as: how to end WW1, implement peace, create a workers' republic, abolish the police and army and bureaucracy, make all officials electable and recallable at any time, ensure that they receive no more than the workers' wages, etc.

It's saddening that his vision ultimately wasn't allowed to be implemented in full - it was prevented by Western military intervention in the civil war, by the advent of WW2, by the fledging republic fighting for its very existence, and by Stalinists bringing back bureaucracy in full force and murdering many of the the original revolutionaries.

But it's still amazing to read pre-Revolution works like this, knowing that in just a few short months, the decades of struggle would pay off and revolutionaries would succeed in forming government.

Bittersweet, as with much of socialist history.

[Maja Solar · Rating 5 out of 5]

considering the circumstances and the context when the theses are written, the text is an example of ingenious political analysis

[Chad Alexander Guarino da Verona · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In view of the undoubted honesty of those broad sections of the mass believers in revolutionary defencism who accept the war only as a necessity, and not as a means of conquest, in view of the fact that they are being deceived by the bourgeoisie, it is necessary with particular thoroughness, persistence and patience to explain their error to them, to explain the inseparable connection existing between capital and the imperialist war, and to prove that without overthrowing capital it is impossible to end the war by a truly democratic peace, a peace not imposed by violence.”

[Ferio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este pequeñísimo libro que se lee en apenas una hora es un resumen de las líneas de acción que Lenin quería proponer al Partido en un momento en el que este no parecía pasar por el mejor de sus momentos por las divisiones internas y las separaciones de corrientes de pensamiento. Me ha resultado bastante curioso porque sus propuestas no resultan, vistas hoy, ni tan transgresoras ni tan factibles como cabría esperar y, sin embargo, se terminaron por llevar a cabo (de aquella manera) en la URSS.

Por otra parte, me ha llamado muchísimo la atención cómo Lenin se mostraba mucho más a favor del anarquismo que de la socialdemocracia, remarcando la escasa diferencia que separaba su ideario de los primeros (principalmente la teoría de fases) mientras que los segundos se habían comportado la mayor parte del tiempo como unos traidores al ponerse de parte de los elementos más reaccionarios de la sociedad y del Gobierno.

Aparentemente, una introducción bastante buena al pensamiento político leninista a pesar de que peca hacia el final de demasiada crítica personal contra un montón de gente a la que no aguantaba y en la que transluce ciertos elementos subjetivos que pueden enmascarar la finalidad del escrito con la que no es.

[tH. · Rating 5 out of 5]

lenin was so incredible, intelligent, and had this almost mistical way of planning almost perfectly what the party and the proletariat should do in order to end the Gutchkov-Miliúkov government and end the war, implement peace and start changing things in Russia, against the old regime, the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie.

[Mirza Sultan-Galiev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lenin, Bakunin and Blanqui belong together, for good and for ill.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Holy Day, when Lenin became Trotskyist <3

[bia · Rating 5 out of 5]

simple, concise, the right priorities.

[Kyle van Oosterum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just gonna say that Moses had 10 commandments. That is all.

[Khemo95 · Rating 3 out of 5]

.

[Miriam Aranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"los obreros se han encariñado de su partido socialdemócrata". "pero es un argumento que descarta la ciencia marxista, las tareas de mañana en la revolución y el daño ocasionado a la causa práctica por la multitud de pseudosocialdemócratas que rodean a los proletarios". "es un argumento de rutina, de inercia, de estancamiento". "YA ES HORA DE DESECHAR LA CAMISA SUCIA Y PONERSE ROPA LIMPIA".

pffff la manera en que la calvita llamó guarras y pestilentes a las reformistas!!!!! proletariat queen!!

[Michael Arnold · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally got around to reading these pages.

Lenin sure could talk a lot of smack, huh?

[Verba Non Res · Rating 1 out of 5]

Es un texto con más importancia histórica que teórica; un conjunto de directivas, destinadas a los bolcheviques, que se convertiría en el cimiento de la Revolución Rusa.

Puntos destacables:

*Identifica un momento intermedio en que el poder ha pasado a la burguesía por falta de un proletariado asentado. En lo subsiguiente, el poder debe trasladarse a los proletarios y campesinos pobres.
*Ataques al gobierno provisional, sobre todo en lo referente a la guerra.
*Necesidad de realizar una labor desde abajo “de crítica y esclarecimiento de los errores”, puesto que los bolcheviques son minoría en los soviets.
*Programa una república no parlamentaria, sino soviética. Diputados obreros, que ganen los mismos sueldos básicos que en la fábrica.
*Reforma agraria.
*Tareas partidarias, más que nada formales (como cambiar el nombre por el de Comunista).
*Programa reformar la Internacional.
*Pelea con Plejanov, porque este aparentemente olvidó lo que es ser marxista...
*Denuncias a un vago enemigo internacional, denominado “socialchovinismo” (“socialistas de palabra, chovinistas de hecho”).

[aren · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Isn’t it a gem?

I write, announce and elaborately explain: 'In view of the undoubted honesty of those broad sections of the mass believers in revolutionary defencism ... in view of the fact that they are being deceived by the bourgeoisie, it is necessary with particular thoroughness, persistence and patience to explain their error to them....'

Yet the bourgeois gentlemen who call themselves Social-Democrats, who do not belong either to the broad sections or to the mass believers in defencism, with serene brow present my views thus: 'The banner[!] of civil war' (of which there is not a word in the theses and not a word in my speech!) has been planted(!) 'in the midst [!!] of revolutionary democracy...'.

Mr. Plekhanov in his paper called my speech 'raving'. Very good, Mr. Plekhanov! But look how awkward, uncouth and slow-witted you are in your polemics. If I delivered a raving speech for two hours, how is it that an audience of hundreds tolerated this 'raving'? Further, why does your paper devote a whole column to an account of the 'raving'? Inconsistent, highly inconsistent!

It is, of course, much easier to shout, abuse, and howl than to attempt to relate, to explain, to recall what Marx and Engels said in 1871, 1872 and 1875 about the experience of the Paris Commune and about the kind of state the proletariat needs.

Ex-Marxist Mr. Plekhanov evidently does not care to recall Marxism.

... They have got themselves in a mess, these poor Russian social-chauvinists—socialists in word and chauvinists in deed."

[Sinan Öner]

1917 Sovyet Ekim Devrimi'nin 106. Yıldönümü'nde, Bolşevik Parti Lideri, Sovyetler Birliği'nin Kurucu Lideri Vladimir Lenin'in 1917 Sovyet Ekim Devrimi öncesi yazılarından derlenen "Nisan Tezleri ve Ekim Devrimi" kitabını okumak yararlı bir okuma! Muzaffer İlhan Erdost'un Sol Yayınları'nda çevirip yayınladığı "Nisan Tezleri ve Ekim Devrimi"nde, Lenin'in 1917 Menşevik Şubat Devrimi sonrası Menşevik Hükümet'in dâveti ile Moskova'ya geldikten bir süre sonra Rusya'da yeni bir devrimin, sosyalist bir devrimin zorunluluğunu açıkladığı "Nisan Tezleri" gibi, 1917 Sovyet Ekim Devrimi'nden bir süre önce yazdığı yazılar, sonra yazdığı yazılar, 1917 Sovyet Ekim Devrimi'nin tarihini Lenin açısından özetleyici nitelikte. Lenin'in yazıları, Sovyetler Birliği'nin kuruluş koşullarını daha çok politik yapılar, örgütlenmelerle Rusya'daki politik durumun tanımlanması açısından çok değerli birincil kaynaklardır. 106 yıl sonra, 1917 Sovyet Ekim Devrimi'ni nasıl anmalıyız? 1917 Sovyet Ekim Devrimi ile başlayan yeni bir devrimler çağında, 1923 Türkiye Devrimi gibi, 1949 Çin Devrimi gibi, 1960 Küba Devrimi gibi bir çok devrimler olmuş, dünya sömürgeciliği aşmış, 110 kadar sömürge ülkeler bağımsızlaşmış, Sovyetler Birliği liderliğinde sosyalist ülkelerden oluşan bir sosyalist blok kurulmuştu, Lenin'in yazıları 20. Yüzyıl devrimler tarihinin başladığı yıllarda Rusya'nın, dünyanın sosyal-politik durumunu açıklıyor.

[Eduardo Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Las tesis de abril constituyen una ventana que nos permite ver las fuerzas que actuaron en un pasado, en un pasado revolucionario; nos sirven de testimonio del político que fue Lenin, de su importancia y su pensamiento.
Algo interesante del libro es, en primer término, del papel de la propaganda dentro de las labores políticas, pues es el medio que permite dar cuenta de la situación material y adecuar la teoría revolucionaria a las necesidades que esta suscita. En según lugar, es de denotar la importancia de la figura de Lenin como un arquetipo del buen político, pues podemos ver, a través del texto, la retórica y buen hablar de Lenin, quien, sin duda alguna, se realza como un orador de primera, sus discursos inspiran y conmueven hasta la acción. Por último, como elemento histórico que es, permite hacer las comparaciones menesteres al momento de nuestro presente, moviendonos a preguntar si aún existen espacios para la revolución o, por lo menos, dar cuenta de manera crítica de nuestra realidad política.

[Erika Moreno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cuando un hecho histórico marca tales cambios en la historia del hombre, es necesario darle la debida atención, y no dejarlo como un acontecimiento aislado o conformarse con lo que se ha escuchado de este. Es necesario investigarlo, documentarse y posicionarse en el período y momento de su concepción para tener la mayor cantidad de información posible.

Muchas veces, cuando un cambio histórico produce trauma o choque con los pensamientos vigentes, busca ser olvidado o descontextualizado, generando inconvenientes al momento de estudiarlo, siendo un grave error que debe cambiarse al momento de observar la historia.

[Maia Letzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy interesante. Lenin es un basado. Vuelve a Rusia, después de la primera revolución, cuando está el gobierno provisional de los mencheviques y hace despertar a la gente, que con ellos no iban a ningún lado, si también bancaban a la aristocracia. Le hizo recordar a la gente porque habían derrocado a los zares. Bardea al gobierno provisional de una manera increíble, a la guerra imperialista y como lo único que defiende son intereses económicos. Banca que la gente sea de su propia nacionalidad, lo importante es que se una para gobernarse a sí mismos

[João Paulo Pessoa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Não é exatamente um livro, nem mesmo um livreto. Tá mais pra anotação de discurso, e as 10 teses são:

1. Nenhum apoio ao Governo Provisório.
2. Fim da guerra imperialista.
3. Todo o poder aos sovietes.
4. Rejeição à "etapa burguesa" da revolução.
5. Confisco da terra e reforma agrária.
6. Controle operário sobre a produção.
7. Centralização bancária.
8. Criação de uma nova Internacional Comunista.
9. Educação revolucionária das massas.
10. Reorganização do partido.

Ou seja, basicamente "terra, pão e paz".

[Göksal Caner Malatya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lenin'in, Şubat Devrimi'nden sonra sürgünden dönüp, "Burjuva devrimini destekleyelim" diyen eski Bolşeviklere karşı "Bütün İktidar Sovyetlere" diyerek stratejik makası değiştirdiği o tarihsel anın belgesidir. Teorinin, devrimci durumun somut analiziyle nasıl bir anda pratiğe ve ayaklanma programına dönüştüğünün kanıtıdır. Parlamenter hayallere, Geçici Hükümet'le uzlaşmaya indirilen o keskin darbe, Ekim'in yolunu açan asıl kıvılcımdır. Devrimci bir liderin, zamanın ruhunu yakalayıp tarihin akışına nasıl müdahale ettiğini gösteren stratejik bir ders.

[OSCAR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es común encontrar textos mayores de las famosas tesis de abril. Sin embargo, el original se reduce a unos cuantos renglones. En este texto, Vladimir Lenin buscó evitar cualquier frente popular con la burguesía para continuar a una guerra carnicera que fue la Primera Guerra Mundial. Y llamó a los soviets a tomar los medios de producción, principalmente los latifundios para romper con el dominio burgués de una vez por todas. Es un documento breve, conciso pero insulso.

[Chris Hebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really fascinating collection of political tracts than Lenin wrote on his way back to Russia from Western Europe after the February revolution. While a lot of what he says here is addressing his critics/people he doesn't like in the provisional government, there are some interesting ideas about policing, capitalism as the root of WW1, and how/why to redistribute land. I also think that his definition of imperialism is a good one.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Throwing myself into the flood of Soviet history, polemics, and theory. Unlike Chinese history, I have very little knowledge and feel like I am floating on a small piece of flotsam, grabbing at whatever other support floats along. In other words...nothing really makes sense to me yet. I do not have enough context or understanding. Hopefully the accumulated pieces will eventually start to form comprehensible objects.

[Lina H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

giving this 5 stars for the part where Lenin goes Г-н Плеханов в своей газете назвал мою речь «бредовой». Очень хорошо, господин Плеханов! Но посмотрите, как вы неуклюжи, неловки и недогадливы в своей полемике. Если я два часа говорил бредовую речь, как же терпели «бред» сотни слушателей? Далее. Зачем ваша газета целый столбец посвящает изложению «бреда»? Некругло, совсем некругло у вас выходит.

[Avesta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may not be much of a Leninist (anymore) but Lenin provides a remarkably concise and simple set of directives for his fellow Bolsheviks and Proletariat (albeit such theses were mostly intended for the former) that are very powerful indeed.

A very notable historical pamphlet, if you can call it a pamphlet. Perhaps simply 'a set of directives' would suffice!

[Y Kanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lenin states what is to be expected, he points out several elements briefly such as the abolition of the army and police, creating more authoritative soviets, bureaucrats earn the same as competent workers, and he points out the weakness of some of his critics by basically roasting them. A good short read.

[Anson Cheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasted 14 minutes

It was confusing. Lenin has mistaken that lyrical verbosity differs from intellectual superiority. His ideas were dumb but sounded nice. Just confused as all hell

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting reading the stuff released just before the October revolution and seeing what Lenin was putting together. Good read for anyone interested in the history. Definitely not one of Lenin's best works just interesting.

[Ellen]

does this count as a book? idk & idc, i've read it
also makes me really wonder what would have happened in russia without the civil war, or without the dissolution of the constituent assembly tbh lol

[Calum Mc Lauchlan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a soviet sympathizer but this man was so funny. I do have to say that i find Lenin a very interesting man, He was, at his core, a true marxist, and his revolutionary ideas were brilliant.