 First edition cover | |
| Author | Nikolai Bukharin andYevgeni Preobrazhensky |
|---|---|
| Original title | Russian:Азбука коммунизма |
| Language | Russian |
Publication date | 1920 |
The ABC of Communism (Russian:Азбука коммунизма,Azbuka Kommunizma) is abook written byNikolai Bukharin andYevgeni Preobrazhensky in 1920, during theRussian Civil War.[1] Originally written to convince theproletariat of Russia to support theBolsheviks, it became "an elementary textbook of communist knowledge".[2][3] It became the best known and most widely circulated of all pre-Stalinist expositions of Bolshevism and the most widely read political work in Soviet Russia.[4][5]
In theOctober Revolution, part of theRussian Revolution, an armedinsurrection occurred. It is traditionally dated to 25 October 1917O.S. (7 November 1917 N.S.).[6] It was the second phase of the overallRussian Revolution of 1917, after theFebruary Revolution of the same year. The October Revolution overthrew theRussian Provisional Government and gave the power to theSoviets dominated byBolsheviks. It was followed by theRussian Civil War (1917–1922) and the creation of theSoviet Union in 1922.
The revolution was led by the Bolsheviks.[6] Bolshevik armed forces began the takeover of government buildings on 24 October;[6] however 25 October O.S. was the date when theWinter Palace (the seat of the Provisional government located inPetrograd, the capital of Russia) was captured.
The ABC of Communism was written during the civil war, and was written to convince the citizens of Russia.[2] In keeping with the period in which it was written, its mood was that ofwar communism, a militant optimism. It was a statement of Utopian hopes, not Soviet reality.[4]
The work is divided into two parts, with the first titled: Theoretical - Growth and Decay of Capitalism, and the second titled: Practical - The Dictatorship of the Proletariat and the Upbuilding of Communism. The first part consists five chapters, dealing with the theoretical underpinnings of communism; with the second, dealing with how this theory would be put into practice.
Preobrazhensky's co-authorship eventually became "half-forgotten", andThe ABC soon became inextricably associated with Bukharin, spreading his fame and giving rise to his reputation.[4]
Thefirst English translation byPatrick Lavin was published by the Marxian Educational Society, ofDetroit,Michigan in 1921. Asecond English translation byCedar andEden Paul was published by theCommunist Party of Great Britain in 1922.Penguin Booksrepublished the 1922 translation in 1969, with an introduction by historianE.H. Carr.
The ABC was translated into Chinese shortly after its publication.[7]: 26 Deng Xiaoping stated thatThe ABC was instrumental in convincing him that the Marxist approach was correct.[7]: 26