'Little Russian Island': London's Role In Russia's 1917 Revolution

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) — In the annals of history, London often takes center stage for its role in shaping global events. But one lesser-known chapter in the city's history is its contribution to the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Before what would become a pivotal moment of upheaval that set the stage for the emergence of the Soviet Union and, later, the Cold War that dominated the 20th century's latter half, many prominent Russian political figures and revolutionaries would gather in London's East End, commonly referred to as the "Little Russian Island" in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The city had served as a safe haven for dissidents fleeing persecution in Russia, among them leading figures in the revolution like Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, and Georgy Plekhanov.

Lenin, one of the central figures in the Russian Revolution and the then-leader of the Bolshevik Party, spent a considerable amount of time in London, where Karl Marx penned "Das Kapital," laying the foundations of Lenin's political ideology.

The Spark

In his book The Spark That Lit the Revolution, researcher Robert Henderson provides an opportunity for an in-depth examination of Lenin's time in London.

Lenin lived in London between 1902 and 1917, during which time he published revolutionary literature, organized Bolshevik factions, and maintained contact with other revolutionaries.

In 1903, a small group of political activists led by Lenin and Trotsky in the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party converged in London for a fateful congress that would change the course of history.

This gathering marked the birth of the ideological schism that divided the Russian revolutionary movement into two rival factions: the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks.

The Bolsheviks, under Lenin's leadership, championed a centralized and disciplined political party, while the Mensheviks favored a broader-based alliance.

As the years rolled on, London continued to be a crucible for change. The party convened again in 1905 and 1907, with Lenin and the Bolsheviks pushing their agenda forward.

The Fifth Congress of 1907 was a defining moment. Over 300 delegates descended upon London, with Lenin, the orchestrator of the Bolshevik agenda, playing a pivotal role.

Lenin also published the newspaper Iskra (The Spark) in London. This publication played a crucial role in disseminating revolutionary ideas and coordinating the efforts of various Russian socialist groups.

British Museum's reading room

The Marx Memorial Library in Clerkenwell, once a publisher's office that was supportive of Lenin, now preserves what is called "the Lenin room" with busts of him and old Iskra editions. A map on the wall traces the smuggling routes used to transport the journal into Russia.

Lenin emulated Marx's example by obtaining access to the British Museum's Reading Room. Marx himself had conducted research for "Das Capital" there after its inauguration in 1857.

The room, housing a wealth of materials crucial to Lenin's research endeavors, had a profound impact on his intellectual processes and his productivity as a writer.

Lenin conducted extensive investigations into various aspects of Russian economic and social evolution, while also delving into a broad spectrum of other subjects.

This unparalleled source for information clearly played a pivotal role in Lenin's decision to favor London over several other potential places of exile.

Henderson candidly acknowledges that Lenin's sojourn in London had minimal enduring effects on the city's political landscape, including its radical leftist elements.

Lenin's primary focus was centered on the Russian left, though he forged few connections within the British context.

The inquiry into London's influence on Lenin and his compatriot revolutionary exiles, however, yielded a more intricate and intriguing narrative.

As Karl Marx wrote in a political pamphlet published in 1852: "Men (and women) make their own history, but not of their own free will, and not under circumstances of their own choosing." -