The Sickle and the Hammer: A Socialist History of the Soviet Union Episode 15, supplemental b - Address of the Second All-Russian Congress
Sep 3, 2025
Explore the historic address of the Second All-Russian Congress, where workers, soldiers, and peasants united to overthrow the provisional government. Discover how they laid out key policies for peace, land redistribution, and democratization of the army. Learn about the Congress's commitment to national self-determination and the significance of transferring local power to soviets. The warning against counterattacks from Kerensky and Kornilovist forces highlights the urgency of defending the revolution. The proclamation celebrates this pivotal moment dated 25 October 1917.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Congress Claims Power And Sets Goals
- The Second All‑Russian Congress of Soviets declared that it has taken state power relying on workers, soldiers, and peasants.
- It outlined immediate revolutionary objectives including peace, land transfer, and worker control of production.
Immediate Policies To Secure Support
- Offer immediate democratic peace and a ceasefire as the first act of a new government to gain legitimacy with the peoples and soldiers.
- Transfer landlord and imperial lands to peasant committees and institute worker control to secure popular support.
Protect Soldiers To Stabilize The Revolution
- Democratize the army and defend soldiers' rights to maintain military loyalty and discipline during the revolution.
- Improve soldiers' families' positions and requisition resources from wealthy classes to supply the revolutionary army.