The Sickle and the Hammer: A Socialist History of the Soviet Union 19.b - The Decree on Peace
Nov 26, 2025
The podcast delves into the Decree on Peace, unveiling the call for immediate negotiations for a just, democratic resolution to the war. It highlights the decree's emphasis on the demands of Russian workers and peasants after the czar's fall. Key topics include the rejection of annexation and secret diplomacy, urging for open negotiations instead. The episode passionately frames the war's continuation as a crime against humanity and proposes a three-month ceasefire to foster dialogue. It culminates with an appeal to workers in other countries for solidarity in seeking peace.
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Immediate Peace Without Annexations
- The Decree on Peace calls for immediate negotiations for a just, democratic peace without annexations or indemnities.
- It frames such a peace as demanded by exhausted workers and peasants and as the government's immediate priority.
A Broad Definition Of Annexation
- The decree defines annexation as any forced integration of a weaker nationality without its clear, voluntary agreement.
- It applies this democratic legal sense universally, regardless of region or development level.
Make Diplomacy Fully Transparent
- The government renounces secret diplomacy and pledges to conduct all negotiations openly and publish prior secret agreements.
- It declares immediate nullification of secret deals that advantaged landowners and capitalists.