An SWP educational by Amy Leather
Lenin's 'State and Revolution'
19th May 2017
A look at the key texts related to 1917 for this, the centenary year.
A hundred years ago Russian workers and peasants overthrew their Tsar and went on to run society without bosses. They fought to create a socialist world based on human liberation and real democracy.
The Russian Revolution was a truly momentous event. It transformed life in Russia and its empire, set off revolts that ended the First World War, and inspired millions across the globe.
Women were at the forefront of these events, tearing up the deep-rooted oppression they faced. It was a workers’ revolution and a festival of the oppressed.
Ultimately it was defeated and replaced by Stalin’s dictatorship, but its achievements still inspire.
On the centenary of these events, we discuss what we can learn from them today as we fight capitalism, war, oppression and climate change.
Other videos in this series
Russia 1917: workers' revolution and the festival of the oppressed (part1) - Judith Orr https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7rMuJWEALc
Russia 1917: workers' revolution and the festival of the oppressed (part2) - Alex Callinicos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyzJlYJ5z4U&t=15s
Trotsky's 'Lesson's of October' Alex Callinicos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se18ri2rq_A&t=1277s
Lenin's 'April Thesis' - Kevin Corr https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQTH5LWaetw&t
Chris Harman's 'How the Revolution was lost' - Charlie Kimber https://youtu.be/atsqN-2EvPU
