The Sixth of July 1968

In Russia, hunger, devastation and intervention set the stage for a turning point as the Fifth All-Russian Congress of Soviets of Workers, Peasants, Red Army and Cossack Deputies opens in Moscow on July 4, 1918. Within the revolutionary ranks, a split widens: the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries seek to wrest power from the Bolsheviks. At the request of the Left Socialist-Revolutionary faction, a representative of the underground Ukrainian peasant congress, Aleksandrov, addressed the deputies with a fiery speech urging them to vote against the Brest-Litovsk treaty. Lenin, Yuriy Kayurov, spoke against any war with the German Empire, and the congress adopts a Bolshevik resolution approving the activities of the Council of People’s Commissars.

On July 6, the Central Committee of the Left Socialist Revolutionary Party gathers in emergency session. To break the Brest-Litovsk treaty, which they see as counterrevolutionary, they decide to physically eliminate the German ambassador Wilhelm von Mirbach. The assassination signals the start of an uprising. One by one the buildings of the most important city services fall into the hands of the revolutionaries. Dzerzhinsky, Vasili Lanovoy, and Latsis are arrested. A message is received from Yaroslavl about a rebellion led by the Socialist Revolutionary Boris Savinkov. By evening, using their last reserves, the Bolsheviks send delegates to labor collectives for mass agitation and organization of the defense of the city. They resolve to counteract the uprising with a coordinated military force, not just volunteers.

At dawn, units of the Latvian Riflemen enter the city. Danishevsky, sent for negotiations, completes his mission. After several hours of heavy fighting, the Left Socialist Revolutionary uprising is crushed.

On July 9, 1918, the Fifth All-Russian Congress of Soviets continues its work under Bolshevik one-party rule.