Lenin, Ethnicity, and the Red Terror

This chapter explores Lenin's complex identity, particularly regarding his Jewish heritage and its influence on his revolutionary beliefs. The discussion highlights the early Soviet Union's dynamics, including military loyalties and the impact of Bolshevik propaganda, while examining the brutal tactics of the Cheka and the overarching themes of mass terror in revolutionary contexts. By contrasting revolutionary ideologies and the grim realities of the Russian Civil War, the chapter questions the moral foundations of violence for political change.