7. Final Years

Abstract

This chapter examines Volkhovskii’s life from the 1905 Revolution down until his death in 1914. Volkhovskii returned to Russia in the summer of 1906, although he spent most of his time in Finland, in large part to escape unwelcome attention from the authorities. Volkhovskii quickly became a leading figure in producing propaganda aimed at soldiers and sailors, editing the journal Soldatskaia gazeta, (Soldiers Gazette) as well as writing articles and pamphlets on military affairs. He continued to focus on producing propaganda material following his return to Britain in 1907, editing the journal Za narod, as well as attending meetings of the Second International which discussed how to mobilise the working class across Europe against the nationalistic policies pursued by their governments. Volkhovskii once again edited Free Russia following his return, as well as taking part in activities hosted by the Society of Friends of Russia, although he was less active than he had been in the 1890s. The campaign against the tsarist government in Britain had also changed in character, increasingly drawing its support from the left of the political spectrum, rather than the Liberal nonconformist milieu that had previously been dominant. Volkhovskii found it increasingly difficult to justify terrorism to a sceptical British audience during these years, not least as revolutionaries from the Russian Empire were involved in violent activities in London, although he continued to argue that it was the brutality of the tsarist government that radicalised its opponents. Volkhovskii died in early August 1914, two days before Britain declared war on Germany.