Directions: Read the following excerpt from an article written by Vladimir Lenin, entitled "Lessons of the Revolution," and then summarize the excerpr.
The article was written in July 1917, after the March Revolution, and before the Bolshevik Revolution
power in the hands of the workers, so he wrote this article to outline the problems in Russia since the
in November 1917. Lenin recognized that the March Revolution did not meet his ultimate goal of
failed revolution. The following is the introduction to the article:
Every revolution means a sharp turn in the lives of a vast number of people. Unless the time
is ripe for such a turn, no real revolution can take place. And just as any turn in the life of an
individual teaches him a great deal and brings rich experience and great emotional stress, so a
revolution teaches an entire people very rich and valuable lessons in a short space of time.
During a revolution, millions and tens of millions of people learn in a week more than they do in
a year of ordinary, somnolent life. For at the time of a sharp turn in the life of an entire people it
becomes particularly clear what aims the various classes of the people are pursuing, what strength
they possess, and what methods they use.
Every class-conscious workor, soldier and peasant should ponder thoroughly over the lessons of
the Russian revolution, especially now, at the end of July, when it is clear that the first phase of our
revolution has failed.