During the Russian Civil War the Bolsheviks turned towards terror as a means of accomplishing their objectives. Leon Trotsky noted that “intimidation is a powerful weapon of policy.” He further noted “The revolution…kills individuals, and intimidates thousands.”
In describing Vladimir Lenin Victor Sebestyen wrote: “He battered opponents into submission with the deliberate use of violent language which he acknowledged was ‘calculated to evoke hatred, aversion, contempt…not to convince, not to correct the mistakes of the opponent but to destroy him, to wipe him and his organization of the face of the earth.’”
If Lenin could intimidate his opponents into silence he would be able to pursue his agenda. After seeing success in his personal debates it is not surprising that Lenin would include such tactics in his national political policy. In 1918 a Pravda article noted “The anthem of the working class will be a song of hatred and revenge!” You were with Lenin or you deserved to be destroyed. Using terror as a tool of intimidation allowed Lenin to secure power. Could a constitutional monarchy or a democracy have been created if the majority of people stood up and rejected Lenin and his intimidating campaign of terror?
It is not surprising that the Soviet Union devolved into a totalitarian nightmare. When governance is based on intimidation and force subjugation of a nation will surely follow. If you allow yourself to be censored due to fear of political opponents you risk losing your personal and national sovereignty.
"We will prove that there is no problem too large for government to solve, and no concern too small for it to care about"
Zohran Mamdani
For 45 minutes Alexander rode in a helicopter while receiving a crash course on the historic sites of New York City. The ability to hover in the air while moving 110 miles per hour was surreal. He began to wonder if perhaps he had died on the battlefield and was now in some level of the afterlife. Everything was too extraordinary to believe.
As they were nearing the conclusion of their flight Alexander examined the topography below with a general’s eye.
“Where are your city’s defenses?”
“What are you talking about?” Sammy responded.
“What would prevent an invading army from laying siege to your city?”
“No one would ever invade us.”
“Such hubris makes it likely at some point.”
“The oceans protect us from our enemies and Canada is our ally. It would never happen.”
“Fascinating. I bet I would find a way to do it.”
“But why would you want to.”
“It is my destiny to create empires. This city would have to be conquered and rolled into my empire.”
“The United States Army is too powerful. You would never stand a chance.”
A half dozen battle plans were floating through his mind.
“I think I could do it.”
“Who are you?” Sammy asked.
“I already told you. I am the great king ...
