James P. Cannon Quotes

Now that the great revolution has come one feels that however intelligent Lenin may be he begins to fade beside the genius of Trotsky

My favourite author is Leon Trotsky - the political philosophy and the way he writes is beautiful, and really relevant, too.

The Russian Communist Party is not just any party. History decreed that the R.C.P was to become a mighty instrument of human progress and a major instrument of the world revolution. Its importance is great and immeasurable in the history not only of Russia but also in that of the whole world

It is not national interests we are upholding — we claim that the interests of socialism, the interests of world socialism, rank higher than national interests, higher than the interests of the state. We are defenders of the socialist fatherland.

The Russians as a people had no point of conflict with the Germans; the conflict came from their respective imperialistic policies. When the Russian people learned that imperialism was historically wrong, they set up a revolution in 1917 and overthrew imperialism at home. They then negotiated for peace separately with Germany.

I remember coming home when I was 14 and being like, 'Yeah, I'm a communist now!'

I bet you, if I had met Trotsky, and had had a chat with him, I would have found him a very interesting and human fellow, for I have never yet met a man I didn't like.

The theory of the permanent revolution, in contradiction to the theory of socialism in one country, was recognized by the entire Bolshevik party during the period from 1917 to 1923.

The Bolshevik revolution was a counter-revolution. Its first moves were to destroy and eliminate every socialist tendency that had developed in the pre-revolutionary period. Their goal was as they said; it wasn't a big secret. They regarded the Soviet Union as sort a backwater. They were orthodox Marxists, expecting a revolution in Germany. They moved toward what they themselves called "state capitalism," then they moved on to Stalinism. They called it democracy and called it socialism. The one claim was as ludicrous as the other.

I got deeply involved with the Trotskyists. I assumed simply that my enemy's enemies were my friends.

The chief fruit of the First World War was the Russian Revolution and the rise of Communism as a national power.

The Russian revolution was to an unprecedented degree the cause of the proletariat of the whole world becoming more revolutionary.

Ten days that shook the world.

The big successful Communist revolutions occurred in poor agrarian societies–Russia in 1917 and China in 1949–not in industrialized societies, as Marx had predicted.

[Popular Front policy] implied a wholesale overthrow of the basic principles of communism. Instead of the class struggle, cooperation with the bourgeoisie. Instead of the Soviet system, eulogy of democracy. Instead of internationalism, nationalism.

Yesterday Kerensky; today Lenin and Trotsky; another tomorrow.

It is the historical mission of the Communist International to be the gravedigger of bourgeois society.

Seldes, although not a Communist of his own admission, is regarded as a close follower of Communist doctrines.

Ever since I left college, my political interests have been centered in the work of the Communist Party …. My poetry has contained social implications that can be resolved only by the success of the Communist Party.

How the Russian revolutionists loved each other before they had anything to divide!

Only idiots think that the proletariat will win a majority right away. First we topple the bourgeoisie. Then we seize power. That is the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Trotsky appeared later and after assembling Foreign Office force, announced himself Minister for Foreign Affairs whereupon entire force declined to serve and left department which is now closed, not even responding to telephone calls. Only department responding to telephone is Ways of Communication but Minister of Ways of Communication imprisoned.

Only the Russian Revolution really opened a window to the future; the fall of Czarism brought a glimpse of it, and with the collapse of capitalism it appeared in full view.

Revolutionary party headed by Council of Workmen-Soldiers' Deputies supported by garrison have taken over government of Moscow including administration post, telegraph. They have closed offices of all conservative newspapers. All relatively quiet. Consulate General will keep the Department fully informed and will take all necessary steps to protect American citizens and their interests.

Marxian Socialism must always remain a portent to the historians of Opinion — how a doctrine so illogical and so dull can have exercised so powerful and enduring an influence over the minds of men, and, through them, the events of history.