Skip to main content

Primary sourceDocument8 November 1917 (26 October O.S.)

Decree on Peace

Vladimir Lenin · 8 November 1917 (26 October O.S.)

The first decree of Soviet power, drafted by Lenin, calling for an immediate end to World War I without annexations.

Lenin drafted this decree on the first day of Soviet power, setting out his government's foreign policy.

Ask Vladimir Lenin about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Scanned page of the Russian printed 'Decree on Peace' from 26 October 1917, with a large bold heading, a subtitle about its adoption by the All-Russian Congress of Soviets, dense body text in columns of Russian, and a library or archive stamp and handwritten number at the bottom.
Vladimir Lenin, Decree on Peace, 26 October/8 November 1917.

About this source

What it is

The Decree on Peace was written by Vladimir Lenin and passed by the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets in November 1917, right after the October Revolution. It was published in the newspaper Izvestiya.

Why it matters

The decree called for an immediate peace without seizing land or demanding payments, appealing both to war-weary Russians and to workers in other warring countries. It eventually led to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, through which Russia lost large amounts of territory and resources. It even influenced Woodrow Wilson's later Fourteen Points. The decree shows how the new Bolshevik government tried to win support by promising an end to the suffering of World War I.

Look closer

  • Who were the two audiences this decree was trying to reach, and why might that matter?
  • What does the decree's language of "just and democratic peace" tell you about how the Bolsheviks wanted to be seen?
  • What problems might arise when promises of peace meet the realities of ongoing war?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Vladimir Lenin on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Vladimir Lenin sources

Meet the AI Vladimir Lenin →
Handwritten manuscript in Russian on lined paper, titled with a heading at the top, containing numbered points written in pencil or ink with crossings-out and marginal notes. This is an early draft of the April Theses by Lenin.Document

Primary source

April Theses

Vladimir Lenin · 3/16 April 1917

Black and white photograph of a large crowd of people in winter coats and hats gathered outside a columned building with balconies. Dark flags are visible at right, and a speaker stands among the crowd. Snow covers the ground and bare trees stand at left.Photograph

Primary source

Georgi Dimitrov at Lenin's Funeral

January 1924

Cover of the 1902 Stuttgart edition of Lenin's book 'What Is to Be Done?' on tan paper. Large Russian title 'Что делать?', subtitle 'Наболевшие вопросы нашего движения', author 'Н. ЛЕНИНА', a quotation from Lassalle's letter to Marx, price 'Цена 1 руб.' and 'Preis 2 Mark = 2.50 Francs', publisher 'Verlag von J. H. W. Dietz Nachf. (G.m.b.H.)' and 'STUTTGART 1902' at the bottom.Book

Primary source

What Is to Be Done?

Vladimir Lenin · 1901 (published 1902)

Handwritten Russian letter on lined paper, headed 'Строго секретно' (Strictly confidential) and titled 'Письмо к съезду' (Letter to the Congress). The text is in cursive and discusses party reforms and the Central Committee.Letter

Primary source

Lenin's Testament

Vladimir Lenin · late 1922 – early 1923

Document

Primary source

Decree on Land

Vladimir Lenin · 8 November 1917

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Vladimir Lenin now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions