Political positions Maria Nikiforova

1 political positions

1.1 anarchism , revolution
1.2 world war enlistment
1.3 conflicts soviet authority

political positions
anarchism , revolution

in youth, nikiforova entered anarcho-communist politics , adopted militant tactics pursue them. throughout years of activism, nikiforova gave numerous speeches espousing political opinions. however, transcriptions , quotes speeches scarcely survived soviet era, , not known write views in letters, essays, or articles. known of speeches regarded charismatic oratory, used expound anarchist views. known anarchist, said wear entirely black clothing symbol of libertarian philosophy.

during times of revolution, favored immediate , complete redistribution of property owned wealthy land owners, declaring, workers , peasants must, possible, seize created them on many centuries , use own interests.

however, while spoke in favor of anarchist philosophy, warned against vanguardism , elitism, insisting anarchists not guarantee positive social change. anarchists not promising anyone. cautioned, anarchists want people conscious of own situation , seize freedom themselves.

world war enlistment

a french, anti-german propaganda poster. nikiforova sided allies of world war , joined french army.

while living in exile in paris, sided peter kropotkin on issue of world war i, favoring allies in opposition german empire. graduated french military school @ officer rank , served in army.

conflicts soviet authority

upon returning russia in 1917, nikiforova influenced apollon karelin, veteran anarchist advocated tactical strategy of soviet anarchism. meeting in petrograd, karelin s political tactics encouraged anarchist participation in soviet institutions long term plan of directing them towards anarchist agenda, provided these institutions did not deviate revolutionary goals. in event deviated radical agenda, anarchists rebel against them. such institutional cooperation disliked among anarchists, largely minority within such institutions, rendering activity ineffectual.

nikiforova agreed ally bolsheviks under special circumstances, , negotiated have herself appointed soviet institution, briefly becoming deputy leader of alexandrovsk revkom. go on establish footholds soviet power in several ukrainian cities, demanding material support bolshevik agents in return, used pursue anarchist agenda. although ally herself red army on multiple occasions, @ odds commanders , antagonized several, arguing against practices on revolutionary grounds. upon discovering soviet commander hoarding luxury goods looted aristocrat s home, angrily confronted him selfishness. property of estate owners doesn t belong particular detachment, declared people whole. let people take want.