71. E.A. Preobrazhensky’s Diary with Notes on Questions Discussed at Meetings of the Politburo and the Plenum of the Central Committee of the RKP(B), 4 May–24 September 1920

Chapter Summary

This chapter describes E.A. Preobrazhensky's Diary with Notes on Questions Discussed at Meetings of the Politburo and the Plenum of the Central Committee of the RKP(B). The most important issue at the plenary meeting was the question of Curzon's note. Preobrazhensky was not personally prepared for a decision and had not thought through his own position. But it was perfectly clear to him that the issue was a war with the whole of the Entente. Il'ich, who had considered the situation more thoroughly than anyone else, was also most prepared to reach a decision. He read out some brief theses that had been prepared very skilfully in advance. They began with the perfectly indisputable point to assist Polish workers to achieve the sovietisation of Poland, recommended rejection of mediation by the Entente and the League of Nations, and concluded with a directive to continue the offensive.

Keywords:Curzon; plenary meeting; Politburo; Preobrazhensky; RKP; sovietisation