The Sickle and the Hammer: A Socialist History of the Soviet Union Episode 6, supplemental a - Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies Order Number 1
Mar 13, 2025
The podcast unveils the revolutionary Order No. 1 from the Petrograd Soviet, designed for workers and soldiers. Key topics include the election of committees from lower ranks and the political subordination of military units to the Soviet. It emphasizes the priority of Soviet orders over the State Duma and mandates that all arms be controlled by elected bodies. The discussion also highlights the abolition of honorific officer titles, aiming for a more egalitarian military culture. Strict discipline in service is balanced with civil rights off-duty, showcasing a shift in military dynamics.
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Grassroots Military Authority
- The Petrograd Soviet ordered immediate grassroots control by lower ranks through elected committees across all military units.
- This decentralizes military authority and places political actions under the Soviet and unit committees, limiting traditional command power.
Elect And Send Delegates Now
- Elect immediate representatives and send one delegate per company to the State Duma by the stated deadline.
- Follow the order to ensure proper representation and coordination with the Soviet.
Political Supremacy Over Units
- The Soviet asserted political supremacy over military units while preserving unit-level committees' role.
- This creates dual authority: Soviet political control plus internal committee oversight of units.