Felix Dzerzhinsky, one of the Communist leaders of the Russian Revolution, wrote this passage in 1918.We stand for organized terror – this should be frankly admitted. Terror is an absolute necessity during times of revolution. Our aim is to fight against the enemies of the Soviet Government and of the new order of life. We judge quickly. In most cases only a day passes between the apprehension of the criminal and his sentence. When confronted with evidence criminals in almost every case confess; and what argument can have greater weight than a criminal's own confession.
Answer
A
The Soviet government respected the rights of the Russian people.
B
The Soviet government would do whatever it could to stay in power.
C
The Soviet government believed in due process and the right to a fair trial.
D
The Soviet government would follow the wishes of the Russian people.
Explanation
Dzerzhinsky openly says the government supports “organized terror” and considers it necessary to fight its enemies. He also describes trials lasting only a day from arrest to sentence, which suggests the government prioritized suppressing opposition over protecting individual rights or ensuring a fair process. This supports the conclusion that the Soviet government would do whatever it could to stay in power.
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