The Conscience Of The Revolution: Communist Opposition In Soviet Russia

by Robert V. Daniels

Until Stalin changed it into his own image, the communist movement was not simple, homogeneous and monolithic, but complex dissentious, and changeable. This important work from the Russian Research Center of Harvard University is a history and study of the difference within the communist movement in Russia and of all the groups that opposed the movement's leaders - from the establishment of the Bolshevik Party by Lenin till the last real voices of opposition were stifled by Stalin in the purges of the late 1930's. With brilliant insight and a wealth of scholarship, Professor Daniels describes the battles between the Leninists and Leftists (including Trotsky) - the pragmatists and idealists of the Revolution - that reveal how communism developed in an unplanned way far from its initial aims and meaning, and demonstrates that the direction of Soviet political evolution was the complex product of many factors - historical circumstances, social and economic realities, ideals and ideology, and the quirks, drives and preferences of leading or contending personalities. The Conscience of the Revolution is an indispensable source for an understanding of the crucial early period in Soviet history and politics and the evolution of a totalitarian system.

Genres: History

524 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Robert Vincent Daniels studied at Harvard, received his AB degree in 1945, and PhD. degree in 1951. He has done research at the Russian Research Center at Harvard, taught Russian history at Indiana University, Bennington College, and the University of Vermont, and traveled in Russia.

Daniels published articles in the leading scholarly journals dealing with the history of Russian and communism. He was well known as the author of "The Conscience of the Revolution" and "The Nature of Communism."

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A scholarly but fascinating look at the way that Stalin outmanoeuvred the various opposition groups within the Communist Party leading to their defeat, expulsion and ultimately, in many cases, their execution.

It highlights how Lenin’s call for unity and intolerance of factions was used by his successor to outlaw disagreement within and without the Central Committee and led the party to regard any deviation from the party line as treason.

Tragically even the opposition groups themselves were not prepared to take their case to the people at large as they believed that only the party could lead Russia to Socialism and any undermining of its authority could lead to counter revolution.

Ultimately they would even admit to crimes they had not committed in order to maintain the illusion of certainty in the political route of travel the party proclaimed. For many of the old Bolsheviks who had taken part in the revolution this led to their execution and disgrace but having served and believed in the party for many years even death was preferable to spreading doubt in the institution and cause they had served all their lives.

This story of manipulation, ambition and sacrifice is told in painstaking detail. At the end Russia’s revolutionaries have been purged and Stalin reigns supreme. Whatever Russia had become it was certainly not a socialist republic.

[loitering outside 711 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want Alexandra kollontai to impregnate me