Free Territory

[KennethDK]

I read quite a lot about the Black Army and Makhno, but I can't seem to find (in-depth) information about the situation for the peasants/inhabitants in the Free Territory.

I've read the farmers supported the Black Army, so I always supposed they were glad to live in the Free Territory. I also know there were meetings where the peasants could consult and discuss, so everyone was part of the community.

But I've never read things about the living situations in the Free Territory. Was there a lot of terror? Was there enough food to feed anyone? Were there uprisings in the Free Territory itself? I'd be really glad if someone could help me with a bit of information. Also, if someone knows sites where I could find more information about it, I'd be so happy.

Thanks!

[Illegalitarian]

From everything I've read it seems as if their set up was quite nice, with actual free association and workers councils being the method or organization, with a pretty democratic and horizontalist military structure as well. That's grossly simplified, mind you, but that is the gist of the answer to "how did they live" question regarding the structure of their organizational methods.


Terror? Apparently, the Black Army loved to mess with the Mennonites. I've read that Makhno and everyone else condemned it, I've also read that he was in on it and no one really gave a fuck, so there's a big ? there.

No uprisings from anyone in the free territory, but I would be interested in learning more about day to day life there as well.

[Skyhilist]

http://eng.anarchopedia.org/Ukrainian_Revolution

[KennethDK]

Can't post links since I have under 25 posts

Thank you, but I just wanted to know more about the life of the peasants in the Free Territory. I know how they were free from government, police, ..

But just like Illegalitarian, I'm more interested in the day to day life of the in the Free Territory. Because I can't find sources documenting that aspect.

[Remus Bleys]

I highly doubt you'll find sources detailing the lives of everyone in the Free Territory from revleft. Although that sounds pretty interesting.

[Skyhilist]

This thread actually seems pretty helpful with stuff from everyday life in Free Territory: http://www.revleft.com/vb/free-territory-ukraine-t181780/index.html

[Geiseric]

The farmers supported the essers until the Bolsheviks adopted their land reform program. The Bolsheviks failed or to reach out for non Russian minorities which is why other counter revolutionary parties we're able to raise support in the outer reaches of the former empire at first.

[The Feral Underclass]

On general history of the Makhnovachina, Peter Arshinov's book, History of the Makhnovist Movement (http://libcom.org/history/history-makhnovist-movement-1918-1921-peter-arshinov) is quite useful.

Also, this might be of interest: The Russian Revolution in the Ukraine (http://www.nestormakhno.info/english/memoirs/book1/index.htm)