s
for cooeperation, was accepted by the socialists, which made it possible
for the non-socialists to give their best men to the new combination.
The Provisional Government of October 8, at least the fifth since the
revolution, and the third Coalition Government, unquestionably brought
together the strongest and most representative group of men since the
revolution. The Bolsheviki declared their intention to break it up as
quickly as possible, and there was not much optimism in non-socialist
circles; one felt that it would not survive many weeks. But this third
Coalition Government gave a greater promise of success than any previous
attempt. There was hope that it would last, and hold the situation
together, at least until the Constituent Assembly could meet.

This hope was not realized, as we know, and the break-up of the
government came within a month, when the Bolsheviki at last accomplished
their long-planned armed uprising, and by force established what they
called the dictatorship of the proletariat. Acting on the very eve of
the opening of the Constituent Assembly, the elections for which were
already in progress, the Bolsheviki showed clearly their contempt for a
really national, popular form of government. The Bolshevik uprising was
followed by civil war. But this was the aim of the extremists, for they
were against social peace, cooperation, coalition, and were striving for
class war.

Until this last month the Russian Revolution, though marked by extreme
antagonisms, and much wrangling, was nevertheless comparatively peaceful
in character. There was no extensive violence, such as would justify
the use of the term "civil war." It was to avoid civil war that such
constant, and on the whole honest, efforts were made to "unite all
the vital forces of the country." For it was seen that civil war would
perhaps ruin the revolution, and in any case would eliminate Russia as
a factor in the war, and the constructive leaders constantly emphasized
that on the successful outcome of the war depended also the success of
the revolution. But the efforts of the more constructive and moderate
groups failed. This very short outline of the attempts to solve the
problems with which revolutionary Russia was confronted by applying the
principle of coalition gives an interpretation of the recent events in
Russia from another angle. In any case one has tried to point out the
forces in conflict during these last months, perhaps sugges