21 July 1917. Vladimir Lenin

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

Vladimir Lenin

Petrograd, Russian Empire

The question of the bolshevik leaders appearing in court. Judging by private conversations, there are two opinions on this question. Comrades succumbing to the “Soviet atmosphere” often incline towards appearing in court. Those closer to the workers apparently incline towards not appearing. In principle, the question chiefly boils down to an estimation of what is usually called constitutional illusions.

Anyone who thinks that a regular government and a regular court exist or can exist in Russia, that a Constituent Assembly is likely to be called, may arrive at a conclusion in favour of appearing. That idea is completely erroneous, however. It is the latest events, after July 4, that have most vividly shown that a Constituent Assembly is unlikely to be called (with out a new revolution), that neither a regular government nor a regular court exists or can exist in Russia (at present).

The court is an organ of power. The liberals sometimes forget this, but it is a sin for a Marxist to do so. Where, then, is the power? Who constitutes the power? “I've done nothing against the law. The courts are just. They will sort things out. The trial will be public. The people will understand. I shall appear.” This reasoning is childishly naïve. Let the internationalists work illegally as much as they can, but let them not commit the folly of appearing in court of their own free will!

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Alexander Zamaraev

Totma, Vologodskaya guberniya, Russian Empire

I came home late. There were hail showers. Oat fields were damaged. Things are not going so well in Russia. There is now a nasty Bolshevik party that tries to ruin everything and accepts nothing. Even Minister Tsereteli’s car was taken.

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Osip Mandelstam

Petrograd, Russian Empire

Overwhelming swarms of human locusts that came from nowhere covered the banks of Fontanka, pasted itself all over fish markets, barges carrying wood, over quays, marble gangways and even boats of Ladoga potters.

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Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich

Gatchina, Russian Empire

It's become quiet for now in Petrograd. Misfortunes are still happening at the South-Western front.

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Alexander Blok

57, Ofitserskaya street, Petrograd, Russian Empire

The rebellion is "suppressed", and today there were shootings at the Neva river, at Vasilyevskiy island, at many other places - from guns, rifles, separately and all at once. I find it very difficult to fall between two stools politically, but everything that is happening sometimes can't reach the level of politics, and sometimes supercedes it. See more

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George Buchanan

Petrograd, Russian Empire

On my calling on him a few days later, Tereschenko assured me that the Government was now completely master of the situation and would act independently of the Soviet. See more

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Romain Rolland

Grand Hotel Chateau Bellevue, Sierre, Switzerland

Counter-revolution is happening in Russia. It is a repeat of the Paris Commune of 1848. Lenin is in hiding, Kerensky is a dictator serving the allies. The bourgeoisie in Germany, France and other countries should be relieved.

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Nicholas II

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

It was a nice, hot day. I went around the park with Tatiana and Plarie. During the day I worked with them in the same place as before. Yesterday and today the guards from the 1sti and 4th, Infantry Regiments were punctual in their performance and were not roaming around in the garden as we took our walk. See more

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20 July

Kerensky heads the government

"On the subject of this rotten lawyer, this cockroach at the head of the state - he will ruin everything"

Gorky: "I'm afraid that Lenin has gotten himself into a mess"

1916: Year in Review.

+20

in Petrograd

+21

in Moscow