Leon Trotsky, The Lessons of October - Platypus

Chapter 7The October Insurrection andSoviet ’Legality’In September, while the Democratic Conference was in session, Lenin demandedthat we immediately proceed with the insurrection.”In order to treat insurrection in a Marxist way, i.e., as an art,we must at the same time, without losing a single moment, organizea headquarters of the insurgent detachments, distributeour forces, move the reliable regiments to the most importantpoints, surround the Alexandrinsky Theater, occupy the Peterand Paul Fortress, arrest the General Staff and the government,and move against the officer cadets and the Savage Divisionthose detachments which would rather die than allow the enemyto approach the strategic points of the city. We must mobilizethe armed workers and call them to fight the last desperatefight, occupy the telegraph and telephone exchange at once,move our insurrection headquarters to the central telephone exchangeand connect it by telephone with all the factories, all theregiments, all the points of armed fighting, etc. Of course, thisis all by way of example, only to illustrate the fact that at thepresent moment it is impossible to remain loyal to Marxism, toremain loyal to the revolution unless insurrection is treated asan art.” 1The above formulation of the question presupposed that the preparationand completion of the insurrection were to be carried out through partychannels and in the name of the party, and afterwards the seal of approval1 CW, Vol. 26, ”Marxism and Insurrection” (September 13-14, 1917), p.2747