ABSTRACT
The Congress of the all-Russia Soviets in the early days of the October Revolution really had little to do at first but to confirm the changes that had been taking place before Lenin seized power and while the Kerensky Government was still in existence. All traces of the feudal past were now swept away, and the peasants came into undisputed possession of the lands on which they had formerly paid dues in money and kind. In industry, too, the Soviets had at first only to register the change that had taken place during 1917. Workers committees in principal factories throughout Russia had taken control and were running the works as far as they could themselves, or with the management under close watch. The Soviets replied by guerilla warfare, that trusted weapon of the Russians throughout their history against all invaders of their land. German-occupied territories were infested with Red fighting units, while ceaseless propaganda was carried on among German troops.
