Got a bit delayed. Photobucket is acting weird.
The First Congress of the Third International
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“The gathering of the misguided and the soulless”
-Kaiser Wilhelm II
“Just ignore those boring Germans. This is OUR congress.”
-Daniel Guerin, Chairman of the Comite de Salut Public
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The big red party
The Commune of France have announce that the first Congress of the Third International is opened. The event was meticulously planned. Invitations were sent out instantly. French prestige and also the Internationale's are at stake here. A low turn out and the world will laugh and ridicule.
To the relief of the French, the attendance was perfect. All socialist countries have sent their representatives. Socialist Republic of Italy, Union of Britain, Bengal, Georgia, Centroamerica and Mexico. Notably, Centroamerica was there. The same country that distancing herself from the Internationale for the last six years due to fears of an American or German invasion to prematurely end their young Socialist state. A minor screw up happened when the Mexicans borrowed a plane from the capitalist USA as they could have just provided Mexico with one. Regardless, the whole thing went well so far.
Socialists parties from various countries were invited to attend as well. The two of the largest movements were the Spanish CNT-FAI and the Combined Syndicates of America, the successor of IWW.
The Russian team also prepare to depart from Saint Petersburg. Bukharin decided to go there himself and head the Russian representatives. Priding themselves as one of the pioneers of Socialism, it'll be stupid if they didn't attend even if they are in the middle of a war. Speaking of the war, victory is far from their grasps but things are doing well after Voroshilov happily reported the breakthrough at Rybinsk. He removed the thought from his mind. He should focus on the important and prestigious event at France. His generals will take care of the war.
All countries sent their representatives
The Chairman of the Comite de Salut Public, Daniel Guerin officially opened the ceremony:
“Welcome to the first ever congress of the Third International. It is an honour to host this vital event where we, men and women of the proletariat, follows the tradition that first started in London with close partnership with our British friends. Continuing that tradition, we are here in Paris, the city of light. The light that lets Socialism shines throughout the world. With the light of Socialism, we gave inspiration, motivation and courage to the workers not just in our countries but throughout the world”
A huge applause was given to Guerin.
The congress presses on until “Ladies and gentlemen, here is a man whom the workers could look on to as he participated in not just one revolution but three! His endless determination to liberate the people of Russia from the grasp of the Aristocrats. Please welcome, Chairman of the Soviet Russia, Nikolai Bukharin.”
It's his turn.
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“...and we thank you, comrades in the Internationale, for the support you gave us. Your invaluable assistance in our war made our nations' bonds stronger...”
There is loud bang. It was a briefcase smash against the floor.
“...I shall vow in behalf of the Russian people that we shall continue to fight...”
“How dare they!” Bukharin fumed. Litvinov tries to calm him down.
“...not just for the freedom of the workers of Russia...”
“They are a SHAME to the spirit of the revolution!” still feels the humiliation draining him
“...but to the freedom of the entire human race.”
“They are a disgrace to Marx!” he threw the papers to the table “How could... how could they rejected that?”
“To ensure that vow to be fulfilled, we need you, comrades!”
“Yes, Litvinov! They fucking clapped at my speech! Yes, I can hear! They even have their stupid smiles on”
“...We must arm ourselves and together, we move forward against the White snakes to keep the momentum of the revolution alive.
“...but look them in their eyes, you can see a different image!”
“An aggressive foreign policy, a more centralised government and economy and under a permanent war-footing.”
“They don't know what Socialism is until it hits them in the face!”
The division within the Internationale is now obvious. To the east, the Bolsheviks whom are the only country who follows the doctrine of Totalism based on state controlled economics and the total involvement of the state in internal affairs. While on the west, the Syndicalists is more of a federation of Trade Unions. A decentralized form of government and economics.
The Syndicalists considers the Soviets as 'radical statists, too extreme and too oppressive' while the Soviets looked at the Syndicalists as 'indecisive, ineffective and lacks a backbone on managing their country'.
Germany in the next day condemns the International as nothing more but imperialists wanting to crush the fatherland and her allies, friends and colonies. The International simply ignores the Germans.
The show must go on.
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I'll try not to drag this chapter into 5 or more updates like the previous two. So that we can go back to Russia faster.