Meaning: The quote "The government is tottering. We must deal it the death blow an any cost. To delay action is the same as death." by Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Revolution and the first head of the Soviet state, encapsulates the revolutionary fervor and urgency that characterized the Russian Revolution of 1917. This quote reflects Lenin's uncompromising stance and determination to overthrow the existing government and establish a new order.

In the context of the Russian Revolution, the government that Lenin refers to is the Provisional Government, which came to power following the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in February 1917. The Provisional Government, composed of liberal and moderate socialist factions, was seen as weak and ineffective in addressing the social and economic issues that had plagued Russia for years. Lenin, along with the Bolsheviks, sought to capitalize on the widespread discontent and mobilize the masses to overthrow the government and establish a socialist state.

Lenin's call to "deal [the government] the death blow at any cost" exemplifies his revolutionary zeal and uncompromising attitude towards achieving his political objectives. For Lenin and the Bolsheviks, the urgency of action was paramount, as they believed that any delay in seizing power would result in their own demise. The quote reflects the revolutionary ideology of the Bolsheviks, who were committed to using any means necessary to achieve their goals, including armed insurrection and the overthrow of the existing order.

The sense of immediacy and urgency conveyed in the quote also underscores the revolutionary mindset of Lenin and the Bolsheviks. For them, the status quo represented oppression and exploitation, and any delay in taking decisive action was tantamount to accepting the continuation of a system they sought to abolish. Lenin's words served as a rallying cry for revolutionaries, urging them to seize the moment and not hesitate in their pursuit of radical change.

It is important to note that Lenin's call for the "death blow" to the government at any cost reflects the uncompromising nature of the Bolsheviks' revolutionary tactics. This uncompromising stance would later manifest in the October Revolution of 1917, where the Bolsheviks, under Lenin's leadership, successfully seized power in a violent and swift coup d'état.

In conclusion, Vladimir Lenin's quote captures the revolutionary fervor and urgency that characterized the Russian Revolution. It reflects Lenin's unwavering commitment to overthrowing the existing government and establishing a new order, and it serves as a powerful testament to the revolutionary zeal and uncompromising attitude of the Bolsheviks in their pursuit of radical change.