the biennio rosso: from mass strike to soviet power?

8/12/2019 THE BIENNIO ROSSO: FROM MASS STRIKE TO SOVIET POWER?

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1THE BIENNIO ROSSO: FROM MASS STRIKE TO SOVIET

POWER?

In the frst session o The Co!ne"s re#$in% %ro!& on It#'( )e )i'' *e $is+!ssin%the ,Biennio Rosso"-"T)o re$ (e#rs" )hi+h shoo. the +o!ntr( in the #ter#th o

Wor'$ W#r I/ This )#s rt o # %ener#' re0o'!tion#r( o0eent #+ross '#r%e rts o

E!ro&e )ith )or.ers" +o!n+i's #'so est#*'ishe$ in 2er#n( #n$ H!n%#r( o''o)in%

the 1314 R!ssi#n re0o'!tion/ It )#s # &erio$ not on'( o hi%h5&it+he$ +'#ss str!%%'e

*!t #'so o +re#ti0e $e*#tes #s to the ro'e o tr#$e !nions &o'iti+#' rties #n$

)or.ers" +o!n+i's #n$ ho) # &ost5re0o'!tion#r( so+iet( sho!'$ *e or%#nise$/

The re+oen$e$ re#$in% in this +. +o0ers soe o the i&ort#nt 0ie)&oints on

the &erio$ )hi+h #re )orth st!$(in% )hether or not )e #%ree )ith the/

The frst t)o #rti+'es e6&'#in the histor( o the )or.ers" o0eent in this &erio$

*e%innin% )ith stri.es #n$ $e0e'o&in% into the est#*'ishent o F#+tor( Co!n+i's #n$

se'5#n#%e$ )or.&'#+es/

The s!*se7!ent three #rti+'es hi%h'i%ht the $e*#te )hi+h eer%e$ #s to the

re0o'!tion#r( &otenti#' o the o0eent/ W#s it re0o'!tion#r( to sh!t $o)n

&ro$!+tion or e0en to t#.e o0er the )or.&'#+e? Ho) +o!'$ or%#ns o str!%%'e

&ref%!re # so+i#'ist so+iet(? Wh#t )#s the re'#tionshi& *et)een the #+tor( +o!n+i's

#n$ so0iets 8)or.ers" +o!n+i's9? i$ the It#'i#n )or.in% +'#ss nee$ # re0o'!tion#r(

rt(? i$ this o0eent in the in$!stri#' +entres #$$ress the +on+erns o the

&re$oin#nt'( &e#s#nt &o&!'#tion o so!thern It#'(?

It is not +o&!'sor( to $o #'' the re#$in% *!t the ore &eo&'e re#$ the ore

$e0e'o&e$ #n$ rti+itor( the $is+!ssion #t the eetin% )i'' *e/ The fn#' #rti+'e *(

A#$eo Bor$i%# is *( #r the 'on%est #n$ (o! +#n +ons!'t the one on &/1; or #

*rieer 0ersion o the s#e t(&e o #r%!ent/

Contents:

&/ < 1918-1921: THE ITALIAN FACTORY OCCUPATIONS - BIENNIO ROSSO:

=nsi%ne$ #rti+'e ro >i*Co %i0in% # *rie histor( o e0ents )ith s&e+i#'

o+!s on #n#r+hist &ers&e+ti0es/

&/ ; THE TURIN FACTORY COUNCILS MOVEMENT: A re&ort $est+he$ in

!'( 13


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e0( 2r#s+i #n$ the

An#r+hists9

Res&on$in% to )#%e +!ts #n$ 'o+.o!ts Se&te*er s#) #ssi0e st#(5in stri.es/ In

i$5A!%!st =SI +#''e$ or +o5o&er#tion )ith the C2> to o++!&( the #+tories

*eore the( )ere 'o+.e$ o!t/ The =SI s#) these o++!tions #s *ein% +riti+#' to

the )or.ers" str!%%'e )hi+h !st *e $een$e$ *( #n( e#ns ne+ess#r( #n$

+#''e$ or s!&&ort ro other in$!stries/ Stri.es 7!i+.'( s&re#$ to en%ineerin%

#+tories r#i')#(s #n$ ro#$ tr#ns&ort )ith &e#s#nts seiGin% '#n$/ As )e'' #s

o++!&( stri.ers &'#+e$ the !n$er )or.ers" +ontro' #n$ soon ;@@@@@ stri.ers

)ere &ro$!+in% or these'0es/ Se'5#n#%e$ #+tories +ontin!e$ to (

)or.ers" )#%es #n$ there )ere #re$ tro's to &rote+t #%#inst #tt#+./ Se'5

#n#%e$ #+tories est#*'ishe$ +'ose so'i$#rit( )ith &ro$!+e *ein% &oo'e$ #n$sh#re$ o!t *( the )or.ers/ It#'( )#s r#'(se$ )ith h#' # i''ion )or.ers

o++!&(in% their #+tories #n$ r#isin% re$ #n$ *'#+. #%s o0er the/ The

o0eent s&re#$ !& #n$ $o)n It#'( )ith =SI i'it#nts #t the oreront/ R#i')#(

)or.ers #%#in re!se$ to tr#ns&ort troo&s &e#s#nts o++!&ie$ '#n$ #n$ )or.ers

)ent on stri.e #%#inst the or$ers o reorist !nions/

B!t #ter o0er # onth the )or.ers )ere on+e #%#in *etr#(e$ *( the PSI #n$ the

C2>/ The( o&&ose$ the o0eent #n$ &roise$ the st#te # ret!rn to ,nor#'it("

in e6+h#n%e or 'e%#'ise$ )or.ers" +ontro' #'on%si$e the *osses/ O +o!rse the

)or.ers" +ontro' ne0er #teri#'ise$/

Be+#!se the )or.ers sti'' re'ie$ on the C2> *!re#!+r#ts or inor#tion on )h#t

)#s %oin% on in other +ities the( )ere ne0er #*'e to *e !''( in$e&en$ent/ As

s!+h the !nion !se$ this &o)er to iso'#te #+tories ro e#+h other/ Tho!%h the

#n#r+hists o&&ose$ the ret!rn to )or. the( )ere sti'' # inorit( 8# '#r%e

inorit( *!t # inorit( nonethe'ess9 #n$ )itho!t C2> *#+.in% the( )ere !n#*'e

to e6ten$ the stri.e/

Ater the )or.ers 'et the #+tories the %o0ernent #rreste$ &roinent e*ers

o the =SI #n$ =AI/ The so+i#'ists i%nore$ this &erse+!tion o 'i*ert#ri#n #+ti0ists

#n$ +ontin!e$ to !nti' s&rin% 13


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;

THE TURIN FACTORY COUNCILS MOVEMENT

A &$%&4 #$0"47$# '. $754'$ C%'44$$ % 4$C%5.'04 I.4$&."4'%.") &$5b'0$# '. L'Ordine Nuovo) 1 M"&7 1921

; U.0'(.$#) &%b"b b A.4%.'% @&"07';

One o the e*ers o the It#'i#n $e'e%#tion th#t h#s D!st ret!rne$ ro So0iet

R!ssi# re&orte$ to the )or.ers o T!rin th#t the &'#tor set !& to )e'+oe the

$e'e%#tes #t Kronst#$ton% 'i0e the A&ri' 13


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Qee+ti0e #ssist#n+e/ B!t the T!rin )or.ers $i$ not 'ose he#rt/ The( *ore the

)ho'e *r!nt o the +#&it#'ist re#+tion *!t o*ser0e$ $is+i&'ine ri%ht !& to the 0er(

'#st oent/ An$ e0en #ter the $ee#t the( re#ine$ #ith!' to the *#nner o

+o!nis #n$ )or'$ re0o'!tion/

A."&7'040 ".# S.#'7"'040

The &ro%#n$# iss!e$ *( the #n#r+hists #n$ s(n$i+#'ists #%#inst P#rt( $is+i&'ine

#n$ the $i+t#torshi& o the &ro'et#ri#t h#$ no in!en+e o0er the #sses e0en

#ter the *etr#(#' o the 'e#$ers +#!se$ the stri.e to en$ in # $ee#t/ In #+t the

T!rin )or.ers s)ore to ste& !& their re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'e #n$ to )#%e it on t)o

ronts: on the one h#n$L #%#inst the 0i+torio!s *o!r%eoisie #n$ on the other

#%#inst their o)n tre#+hero!s 'e#$ers/ The re0o'!tion#r( +ons+io!sness #n$

$is+i&'ine )hi+h the T!rin #sses $eonstr#te$ h#0e their histori+#' roots in the

e+onoi+ #n$ &o'iti+#' +on$itions in )hi+h the +'#ss str!%%'e $e0e'o&e$ in T!rin/

This +it( is # &!re'( in$!stri#' +entre/ Ne#r'( three 7!#rters o the &o&!'#tion

)hi+h n!*ers h#' # i''ion inh#*it#nts is #$e !& o )or.ers 5 &ett(5*o!r%eois

e'eents #re insi%nif+#nt in n!*er/ F!rtherore there is # so'i$ #ss o +'er.s

#n$ te+hni+i#ns in T!rin #'' o )ho #re or%#niGe$ in !nions #n$ #'i#te$ to the

Ch#*er o >#*o!r/ !rin% #'' the #Dor stri.es the( stoo$ *( the )or.ers )ith

the res!'t th#t i not #'' o the then #t 'e#st # #Dorit( h#0e #+7!ire$ the

ent#'it( o # tr!e &ro'et#ri#n str!%%'in% #%#inst +#&it#' to #+hie0e the

re0o'!tion #n$ +o!nis/

I.#504&'" P&%#574'%.

Vie)e$ ro o!tsi$e the &ro+ess o &ro$!+tion in T!rin is &ere+t'( +entr#'iGe$

#n$ hoo%eneo!s/ The en%ineerin% in$!str( )hi+h e&'o(s #*o!t ;@@@@ sho&5

oor )or.ers #n$ 1@@@@ +'er.s #n$ te+hni+i#ns is the ost i&ort#nt/ The FIAT

&'#nts #'one e&'o( ;@@@ )or.ers +'er.s #n$ te+hni+i#ns in this frLs

&rin+i' &'#nts 1Q@@@ )or.ers #re e&'o(e$ &ro$!+in% otor 0ehi+'es o e0er(

.in$ !sin% the ost o$ern #n$ #$0#n+e$ te+hni7!es/ The &ro$!+tion o otor

0ehi+'es is the +h#r#+teristi+ e#t!re o the T!rin en%ineerin% in$!str(/ The

%re#ter rt o the )or.5or+e is #$e !& o s.i''e$ )or.ers #n$ te+hni+i#ns

these $o not ho)e0er sh#re the &ett(*o!r%eois ent#'it( o s.i''e$ )or.ers o

soe other +o!ntries 5 or e6#&'e En%'#n$/ Motor 0ehi+'e &ro$!+tion )hi+h isthe $oin#nt e#t!re o the en%ineerin% in$!str( h#s s!*or$in#te$ other

*r#n+hes o &ro$!+tion to itse': or e6#&'e the )oo$5)or.in% #n$ r!**er

in$!stries/ The et#'5)or.ers or the 0#n%!#r$ o the T!rin &ro'et#ri#t/ 2i0en

the +h#r#+teristi+s o this in$!str( e0er( tie the et#'5)or.ers t#.e #+tion

the( sr. o # %ener#' #ss o0eent th#t t#.es on &o'iti+#' #n$ re0o'!tion#r(

o0ertones e0en i it *e%#n in the &!rs!it o ere'( tr#$e5!nion o*De+ti0es/

T!rin &ossesses # sin%'e i&ort#nt tr#$e5!nion or%#niG#tion the Ch#*er o

>#*o!r )hi+h h#s 3@@@@ )or.ers #'i#te$ to it/ The e6istin% #n#r+hist #n$

s(n$i+#'ist %ro!&s h#0e 0irt!#''( no in!en+e )h#tsoe0er o0er the #ss o

)or.ers )ho o&t fr'( #n$ $e+isi0e'( or the So+i#'ist P#rt( se+tion )hi+h in


7/33

4t!rn is #$e !& or the ost rt o +o!nist )or.ers/ The +o!nist

o0eent h#s the o''o)in% *#tt'e or%#niG#tions #t its +o#n$: the P#rt(

se+tion )ith 1;@@ e*ers


8/33

The ne)s o the M#r+h re0o'!tion in R!ssi# )#s %reete$ in T!rin )ith

in$es+ri*#*'e Do(/ The )or.ers )e&t )ith eotion )hen the( he#r$ th#t the Ts#rLs

re%ie h#$ *een o0erthro)n *( the )or.ers o Petro%r#$/ B!t the T!rin )or.ers

$i$ not #''o) these'0es to *e t#.en in *( the $e#%o%i+ rhetori+ o Kerens.(

#n$ the Menshe0i.s/ When the ission sent to Western E!ro&e *( the Petro%r#$So0iet #rri0e$ in T!rin in !'( 1314 the $e'e%#tes Sirno0 #n$ 2o'$en*er% )ho

#&&e#re$ *eore # +ro)$ o ;@@@@ )or.ers )ere %reete$ *( $e#enin% sho!ts o

>on% 'i0e >enin >on% 'i0e the Bo'she0i.s 2o'$en*er% )#s none too &'e#se$

)ith this re+e&tion 5 he +o!'$ not #tho ho) Cor#$e >enin h#$ #+7!ire$ s!+h

&o&!'#rit( #on%st the )or.ers o T!rin/ Nor sho!'$ it *e or%otten th#t this

e&iso$e o++!rre$ #ter the s!&&ression o the Bo'she0i. re0o't in !'( #n$ #t #

tie )hen the *o!r%eois &ress in It#'( )#s r#%in% #%#inst >enin #n$ the

Bo'she0i.s $eno!n+in% the #s *#n$its intri%!ers #%ents #n$ s&ies o 2er#n

I&eri#'is/ Fro the $#te o It#'(Ls entr( into the )#r 8


9/33

3The TCA is #$e !& o the R#i')#(enLs Co5o&er#ti0e #n$ the 2ener#'

Asso+i#tion o Wor.ers/ For #n( (e#rs the So+i#'ist se+tion in the +it( h#$

+ontro''e$ the A$inistr#ti0e Co!n+i' *!t no) it no 'on%er h#$ the +#+it( to

+#rr( o!t #n( ee+ti0e #%it#tion #on%st the )or.in% #sses/ The +#&it#' o the

A''i#n+e )#s #$e !& or the ost rt o sh#res in the R#i')#(enLs Co5o&er#ti0e o)ne$ *( the r#i')#(en #n$ their #i'ies/ The %ro)th re%istere$ *(

the A''i#n+e h#$ in+re#se$ the 0#'!e o the sh#res ro ;@ to 4@@ >ire/

Ne0erthe'ess the P#rt( s!++ee$e$ in &ers!#$in% the sh#reho'$ers th#t the #i

o # )or.ersL +o5o&er#ti0e is not to se+!re # &roft or its in$i0i$!#' e*ers *!t

to stren%then the e#ns o re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'e so the sh#reho'$ers

+ontente$ these'0es )ith # $i0i$en$ o /; &er +ent on the noin#' 0#'!e o ;@

>ire r#ther th#n on the re#' 0#'!e o 4@@ >ire/ Ater the A!%!st ins!rre+tion #

+oittee o r#i')#(en )#s ore$ )ith the s!&&ort o the &o'i+e #n$ the

*o!r%eois #n$ reorist &ress to &!t #n en$ to So+i#'ist P#rt( +ontro' o the

A$inistr#ti0e Co!n+i'/ Sh#reho'$ers )ere &roise$ ie$i#te 'i7!i$#tion o the

Q;@ >ire $ieren+e *et)een the noin#' #n$ +!rrent 0#'!e o e0er( sh#re/R#i')#(en )ere &roise$ es&e+i#''( #0o!r#*'e tre#tent in the s!&&'( o

oo$st!s/ The reorist tr#itors #n$ the *o!r%eois &ress )hee'e$ o!t e0er(

e#ns o &ro%#n$# #n$ #%it#tion in or$er to tr#nsor the Co5o&er#ti0e ro #

)or.ersL or%#niG#tion into # +oer+i#' *!siness r!n #'on% &ett( 5/*o!r%eois

'ines/ The )or.in% +'#ss )#s e6&ose$ to #'' #nner o &erse+!tions/ Censorshi&

$ro)ne$ the 0oi+e o the So+i#'ist se+tion/ An$ (et in s&ite o #'' these

&erse+!tions #n$ *r!t#'ities the So+i#'ists 5 )ho h#$ ne0er #t #n( tie

#*#n$one$ their &oint o 0ie) +on+ernin% the )or.ersL Co5o&er#ti0e 5 i/e/ th#t it

)#s # )e#&on to *e !se$ in the +'#ss str!%%'e 5 o*t#ine$ # #Dorit( on+e #%#in

)ithin the Co5o&er#ti0e A''i#n+e/ The So+i#'ist P#rt( re+ei0e$ 4@@ o!t o @@0otes $es&ite the #+t th#t ost o the e'e+tors )ere )hite5+o''#r r#i')#(

)or.ers #n$ i%ht h#0e *een e6&e+te$ #ter the $ee#t o the A!%!st

ins!rre+tion to h#0e )#0ere$ in their 'o(#'ties #n$ e0en to h#0e sho)n

re#+tion#r( ten$en+ies/

T$ P%04- W"& P$&'%#

Ater the +'ose o the I&eri#'ist W#r the &ro'et#ri#n o0eent #$e r#&i$

#$0#n+es/ The )or.in% #sses o T!rin )ere )e'' #)#re th#t the histori+#' &erio$

o&ene$ !& *( the )#r )#s &roo!n$'( $ierent ro the &re5)#r e&o+h/ The T!rin

)or.in% +'#ss )#s 7!i+. to &er+ei0e the n#t!re o the IIIr$ Intern#tion#' #s # *o$(o the )or'$ &ro'et#ri#t )ith the ro'e o $ire+tin% the +i0i' )#r seiGin% &o'iti+#'

&o)er settin% !& the &ro'et#ri#n $i+t#torshi& #n$ est#*'ishin% # ne) or$er in

e+onoi+ #n$ so+i#' re'#tions/ In #'' the )or.ersL Asse*'ies it )#s the e+onoi+

#n$ &o'iti+#' &ro*'es o the re0o'!tion th#t ore$ the s!*De+t o $is+!ssion/

The *est e'eents in the )or.in%+'#ss 0#n%!#r$ +o*ine$ to &ro$!+e # )ee.'(

ne)s&er o +o!nist ten$en+( L'Ordine Nuovo/ The +o'!ns o this )ee.'(

)ere $e0ote$ to $is+!ssion o the 0#rio!s &ro*'es o the re0o'!tion: )h#t sort

o re0o'!tion#r( or%#niG#tion )#s nee$e$ *( the #sses )ho h#$ to )in the

!nions or the +o!nist +#!se ho) to shit tr#$e!nion str!%%'e o!t o its

n#rro)'( reorist #n$ +or&or#tist r#e)or. !& to the 'e0e' o re0o'!tion#r(


10/33

1@str!%%'e +ontro' o0er &ro$!+tion #n$ &ro'et#ri#n $i+t#torshi&/ The 7!estion o

F#+tor( Co!n+i's too )#s &'#+e$ on the #%en$#/

S#'' +oittees o )or.ers )ere #'re#$( in e6isten+e insi$e the T!rin #+tories:

the( )ere re+o%niGe$ *( the +#&it#'ists #n$ soe o the h#$ #'re#$( '#!n+he$# +#i%n #%#inst the *!re#!+r#tis reorist s&irit #n$ +onstit!tion#'

ten$en+ies o the !nions/ B!t or the ost rt these +oittees )ere nothin%

ore th#n +re#t!res o the !nions/ The 'ists o +#n$i$#tes or the +oittees

8the Intern#' Coissions9 )ere $r#)n !& *( the tr#$e5!nion hier#r+hies )ho

sho)e$ # &reeren+e or )or.ers o o&&ort!nist ten$en+( )or.ers )ho )o!'$

%i0e no tro!*'e to the *osses #n$ )o!'$ stie #n( #ss #+tion *eore it +o!'$

st#rt/ Wh#t the o''o)ers o L'Ordine Nuovoe&h#siGe$ ost in their

&ro%#n$# )#s the tr#nsor#tion o the Intern#' Coissions/ The( stresse$

th#t the 'ists o +#n$i$#tes sho!'$ *e $r#)n !& *( the )or.in% #sses

these'0es #n$ not *( the !&&er e+he'ons o the tr#$e5!nion *!re#!+r#+(/ The

t#s.s the( #ssi%ne$ to the F#+tor( Co!n+i's )ere +ontro' o0er &ro$!+tion the#rin% #n$ i'it#r( &rer#tion o the #sses #n$ their &o'iti+#' #n$ te+hni+#'

&rer#tion/ The( )ere no 'on%er to &'#( their orer ro'e o )#t+h$o%s

&rote+tin% the interests o the $oin#nt +'#ss or to ho'$ *#+. the #sses in their

#+tions #%#inst the +#&it#'ist or$er/

E.450'"04'7 05%&4 %& 4$ C%5.7'0

Pro%#n$# in s!&&ort o the F#+tor( Co!n+i's )#s enth!si#sti+#''( re+ei0e$ *(

the #sses/ Within si6 onths F#+tor( Co!n+i's h#$ *een set !& in #'' the

en%ineerin% #+tories #n$ )or.sho&s #n$ +o!nists h#$ )on # #Dorit( in theet#')or.ersL !nion/ The &rin+i&'e o F#+tor( Co!n+i's #n$ +ontro' o0er

&ro$!+tion )#s #&&ro0e$ #n$ #++e&te$ *( the #Dorit( o $e'e%#tes #t +on%ress

#n$ *( ost o the !nions *e'on%in% to the Ch#*er o >#*o!r/ The or%#niG#tion

o the F#+tor( Co!n+i's is *#se$ on the o''o)in% &rin+i&'es: e0er( sin%'e #+tor(

#n$ )or.sho& est#*'ishes its o)n or%#nis on # re&resent#ti0e *#sis 8#n$ not

on # *!re#!+r#ti+ *#sis #s in the &re0io!s s(ste9/ This or%#nis tr#ns'#tes the

&ro'et#ri#tLs stren%th into re#'it( it str!%%'es #%#inst the +#&it#'ist or$er or

e6er+ises +ontro' o0er &ro$!+tion *( e$!+#tin% the )ho'e o the )or.in% #sses

or re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'e #n$ the +re#tion o # )or.ersL St#te/ The F#+tor(

Co!n+i' h#s to *e ore$ in #++or$#n+e )ith the &rin+i&'e o or%#niG#tion *(

in$!str(/L In the e(es o the )or.in% +'#ss it !st re&resent # o$e' o+o!nist so+iet( )hi+h )i'' *e #tt#ine$ 0i# the $i+t#torshi& o the &ro'et#ri#t/

In this so+iet( +'#ss $i0isions )i'' *e # thin% o the st: #'' so+i#' re'#tions )i'' *e

re%!'#te$ in #++or$#n+e )ith the te+hni+#' re7!ireents o &ro$!+tion #n$ its

+orres&on$in% or%#niG#tion #n$ )i'' not *e s!*or$in#te to #n or%#niGe$ St#te

&o)er/ It is 0it#' th#t the )or.in% +'#ss sho!'$ see the !'' *e#!t( #n$ no*i'it( o

the i$e#' or )hi+h it is str!%%'in% #n$ #.in% so #n( s#+rif+es/ It !st re#'iGe

th#t to #tt#in this i$e#' se0er#' st#%es !st frst *e sse$ thro!%h/ It !st

re+o%niGe the ne+essit( or re0o'!tion#r( $is+i&'ine #n$ $i+t#torshi&/

E0er( #+tor( is s!*$i0i$e$ into )or.sho&s #n$ e0er( )or.sho& into +re)s )ith

$ierent s.i''s e0er( +re) +#rries o!t # rti+!'#r rt o the )or.5&ro+ess/ The


11/33

11)or.ers in e#+h +re) e'e+t one o their n!*er #s $e'e%#te %i0in% hi #n

#!thorit#ti0e #n$ re0o+#*'e #n$#te/ The #sse*'( o $e'e%#tes ro the entire

#+tor( #.es !& # Co!n+i' #n$ this Co!n+i' e'e+ts #n e6e+!ti0e +oittee ro

its o)n r#n.s/ The #sse*'( o &o'iti+#' se+ret#ries o the 0#rio!s e6e+!ti0e

+oittees ors in t!rn # +entr#' +oittee o the Co!n+i's #n$ this +entr#'+oittee e'e+ts ro its o)n n!*er #n e$!+#tion +oittee or the )ho'e

+it( )ith the t#s. o or%#niGin% &ro%#n$# $r#)in% !& )or. &'#ns #&&ro0in%

&roDe+ts #n$ &ro&os#'s ro in$i0i$!#' #+tories #n$ e0en in$i0i$!#' )or.ers #n$

fn#''( %i0in% %ener#' 'e#$ershi& to the )ho'e o0eent/

T$ C%5.7'0 ".# I.4$&." C%'00'%.0 #5&'.( S4&'/$0

Soe o the !n+tions o the F#+tor( Co!n+i' h#0e # &!re'( te+hni+#' #n$ e0en

in$!stri#' +h#r#+ter: or e6#&'e +ontro' o0er te+hni+#' &ersonne' $isiss#' o

e&'o(ees )ho sho) these'0es to *e eneies o the )or.in% +'#ss the

str!%%'e )ith #n#%eent to )in ri%hts #n$ ree$os #n$ +ontro' o0er the#+tor(Ls &ro$!+tion #n$ fn#n+i#' o&er#tions/ The F#+tor( Co!n+i's soon too.

root/ The #sses %reete$ this or o +o!nist or%#niG#tion )ith enth!si#s

the( #'i%ne$ these'0es )ith the e6e+!ti0e +oittees #n$ ener%eti+#''(

s!&&orte$ the str!%%'e #%#inst +#&it#'ist #!to+r#+(/ es&ite the #+t th#t neither

the in$!stri#'ists nor the tr#$e5!nion *!re#!+r#+( )ere )i''in% to re+o%niGe the

Co!n+i's #n$ +oittees the( ne0erthe'ess o*t#ine$ soe not#*'e s!++esses:

the( thre) o!t the +#&it#'istsL #%ents #n$ s&ies the( or%e$ 'in.s )ith the o+e

)or.ers #n$ te+hni+i#ns to %et ho'$ o fn#n+i#' #n$ in$!stri#' inor#tion/ In the

##irs o the #+tor( the( +on+entr#te$ $is+i&'in#r( &o)er in their o)n h#n$s

#n$ sho)e$ the $is!nite$ #n$ r#%ente$ #sses )h#t $ire+t +ontro' *( )or.ersin in$!str( e#ns/

The #+ti0it( o the Co!n+i's #n$ Intern#' Coissions )#s $eonstr#te$ ost

+'e#r'( $!rin% stri.es/ Stri.es 'ost their i&!'si0e ort!ito!s +h#r#+ter #n$

*e+#e #n e6&ression o the +ons+io!s #+ti0it( o the re0o'!tion#r( #sses/ The

te+hni+#' or%#niG#tion #n$ +#+it( or #+tion o the Co!n+i's #n$ Intern#'

Coissions )#s &ere+te$ to s!+h # $e%ree th#t it )#s &ossi*'e )ithin f0e

in!tes to %et 1Q@@@ )or.ers s+#ttere$ thro!%ho!t < $ertents #t FIAT to

$o)n too's/ On e+e*er 1313 the F#+tor( Co!n+i's &ro0i$e$ t#n%i*'e

e0i$en+e o their +#+it( to 'e#$ #ss o0eents on # %r#n$ s+#'e/ A+tin% on

or$ers ro the So+i#'ist se+tion )hi+h he'$ +ontro' o0er the )ho'e o the #sso0eent in its h#n$s #n$ )itho!t #n( &rer#tion )h#tsoe0er the F#+tor(

Co!n+i's )ere #*'e to o*i'iGe 1


12/33

1eoneLs i$e# +o''#&ses *eore the e6&erien+e o the +o!nter5

re0o'!tion#r( so+i#'5$eo+r#ti+ )or.ersL +o!n+i's )hi+h #re &re+ise'( those

)hi+h h#0e not *een &enetr#te$ s!++ess!''( *( the +o!nist &o'iti+#'

&ro%r#e/

On'( the rt( +#n e*o$( the $(n#i+ re0o'!tion#r( ener%ies o the +'#ss/ It

)o!'$ *e tri0i#' to o*De+t th#t so+i#'ist rties too h#0e +o&roise$ sin+e )e

#re not e6#'tin% the 0irt!es o the rt( form *!t those o the $(n#i+ +ontent)hi+h is to *e o!n$ on'( in the ommunistrt(/ E0er( rt( $efnes itse' on the

*#sis o its o)n &ro%r#e #n$ its !n+tions +#nnot *e +ore$ )ith those o

other rties )here#s o ne+essit( #'' the tr#$e !nions #n$ e0en in # te+hni+#'

sense #'' the )or.ersL +o!n+i's h#0e !n+tions in +oon )ith one #nother/ The

short+oin% o the so+i#'5reorist rties )#s not th#t the( )ere rties *!t

th#t the( )ere not +o!nist #n$ re0o'!tion#r( rties/ These rties 'e$ the

+o!nter5re0o'!tion )here#s the +o!nist rties in o&&osition to the 'e$

#n$ no!rishe$ re0o'!tion#r( #+tion/ Th!s there #re no or%#ns )hi+h #re

re0o'!tion#r( *( 0irt!e o their or there #re on'( so+i#' or+es th#t #re

re0o'!tion#r( on #++o!nt o their orient#tion/ These or+es tr#nsor these'0es

into # rt( th#t %oes into *#tt'e )ith # &ro%r#e/


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@#n$ &ro0en e*ers o its or%#niG#tion #s +#n$i$#tes #n$ *( +#i%nin%

#ro!n$ its &ro%r#e *eore the e'e+tor#te/ In o!r 0ie) # So0iet +#n on'( *e

+#''e$ re0o'!tion#r( )hen # #Dorit( o its $e'e%#tes #re e*ers o the

Co!nist P#rt(/

A'' o this it sho!'$ *e !n$erstoo$ reers to the &erio$ o the &ro'et#ri#n

$i+t#torshi&/ No) )e +oe to the 0e6e$ 7!estion: )h#t sho!'$ *e the ro'e #n$

+h#r#+teristi+s o the )or.ersL +o!n+i's )hi'e the &o)er o the *o!r%eoisie is sti''

int#+t?

In +entr#' E!ro&e #t the oent )or.ersL +o!n+i's +o5e6ist )ith the *o!r%eois5

$eo+r#ti+ St#te )hi+h is #'' the ore #nti5re0o'!tion#r( in th#t it is re&!*'i+#n#n$ so+i#'5$eo+r#ti+/ Wh#t is the si%nif+#n+e o this &ro'et#ri#n re&resent#ti0e

s(ste i it is not the $e&ositor( #n$ o!n$#tion o St#te &o)er? At the 0er(

'e#st $oes it #+t #s #n ee+ti0e or%#n o str!%%'e or the re#'iG#tion o the

&ro'et#ri#n $i+t#torshi&?

These 7!estions #re #ns)ere$ *( the A!stri#n +or#$e Otto M#s+h' in #n

#rti+'e )e +#e #+ross in the 2ene0# Do!rn#' Nouvelle Internationale/ He st#tes

th#t in A!stri# the +o!n+i's h#0e *ro!%ht #*o!t their o)n r#'(sis #n$ h#0e

h#n$e$ o0er their &o)er to the n#tion#' *o!r%eois #sse*'(/ In 2er#n( on the

other h#n$ #++or$in% to M#s+h' on+e the M#Dorit#ri#ns #n$ In$e&en$ents h#$'et the +o!n+i's these '#tter *e+#e tr!e o+i o the str!%%'e or &ro'et#ri#n

e#n+ition #n$ Nos.e4h#$ to s#sh the in or$er to #''o) so+i#'5$eo+r#+(

to %o0ern/ In A!stri# ho)e0er M#s+h' +on+'!$es the e6isten+e o +o!n+i's )ithin

the $eo+r#ti+ s(ste or r#ther the e6isten+e o $eo+r#+( In s!ite of the

ounils &ro0es th#t these )or.ersL +o!n+i's #re #r ro &'#(in% the ro'e o )h#t

#re +#''e$ So0iets in R!ssi#/ An$ he e6&resses the $o!*t th#t &erh#&s #t the

oent o the re0o'!tion #'tern#ti0e tr!'( re0o'!tion#r( So0iets #( eer%e

#n$ *e+oe the $e&ositories o &ro'et#ri#n &o)er in &'#+e o these $oesti+#te$

0ersions/

The P#rt( &ro%r#e #$o&te$ #t Bo'o%n# $e+'#res th#t So0iets sho!'$ *e set

!& in It#'( #s or%#ns o re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'e/ The o*De+t o the Bo*#++i

&ro&os#' is to +on+retiGe this #i/

Beore %ettin% $o)n to $et#i's 'et !s $is+!ss the %ener#' i$e#s )hi+h h#0e

ins&ire$ Cor#$e Bo*#++i/ First o #'' #n$ 'et no one #++!se !s o *ein%

42er#n Minister o een+e 13135


31/33

1&e$#nti+ 'et !s re7!est # or#' +'#rif+#tion/ In the &hr#se: on'( # n#tion#'

instit!tion th#t is *ro#$er th#n the So0iets +#n !sher the &resent &erio$ to)#r$s

the fn#' re0o'!tion#r( str!%%'e #%#inst the *o!r%eois re%ie #n$ its $eo+r#ti+

#s.: r'i#ent#ris $oes it e#n th#t r'i#ent#ris is the

#oreentione$ broader institution or is it the demorati mas&2We e#r th#tthe frst inter&ret#tion !st *e the ri%ht one # ee'in% )hi+h is +onfre$ *( the

r#%r#&h on the So0ietsL &ro%r#e o #+tion )hi+h is # str#n%e i6t!re o the

!n+tions o the '#tter )ith the P#rt(Ls r'i#ent#r( #+ti0it(/ I the +o!n+i's to *e

set !& #re to +#rr( o!t their #+ti0ities on this #*i%!o!s terr#in then it )o!'$

+ert#in'( *e *etter not to set the !& #t #''/

The i$e# th#t the So0iets sho!'$ h#0e the ro'e o )or.in% o!t!ro!osals for

soialist and revolutionary leislation)hi+h so+i#'ist $e&!ties )i'' &'#+e *eore

the *o!r%eois St#te here )e h#0e # &ro&os#' th#t #.es # fne ir )ith the

one on +o!n#'5e'e+tionist So0ietis )hi+h )#s so )e'' $eo'ishe$ *( o!r o)n

/>/ For the oent )e sh#'' %o no !rther th#n rein$ the +or#$es )ho &!tor)#r$ s!+h &ro&os#'s o one o >eninLs +on+'!sions in the $e+'#r#tion #$o&te$

*( the Mos+o) Con%ress: P!t # $ist#n+e *et)een (o!rse'0es #n$ those )ho

$e'!$e the &ro'et#ri#t *( &ro+'#iin% the &ossi*i'it( o their 0i+tories )ithin the

*o!r%eois r#e)or. #n$ &ro&ose th#t the ne) &ro'et#ri#n or%#ns sho!'$

+o*ine )ith or +o''#*or#te )ith the instr!ents o *o!r%eois $oin#tion/ I the

orer #re the so+i#'5$eo+r#ts 8)ho #re sti'' e*ers o o!r P#rt(9 sho!'$ )e

not re+o%niGe the '#tter in the e'e+tionist #6i#'ists +on+erne$ #s the( #re )ith

D!sti(in% their r'i#ent#r( #n$ +o!n#' #+ti0it( *( onstro!s &se!$o5So0iet

&roDe+ts?

Are the +or#$es in the #+tion )hi+h )#s 0i+torio!s #t Bo'o%n# *'in$ to the

#+t th#t these &eo&'e #re not e0en in 'ine )ith th#t or o +o!nist

e'e+tionis )hi+h #( 'e%iti#te'( *e o&&ose$ on the *#sis o the #r%!ents

o >enin #n$ +ert#in 2er#n +o!nists to o!r o)n irre$!+i*'e &rin+i&'e$

#*stentionis?

V

With this #rti+'e )e &ro&ose to +on+'!$e o!r e6&osition tho!%h )e #( res!e

the $is+!ssion in &o'ei+ )ith +or#$es )ho h#0e +oente$ on o!r &oint o

0ie) in other ne)s&ers/ The $is+!ssion h#s no) *een t#.en !& *( the )ho'e o

the so+i#'ist &ress/ The *est #rti+'es )e h#0e +oe #+ross #re those *( C/Ni++o'ini inAvanti0These #rti+'es )ere )ritten )ith %re#t +'#rit( #n$ in 'ine )ith

%en!ine M#r6ist &rin+i&'es )e !''( +on+!r )ith the/

The So0iets the +o!n+i's o )or.ers &e#s#nts 8#n$ so'$iers9 #re the or

#$o&te$ *( the re&resent#ti0e s(ste o the &ro'et#ri#t in Its e6er+ise o &o)er

#ter the s#shin% o the +#&it#'ist St#te/ Prior to the +on7!est o &o)er )hen

the *o!r%eoisie is sti'' &o'iti+#''( $oin#nt it +#n h#&&en th#t s&e+i#' histori+#'

+on$itions &ro*#*'( +orres&on$in% to serio!s +on0!'sions in the instit!tion#'

#rr#n%eents o the St#te #n$ so+iet( *rin% So0iets into e6isten+e #n$ it +#n

*e 0er( #&&ro&ri#te or +o!nists to #+i'it#te #n$ sti!'#te the *irth o these

ne) or%#ns o the &ro'et#ri#t/ We !st ho)e0er *e 7!ite +'e#r th#t their


32/33

et !s )or. to)#r$s this %o#' *e%innin% #s Ni++o'ini &!ts it so )e'' )ith the

e'#*or#tion o # +ons+io!sness # &o'iti+#' +!'t!re in the leaders thro!%h # ore

serio!s st!$( o the &ro*'es o the re0o'!tion )ith e)er $istr#+tions ro

s&!rio!s e'e+tor#' r'i#ent#r( #n$ ini#'ist #+ti0ities/

>et !s )or. to)#r$s this %o#'/ 'et !s iss!e ore &ro%#n$# +on+ernin% the

+on7!est o &o)er to *!i'$ #)#reness o )h#t the re0o'!tion )i'' *e )h#t its

or%#ns )i'' *e ho) the So0iets )i'' re#''( !n+tion/ Then )e +#n s#( )e h#0e

$one tr!'( 0#'!#*'e )or. to)#r$s est#*'ishin% the +o!n+i's o the &ro'et#ri#t #n$

)innin% )ithin the the re0o'!tion#r( $i+t#torshi& th#t )i'' o&en !& the r#$i#nt

ro#$ to +o!nis/

the biennio rosso: from mass strike to soviet power?

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