Page:Vladimir Ilyich Lenin - Lessons of the Revolution (1918).djvu/22

 delegates sided with the Mensheviks and «Essers», who opposed such a transfer of power. Instead of superseding the government of the bourgeoisie by that of the Soviets, these parties advocated the support of the bourgeoisie by means of a coalition government. This policy of alliance with the bourgeoisie, pursued by the very parties which the nation blindly trusted and followed, the Essers and Mensheviks, reflects the whole revolutionary, process undergone by the Revolution since its inception five months ago.

Let us first examine the history of this Esser and Menshevik policy of alliance with the bourgeoisie; then we shall consider the circumstances which led the people to repose confidence in these parties.

The mutual understanding between the capitalists and the Essers and Mensheviks has become manifest, now in one form, now in another, all through the course of the Russian revolution.

In the latter part of February, 1917, soon after the nation had conquered and the rule of the Tsar had been overthrown, the capitalist Provisional Government included Kerensky, as the «Socialist» member. Now Kerensky in point of fact has never been a Socialist; he was only a «Troudovik». Only in March, 1917, did he begin to figure among the Social Revolutionists, when such a position was no longer dangerous nor unprofitable. It was, of course,