Letters from Tomis

My Socialist Hall of Fame

During this chaotic era of vile rhetoric and manipulative tactics from our so-called bourgeois leaders, I am invigorated by the opportunity to reflect on Socialists, Revolutionaries, Philosophers, Guerrilla Leaders, Partisans, and Critical Theory titans, champions, and martyrs who paved the way for us—my own audacious “Socialism’s Hall of Fame.” These are my heroes and fore-bearers. Not all are perfect, or even fully admirable, but all contributed in some way to our future–either as icons to emulate, or as warnings to avoid in the future.

Alexei Ivanovich Rykov (1881–1938) was a prominent Bolshevik revolutionary and Soviet statesman who played a significant role in the early years of the Soviet Union. 

Early Life and Revolutionary Activities

Born on February 25, 1881, in Saratov, Russian Empire, Rykov hailed from a peasant or tradesmen background. He joined the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) in 1898 and aligned with the Bolshevik faction after the party split in 1903. Rykov actively participated in the 1905 Russian Revolution and was elected to the Bolshevik Central Committee in 1905 and again in 1906. However, in 1910, he opposed Lenin’s leadership style and advocated for reconciliation among socialist factions, leading to a temporary estrangement from the Bolsheviks .  

Role in the Soviet Government

After the February Revolution of 1917, Rykov returned to Moscow and rejoined the Bolsheviks. He became a member of the Petrograd and Moscow Soviets and was elected to the Bolshevik Central Committee during the Sixth Congress in July–August 1917. Following the October Revolution, Rykov was appointed People’s Commissar for Internal Affairs but resigned shortly after due to disagreements over forming a coalition government. In April 1918, he became Chairman of the Supreme Council of National Economy, a position he held throughout the Russian Civil War.  

After Lenin’s death in January 1924, Rykov succeeded him as Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars (Premier) of both the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and the Soviet Union. He also served as Chairman of the Council of Labor and Defense from 1926 to 1930. Rykov was a proponent of the New Economic Policy (NEP) and, along with Nikolai Bukharin and Mikhail Tomsky, formed the “Right Opposition” within the Communist Party, advocating for gradual industrialization and limited market mechanisms. 

Downfall and Execution

Rykov’s opposition to Stalin’s rapid industrialization and collectivization policies led to his political downfall. In 1930, he was removed from his positions and later appointed People’s Commissar for Posts and Telegraphs, a less influential role. During the Great Purge, Rykov was arrested in February 1937 and tried in the third Moscow Show Trial in March 1938. He was found guilty of treason and executed on either March 14th or 15th, 1938.   

Rehabilitation

In 1988, during the period of perestroika, the Soviet government officially rehabilitated Rykov, acknowledging the injustices committed against him during Stalin’s purges.

Rykov’s life reflects the complexities and internal struggles of the early Soviet leadership, highlighting the challenges faced by those who opposed Stalin’s consolidation of power. 

Selected Works and References

• Rykov, A. I. (1927). “The Building Up of Socialism Amid Capitalist Surroundings.” International Press Correspondence, Vol. 7, No. 61. 

• Lenin, V. I. (1911–1922). Various correspondences with Alexei Rykov. Available at Wikirouge. 

• Watson, D. (2004). “Rykov, Alexei Ivanovich.” In Encyclopedia of Russian History. Encyclopedia.com. 

• “Aleksey Ivanovich Rykov.” Britannica. 

• “Alexei Rykov.” Wikipedia.