"Lenin's Hanging Order" is a term given to Vladimir Lenin's hand-written order, dated 11 August 1918, instructing the Communists operating in the Penza area to publicly hang at least one hundred better off peasants (kulaks); to publicize their names; to confiscate their grain, and to designate a number of hostages. Whether anyone was actually hanged according to this order, remains unknown.

"Lenin's Hanging Order" was discussed during a controversy about the BBC documentary, Lenin's Secret Files (1997) based upon Robert Service's findings in Soviet archives. This is Service's English translation of the Russian original:

"Comrades! The insurrection of five kulak districts should be pitilessly suppressed. The interests of the whole revolution require this because 'the last decisive battle' with the kulaks is now under way everywhere. An example must be demonstrated.

• 1. Hang (and make sure that the hanging takes place in full view of the people) no fewer than one hundred known kulaks, rich men, bloodsuckers.
• 2. Publish their names.
• 3. Seize all their grain from them.
• 4. Designate hostages in accordance with yesterday's telegram.
• Do it in such a fashion that for hundreds of kilometres around the people might see, tremble, know, shout: "they are strangling, and will strangle to death, the bloodsucking kulaks".

Telegraph receipt and implementation.

Yours, Lenin.

Find some truly hard people

On 19 August 1918, Lenin sent another telegram to Penza expressing exasperation and modifying his previous instructions:

Gubernia Executive Committee
Penza
Copy to the Gubernia Committee of the Communists

I am extremely indignant that there has been absolutely nothing definite from you as to what serious measures have at last been carried out by you for the ruthless suppression of the kulaks of the five volosts and confiscation of their grain. Your inactivity is criminal. All efforts should be concentrated on a single volost, which should be swept clean of all grain surpluses. Telegraph fulfillment.

Historical Context

A peasant revolt erupted in the Kuchkino Volost, of Penza Uyezd, on 5 August 1918, and soon spread to neighboring regions. The revolt was triggered by forceful confiscation of grain. By 8 August 1918, Soviet military forces had crushed the revolt, however the situation in the gubernia remained tense, and a revolt led by members of Socialist-Revolutionary Party erupted in the town of Chembar on 18 August. Lenin sent several telegrams to Penza demanding drastic measures in fighting these kulak, peasant, and Left SR insurrectionists.

Notes

External links

• "An exchange of letters on the BBC documentary Lenin's Secret Files" - 6 March 1998