"The revolution in Russia was terrible for the proletariat in the long years of its development and it is terrible now, after the victory. But at the actual time of revolution it was easy, and this was due to the peasants"

Herman Gorter's quote speaks with the trouble of the Russian Revolution for the proletariat, both during and after its success. He acknowledges that the transformation was a tough process, however he also notes that it was reasonably simple at the time of the revolution itself. Gorter associates this to the function of the peasants in the transformation, suggesting that their involvement made the revolution simpler than it would have been otherwise. This is a crucial pointer of the power of collective action and the value of the peasantry in the success of the revolution. Gorter's quote also speaks to the long-lasting impacts of the revolution, which were not necessarily positive for the proletariat. In spite of the victory, the transformation was still a challenging process for the proletariat, and Gorter's quote acts as a suggestion of the sacrifices made by the individuals of Russia in order to achieve the revolution.