Note by E.M.Sklyansky

I would consider it desirable to send Tukhachevsky to suppress the Tambov uprising. Recently there has been no improvement there and even in some places deterioration. There would be a somewhat greater political effect from this appointment. Especially abroad. Your opinion?

Note by Lenin

Introduce Molotov for the Politbureau for tomorrow. I propose to appoint it without publicity in the center, without publication.

Published - The Trotsky papers. 1917-1922. V. II, p. 460- 461.

Fund 2, op. 1, d. 24558 - autographs.

1The exchange of notes concerns the suppression of the peasant uprising in Tambov province, which began in August 1920 under the leadership of the SR A.S.Antonov. The main reason for the uprising was dissatisfaction with the system of prodrazverstka and the policy of war communism. The armed forces of the rebels (up to 50 thousand people) successfully resisted the Red Army for a long time.

At the meeting of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the RCP(b) on April 27, 1921 the question "On the liquidation of Antonov's gangs in Tambov province" was raised, after the discussion it was decided: "a) The VTsIK Commission appointed in Tambov should not be disbanded, strengthening it with tts. Zalutsky and Tukhachevsky.

b) To appoint as the sole commander of the troops in the Tambov district T. Tukhachevsky, making him the sole commander of the troops in the Tambov district. Tukhachevsky, making him responsible for the liquidation of the gangs in Tambov province, without recording his appointment in the minutes of the PBCP. To prevent any interference in the military actions of t. Tukhachevsky both on the part of the VTsIK commission and other authorities.

c) Give Tukhachevsky a directive to liquidate Antonov's gangs in Tambov Province no later than within a month. Reports by T. Tukhachevsky's reports in brief written form to the Central Committee should be communicated by telegraph on a weekly basis.

d) Instruct the VChK to intensify intelligence and Chekist work in Tambov Province.

e) Move a thousand Communists from the army to the Tambov front for the period of the liquidation of the Tambov gangs, obliging T. Sklyansky to take strict measures. Sklyansky to take strict measures for the urgent advancement of the dispatched Communists and their return to the army.

Report on the progress of mobilization of military Communists for t. Sklyansky weekly to the Central Committee.

f) Instruct T. Sklyansky to speed up the sending of a brigade of cadets to Tambov" (RCCHIDNI, f. 17, op. 3, d. 155, l. 2-3).

The Soviet troops in February 1921 numbered 32.5 thousand infantry, about 8 thousand cavalry, 463 machine guns and 63 guns. M.N. Tukhachevsky (his deputy I.P. Uborevich, chief of staff N.E. Kakurin) began active combat operations in May. From May 28 to June 7, units under Uborevich's command defeated the 2nd Army of the rebels (commander A.S.Antonov) near Inzhavino station, and on June 20 the 1st Army of the rebels (commander A.Boguslavsky) was destroyed near Uryupinsk.

On July 16, Tukhachevsky reported to the Central Committee of the RCP(b) about the liquidation of the rebellion and the restoration of Soviet power in Tambov province. By this time 1200 people remained in Antonov's gang, during the fighting the insurgents lost 11 thousand people killed.