The August Uprising, 1924: The Georgian Anti-Soviet Revolt and the Birth of Democratic Socialism

For three years following the Russian Revolution, the small South Caucasian country of Georgia was independent. Unlike Russia, it was a democracy, with free elections and respect for human rights. But Stalin ordered the Red Army to invade, and to bring the country back under Russian rule. The Communists proved to be unpopular rulers, with their attacks on political opponents, trade unions, cooperatives and even the church. Resistance grew, and in 1924 a nationwide armed uprising broke out. It was swiftly crushed, followed by massacres of thousands of defenseless people, including hostages. What happened next changed everything. The reaction of Social Democratic and Labor parties across Europe was shock and indignation. The split between the international Communist and Socialist movements, which began when the Bolsheviks seized power, deepened and became permanent. Opponents of the Soviets began to describe Communism as "red fascism" and their own movement as "democratic socialism". What followed--including Socialist support for the creation of NATO--was the result of that Georgian uprising and its aftermath. A century later, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the long-forgotten Georgian experience seems more relevant than ever before.