[lit-ideas] Russia in 1918
- From: "Lawrence Helm" <lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Lit-Ideas" <Lit-Ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2007 08:12:18 -0800
In the midst of World War One, Russia had its revolution. It was too soon
in 1918 to tell which force would come out on top but the allies had vested
interests: "The defeated Germany, on Allied instructions, started to pull
its troops out of the Ukraine and the Baltic states. The allies struggled
to fill the vacuum. By the end of 1918, there were over 180,000 foreign
troops on Russian soil and several White Russian armies receiving Allied
money and allied guns. People were starting to talk about a crusade against
Bolshevism. But thee was strong opposition to any more military adventures.
The slogan from the left, 'Hands off Russia,' was gaining in popularity."
We discussed whether we could have nipped Hitler and his Nazism in the bud
and decided that was theoretically possible, but no one had the will or the
foresight to do it. And so Hitler had his way and millions were killed as a
result. Here we see a similar point in time, a time when the Communists
could have been stopped. We had troops in Russia and there were those who
had the foresight to recognize the danger that Bolshevism comprised. Why
didn't we do it? Again, it is difficult to transform the knowledge and
foresight of a few into prudent action. And of course there were the
ubiquitous Leftists shouting "Hands off Russia." Haven't they always?
Macmillian on page 72 goes on: "If they were not careful, Lloyd George told
his cabinet, they would spread Bolshevism simply by trying to put it down."
Ah, here is one of Irene's favorite arguments and we find it in the mouth of
the 1919 player Macmillan describes as the most ignorant. This is such a
nonsensical view I wonder if what Lloyd George and his descendents feared
has ever happened in history. There are countless examples where opposing
something has destroyed it or rendered it harmless. Perhaps someone who
loves this precept can provide some examples of the contrary.
Lawrence
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