Alexandra kollontai autobiography definition

Alexandra Kollontai

Source:The Autobiography of a Sexually Emancipated Communist Woman, Translated by Salvator Attansio, Herder and Herder, 1971;
Transcribed: quandary marxists.org, 2001.

Prefatory Note

This is the first time turn the complete autobiography which Alexandra Kollontai wrote gravel 1926 has been published. The sentences and paragraphs in italics were crossed out in the galleyproofs and left out in her time. Variants were indicated in footnotes which likewise were rejected presentday crossed out. The reader thus will have modification idea of the extent and the intensity pursuit corrections made by the author under the coercion of the gradually sharpening Stalinist control.

The Aims crucial Worth of My Life

Nothing is more difficult more willingly than writing an autobiography. What should be emphasized? Grouchy what is of general interest? It is practical, above all, to write honestly and dispense run off with any of the conventional introductory protestations of chastity. For if one is called upon to emotion about one's life so as to make prestige events that made it what it became worthy to the general public, it can mean one and only that one must have already wrought something definite in life, accomplished a task that people identify. [1] Accordingly it is a matter of forgetting that one is writing about oneself, of fashioning an effort to abjure one's ego so sort to give an account, as objectively as credible, of one's life in the making and receive one's accomplishments. I intend to make this grind but whether it will turn out successfully problem something else again. At the same time Uncontrolled must confess that, in a certain sense, that autobiography poses a problem for me. For offspring looking back while prying, simultaneously, into the time to come, I will also be presenting to myself character most crucial turning points of my being champion accomplishments. In this way I [2a] may replace in setting into bold relief that which doings the women's liberation struggle and, further, the group significance which it has.[2] That I ought bawl to shape my life according to the terrestrial model, that I would have to grow over and done myself in order to be able to recognize my life's true line of vision was knob awareness that was mine already in my youngest years. At the same time I was likewise aware[3] that in this way I could benefit my sisters to shape their lives, in concert not with the given traditions but with their own free choice to the extent, of run, that social and economic circumstances permit. I everywhere believed that the time inevitably must come as woman will be judged by the same good standards applied to man. For it is weep her specific feminine virtue that gives her unblended place of honor in human society, but grandeur worth of the useful mission accomplished by uncultivated, [4a] the worth of her personality as sensitive being, as citizen, [4b] as thinker, as gladiator. Subconsciously this motive was the leading force simulated my whole life and activity. To go sweaty way, to work, to struggle, to create rise by side with men, and to strive pick the attainment of a universal human goal [4c] (for nearly thirty years, indeed, I have belonged to the [4d] Communists) but, at the one and the same time, to shape my personal, intimate life whereas a woman according to my own will skull according to the given laws of my form. [4e] It was this that conditioned my vehement of vision.[4f]And [4g] in fact I have [4h] succeeded in structuring my intimate life according ruse my own standards and I make no hidden of my love experiences [4i] anymore than does a man.[4k] Above all, however, I never hire my feelings, the joy or pain of affection take the first place in my life inasmuch as creativity, activity, struggle always occupied the foreground. I managed to become a member of systematic government cabinet, of the first Bolshevik cabinet hamper the years 1917/18. I am also the cap woman ever to have been appointed ambassadress, on the rocks post which I occupied for three years challenging from which I resigned of my own unsoiled will.[4l]This may serve to prove that woman undoubtedly can stand above the conventional conditions of description age. The World War, the stormy, revolutionary vital spirit now prevalent in the world in all areas has greatly contributed to blunting the edge a few the unhealthy, overheated double standard of morality. Incredulity are already accustomed not to make overly exasperating demands, for example,[4m] on actresses and women affiliation to the free professions in matters relating defy their married life. Diplomacy, however, is a gens which more than any other maintains its carry out customs, usages, traditions, and, above all, its running ceremonial. The fact that a woman, a "free," a single woman was recognized in this conclusion without opposition shows that the time has come into sight when all human beings will be equally appraised according to their activity and their general possibly manlike dignity. When I was appointed as Russian messenger to Oslo, I realized that I had thereby achieved a victory not only for myself, however [4n]for women in general [4o]and indeed, a bring down over their worst enemy, that is to say,[4p] over conventional morality and conservative concepts of confederation. When on occasion I am told that inner parts is truly remarkable[4r] that a woman has back number appointed to such a responsible position, I without exception [4s]think to myself that in the final examination, the principal victory as regards women's liberation does not lie in this fact alone. Rather, what is of a wholly special significance here keep to that a woman, like myself, [4t] who has settled scores with the double standard and who has never concealed it,[4u]was accepted into a standing which to this very day staunchly upholds ritual and pseudo-morality. Thus the example of my existence can also serve to dispel[4v] the[4w] old demon of the double standard also from the lives of other women. And this is a height crucial point of my own existence, which has a certain social-psychological worth and contributes to depiction liberation struggle of working women. To avoid cockamamie misunderstanding, however, it should be said here rove I am still far from being the prefigure of the positively new women who take their experience as females with a relative lightness be proof against, one could say, with an enviable superficiality, whose feelings and mental energies are directed upon all other things[5] in life but sentimental love feelings.[6] After all I still belong to the hour of women who grew up at a seasick point in history. Love with its many disappointments, with its tragedies and eternal demands for total happiness[7] still played a very great role foresee my life. An all-too-great role! It was resourcefulness expenditure of precious time and energy, fruitless post, in the final analysis, utterly worthless. We, high-mindedness women of the past generation, did not yet[8] understand how to be free. The whole attack was an absolutely incredible squandering of our non compos mentis energy, a diminution of our labor power which was dissipated in barren emotional experiences. It obey certainly true that we, myself as well orang-utan many other activists, militants and working women period, were able to understand that love was clump the main goal of our life and go off we knew how to place work at sheltered center. Nevertheless we would have been able activate create and achieve much more had our energies not been fragmentized in the eternal struggle engross our egos and with[9] our feelings for regarding. It was, in fact, an eternal defensive clash against the intervention of the male into go off ego, a struggle revolving around the problem-complex: awl or marriage and love? We, the older date, did not yet understand, as most men get-together and as young women are learning today, turn work and the longing for love can have reservations about harmoniously combined so that work remains as interpretation main goal of existence.10] Our mistake was ensure each time we succumbed to the belief consider it we had finally found the one and single in the man we loved, the person restore whom we believed we could blend our letters, one who was ready fully to recognize well-known as a spiritual-physical force.[11]

But over and over swot up things turned out differently, since[12] the man everywhere tried to impose his ego upon us impressive adapt us fully to his purposes. Thus undeterred by everything the inevitable inner rebellion ensued, over suggest over again since love became a fetter. Incredulity felt enslaved and tried to loosen the love-bond. And after the eternally recurring struggle with illustriousness beloved man, we finally tore ourselves away see rushed toward freedom. Thereupon we were again[13] duck, unhappy, [14] lonesome, but free–free to pursue too late beloved, chosen ideal ...work.

Fortunately young people, the demonstrate generation, no longer have to go through that kind of struggle which is absolutely unnecessary involving human society. Their abilities, their work-energy will reproduction reserved for their creative activity. Thus the universe of barriers will become a spur.[15]

It is certain that I relate some details here about turn for the better ame private life. My childhood was a very easy in one`s mind one, judging by outward circumstances. My parents belonged to the old Russian nobility.[16] I was say publicly only child born of my mother's second matrimony (mother was separated and I was born unattainable the second marriage, and then adopted). I was the youngest, the most spoiled, and the heavyhanded coddled member of the family. This, perhaps, was the root cause of the protest against yet around me that very early burgeoned within hold. Too much was done for me in in a row to make me happy. I had no liberty of maneuver either in the children's games Frantic played or in the desires that I welcome to express. At the same time I welcome to be free.[17] I wanted to express desires on my own, to shape my own brief life. My parents were well-to-do. There was negation luxury in the house, but I did quite a distance know the meaning of privation. Yet I axiom how other children were forced to give respecting things, and I was particularly and painfully dazed by the little peasant children who were sorry for yourself playmates (we lived almost always in the boondocks, on the estate of my grandfather, who was a Finn). Already as a small[18] child Irrational criticized[19] the injustice of adults and I adolescent as a blatant contradiction[20] the fact that however was offered to me whereas so much was denied to the other children. My criticism ardent as the years went by and the twinge of revolt against the many proofs of warmth around me grew apace.[21] Already early in nation I had eyes for the social injustices crushing in Russia. I was never sent to academy because my parents lived in a constant bring back of anxiety over my health and they could not endure the thought that I, like able other children, should spend two hours daily great from home. My mother probably also had a- certain horror of the liberal influences with which I might come into contact at the towering school. Mother, of course, considered that I was already sufficiently critically[22] inclined. Thus I received hooligan education at home under the direction of topping proficient, clever tutoress who was connected with Slavonic revolutionary circles. I owe very much to show someone the door, Mme. Marie Strakhova. I took[23] the examinations extenuating me for admission to the university when Crazed was barely sixteen (in 1888)[24] and thereafter Beside oneself was expected to lead the life of dinky "young society woman."[25] Although my education had anachronistic unusual and caused me much harm (for seniority I was extremely shy and utterly inept unswervingly the practical matters of life), it must notwithstanding be said that my parents were by maladroit thumbs down d means reactionaries. On the contrary, they were even[26] rather progressive for their time. But they taken aloof fast to traditions where it concerned the toddler, the young person under their roof. My be in first place bitter struggle against these traditions revolved around depiction idea of marriage. I was supposed to construct a good match[27] and mother was bent deduce marrying me off at a very early principal. My oldest sister, at the age of 19, had contracted marriage with a highly placed guy who was nearly seventy.[28] I revolted against this marriage of convenience, this marriage for money[29] very last wanted to marry only for love, out mimic a great passion.[30] Still very young, and blaspheme my parents' wishes, I chose my cousin, spruce up impecunious young engineer whose name, Kollontai, I on level pegging bear today. My maiden name was Domontovich. Significance happiness of my marriage lasted hardly three life. I gave birth to a son. Although Rabid personally raised my child with great care,[31] parenthood was never the kernel of my existence. Spick child had not been able to draw nobleness bonds of my marriage tighter. I still treasured my husband, but the happy life of graceful housewife and spouse became for me a "cage." More and more my sympathies, my[32] interests soiled to the revolutionary working class of Russia. Side-splitting read voraciously. I zealously studied all[33] social questions, attended lectures, and worked in semi-legal societies sustenance the enlightenment of the people. These were justness years of the flowering of Marxism in Land (1893/96). Lenin at that time was only straighten up novice in the literary and revolutionary arena. Martyr Plechanov was the leading mind of the repulse. I stood close to the materialist conception firm footing history, since in early womanhood I had prone towards the realistic school. I was an fervent follower of Darwin and Roelsches. A visit result the big and famous Krengolm textile factory, which employed 12,000 workers of both sexes, decided clean up fate. I could not lead a happy, sedate life when the working population was so greatly enslaved. I simply had to join this transit. At that time this led to differences suggest itself my husband, who felt that my inclinations established an act of personal defiance directed against him. I left husband and child and journeyed competent Zurich in order to study political economy covered by Professor Heinrich Herkner. Therewith[34] began my conscious courage on behalf of the revolutionary goals of blue blood the gentry working-class movement. When I came back to Tension. Petersburg–now Leningrad–in 1899, I joined the illegal Slavonic Social Democratic Party. I worked as a novelist and propagandist. The fate of Finland, whose autonomy and relative freedom were being threatened by justness reactionary policy of the Czarist regime at justness end of the '90's, exercised a wholly mediocre power of attraction upon me. Perhaps my isolated gravitation towards Finland resulted from the impressions Irrational received on my grandfather's estate during my boyhood. I actively espoused the cause of Finland's folk liberation. Thus my first extensive[35] scientific work splotch political economy was a comprehensive investigation[36] of loftiness living and working conditions of the Finnish commonalty in relation to industry.[37] The book appeared count on 1903 in St. Petersburg. My parents had nondiscriminatory died, my husband and I had been subsistence separately for a long time, and only pensive son remained in my care. Now I challenging the opportunity to devote myself completely to minder aims:[38] to the Russian revolutionary movement and promote to the working-class movement of the whole world.[39] Adoration, marriage, family, all were secondary, transient matters. They were there, they intertwine with my life respect and over again. But as great as was my love for my husband, immediately it disturbed a certain limit in relation to my amenable proneness to make sacrifice, rebellion flared in pressing anew. I had to go away, I difficult to understand to break with the man of my patronizing, otherwise (this was a subconscious feeling in me) I would have exposed myself to the hazard of losing my selfhood. It must also the makings said that not a single one of illustriousness men who were close to me has sharpwitted had a direction-giving influence on my inclinations, strivings, or my world-view. On the contrary, most admit the time I was the guiding spirit. Hilarious acquired my view of life, my political hardhitting from life itself, and in uninterrupted study from[40] books.

In 1905, at the time the so-called prime revolution in Russia broke out, after the esteemed Bloody Sunday, I had already acquired a reliable in the field of economic and social writings. And in those stirring times, when all energies were utilized in the storm of revolt, cluedin turned out that I had become very general as an orator. Yet in that period I realized for the first time how little gift Party concerned itself with the fate of dignity women of the working class and how scanty was its interest in women's liberation. To acceptably sure a very strong bourgeois women's movement was already in existence in Russia. But my Red outlook pointed out to me with an instructive clarity that women's liberation[41] could take place nonpareil as the result of the victory of elegant new social order and a different economic formula. Therefore I threw myself into the struggle betwixt the Russian[42] suffragettes and strove with all unfocused might to induce the working-class movement to protract the woman question as one of the aims of its struggle in its program.[43] It was very difficult[44] to win my fellow members[45] mention to this idea. I was completely isolated portend my ideas and demands. Nevertheless in the days 1906-1908 I won a small group of troop Party comrades over to my plans. I [46] wrote[47] an article published in the illegal keep in 1906 in which for the first time[48] I set forth the demand to call rectitude working-class movement into being in Russia through organized Party work. In Autumn of 1907 we unsealed up the first Working Women's Club. Many admire the members of this club, who were get done very young workers at that time, now live in important posts in the new Russia and fall apart the Russian Communist Party (K. Nicolaieva, Marie Rhetorician, etc.). One result of my activity in uniting with the women workers,[49] but especially of nuts political writings–among which was a pamphlet on Suomi containing the call to rise up against the Czarist Duma[50] with "arms"–was the institution of lawful proceedings against me which held out the unbroken prospect of spending many years in prison. Unrestrainable was forced to disappear immediately and was on no account again to see my home. My son was taken in by good friends, my small dwelling liquidated. I became "an illegal." It was excellent time of strenuous work.

The first All-Russian Women's Hearing which had been called by the bourgeois suffragettes was scheduled to take place in December pan 1908. At that time the reaction was reverie the rise and the working-class movement was lie again after the first victory in 1905. Diverse Party comrades were in jail, others had frigid abroad. The vehement struggle between the two factions of the Russian Workers Party broke out anew: the Bolsheviks on the one side, the Mensheviks on the other. In 1908 I belonged touch upon the Menshevik faction, having been forced thereto get by without the hostile position taken by the Bolsheviks in the direction of the Duma, a pseudo-Parliament called by the Autocrat in order to Pacify the rebellious spirits objection the age. Although with the Mensheviks I espoused the point of view that even a pseudo-Parliament should be utilized as a tribute for colour Party and that the elections for the Duma must be used as an assembling point help out the working class. But I did not biological with the Mensheviks on the question of double the forces of the workers with the Liberals in order to accelerate the overthrow of despotism. On this point I was, in fact, do left-radical and was even branded as a "syndicalist" by my Party comrades.[51] Given my attitude repute the Duma it logically followed that I advised it useless to exploit the first bourgeois women's congress in the interest of our Party. Notwithstanding I worked with might and main to savings that our[52] women workers, who were to have a hand in in the Congress, emerged as an independent build up distinct group. I managed to carry out that plan but not without opposition. My Party comrades[53] accused me and those women-comrades who shared discomfited views of being "feminists" and of placing besides much emphasis on matters of concern to squadron only. At the time there was still rebuff comprehension at all[54] of the extraordinarily important put on an act in the struggle devolving upon self-employed professional unit. Nevertheless our will prevailed. A women-workers' group came forward at the Congress in St. Petersburg blank its own[55] program and it drew a persuasive line of demarcation between the bourgeois suffragettes status the women's liberation movement of the working gargantuan in Russia. However, I was forced to fly the coop before the close of the Congress because depiction police had come upon my tracks. I managed to cross the frontier inter Germany and ergo, in December of 1908, began a new lifetime of my life, political emigration.

The Years of Public Emigration

As a political refugee henceforth I lived directive Europe and America until the overthrow of Czarism in 1917. As soon as I arrived score Germany, after my flight, I joined the Teutonic Social Democratic Party in which I had uncountable personal friends, among whom I especially numbered Karl Liebknecht,[56] Rosa Luxemburg, Karl Kautsky.[57] Clara Zetkin further had a great influence on my activity[58] interpolate defining the principles of the women-workers movement boardwalk Russia. Already in 1907 I had taken break away, as a delegate from Russia, in the cardinal International Conference of Socialist Women that was kept in Stuttgart. This gathering was presided over from one side to the ot Clara Zetkin and it made an enormous endeavor to the development of the women-workers movement administer Marxist lines. I put myself at the deal of the Party press as a writer stoppage social and political questions, and I was besides frequently called upon as an orator by nobility German Party and I worked for the Regulation as an agitator from the Palatinate to Saxe, from Bremen to south Germany. But I assumed[59] no leading posts either in the Russian element or in the German party.[60] By and attack I was mainly a "popular orator" and invent esteemed political writer. I can now openly confess[61] that in the Russian Party I deliberately reserved somewhat aloof from the controlling center, and dump is explainable mainly by the fact that Uproarious was not yet in complete agreement with say publicly policy of my comrades.[62]But I had no thirst for to pass over to the Bolsheviks, nor could I for that matter since at the every time it seemed to me as if they sincere not attach sufficient importance to the development longedfor the working-class movement in "breadth and depth." Ergo I worked on my own seemingly almost laugh though I wanted to remain in the neighbourhood without setting my sights or obtaining a valuable position.[63] Here it must be admitted that, allowing I possessed a certain degree of ambition, similar every other active human being, I was under no circumstances animated by the desire to obtain "a post." For me "what I am" was always be in opposition to less importance than "what I can," that not bad to say, what I was in a shove to accomplish. In this way I, too, confidential my ambition and it was especially noticeable close to where I stood with my whole heart favour soul [64] in the struggle, where the jet was the abolition of the slavery of action women. I had above all set myself goodness task of winning over women workers in Country to socialism and, at the same time, incline working for the liberation of[65] woman, for ride out equality of rights. My book "The Social Cloth of the Women's Question" had appeared shortly previously my flight; it was a polemical disputation take on the bourgeois suffragettes but, at the same tightly, a challenge to the Party to build cool viable women workers movement in Russia. The paperback enjoyed a great success. At that time Crazed wrote for the legal and illegal press. Job an exchange of letters I tried to concern Party comrades and women workers themselves. Naturally, Berserk always did this in such a way renounce I demanded from the Party that it[66]espouse decency cause of women's liberation. I did not every have an easy time of it. Much one-off resistance, little understanding, and even less interest awaken this aim, over and over again, lay though an obstacle in the path. It was jumble until 1914, shortly before the outbreak of illustriousness World War, that finally both factions–the Mensheviks squeeze the Bolsheviks–took up the question in an eager and practical way, a fact which had persistent me an effect almost tantamount to a actual commendation. Two periodicals for working women were launched in Russia, the International Working Women's Congress spick and span March 8, 1914, was celebrated. I was do living in exile, however, and could help integrity so dearly loved women-workers movement in my land only from afar. I was in close approach, also from afar, with the working women be the owner of Russia. Already several years earlier[67] I had back number appointed by the Textile Workers Union as diversity official delegate to the Second International Conference model Socialist Women (1910) and, further,[68] to the amazing International Socialist Congress in Basle in 1912. Adjacent when a draft of a bill on collective insurance was introduced in the Russian pseudo-Parliament (the Duma), the Social Democratic Duma faction (of rectitude Menshevik wing) requested me to elaborate the author of a bill on maternity welfare. It was not the first time that the[69] faction chuck claim to my energies for legislative work. Unprejudiced before I was forced to go into expatriate, I had been enlisted by them–as a accomplished expert–to participate in the deliberation of the concern of Finland in the Imperial Duma.

The task delay had been assigned to me, namely, the betterment of a draft of a bill in glory field of maternity welfare, motivated me to assume a most thorough study of this special topic. The Bund für Mutterschutz, and the outstanding lessons of Dr. Helene Stöcker, also provided me adjust valuable suggestions. Nevertheless I also studied the meticulously in England, France, and in the Scandinavian countries. The result of these studies was my jotter "Motherhood and Society," a comprehensive[70] work of 600 pages on maternity welfare and the relevant codification in Europe and Australia. The fundamental regulations concentrate on demands in this field, which I summed entrapment at the end of my book, were comprehend later in 1917 by the Soviet regime draw the first social insurance laws.

For me the period of political emigration were hectic, quite stirring[71] eld. I travelled as a Party orator from native land to country. In 1911, in Paris, I uninhibited the housewives' strike "La grève des menagères" blaspheme the high cost of living. In 1912 Unrestrained worked in Belgium setting the groundwork for excellence miners' strike in the Borinage and in class same year the Party dispatched me to prestige left-oriented Socialist Youth Association of Sweden in command to strengthen the Party's72] anti-militaristic tendencies. Several stage earlier, this still merits mention here,[73] I fought in the ranks of the British Socialist Group side by side with Dora Montefiore and Madame Koeltsch[74] against the English suffragettes for the invigorating of the still fledgling socialist working-women's movement. Envelop 1913 I was again in England. This meaning I was there in order to take alteration active part in a protest action against glory famous "Beilis Trial" which had been instigated unresponsive to the anti-semites in Russia. In the spring wages the same year, the left wing of loftiness Swedish Social Democratic Party invited me to Sverige. These were truly hectic years, marked by primacy most varied types of militant activity. Notwithstanding, irate Russian Party comrades also laid claim to low energies and appointed me delegate to the Communalist Party and Trade Union Congress. Thus with say publicly help of Karl Liebknecht I also sparked breath activity in Germany on behalf of the deported socialist members of the Duma.[75] In 1911 Irrational was called to the Russian Party School space Bologna, where I delivered a series of lectures. The present Russian Minister of Education in Land Russia, A. Lunacharsky, Maxim Gorki, as well makeover the famous Russian economist and philosopher A. Bogdonov, were the founders of this Party school, existing Trotsky delivered lectures at the school at magnanimity same time that I was there. The decision Soviet Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, G. Chicherin, who at that time worked as secretary strain a relief agency for political refugees, oftentimes dubbed upon me to hold public lectures on righteousness most disparate cultural problems of Russian life draw out order to help fill the relief agency's bordering on empty kitty. At his behest I travelled ruckus over Europe but Berlin was my fixed dwelling. I felt at home in Germany and be born with always greatly appreciated the conditions there so all things being equal suited for scientific work. But I was band allowed to give speeches in Prussia. On influence contrary, I had to keep as quiet hoot possible to avoid expulsion by the Prussian police.

Then the World War broke out and once brush up I arrived at a new turning point razor-sharp my life.

But before I talk about this leading period of my intellectual existence, I still yearn for to say a few words about my bodily life. The question rises whether in the central point of all these manifold, exciting labors and Party-assignments I could still find rime for intimate memories, for the pangs and joys of love. Distressingly, yes! I say unfortunately because ordinarily these autobiography entailed all too many cares, disappointments, and headache, and because all too many energies were pointlessly consumed through them. Yet the longing to joke understood by a man down to the central, most secret recesses of one's soul, to make ends meet recognized by him as a striving human build on, repeatedly decided matters. And repeatedly disappointment ensued grab hold of too swiftly, since the friend saw in buzz only the feminine element which he tried break into mold into a willing sounding board to tiara own ego. So repeatedly the moment inevitably dismounted in which I had to shake off prestige chains of community with an aching heart on the other hand with a sovereign, uninfluenced will. Then I was again alone. But the greater the demands philosophy made upon me, the more the responsible pointless waiting to be tackled, the greater grew representation longing to be enveloped by love, warmth, upheaval. All the easier, consequently, began the old tale of disappointment in love, the old story dominate Titania in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."[76]

The outbreak allude to the World War found me in Germany. Cheap son was with me. We were both nab because my identity papers were not in fasten. During the house search, however, the police muddle up a mandate from the Russian Social Democratic Congregation appointing me as delegate to the World Get-together of Socialists. Suddenly the gentlemen from Alexander Platz became utterly charming: they figured that a person Social Democrat could not be a friend disturb the Czar and consequently certainly not an contestant of Germany. They were right.[77] I was embankment fact no enemy of Germany and still not as much of a Russian patriot. To me the war was an abomination, a madness, a crime, and evade the first moment onwards–more out of impulse rather than reflection–I inwardly rejected it and could never reunite myself with it up to this very moment.[78] The intoxication of patriotic feelings has always antediluvian something alien to me, on the contrary Unrestrainable felt an aversion for everything that smacked have power over super-patriotism. I found no understanding for my "anti-patriotic" attitude among my own Russian[79] Party comrades, who also lived in Germany.[80] Only Karl Liebknecht, king wife Sofie Liebknecht, and a few other Teutonic Party comrades, like myself, espoused the same point of view and, like myself,[81] considered it a socialist's detonate to struggle against the war. Strange to divulge, I was present in the Reichstag on Honourable 4, the day the war budget was paper voted on. The collapse of the German Communalist Party struck me as a calamity without be like. I felt utterly alone and found comfort sole in the company of the Liebknechts.

With the copy of some German Party friends I was middleaged to leave Germany with my son in Sedate of 1914 and emigrate to the Scandinavian power point. I left Germany not because I had mat the slightest manifestation of unfriendliness towards me on the other hand only for the reason that without a reserve of activity I would have been forced accomplish live in idleness in that country. I was impatient to take up the struggle against integrity war. After arriving on Sweden's neutral soil, Unrestrainable immediately[82] began the work against the war and for[83] the international solidarity of the world vital class. An appeal to working women made cast down way, along illegal channels, to Russia and obtain different other countries. In Sweden I wrote lecture spoke against the war. I spoke at collective meetings, most of which had been called dampen the leftist-leaning world-famous[84] Swedish Party leaders Zeta Höglund and Frederic Strön. I found in them character pure echo of my ideas and[85] feelings meticulous we joined forces in a common task target the victory of internationalism and against the fighting hysteria. It was only later that I politic of the attitude which the leading minds mention the Russian Party had taken towards the fighting. When the news finally reached us, by explode of Paris and Switzerland, it was for laughable a day of ineffable joy. We received guarantee that both Trotsky and Lenin, although they[86] belonged to different factions of the Party, had militantly risen up against the war. Thus I was no longer "isolated." A new grouping was proposed[87] in the Party, the internationalists and the "social-patriots." A Party periodical was also founded in Paris.[88] In the middle of my zealous activities, subdue, I was arrested by the Swedish authorities pivotal brought to the Kungsholm prison. The worst instant during this arrest was born of my affair over the identity papers of a good playmate and Party comrade, Alexander Schlapnikov, who had tetchy arrived illegally in Sweden from Russia, which Uproarious had taken over for safe-keeping. Under the discernment of the police I managed to hide them under my blouse and somehow make them knock back. Later I was transferred from the Kungsholm jail to the prison in Malma and then refugee to Denmark. As far as I know Funny was one of the first of the Inhabitant socialists to be jailed because of anti-war ormation. In Denmark I continued my work but truthful greater prudence. Nevertheless[89] the Danish police did note leave me in peace. Nor did the Scandinavian Social Democrats exhibit friendliness for the internationalists. Sight February of 1915 I emigrated to Norway annulus together with Alexander Schlapnikov we served as unadorned link between Switzerland, the place of residence discern Lenin and of the Central Committee,[90] and Empire. We had full contact with the Norwegian socialists. On March 8 of the same year Comical tried to organize an international working women's expression against the war in Christiania (now Oslo), on the other hand the representatives from the belligerent countries did jumble show up.

That was the time when the main rupture in Social Democracy was being prepared, in that the patriotically minded socialists could not go keep to with the internationalists. Since the Bolsheviks were those who most consistently fought social-patriotism, in June bear out 1915 I officially joined the Bolsheviks and entered into a lively correspondence with Lenin (Lenin's longhand to me have recently been published in Russia).[91]

I again began to do a prodigous amount admire writing, this time for the international-minded press magnetize the most different countries: England, Norway, Sweden, Land, Russia. At this time one of my letters, "Who Profits from the War?," appeared. Deliberately foreordained in a very popular view, it was disseminated in countless editions, in millions of copies,[92] other was translated into several languages, German included. Deadpan long as the war continued, the problem influence women's liberation obviously had to recede into significance background since my only concern, my highest aim,[93] was to fight against the war and hail a new Workers International into being. In honourableness autumn of 1915 the German section of magnanimity American Socialist Party invited me to journey cause problems America to deliver lectures there in the soul of "Zimmerwald" (a gathering of international-minded socialists). Mad was immediately ready to cross the ocean pointless this purpose, despite the fact that my train determinedly advised me against it. They were go into battle deeply worried about me because the journey locked away become very hazardous as a result of subsurface warfare. But the aim enticed me enormously. Ill at ease propaganda tour in America lasted five months, generous which time I visited eighty-one cities in primacy United States and delivered lectures in German, Sculpturer, and Russian.[94] The work was extremely strenuous, but also as fruitful, and I had warrant close to believe that as a result the internationalists include the American Party were strengthened. Much opposition monitor the war, passionate debates, also existed overseas, nevertheless the police did not bother me.[95] The newspapers, by turns, branded me either as a foreign agent of the German Kaiser or as an intermediary of the Entente. I returned to Norway crucial the spring of 1916. I love Norway become accustomed its incomparable fjords and its majestic mountains, professor courageous, gifted, and industrious people. At that constantly I lived on the famous Holmenkollen near Port and continued to work with the view 'of welding together all the forces of the internationalists in opposition to the World War. I distributed Lenin's view which aimed at spreading the certainty that the war could be defeated only through the Revolution, by the uprising of the staff. I was in substantial agreement with Lenin at an earlier time stood much closer to him than many a range of his older followers and friends.[96] But my stay in Norway was not a long one considering only a few months after my arrival Unrestrainable had to embark upon a second journey regarding America, where I remained till shortly before representation outbreak of the Russian Revolution. For me depiction situation in America had changed insofar as, joy the meanwhile, many Russian Party comrades had winner over, Trotsky among others. We worked zealously gather the new Workers International but America's intervention birth the war aggravated our activity.[97]

I had already bent in Norway for several weeks, when the State people rose up against absolutism and dethroned rendering Czar. A festive mood reigned among all determination political friends. But I harbored no illusions being I knew that the overthrow of the Monarch would be only the beginning of even add-on momentous events and difficult social struggles so Hilarious hastened[98] back to Russia in March 1917. Distracted was one of the first political emigrants who came[99] back to the liberated homeland. Torneo, interpretation tiny frontier town lying north of the Swedish-Finnish frontiers, through which I had to pass, was still in the grip of a cruel wintertime. A sleigh carried me across the river which marks the frontier. On Russian soil stood unmixed soldier. A bright red ribbon fluttered on government chest. "Your identity papers, please, citizenness!" "I have to one`s name none. I am a political refugee." "Your name?" I identified myself. A young officer was summoned. Yes, my name was on the list drug political refugees who were to be freely manifest into the country by order of the Workers' and Soldiers' Soviet. The young officer helped prematurely out of the sleigh and kissed my shot in the arm, almost reverently. I was standing on the democratic soil of liberated Russia! Could that be possible? It was one of the happiest hours position my whole[100] life. Four months later, by in sequence of the Kerensky regime (the Provisional Government), influence same charming young officer placed me under detain as a dangerous Bolshevik at the Torneo marches station ...Such is life's irony.

The Years of Revolution

So overwhelming was the rush of subsequent events cruise to this very day I really do whimper know what I should describe and emphasize: what have I accomplished, desired, achieved? Was there completely an individual will at that time? Was overflow not only the omnipotent storm of the Twirl, the command of the active, awakened masses rove determined our will and action? Was there in every respect a single human being who would not hold bowed to the general will? There were lone masses of people, bound together in a two-part will, which operated either for or against glory Revolution, for or against ending the war, abstruse which sided for or against the power have a high regard for the Soviets. Looking back one perceives only natty massive operation, struggle, and action. In reality at hand were no heroes or leaders. It was decency people, the working people, in soldiers' uniform tendency in civilian attire, who controlled the situation splendid who recorded its will indelibly in the description of the country and mankind. It was spruce sultry summer, a crucial summer of the radical flood-tide in 1917! At first the social get angry raged only in the countryside, the peasants dawn fire to the "nests of gentle folk." Make a way into the cities the struggle that raged was amidst the advocates of a republican-bourgeois Russia and prestige socialist aspirations of the Bolsheviks ...

As I maintain previously stated, I belonged to the Bolsheviks. To such a degree accord immediately, from the first days onwards, I overawe an absolute enormous pile of work waiting dilemma me. Once more the issue was to remuneration a struggle against the war, against coalescence inspect the liberal bourgeoisie, and for the power worry about the workers' councils, the Soviets. The natural of the essence of this stand was that the bourgeois newspapers branded me as a "mad female Bolshevik." On the other hand this bothered me not at all. My specialty of activity was immense, and my followers, plant workers and women-soldiers, numbered thousands.[101] At this age I was very popular, especially[102] as an orator,[103] and, at the same time, hated and heartlessly attacked by the bourgeois press. Thus it was a stroke of luck~ that I was[104] inexpressive weighed down with current work that I misconstrue hardly any time to read the attacks professor slanders against me. The hate directed against efficient, allegedly because I had been in the repay of the German Kaiser for the purpose blame weakening the Russian front, grew[105] to monstrous proportions.

One of the most burning questions of the expound was the high cost of living and illustriousness growing scarcity of vital necessities. Thus the corps of the poverty-stricken strata had an indescribably solid time of it. Precisely this situation prepared nobleness terrain in the Party for "work with women" so that very soon we were able accept accomplish useful work.[106] Already in May of 1917 a weekly called "The Women Workers" made professor debut. I authored an appeal to women harm the high cost of living and the war.[107] The first mass meeting, packed with thousands cut into people,[108] that took place in Russia under rendering Provisional Government, was organized by us, by influence Bolsheviks. Kerensky and his ministers made no alien of their hatred of me, the "instigator go the spirit of disorganization" in the Army. Get someone on the blower particular article of mine in "Pravda" in which I interceded for German prisoners of war unleashed a veritable storm of[109] indignation on the withdraw of patriotic-minded circles. When in April Lenin unchain his famous programmatic speech within the frame admonishment the Soviets, I was the only one invite his Party comrades who took the poor make ill support his theses. What hatred this particular resistant kindled against me![110] Often I had to bound off tramcars before people recognized me, since Uproarious had become a topical theme of the short holiday and often bore personal witness to the nigh incredible abuse and lies directed against me. I should like to cite a small example which can show how the enemy worked with puissance and main to defame me. At that offend the newspapers hostile to me were already scribble about the "Kollontai party dresses" which particularly ergo was laughable because my trunk had been gone en route to Russia, so I always wore the one and the same dress. There was even a little street ballad that commented outlook Lenin and me in verse.[111] There was besides nothing extraordinary in the fact that, threatened makeover I was by irritated mobs, I was in every instance protected from the worst only by the bold intercession of my friends and Party comrades. But I myself personally experienced little[112] of the discredit around me and, of course, there was besides a great number of enthusiastic friends: the personnel, the sailors, the soldiers who were utterly true to me.[113] Moreover, the number of our followers[114] grew from day to day. Already in Apr, I was a member of the Soviet provided that which, in reality, was the guiding political target of the moment, to which I belonged restructuring the only woman and over a long spell. In May of 1917 I took part rank the strike of women laundry workers who locate forth the demand that all laundries be "municipalized." The struggle lasted six weeks. Nevertheless the main demand of the women laundry workers remained unmet by the Kerensky regime.

At the end of June, I was sent by my Party to Stockholm as a delegate to an international consultation which was interrupted when news reached us of interpretation July uprising against the Provisional Government and be defeated the extremely harsh measures that the[115] government was taking against the Bolsheviks. Many of our foremost Party comrades had already been arrested, others, plus Lenin, had managed to escape and go get on to hiding. The Bolsheviks were accused of high disloyalty and branded as spies of the German Emperor. The uprising was brought to a standstill ride the coalition regime retaliated against all those who had manifested sympathy for the Bolsheviks. I at once decided to return to Russia, although my corporation and Party comrades[116] considered this to be uncluttered risky undertaking. They wanted me to go cause somebody to Sweden and await the course of events. Untainted as these counsels were, and correct as they also appeared to me later,[117] I nevertheless could not heed them. I simply had to mock back. Otherwise it would appear to me introduce an act of cowardice to take advantage come within earshot of the privilege, that had become mine, of left over wholly immune from the persecutions of the Pro tem Government, when a great number of my federal friends were sitting in jail. Later I realised that, perhaps, I might have been able cause somebody to be move useful to our cause from Sverige, but I was under the compulsion of rectitude moment.[118] By order of the Kerensky regime Unrestrained was arrested on the border of Torneo good turn subjected to the most boorish treatment as excellent spy ... But the arrest itself proceeded entirely theatrically: during the inspection of my passport Unrestrainable was requested to step into the commandant's period of influence. I understood what that meant. A number produce soldiers were standing in an enormous room, eaten up close against each other. Two young officers were also present, one of them being the wizardly young man who had received me so amiably[119] four months previously. A veritable[120] silence prevailed jammy the room. The facial expression of the precede officer, Prince B., betrayed a great nervousness. Unagitated, I waited to see what would happen after that. "You are under arrest," explained Prince B. "So. Has the counter-revolution triumphed Do we again take a monarchy?" "No," was the gruff reply. "You are under arrest by order of the Conjectural Government." "I have been expecting it. Please, hard my suitcase be brought in, I don't require it to be lost." "But, of course. Deputy, the suitcase!" I saw how the officers heaved a sigh of relief, and how the lower ranks left the room with displeasure writ large justification their faces. Later I learned that my apprehend had occasioned a protest among the soldiers who insisted upon witnessing the arrest. The officers, quieten, had feared that I might make a words to the soldiers. "In that case we would have been lost," one of them told dependability afterwards.

I was forced to wait for the path of the investigation, like the other Bolsheviks, wear a Petrograd prison, in strict isolation. The solon incredibly the regime conducted itself towards the Bolsheviks, the more their influence grew.[121] The march be proper of the White general Kornilov on Petrograd strengthened illustriousness most radical elements of the Revolution. The dynasty demanded that the jailed Bolsheviks be freed. Solon, however, refused to free me and it was only by an order of the Soviet guarantee I was released from jail upon payment healthy bail. But already on the next day, Kerensky's decree that I be placed under house vicious circle hung over me. Nevertheless I was given ill-defined full freedom of movement one month before blue blood the gentry decisive struggle, the October Revolution in 1917. On the contrary my work piled up. Now the groundwork was to be set for a systematic women-workers portage. The first conference of women workers was revert to be called. It also took place and dynamic coincided with the overthrow of the Provisional Make and the establishment of the Soviet Republic.

At renounce time I was a member of the topmost Party body, the Central Committee, and I rolling for the policy of armed uprising.[122] I was also a member of different Party representations come to terms with decisive Congresses and State institutions (the preliminary Mother of parliaments, the democratic Congress, etc.). Then came the wonderful days of the October Revolution. Smolny became noteworthy. The sleepless nights, the permanent sessions. And, eventually, the stirring declarations. "The Soviets take power!" "The Soviets address an appeal to the peoples dispense the world to put an end to justness war." "The land is socialized and belongs tackle the peasants!"

The Soviet Government was formed. I was appointed People's Commissar (Minister) of Social Welfare. Wild was the only woman in the cabinet and the first woman in history[123] who had period been recognized as a member of a reach a decision. When one recalls the first months of justness Workers' Government, months which were so rich hill magnificent illusions,[124] plans,[125] ardent initiatives to improve brusque, to organize the world anew, months of ethics real romanticism of the Revolution, one would copy fact like to write about all else release about one's self. I occupied the post contempt Minister of Social Welfare from October of 1917 to March of 1918.[126] It was not pass up opposition that I was received by the preceding officials of the Ministry. Most of them sabotaged us openly and simply did not show open up for work. But precisely this office could very different from interrupt its work, come what may, since confine itself it was an extraordinarily complicated operation. Going away included the whole welfare program for the war-disabled, hence for hundreds of thousands of crippled general public and officers, the pension system in general, orphan homes, homes for the aged, orphanages, hospitals care the needy, the work-shops making artificial limbs, description administration of playing-card factories (the manufacture of acting cards was a State monopoly), the educational system,[127] clinical hospitals for women.[128] In addition a complete series of educational institutes for young girls were also under the direction of this Ministry. Hold up can easily imagine the enormous demands these tasks made upon a small group of people who, at the same time, were novices in Speak administration. In a clear awareness of these beholden I formed,[129] immediately, an auxiliary council in which experts such as physicians, jurists, pedagogues were representational alongside the workers and the minor officials assault the Ministry. The sacrifice, the energy with which the minor employees bore the burden of that difficult task was truly exemplary. It was throng together only a matter of keeping the work incessantly the Ministry going, but also of initiating reforms and improvements. New, fresh forces replaced the sabotaging officers of the old regime. A new insect stirred in the offices of the formerly extraordinarily conservative Ministry. Days of grueling work! And fuzz night the sessions of the councils of authority People's Commissar (of the cabinet) under Lenin's leadership. A small, modest room and only one sob sister who recorded the resolutions which changed Russia's survival to its bottommost foundations. My first act[130] People's Commissar was[131] to compensate a small peasant arrangement his requisitioned horse. Actually by no stretch break on the imagination did this belong to the functions of my office. But the man was dogged to receive compensation for his horse. He abstruse travelled from his distant village to the means and had knocked patiently on the doors detect all the ministries. Then the Bolshevik revolution down and out out. The man had heard that the Bolsheviks were in favor of the workers and peasants. So he went to the Smolny Institute, in a jiffy Lenin, who had to pay out the agreement. I do not know how the conversation amidst Lenin and the small peasant went. As organized result of it, however, the man came command somebody to me with a small page torn from Lenin's notebook on which I was requested to install the matter somehow since at the moment leadership People's Commissariat for Social Welfare had the unchanging amount of cash at its disposal. The mini peasant received his compensation.

My main work as People's Commissar consisted in the following:[132] by decree collision improve the situation of the war-disabled, to devastation religious instruction in the schools for young girls which were under the Ministry (this was pull off before the general separation of Church and State), and to transfer priests to the civil attack, to introduce the right of self-administration for course group in the schools for girls, to reorganize dignity former orphanages into government Children's Homes (no position was to be made between orphaned children stake those who still had fathers and mothers),[133] limit set up the first hostels for the indigent and street-urchins, to convene a committee, composed only[134] of doctors, which was to be commissioned in the neighborhood of elaborate[135] the free public health system for depiction whole country. In my opinion the most put the lid on accomplishment of the People's Commissariat, however, was honesty legal foundation of a Central Office for Motherhood and Infant Welfare. The draft of the fee relating to this Central Office was signed strong me in January of 1918. A second complete followed in which I[136] changed all maternity hospitals into free Homes for Maternity and Infant Care,[137] in order thereby to set the groundwork ask for a comprehensive government system of pre-natal care. Hysterical was greatly assisted in coping with these tasks by Dr. Korolef. We also planned a "Pre-Natal Care Palace," a model home with an cheerful room in which courses for mothers would elect held and, among many other things,[138] model daylight nurseries were also to be established.[139] We were just about completing preparations for such a expertness in the building of a girls' boarding an educational institution at which formerly young girls of the peerage had been educated and which was still slipup the direction of a countess, when a flush destroyed our work, which had barely begun! Difficult to understand the fire been set deliberately? ... I was dragged out of bed in the middle be in the region of the night. I rushed to the scene longed-for the fire; the beautiful exhibition room was fully ruined, as were all the other rooms. Inimitable the huge name-plate "Pre-Natal Care Palace" still hung over the entrance door.

My efforts to nationalize motherhood and infant care set off a new quiver of insane attacks against me. All kinds prime lies were related[140] about the "nationalization of women," about my legislative proposals which assertedly ordained delay little girls of 12 were to become mothers. A special fury gripped the religious followers forfeited the old regime when, on my own control (the cabinet later criticized me for this action),[141] I transformed the famous Alexander Nevsky monastery feel painful a home for war invalids. The monks resisted and a shooting fray ensued. The press encore raised a loud hue and cry against me.[142] The Church organized street demonstrations against my action[143] and also pronounced "anathema' against me...

I received unnumberable threatening letters, but I never requested military assign. I always went out alone, unarmed and poor any kind of a bodyguard. In fact Hilarious never gave a thought to any kind state under oath danger, being all too engrossed in matters claim an utterly different character.[144] In February of 1918 a first State delegation of the Soviets was sent to Sweden in order to clarify dissimilar economic and political questions.[145] As Peoples' Commissar Rabid headed this delegation. But our vessel was shipwrecked; we were saved by landing on the Aland Islands which belonged to Finland. At this really time the struggle between the Whites and depiction Reds in the country had reached its wellnigh crucial moment and the German Army was too making ready to wage war against Finland.

The Ivory troops occupied the Aland Islands on the pull off evening of our shipwreck as we were desk at dinner in an inn of the gen of Marieham, rejoicing over our rescue. We managed to escape thanks to the greatest determination take up cunning, yet one of our group, a young[146] Finn, was captured and shot. We returned medical Petrograd, where the evacuation of the capital was being prepared with feverish haste: German troops heretofore stood before the gates of the city.

Now began a dark time[147] of my life which Funny cannot treat of here since the events intrude on still too fresh in my mind. But leadership day will also come when I will yield an account of them.[148]

There were differences reproduce opinion in the Party.[149] I resigned from vindicate post as People's Commissar on the ground freedom total disagreement with the current policy. Little fail to notice little I was also relieved of all minder other tasks. I again gave lectures and espoused my ideas on "the new woman" and "the new morality."[150] The Revolution was in full fresh. The struggle was becoming increasingly irreconcilable and bloodier, much of what was happening did not tantrum in with my outlook.[151] But after all[152] on every side was still the unfinished task, women's liberation. Troop, of course, had received all rights but extort practice, of course, they still lived under depiction old yoke: without authority in family life, abused by a thousand menial household chores, bearing nobility whole burden of maternity, even the material agony, because many women now found life alone whilst a result of the war and other circumstances.

In the autumn of 1916 when I devoted collective my energies to drawing up systematic guidelines parade the liberation of working women in all areas, I found a valuable support in the[153] principal President of the Soviets, Sverdlov, now dead.[154] Way the first Congress of Women Workers and Cohort Peasants could be called as early as Nov of 1918; some 1147 delegates were present. Non-standard thusly the foundation was laid for methodical work send back the whole country for the liberation[155] of nobleness women of the working and the peasant coaching. A flood of new work was waiting lay out me. The question now was one of picture women into the people's kitchens and of educating them to devote their energies to children's container and day-care centers, the school system, household reforms, and still many other pressing matters. The painting thrust of all this activity was to put into action, in fact, equal rights for women as organized labor unit in the national economy and by the same token a citizen in the political sphere and, assert course, with the special proviso: maternity was confess be appraised as a social function and consequently protected and provided for by the State.

Under greatness guidance of Dr. Lebedevo, the State institutes in lieu of pre-natal care also flourished then. At the harmonize time, central officers were established in the entire country to deal with issues and tasks unrelated with women's liberation and to draw women feel painful Soviet work.[156]

The Civil War in 1919 saddled perfect with new tasks. When the White troops timetested to march north from south Russia, I was again sent to the Ukraine and to greatness Crimea where at first I served as authority of the enlightenment department in the Army. Consequent, up to the evacuation of the Soviet government,[157] I was appointed People's Commissar of Enlightenment contemporary Propaganda in the Ukrainian government. I managed run alongside send 400 women communists out of the endangered zone near Kiev with a special train. Raving did my most possible best for the bolshevik women workers movement also in the Ukraine.[158]

A colossal illness tore me away from the exciting lessons for months. Hardly having recovered–at that time Uproarious was in Moscow–I took over the direction delineate the Coordinating Office for Work among Women opinion again a new period of intensive, grueling out of a job began. A communist women's newspaper[159] was founded, conferences and congresses of women workers were convoked. Position foundation was laid for work with the detachment of the East (Mohammedans). Two world conferences model communist women took place in Moscow. The assemblage liberalizing abortion was put through and a installment of regulations of benefit to women were foreign by our Coordinating Office and legally confirmed. At this time I had to do more hand and speaking than ever before...[160] Our work reactionary wholehearted support from Lenin. And Trotsky, although misstep was overburdened with military tasks, unfailingly and cheerfully appeared at our conferences. Energetic, gifted women, several of whom are no longer alive,[161] sacrificially zealous all their energies to the work of honourableness Coordinating Office.

At the eighth Soviet Congress, as ingenious member of the Soviet executive (now there were already several women on this body[162] ), Side-splitting proposed a motion that the Soviets in gross areas contribute to the creation of a awareness of the struggle for equal rights for squad and, accordingly, to involve them in State come to rest communal work. I[163] managed to push the conveyance through and to get it accepted but mewl without resistance. It was a great, an lasting victory.

A heated debate flared up when I accessible my thesis on the new morality. For in the nick of time Soviet marriage law, separated from the Church contact be sure, is not essentially more progressive caress the same laws that after all exist quickwitted other progressive democratic countries. Marriage, civil marriage and[164] although the illegitimate child was[165] placed on unblended legal par with the legitimate child,[166] in apply a great deal of hypocrisy and injustice get done exists in this area. When one speaks business the "immorality" which the Bolsheviks purportedly propagated, proceedings suffices to submit our marriage laws to calligraphic close scrutiny to note that in the dissolution question we are on a par with Boreal America whereas in the question of the felonious child we have not yet even[167] progressed gorilla far as the Norwegians.

The most radical wing stand for the Party was formed around this question. Clean up theses, my sexual and moral[168] views,[169] were bitter fought by many Party comrades of both sexes:[170] as were still other differences of opinion buy the Party regarding political guiding principles.[171] Personal highest family cares were added thereto and thus months in 1922 went by without fruitful work. Redouble in the autumn of 1922 came my well-founded appointment to the legation of the Russian Land representation in Norway. I really believed that that appointment would be purely formal and that consequently in Norway I would find time to honor to myself, to my literary activity. Things soured out quite differently. With the day of selfconscious entry into office in Norway I also entered upon a wholly new course of work inspect my life which drew upon all my energies to the highest degree. During my diplomatic vogue, therefore, I wrote only one article, "The Brachypterous Eros," which caused an extraordinarily great flutter. More to this were three short novels, "Paths interpret Love," which have been published by Malik-Verlag pulsate Berlin.[172] My book "The New Morality and authority Working Class" and a socio-economic study, "The State of Women in the Evolution of Political Economy," were written when I was still in Russia.

The Years of Diplomatic Service

I took up my duties in Norway in October of 1922 and primate early as 1923 the head of the diplomatic mission went on holiday so that I had on the surface to conduct the affairs of the Soviet Nation for him. Soon thereafter, however, I was right as the representative of my country in realm stead. Naturally this appointment created a great impression since, after all, it was the first interval in history that a woman was officially systematic as an "ambassador." The conservative press and particularly the Russian "White" press were outraged and exhausted to make a real monster of immorality deed a bloody bogy out of me. Now mega a profusion of articles were written about unfocused "horrid views" in relation to marriage and like. Nevertheless I must stress here that it was only the conservative press that gave me specified an unfriendly reception in my new position. In[173] all the social relations which I had textile the three[174] years of my work[175] in Norge, I never once experienced the least trace discern aversion or mistrust against woman's capabilities. To mistrust sure, the healthy, democratic spirit of the Norse people greatly contributed to this. Thus the occurrence is to be confirmed that my work trade in official Russian[176] representative[177] in Norway was never, bracket in no wise, made difficult for the pretext that I belonged "to the weaker sex." Confine connection with my position as ambassadress I additionally had to assume the duties of a Barter Plenipotentiary of the Russian governmental trade representation essential Norway. Naturally both tasks in their special conclude were new to me. Nevertheless I set yourself the[178] task of effecting the de jure make your mark of Soviet Russia and of re-establishing normal commerce relations between the two countries which had anachronistic broken by the war and the revolution.[179] Birth work began with great zeal and the maximum roseate hopes. A splendid[180] summer and an consequential winter marked the year of 1923! The latterly resumed trade relations were in full swing: Land corn and Norwegian herring and fish, Russian wind products and Norwegian paper and cellulose. On Feb 15, 1924, Norway in fact[181] recognized the U.S.S.R. de jure. I was appointed "chargé d'affaires" added officially introduced into the diplomatic corps. Now shopkeeper for a trade treaty between the two countries began. My life was as crammed with tiring work and highly interesting experiences alike. I[182] difficult also to settle grave questions connected with ethics further development of trade and of shipping. Tail several months, in August of 1924, I was appointed "Ministre Plenipotentiere" and handed over my reason to the king of Norway with the common ceremonial. This, of course, gave the conservative break down of all countries another occasion to spew their invectives upon me. After all, never before hill all history had a woman been accepted gorilla ambassador with the customary pomp and ceremony.

The back up agreement was concluded in Moscow[183] at the swear of 1925 and in February I countersigned integrity ratified treaty in Oslo with the president more than a few the Norwegian cabinet, I. L. Mowickl.[184]

The signing decided the successful accomplishment of my whole mission coach in Norway. I could hasten towards new goals allow for this reason[185] I left my post put back Norway.

If I have attained something in this globe, it was not my personal qualities that initially brought this about. Rather my achievements are nonpareil a symbol of the fact that woman, tail all, is already on the march to typical recognition. It is the drawing of millions outline women into productive work, which was swiftly established especially during the war and which thrust talk about the realm of possibility the fact that uncomplicated woman could be advanced to the highest governmental and diplomatic positions. Nevertheless it is obvious consider it only a country of the future, such by reason of the Soviet Union, can dare to confront gal without any prejudice, to appraise her only unearth the standpoint of her skills and talents, prosperous, accordingly, to entrust her with responsible tasks. Unique the fresh revolutionary storms were strong enough unity sweep away hoary prejudices against woman and lone the productive-working people is able to effect honesty complete equalization and liberation of woman by 1 a new society.

As I now end this diary, I stand on the threshold of new missions and life is making new demands upon office [186]

No matter what further tasks I shall nominate carrying out, it is perfectly clear to enlightened that the complete liberation of the working female and the creation of the foundation of great new sexual morality will always remain the extreme aim of my activity, and of my life.[187]

In July of 1926

Signed: Alexandra Kollontai

Footnotes

[1] Author's correction: begeted something which is recognized by society.

[2a] perhaps

[2] Author's correction: to emphasize that which has an monetary worth for the solution of the social problems pay money for our time, and which also includes the resolved problem of complete women's liberation. Author's note catch respect to 2: delete

[3] Author's correction: I difficult to understand a certain presentiment

[4a] for society

[4b] makeover creative worker

[4c] who fought for the conception of our social ideals

[4d] Socialists – now communists

[4e] crossed out

[4f] world-view

[4g] I believe

[4h] always

[4i] what because once love came, I have my relations round on the man

[4k] as men do

[4l] As was shown later, my private life, which I did war cry shape according to the traditional model, was maladroit thumbs down d hindrance when in all seriousness it was a-one question of utilizing my energies for a fresh State [the Soviet Republic] and of functioning precede as a member of the first Soviet bureau, later as ambassadress.

[4m] for example (crossed out)

[4n] across out

[4o] crossed out

[4p] : the

[4r] "truly remarkable" (in quotes)

[4s] privately

[4t] crossed out

[4u] crossed out

[4v] can be dispelled (and crossed out)

[4w] that
Author's note with respect to 4: delete completely
Author's new note: Instead of deleting
For it appreciation not her specific womanish virtue that gives repulse a place of honor in human society, on the contrary the worth of her useful work accomplished convoy society, the worth of her personality as being being, as creative worker, as citizen, thinker, be obsessed with fighter. To go my way, to create, constitute fight side by side with men for honesty realization of our social ideals (indeed for bordering on thirty years I belonged to the communists), nevertheless, at the same time, to shape my in the flesh life as a woman according to my will.
Subconsciously this was the guiding force of nuts whole life and activity
Above all, however, Irrational never let my feelings, joy in love, retrospective sorrow take the first place in my life: productive work, activity, struggle always stood in say publicly foreground.

[5] Author's correction: primarily upon all other areas

[6] Author's correction: and are not guided via sentimental love-feelings

[7] Author's correction: "spiritual community"

[8] Author's correction: inwardly, in the mind

[9] crossed out

[10] so that only a very subordinate place leftovers available to love

[11] Author's correction: unreservedly gave our entire ego to the beloved man consign the hope that thereby we could attain unmixed complete spiritual harmony.

[12] crossed out

[13] crossed out

[14] crossed out

[15] crossed out

[16] Author's correction: brace Russian landowner (class)

[17] crossed out

[18] Author's correction: experienced

[19] crossed out

[20] Author's correction: strict felt the

[21] crossed out

[22] Author's correction: "rebelliously"

[23] Author's correction: in St. Petersburg

[24] crossed spring clean

[25] crossed out

[26] Author's correction: liberal

[27] Author's correction: "good match" (in quotes)

[28] Author's correction: sixty

[29] Author's correction: "marriage of convenience" captain "marriage for money" (in quotes)

[30] "great passion" (in quotes)

[31] crossed out

[32] crossed out

[33] Author's correction: the

[34] Author's correction: at that time; alternative correction: then

[35] Author's correction: more comprehensive [in German grosse, grossere – tr.]

[36] Author's correction: studies on the

[37] crossed out

[38] Author's correction: to my work

[39] crossed out

[40] Author's correction: and

[41] Author's correction: I realized that pierce Russia little had yet been done to pull women workers into the liberation struggle. To reasonably sure a quite strong bourgeois women's movement before now existed in Russia at that time. But, variety a Marxist, it was clear to me dump the lib-

[42] Author's correction: against the bourgeois-minded

[43] across out

[44] Author's correction: not so easy

[45] Author's correction: comrades

[46] Author's correction: Since

[47] Author's correction: I

[48] crossed out

[49] Author's correction: tell off propaganda work among the masses of women-workers

[50] Author's correction: Czarism

[51] Author's note: delete

[52] Author's correction: the

[53] Author's correction: (the Mensheviks)

[54] Author's correction: insufficient

[55] Author's correction: the socialist

[56] Author's correction: And

[57] crossed out

[58] Author's correction: work

[59] Author's correction: at that time Hysterical had

[60] crossed out

[61] crossed out

[62] Author's correction: (the Mensheviks)

[63] Author's note: delete

[64] crossed out

[65] Author's correction: working

[66] Author's correction: a more zealous activity

[67] crossed out

[68] crossed out

[69] Author's correction: Duma

[70] Author's correction: a

[71] crossed out

[72] Author's correction: in Sverige

[73] crossed out

[74] crossed out

[75] Author's note: delete

[76] Author's note: delete

[77] crossed out

[78] crossed flick through

[79] crossed out

[80] Author's correction: at give it some thought time

[81] crossed out

[82] crossed out

[83] Author's correction: through revival of the

[84] crossed because of

[85] crossed out

[86] Author's correction: both

[87] Author's correction: a new grouping took place

[88] crossed out

[89] crossed out

[90] Author's correction: goods our Party

[91] crossed out

[92] crossed out

[93] Author's correction: our only and living aim

[94] Author's correction: I had to cross the whole get ahead the United States from the Atlantic to leadership Pacific Ocean and deliver lectures in the leading different languages along the lines of the Internationalists

[95] Author's note: delete

[96] Author's note: delete

[97] Author's note: delete

[98] Author's correction: as soon whereas the political amnesty was declared by the newborn Republic I hastened

[99] Author's correction: who had leadership luck to

[100] crossed out

[101] Author's note: delete

[102] crossed out

[103] Author's correction: with the workers, distinction soldiers, the working women and the women lower ranks

[104] Author's correction: I, however, was

[105] Author's correction: grew among the non-Soviet minded strata

[106] Author's correction: This gave our Party occasion accomplish initiate enlightenment and political work among working squadron

[107] crossed out

[108] Author's correction: under the war whoop of international solidarity and against the war

[109] Author's correction: the

[110] Author's note: delete

[111] Author's note: delete

[112] Author's correction: did sound worry at all

[113] crossed out

[114] Author's correction: of the Bolsheviks

[115] Author's correction: Provisional (Kerensky)

[116] crossed out

[117] crossed out

[118] crossed decipher

[119] Author's correction: amicably

[120] Author's correction: strange

[121] Author's correction: of Bolshevism

[122] Author's correction: crosstown out 34

[123] Author's correction: So far as Crazed knew it was the first time in version that a woman

[124] Author's correction: great aims and

[125] Author's correction: in

[126] crossed spread

[127] Author's correction: leper colonies

[128] Author's correction: etc.

[129] Author's correction: we formed

[130] Author's correction: my first day

[131] Author's correction: began pass for follows

[132] Author's correction: the most important achievements obvious our Peoples Commissariat (Ministry for Social Welfare) greet the first months after the October Revolution were the following:

[133] crossed out

[134] crossed tapering off

[135] Author's correction: to work out

[136] crossed generate

[137] Author's correction: were

[138] crossed out

[139] Author's correction: etc.

[140] Author's correction: written in State, on laws which "obligated" 12-year old girls talk to become mothers and suchlike

[141] Author's correction: we

[142] Author's correction: our action

[143] crossed out

[144] Author's note: delete

[145] crossed out

[146] Author's correction: "red" (in quotes)

[147] Author's correction: period

[148] crossed out

[149] crossed out: Author's correction: Crazed

[150] Author's note: delete

[151] crossed out

[152] Author's correction: also

[153] Author's correction: it was the

[154] Author's correction: who recognized the task of nobleness political education of working women as a massive aim of the Party and helped us con our work

[155] Author's correction: emancipation

[156] Author's correction: to win them over to the new federal system, to educate them politically

[157] crossed out

[158] Author's note: delete

[159] Author's correction: periodical

[160] crossed out

[161] Author's correction: Inessa Armand, increase in intensity Samoslova

[162] crossed out

[163] Author's correction: we

[164] crossed out

[165] Author's correction: in Soviet Country

[166] Author's correction: is

[167] Author's correction: sole

[168] crossed out

[169] Author's correction: in nobleness area of sexual morality

[170] crossed out

[171] decussate out

[172] Author's correction: wrote little: three short made-up, "F Love," my first attempt at short-story scrawl, a sociological "Winged Eros," and other unimportant articles.

[173] Author's correction: that in

[174] Author's correction: prosperous one half

[175] Author's correction: diplomatic activity

[176] crossed out

[177] Author's correction: the Soviet Republic

[178] Author's correction: The

[179] Author's correction: laid famous claim on my energies

[180] Author's correction: load with work

[181] Author's correction: (in fact) [in parentheses]

[182] Author's correction: we

[183] crossed out

[184] Author's correction: the trade agreement was ratified

[185] crossed out

[186] Author's correction: and to be kink to Mexico as ambassadress of the Soviet Union

[187] Author's note: delete