Cheidze defined what is felt by every Russian. For Russia, therefore, the Revolution is not merely a means for victory. It is life itself, and the very condition of living. Russia freed herself in order to realise her moral faith in the high purpose of her life. The war was not, and could not be, the aim of the Revolution. But the war existed as a fact; and as a fact it had to be faced—one that influenced the national and international significance of the Revolution.
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How did the Revolution at the outset face this fact of war? In the first place it should be remembered that the war had, as it were, played itself out. The whole spirit of militarism had died away. The war was too closely identified with the Tsardom and the old régime to inspire enthusiasm. On the other hand, the upheaval had been too great; people were no longer able to concentrate their minds on the war. They were too busy about other and, to them, more important things. Finally, there was a widespread and sin-
