The current situation in America is strikingly similar to the situation of Russia in 1917. At that time, the emperor, or Czar, was Nicholas Romanov, and he ruled the Russian empire with an iron hand. Any and all displays of discontent were immediately crushed, with the utmost brutality. The Romanov dynasty dated back three hundred years, and they fully intended to continue to rule for another three hundred years.
Not everyone in Russia was enthusiastic concerning the reign of Czar Nicholas. That included those who thought it best to cut that reign short, and took steps to that effect. These would be assassins, optimists one and all, soon found that the Czar frowned upon people who sought to end his reign, somewhat prematurely. He had them hung.
Czar Nicholas was certainly not a fool, as he had survived various attempts upon his life and had managed to keep his empire intact, even throughout the revolution of 1905. He was not a man to be underestimated. Yet in the spring of 1917, within the space of a few days, practically overnight, he was deposed. In this, there is a lesson we can all learn.
Now in America, we are blessed with a president who acts as an emperor. He thinks he can do as he pleases, and up until now, he does. All constitutional means to keep him in line have failed. The ”checks and balances” which are guaranteed in the constitution are no longer working. The press is now referring to this as a ”constitutional crisis”, which it is not. It is a crisis in capitalism. The ruling class, the capitalists, the billionaires, the bourgeoisie, can no longer rule in the old way. They have got to alter their method of rule.
This is another way of saying that the situation is revolutionary. That is a fact, just as it is a fact that the only way the approaching revolution can be successful is if it follows the correct revolutionary theories of Marx and Lenin.
With that in mind, let us examine the situation in Russia, 1917. Some historians maintain that there were two separate revolutions in the country at that time, while others say that the October revolution was merely a continuation of the February revolution, that which overthrew the Czar. Personally, I do not care what they call it. I am concerned with the events, which were world shaking, and the lessons we can learn from them.
As Lenin pointed out in his Letters From Afar, the initial stage of the revolution was so rapid, so successful, in part because of the experience the Russian people gained in the revolution of 1905. By the initial stage he means the overthrow of the Czar, in February of 1917, which happened within the space of a few days. As Lenin phrased it, the 1905 revolution ”deeply ploughed the soil, uprooted age old prejudices, awakened millions of workers and tens of millions of peasants to political life and political struggle and revealed to each other- and to the world- all classes (and all principle parties) of Russian society in their true character …”
We can compare the 1905 revolution to the Occupy movement of several years ago, one which started in America and spread around the world. In that case also, millions of people, those whom had formerly been apathetic, ”woke up”, as they phrased it, and took part in the political struggle. The response of the ruling class, the capitalists, the billionaires, the bourgeoisie, was similar to the response of the Russian bourgeoisie during the 1905 revolution. The occupy movement was met with force. People who were engaging in peaceful protest, as is their democratic right, were beaten, arrested, their tents were torn down and they were thrown into jail. The capitalists showed their true colours.
The 1905 revolution died down in 1907, and there followed a period of reaction, as is always the case. Then in 1917, the people of Russia once again went on the offensive. The difference was that now these people were veterans. They had no illusions. The days of expecting the nobility and the capitalists to listen to their legitimate demands were over. They were well aware that it was class war and they expected no quarter. Indeed, they received no quarter, just as we can expect no quarter from our current crop of billionaires, capitalists, imperialists, bourgeoisie.
Yet in 1917, the situation was more complex than that. The class forces were composed of the nobility, led by Czar Nicholas , who was determined to remain in power, the capitalists, the bourgeoisie, who also were determined to share that power, and the workers, proletarians, and the peasants, who were crushed and exploited, starving, cold and desperate, fighting and dying in a war to decide which group of imperialists would receive a greater share of spoils of the world, whether Russian, German or French.
As Lenin phrased it, this gave rise to an ”extremely unique historical situation, absolutely dissimilar currents, absolutely heterogeneous class interests, absolutely contrary political and social strivings have merged, and in a strikingly harmonious manner.”
Lenin explained that after three years of butchery of the war, the capitalists, the bourgeoisie of Russia, in collaboration with the bourgeoisie of Britain and France, had decided that it was essential, in the interests of continuing the war and ensuring the subsequent profits of all concerned, to overthrow Czar Nicholas and replace him with someone who was more malleable, more sweetly reasonable, easier to manipulate. This collaboration was not as difficult as it may sound, as both Britain and France had embassies in Russia. Further, all had vast quantities of cash, suitable for bribing, and there was on shortage of people within the royal court who had any objection to having their palms greased. The same was true of the high ranking military people. In short, the Russian capitalists, the bourgeoisie, devised a plot to depose Czar Nicholas
At the same time, the Russian revolution was gaining strength. The workers and peasants were continuing to rise up, demanding the overthrow of the Czar. The entire poorest section of the population, town and country alike, workers and peasants, were demanding bread, peace and freedom.
The capitalists, the bourgeoisie, wanted to overthrow the Czar so that they could continue the war and make ever greater profits, while the common people, the workers and peasants, wanted to overthrow the Czar so that they could have peace. Truly, as Lenin phrased it, an ”extremely unique historical situation”.
Remarkably enough, this ”extremely unique historical situation” appears to be repeating itself.
Now in America we have a president who thinks he is an emperor, and acts accordingly. He does as he pleases and gets away with this. All attempts to keep him in line have failed. The system of checks and balances, as outlined in the constitution, are not working. The experts on constitutional law are referring to this as a ”constitutional crisis”. They are mistaken. It is not at all a constitutional crisis. It is a crisis in capitalism.
This is another way of saying that the situation is revolutionary, just as it was in 1917 Russia. The only difference is that the situation here is more clear cut, as monopoly capitalism has simplified the class struggle. The peasants, or family farmers, which were so common place in years gone by, have pretty well been wiped out by corporate agriculture. In much the same way, the middle class, or petty bourgeois, are also mainly a thing of the past. Most small business people cannot compete with the monopolies.
On the other hand, the striking similarity, the ”extremely unique historical situation”, is repeating itself, in that the capitalists of America, possibly in collaboration with the bourgeoisie of Russia and Saudi Arabia, are determined to depose the self styled emperor, president Trump, and replace him with someone more to their liking. In this way, they can continue with their wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and any other countries they may choose to invade. With that in mind, they have hatched a plot, which involves many members of the Trump administration, as well as high ranking members of the military. It is safe to assume that the capitalists have bribed these members of the Trump administration, as well as the Joint Chiefs of Staff. We know this for a fact, as they published an article in a newspaper, declaring their intention to commit this act of treason.
Perhaps this ”unique historical situation” is not so unique after all.
It is clear that Trumps days as president are numbered.
In preparation for the revolution, which will include the deposing of Trump, it is essential that workers get organized. This calls for a new form of organization, similar to those which appeared in Russia in 1917. At that time, it was called a Soviet of Workers Deputies, in that the word soviet means council. A Soviet of Soldiers Deputies was also formed.
It is entirely possible that some such similar organization will take shape in North America. Assuming that is the case, then I would suggest a Council of Workers Deputies, as well as a Council of Military Deputies, as members of other branches of the military may object to being referred to as soldiers. Such a Council could include members of the army, navy, air force, marines and coast guard.
In addition, I would also suggest a Council of Intellectuals, as there are a great many former members of the middle class, those whom have recently joined the working class. Most of these comrades have considerable education, and may feel more comfortable in a separate council. Bear in mind that after the revolution, such intellectuals will be in great demand. Such people are required in order to build a new, socialist society.
Just as in Russia, 1917, we need the veterans of the Occupy Movement and the veterans of the anti-war movement of many years ago, to come forward and share their experience with the young people of today, those who are determined to remove Trump from office and enact some meaningful reforms. Those who are class conscious can bring that awareness to the revolutionaries of today, and make people aware that the capitalists are the problem. Until the capitalists, the bourgeoisie are overthrown and crushed under the Dictatorship Of the Proletariat, nothing of substance will change.
It is to be hoped that these veterans will rise to the occasion and help to lead the current revolution, just as the veterans of the Russian Revolution of 1905 helped to lead the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Gerald McIsaac Science Project 