13 December 1917. Bertrand Russell

Non-fiction

Project 1917 is a series of events that took place a hundred years ago as described by those involved. It is composed only of diaries, letters, memoirs, newspapers and other documents

Bertrand Russell

London, United Kingdom

Bolshevism is internally aristocratic and externally militant. The Communists in many ways resemble the British public-school type: they have all the good and bad traits of an aristocracy which is young and vital.

They are courageous, energetic, capable of command, always ready to serve the State; on the other hand, they are dictatorial, lacking in ordinary consideration for the plebs. They are practically the sole possessors of power, and they enjoy innumerable advantages in consequence. Most of them, though far from luxurious, have better food than other people. Only people of some political importance can obtain motor-cars or telephones. Permits for railway journeys, for making purchases at the Soviet stores (where prices are about one-fiftieth of what they are in the market), for going to the theatre, and so on, are, of course, easier to obtain for the friends of those in power than for ordinary mortals.

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Feodor Chaliapin

Petrograd, Russian Republic

As for myself, I’ll say this: for the time being at least, life is tolerable enough. I’m performing in the People's House, which is always packed to the rafters with an appreciative public. Incidentally, I am, thank God, in fine fettle. My voice hasn’t sounded the way it does now for a long time: it’s youthful, light and sonorous. See more

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Vladimir Lenin

Petrograd, Russian Republic

The Tasks Of The Public Library In Petrograd

It takes knowledge to participate in the revolution with intelligence, purpose and success. Because tsarism had played havoc with public education over a period of many years, the library service in Petrograd is in a very bad state. The following changes, based on principles long practised in the free countries of the West, especially Switzerland and the United States, must be made immediately and unconditionally: See more

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Sophie Buxhoeveden

Petrogradsky railway station, Moscow, Russian Republic

Petrogradsky station is in a state of indescribable chaos. As soon as the passenger trains were overwhelmed, anyone who had the chance sought to leave to the provinces, where the Bolshevik government was not yet fully recognised. See more

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Marina Tsvetaeva

Borisoglebsky lane, 6, Moscow, Russian Republic

Alya:

— "Marina! What do I do? I don't want to marry a man!"

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Vera Sudeikina

Yalta, Crimea, Russian Republic

In the evening they wanted to ruin the atmosphere by reading newspapers, but they resisted.

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Nicholas II

Tobolsk, Russian Republic

It was a nice clear day, eight degrees of frost. From 11 o'clock until lunch I was occupied with Alexis. During the day I piled firewood in the shed. After tea Olga was playing cards with Alix and she showed four bezikes.

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12 December

Bolsheviks are selling Kamchatka

Constitutional Democrats are still being arrested

“Russia has always been, deep inside, a democracy”

Map of the Royal dynasties of Europe

Romanovs dangerous liaisons

-4

in Petrograd

-6

in Moscow