Member-only story

My Disillusionment In Russia: An Autobiographical Account of Emma Goldman's Experiences in the Soviet Union

Truman Capote

·13.2k Followers· Follow

Published in My Disillusionment In Russia Emma Goldman

5 min read

1.4k View Claps

81 Respond

Save

Listen

Emma Goldman was a prominent anarchist and social activist who traveled to Russia in 1920 to witness the Bolshevik Revolution firsthand. She was initially impressed by the revolutionary fervor and the commitment of the Bolsheviks to social justice. However, she was soon disillusioned by what she saw. In her autobiographical account, My Disillusionment In Russia, Goldman describes the poverty, hunger, and repression that she witnessed in the Soviet Union. She also criticized the Bolsheviks for their authoritarianism and their suppression of dissent.

Goldman's disillusionment with the Soviet Union began shortly after her arrival in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). She was shocked by the poverty and hunger that she saw on the streets. She also witnessed the brutal suppression of dissent by the Bolsheviks. In one instance, she saw a group of anarchists being arrested and beaten by the Cheka, the Soviet secret police. Goldman was horrified by what she saw and began to question her support for the Bolsheviks.

My Disillusionment in Russia

by Emma Goldman

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	289 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	200 pages

Goldman's disillusionment deepened as she traveled around the Soviet Union. She saw that the Bolsheviks were not interested in creating a free and egalitarian society. Instead, they were interested in consolidating their power and establishing a totalitarian state. Goldman was particularly critical of the Bolsheviks' suppression of freedom of speech and assembly. She believed that a true revolution could not be built on the suppression of dissent.

In 1922, Goldman left Russia in disgust. She spent the rest of her life in exile, campaigning for anarchism and social justice. My Disillusionment In Russia is a valuable historical document that provides insights into the early years of the Soviet Union and the challenges faced by revolutionaries who sought to create a new society. Goldman's account is a powerful reminder of the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of freedom and dissent.

Goldman's Critique of the Bolsheviks

Goldman's critique of the Bolsheviks was based on her personal observations and experiences in Russia. She saw that the Bolsheviks were not interested in creating a free and egalitarian society. Instead, they were interested in consolidating their power and establishing a totalitarian state. Goldman was particularly critical of the Bolsheviks' suppression of freedom of speech and assembly. She believed that a true revolution could not be built on the suppression of dissent.

Goldman also criticized the Bolsheviks for their economic policies. She believed that the Bolsheviks' nationalization of industry and agriculture would lead to inefficiency and shortages. She also criticized the Bolsheviks for their suppression of the peasantry. She believed that the peasantry was the backbone of Russian society and that the Bolsheviks' policies would lead to their alienation.

Goldman's critique of the Bolsheviks was prescient. The Soviet Union eventually became a totalitarian state that suppressed dissent and ruthlessly exploited its people. The Soviet economy was inefficient and plagued by shortages. The peasantry was alienated and impoverished. Goldman's critique of the Bolsheviks is a valuable reminder of the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of freedom and dissent.

The Legacy of My Disillusionment In Russia

My Disillusionment In Russia is a valuable historical document that provides insights into the early years of the Soviet Union and the challenges faced by revolutionaries who sought to create a new society. Goldman's account is a powerful reminder of the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of freedom and dissent. My Disillusionment In Russia continues to be read and studied by scholars and activists today. It is a reminder that the fight for freedom and justice is never over.

My Disillusionment in Russia

by Emma Goldman

4.3 out of 5