Comrades! The workers' and peasants' revolution, which the Bolsheviks have constantly spoken of as necessary, has been accomplished.

What significance does this workers' and peasants' revolution have? First and foremost, the significance of this upheaval consists in the fact that we will have a Soviet government, our own organ of power, without any participation whatsoever by the bourgeoisie. The oppressed masses will themselves create power. The old state apparatus will be smashed to its foundations, and a new apparatus of administration will be created in the form of Soviet organizations.

From now on, a new epoch in the history of Russia begins, and this third Russian revolution must, in its final outcome, lead to the victory of socialism.

One of our immediate tasks is the necessity to end the war without delay. But in order to end this war, which is closely bound up with the present capitalist system—it is clear to everyone that for this it is necessary to vanquish capital itself.

In this matter we will be helped by that worldwide workers' movement which is already beginning to develop in Italy, England, and Germany.

A just, immediate peace, which we have proposed to international democracy, will everywhere find a warm response in the international proletarian masses. In order to strengthen this confidence of the proletariat, it is necessary to immediately publish all the secret treaties{4}.

Within Russia, a vast part of the peasantry has declared: enough of games with capitalists—we will go with the workers. We will gain the confidence of the peasants with a single decree, which will abolish landlord property. The peasants will understand that only in union with the workers lies the salvation of the peasantry. We will establish genuine workers' control over production.

Now we have learned to work in harmony. This is witnessed by the revolution that has just taken place. We possess that force of mass organization which will conquer all and lead the proletariat to world revolution.

In Russia we must now set about the construction of a proletarian socialist state.

Long live the worldwide socialist revolution! (Thunderous applause.)