INTRODUCTION

The Russian revolution, from February 1917 through to its consolidation at the end of the civil war in 1921, was undoubtably one of the major events of twentieth century history. Following the recent collapse of Soviet power it is likely that a significant reanalysis of the events that founded the USSR is going to occur. The aim of this bibliography is to provide a list of sources covering the activity of anarchists during the period 1917-21 in Russia, and anarchists subsequent interpretations of the Bolshevik seizure of power, for students of history or politics and other interested parties.

Most academic material regarding the activity of the ultra-left wing during this period has concentrated on the activities of Nestor Makhno in Ukraine during the civil war and the Kronstadt uprising of 1921 (which although not explicitly anarchistic had significant leanings in terms of its proclamations and support). However there is much more of note in the subject area.

From the arrival of Lenin in Petrograd in April 1917, through to the October "revolution", the Bolshevik party gained much popular support due to the adoption of a platform very similar to that of the anarchists. Lenin was described as a contender for "the throne of Bakunin" by leading Marxist I. Goldenburg. Bolsheviks and anarchists were both very active within the "Factory Committees" and despite some competition were effectively allies against more moderate groups. The October seizure of power was supported by most anarchists, and indeed, the detachment of Red Guards that dissolved the Constituent Assembly in January 1918 was commanded by an anarchist. Many anarchists actually joined the Bolshevik party during the civil war, however as the Bolshevik grip on the country tightened, and their abuses of power increased, anarchists became an opposition. By the early Twenties there were few active anarchists in Russia - they had either been arrested, executed or forced into exile. Even then they were important, providing the first left wing critique of the Bolsheviks and their methods. The writings of such as Goldman, Voline and Maksimov show that rule by terror and repression were not instigated by Stalin, but by Lenin, from the day that the party seized power. Further events in the Soviet Union since 1917 have vindicated Bakunin's predictions, made in the mid Nineteenth century, of the likely development of a Marxist state.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Thus the study of anarchism and anarchists of that time, is valuable, and necessary, if a complete picture of 1917-21 is to be obtained. While most established texts covering these events contain references to the anarchists, they almost invariably underplay their role (though this is beginning to change), and to compile these references would be way beyond the scope of this bibliography. Thus this study covers works that deal with the anarchists explicitly, provide a serious coverage within more general texts, or provide an anarchist/libertarian interpretation of the events. A significant amount of this material is produced by what could be termed "radical" publishers.

No items have been excluded due to date or place of publication. With one exception, references in encyclopaedias or biographical dictionaries are not included. The aim of this bibliography is to provide coverage of English language works within this field, including translations, for those with little or no command of other languages. Those who can comprehend Russian, French or German will find a much greater array of literature available and should be directed to the bibliographies in P.Avrich, The Russian anarchists.(Item 08) and M.Palij, The Anarchism of Nestor Makhno.(Item 37).

SOURCES EXAMINED

Library Catalogues

National Library of Wales.

University of Keele.

University of London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies.

University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

University of York.

Bibliographies

Avrich,P. The Russian anarchists, Item 08, pp 259-289.

Mett,I. The Kronstadt uprising, Item 35, pp 84-89.

Palij,M. The anarchism of Nestor Makhno, Item 37, pp 313-416.

Booksellers Catalogues

Freedom Press bookshop: Books in stock 1991-2.

Freedom Press bookshop: Pamphlets in stock 1991-2.

Indexes

American Bibliography of Russian and East European Studies, 1961-2, 1966.

American Bibliography of Slavic and East European Studies, 1967-88.

British Humanities Index, 1980-91.

European Bibliography of Soviet, East European and Slavonic Studies, 1975-86.

Historical Abstracts: part b, Twentieth Century, 1985-91.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

01

Acton,E. Rethinking the Russian revolution. London:Arnold,1990.

Distinguishes three interpretations of the revolution - Soviet, liberal and libertarian. These three viewpoints are then systematically applied to the major events of 1917. Suggests any evaluation should contain elements of all three interpretations, and is thus one of the first mainstream academic texts to take the anarchist viewpoint seriously. The brief description of the libertarian interpretation (pp39-44) is an excellent summary and comparison to the two more accepted schools of thought.

02

Arshinov,P. History of the Makhnovist movement 1918-21. Detroit:Black and Red,1974.

The earliest comprehensive history of the Makhnovista, very readable, but also rather one sided; Arshinov was in charge of the educational and cultural activities of Makhno's movement. Despite this an indispensable source work. Originally published in Russian as Istoriia Makhnovskogo dvizheniia 1918-21. (Berlin:Der Freie Arbeiter,1923).

03

Avrich,P. ed. Anarchists in the Russian revolution. London:Thames and Hudson,1973.

An extensive and varied selection of translated primary documents (leaflets, newspaper articles etc.), divided into nine distinct areas, with commentaries. One of the most indispensable works for anyone interested in the subject who is without Russian language skills.

04

Avrich,P. The anarchists in the Russian revolution, Russian Review 26 (1967), 341-50.

A good introduction to the activities of urban anarchists in 1917 and 1918. A valuable summary but not as useful as Avrich's major work, The Russian anarchists (Item 08).

05

Avrich,P. Anarchist portraits. Princeton:Princeton University Press,1988.

A collection of short biographical pieces on leading anarchist figures internationally; very readable but lacking in original insight. Of relevance to this bibliography are the chapters on Kropotkin (pp53-78), Zhelezyiakov (pp107-10), Makhno (pp111-24), Voline(pp125-34) and Berkman (pp200-7).

06

Avrich,P. The Bolshevik revolution and workers' control in Russian industry, Slavic Review 22 (1963), 47-63.

Article which discusses the concious repression, by the Bolsheviks, from October 1917 onwards, of independent and particularly anarchist and syndicalist organizations. An indepth analysis of a subject not covered in sufficient detail in Avrich's otherwise comprehensive books.

07

Avrich,P. Kronstadt 1921. Princeton:Princeton University Press,1970.

Probably the definitive study, from the anarchist viewpoint, of the Kronstadt uprising. However it contains a high level of detail that makes it hard to follow and digest, unless the reader is already quite knowledgeable about the events.

08

Avrich,P. The Russian anarchists. Princeton:Princeton University Press,1967.

The major academic work in this field, readable and full of valuable information, much unavailable elsewhere in English. The period covered by this study is dealt with in the second half of the book (pp123-254). Contains an excellent bibliography (pp258-89).

09

Avrich,P. Russian anarchists and the civil war, Russian Review 27 (1968), 296-306.

An overview of anarchist involvement in the civil war, concentrating on Makhno's activities. Not as comprehensive as the corresponding coverage in his major work The Russian anarchists (Item 08).

10

Berkman,A. The Bolshevik myth: diary 1920-22. London:Pluto Press,1989.

Well written and very valuable narrative, reminiscent of a travel guide in places, but still containing useful information and analysis. The 1989 edition is the first complete printing, as it was originally published with the last chapter removed by the publisher, although this chapter was published subsequently. A. Berkman, The Bolshevik myth: diary 1920-22. (New York:Boni and Liveright,1925). A. Berkman, The "anti-climax": the concluding chapter of my Russian diary. (Berlin:Syndikalist,1925).

11

Berkman,A. Now and after: the ABC of communist anarchism. New York:Vanguard,1929.

Currently available as two volumes: A.Berkman, What is communist anarchism. (London:Phoenix Press,1989). A.Berkman, ABC of anarchism, 3rd ed. (London:Freedom Press,1964). Contains a summary of Berkman's experiences in, and opinions of, Bolshevik Russia. A good short summary of Bolshevik failures. The most important part of the work is to be found at pp 87-115 (this is to be found in What is communist anarchism in the currently available two part version).

12

Berkman,A. The Russian Tragedy. London:Phoenix Press,1986.

This contains three reprinted pamphlets (all published in English. Berlin:Syndikalist,1922). One, authorship unknown, is The Russian revolution and the Communist party (Item 51). There are two articles by Berkman, The Kronstadt rebellion, which is not of great value, overstressing the anarchist nature of the uprising, and The Russian tragedy, a well written 10,000 word indictment of the failure of the revolution to live up to its potential under Bolshevik control. This was the earliest attack on the Bolsheviks from a left wing viewpoint.

13

Brinton,M. The Bolsheviks and workers' control. London:Solidarity,1970.

A chronological survey of the conflicts between the Bolsheviks and anarchists within the trade unions and the factory committees. Contains much valuable information, with extensive references, but is hard to follow. Sadly lacks an index which would increase its usefulness dramatically.

14

Ciliga,A. The Kronstadt revolution. Sheffield:Pirate Press,1991.

Reprint of a 1942 article cautioning against uncritical acceptance of the Soviet Union as a workers' state, concentrating on the Kronstadt uprising. Ignores anarchist involvement but draws an interesting comparison between the aims of the uprising and those of Makhno.

15

Cipko,S. Nestor Makhno: a mini historiography of the anarchist revolution in Ukraine 1917-21, The Raven 4 (1991), 57-75.

Contains a brief historical summary and detailed and interesting examinations of recent literature on the subject. Discusses two French books as well as Malet, Palij, Peters and Sysyn (Items 34, 37, 38 and 40 respectively).

16

Cohn-Bendit,D. and Cohn-Bendit,G. Obsolete communism: the left wing alternative. London:Andre Deutsch,1968.

Contains a section covering anarchist activity in Russia 1917-21 and includes a libertarian analysis of the Bolshevik consolidation of power (pp199-245). Concentrates on the conflicts between libertarians and communists, drawing parallels to the student unrest in France during 1968. Mainly written to discredit communist methods and rather derivative. Originally published in German as Linksradikalismus: Gewaltkur gegen die alterskrankheit des kommunismus (Hamburg:Rowohlt Taschenbuch,1968).

17

Dahlmann,D. Anarchism and the Makhno movement, Sbornik 11 (1985), 425.

Summary of a paper detailing Makhno's links with the urban anarchists, and anarchist influence on the Makhnovist movement.

18

Daniels,R. The Kronstadt revolt of 1921: a study in the dynamics of revolution, American Slavic and East European Review 10 (1951), 241-54.

Discusses the strength of resistance to the development of Bolshevik totalitarianism, from both within and without the party, acknowledging the anarchist contribution and critique. Deals with the causes and effects of the uprising rather than its course. Interesting but somewhat marginal.

19

Drinnon,R. Rebel in paradise: a biography of Emma Goldman. Chicago:University of Chicago Press,1961.

This biography mainly concerns itself with Goldman's activities in the USA prior to her deportation to Russia; her soviet experiences dealt with in 8 pages (pp231-9). However more space is given to her subsequent attempts to expose the Soviet government (pp240-84).

20

Footman,D. "Nestor Makhno", in St Anthony's Papers: Number 6, pp 75-127. Edited by D. Footman. London:Chatto and Windus,1959.

The first detailed academic analysis of Makhno and his significance. From a very objective standpoint analyses his military and political activities, and puts them into the perspective of the whole civil war, an area in which Footman is a respected authority.

21

Footman,D. Nestor Makhno and the Russian civil war, History Today 6 (1956), 811-26.

A short survey of the military history of the Makhnovist movement, with illustrations. Aimed at the non-specialist and containing little regarding the organisation or politics of the movement it is inferior to the author's other work on the subject (Item 20).

22

Frankel,E.R. ed. Revolution in Russia: reassesments of 1917. London:Cambridge University Press,1992.

A collection of essays, many of which, while not emphasising anarchist activity, take seriously the libertarian critique. Of special note is chapter 17, "The libertarians vindicated" (pp388-405).

23

Goldberg,H.J. Goldman and Berkman view the Bolshevik regime, Slavonic and East European Review 53 (1975), 272-6.

A brief and unsatisfactorally shallow article, containing no original analysis or content. Presumably extracted from Goldberg's Phd thesis (Item 24).

24

Goldberg,H.J. "The anarchists view the Bolshevik regime 1918-22". Phd thesis, University of Wisconsin, 1973.

Not examined.

25

Goldman,E. Living my life (2 volumes). New York:Dover Publications,1970.

Inferior to her volumes specifically about her experiences in Russia, but still in print, unlike them. The section dealing with her Russian experiences is in the 2nd volume (pp726-927).

26

Goldman,E. My disillusionment in Russia. London:Daniel,1925.

A well written and engaging adaption of Goldman's diaries from her two years in Russia. Reveals few historical facts but evokes well the atmosphere in Russia at that time. This edition combines two previously published volumes: E.Goldman, My disillusionment in Russia. (New York:Doubleday Page,1923). E.Goldman, My further disillusionment in Russia. (New York:Doubleday Page,1924).

27

Gooderham,P. The role and influence of the anarchist movement in Petrograd: Feb-Oct 1917, Sbornik 6-7 (1981), 18.

Summary of a paper emphasising the importance of the anarchists, and their platform, during this period.

28

Guerin,D. Anarchism: from theory to practice. New York:Monthly Review Press,1970.

Contains a good brief summary of events, concentrating on libertarian leanings within the Bolshevik party (pp82-108). Originally published in French as L'anarchisme: de la doctrine a l'action. (Paris:Editions Gallimard,1965).

29

Joll,J. The anarchists, 2nd ed. London:Methuen,1979.

One of the standard historical academic works on anarchism. Well written but containing a few inaccuracies and concentrating on personalities rather than on ideas or popular movements. Contains a chapter on anarchists during the revolution (pp164-176).

30

Katkov, G. "The Kronstadt rising", in St Anthony's Papers: number 6, pp9-74. Edited by D. Footman. London:Chatto and Windus,1959.

A good general survey of the uprising, which while not stressing the anarchist nature of the rising, does acknowledge it, and takes great pains to dismiss the soviet view of the uprising as counter revolutionary.

31

Kollontai,A. The workers opposition, 3rd ed. London:Solidarity,1979.

Circulated in Russia at the 10th party congress. Repressed following the banning of factions within the party. Represents the views of libertarian communists as well as those of the anarchists who joined the Bolsheviks. A very valuable document that has been unjustly ignored and truly deserves publishing within an academic context.

32

Kropotkin,P. "The Russian revolution and the Soviet government: 1919", in Kropotkin's revolutionary pamphlets, pp251-9. Edited by R.Baldwin. New York:Benjamin Blum,1968.

The only writing by Kropotkin between 1917 and his death. An important document in two parts; one intended for circulation abroad and surprisingly pro-Soviet, the other for domestic consumption warning against Bolshevik centralisation of power.

33

Maksimov,G. The guillotine at work: twenty years of terror in Russia. Chicago:Alexander Berkman Fund Press,1940.

One of the radical press' classics, in two parts. The first is a broad overview of the role of the anarchists and their subsequent repression. The second part is a collection of documents, from personal letters to Soviet decrees, demonstrating the repression from 1917 through to the mid 1930s.

34

Malet,M. Nestor Makhno in the Russian civil war. London:Macmillan,1982.

Places Makhno within the framework of the entire civil war, rather than just Ukraine, concentrating on military tactics, but with significant discussion of organisation, ideology and Makhno's years in exile. Examines reasons for Makhno's final defeat in detail and with conviction.

35

Mett,I. The Kronstadt uprising 1921. London:Solidarity,1967.

Probably the best radical published account of the rebellion, examining but not overstressing the anarchist leanings of the uprising. Contains many translations of relevant documents and a good short bibliography of material, from all viewpoints, on the subject, published before 1948. Originally published in French (Paris;?,1948).

36

Nomad,M. Apostles of revolution. Boston:Little, Brown and Company,1939.

Contains a chapter on Nestor Makhno (pp302-42) which although rather undistinguished was the first accurate (in tone if not always in facts) portrayal of Makhno's activities and achievements, published outside the radical press.

37

Palij,M. The anarchism of Nestor Makhno: an aspect of the Ukrainian revolution. Seattle:University of Washington Press,1976.

A published Phd thesis which concentrates on the military and political aspects of Ukraine during the civil war. It places Makhno on a level with other nationalist groups but fails to explain the comparative long term survival of the movement. It also fails to analyse Makhno's political position and activity. However it has an extensive and valuable bibliography.

38

Peters,V. Nestor Makhno: the life of an anarchist. Winnipeg:Echo Books,1970.

Concentrates on the man rather than the movement, using unreliable sources. Concludes in a very unflattering portrait of Makhno, much at odds with other academic writings. Preconceived bias against Makhno seems likely examining the selection and use of sources.

39

Serge,V. Memories of a revolutionary 1901-41. London:Oxford University Press,1963.

A personal memoir which covers Serge's experiences in Russia (pp72-322). Serge worked with the Bolsheviks for longer than most of the leading anarchists, joining the party and remaining in the Soviet Union until arrested and imprisoned in 1933. As a result of international pressure he was released and exiled in 1936. This work concentrates on internal party opposition and the activities of the secret police. This edition, the only one in English is abridged, losing about 20% of the original. Originally published in French as Memoires d'un revolutionaire 1901-41 (Paris:Editions du Seuil,1951).

40

Sysyn,F. "Nestor Makhno and the Ukrainian revolution" in The Ukraine 1917-21: a study in revolution, pp271-304. Edited by T.Hunczak. Cambridge,Mass:Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute,1977.

An interesting work centering on the conflict within Makhno's movement between anarchism and Ukrainian nationalism. Although rather tertiary to the student of anarchism or the civil war it is one of the best, most intelligent and well argued pieces written on Makhno.

41

Utechin,S. Bolsheviks and their allies after 1917: the ideological pattern, Soviet Studies 10 (1958), 114-35.

Survey of groups and ideologies which supported the Bolsheviks after they had seized power. Of these the section on the anarchists is rather unsatisfactory, lacking detail or appreciation of the high level of links between the two groups. Of little usefulness.

42

Voline. The unknown revolution 1917. Detroit:Black and Red,1974.

Although rather long, a well written and engaging, if rather vague in places, account of the whole field; divided into three parts, respectively the urban anarchists, Makhno and Kronstadt. Voline was a pseudonym for V.M.Eichenbaum. An abridged version of this work was published in two volumes (London:Freedom Press,195?). Originally published in French as La revolution inconnue 1917-21 (Paris:Amis de Voline,1947).

43

Walter,N. Alexander Berkman's Russian diary, The Raven 1 (1987), 280-8.

Short article containing a brief biographical sketch of Berkman and a survey of his writings. Concentrates on The Bolshevik myth and identifies some discrepancies between the work and the unpublished diaries on which it was based.

44

Walter,N. Emma Goldman's disillusionment in Russia, The Raven 2 (1989), 232-42.

Contains a brief biographical sketch and survey of Goldman's writings on her experiences in Russia. Concentrates on the problems she had promoting anti-Soviet views and contemporary reviews of her published works.

45

Wexler,A. Emma Goldman: an intimate life. London:Virago,1984.

Not examined.

46

Woodcock,G. Anarchism: a history of libertarian ideas and movements. London:Penguin,1963.

Probably the best general academic work on anarchism, readable and convincing. Contains a chapter on anarchist activities in Russia 1917-21 (pp376-400). There has been at least one new edition since original publication but the text on Russia has not been altered.

47

Woodcock,G. ed. An anarchist reader. London:Fontana,1977.

Contains excerpts from E.Goldman, My disillusionment in Russia (pp153-62), A.Berkman, Now and after: the ABC of communist anarchism (pp185-7) and P.Arshinov, History of the Makhnovist movement 1918-21 (pp236-42). Only of value if the original texts are unavailable.

48

Yaroslavsky,E. History of anarchism in Russia. London:Lawrence and Wishart,193?.

The only detailed Soviet view of the subject published in English. Factually inaccurate and distorted it has little content of any worth, revealing more about the author and the political situation in the USSR during the 1930s, than its supposed subject. The period of history covered by this bibliography is dealt with in chapters 4 and 5 (pp49-81).

49

Fighting the revolution:1. London:Freedom Press,1971.

Contains a chapter on Nestor Makhno (pp7-16). Poorly written and very derivative of other texts, particularly Voline and Arshinov, from which it quotes at length. Of no value to anyone with a serious interest in the subject.

50

Great Soviet encyclopaedia. New York:Macmillan Educational,1977.

Contains articles on Anarchism (Vol.1 p388), the Kronstadt uprising (Vol.13 p516), Nestor Makhno (Vol.15 p343) and the Makhnovista (Vol.15 p343). Factually inaccurate, dismissing any worthwhile contribution to the revolution by libertarians, these articles only have value as demonstrating the lack of validity of even the late Soviet interpretations. Despite being a reference work was included due to a desire to include some Soviet items.

51

The Russian revolution and the Communist party. Berlin:Syndikalist,1922.

A short pamphlet written by a committee of four Russian anarchists, appealing to western workers not to support the Soviet regime. Published anonymously to protect the authors from reprisals and translated by A.Berkman. Included in his The Russian tragedy (Item 12, pp35-59).

RECOMMENDED KEY WORKS

Acton,E. Rethinking the Russian revolution.

Arshinov,P. History of the Makhnovist movement 1918-21.

Avrich,P. ed. Anarchists in the Russian revolution.

Avrich,P. The Russian anarchists.

Mett,I. The Kronstadt uprising 1921.

Voline. The unknown revolution 1917.

Woodcock,G. Anarchism: a history of libertarian ideas and movements.