View source for Nestor Makhno

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
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{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix    = [[wikt:батько|Batko]]
| name                = Nestor Makhno
| native_name         = {{nobold|Нестор Махно}}
| native_name_lang    = uk
| honorific_suffix    = 
| image               = 1921. Нестор Махно в лагере для перемещенных лиц в Румынии.jpg
| caption             = Makhno in 1921
| alt                 = Portrait photograph of Nestor Makhno wearing a dark suit and a moustache
| office              = [[Ataman|Otaman]] of the [[Makhnovshchina]]
| status              = <!--If this is specified, overrides Incumbent.-->
| term_start          = 30 September 1918
| term_end            = 28 August 1921
| predecessor         = Position created
| successor           = [[Viktor Bilash]]
| office2             = [[Chairperson|Chairman]] of the [[Military Revolutionary Council]]
| term_start2         = 27 July 1919
| term_end2           = 1 September 1919
| predecessor2        = [[Ivan Chernoknizhny]]
| successor2          = [[Volin]]
| birth_date          = {{OldStyleDateNY|7 November|26 October}} 1888
| birth_place         = [[Huliaipole]], [[Katerynoslav Governorate]], Russian Empire
| death_date          = {{death date and age|1934|07|25|1888|11|07|df=y}}
| death_place         = [[Paris]], [[French Third Republic|France]]
| death_cause         = [[Tuberculosis]]
| party               = 
| spouse              = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage |Nastia Vasetskaia |1917 |1918}}
* {{marriage |[[Halyna Kuzmenko]] |1918 |1934}}
}}
| children            = [[Elena Mikhnenko]]
}}
'''Nestor Ivanovych Makhno''' (7 November 1888 – 25 July 1934) was a [[Ukrainians|Ukrainian]] [[anarchism|anarchist]] [[revolution]]ary. He was the [[leader]] of the [[Makhnovshchina]] ("Makhno movement") and the [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine]].

Makhno was born in a poor family in [[Huliaipole]], in the south of [[Ukraine]]. He was put in prison because of his anarchist [[activism]]. During the [[Russian Revolution]], he was set free and returned to his home town. He took property from the rich and gave it to poor farmers. When [[Russian Civil War|civil war]] started, he joined the side of the [[Bolshevik]]s. Together with the [[Red Army]], Makhno's anarchist [[Army|forces]] fought against the [[White Army]] and the [[Central Powers]]. After he beat them in battle, he attempted to build [[anarcho-communism|anarchist communism]] in Ukraine. But the Bolsheviks [[betrayal|turned against]] Makhno and attacked the Insurgent Army. Makhno [[Withdrawal (military)|withdrew]] from Ukraine and went into [[exile]]. He moved to [[Paris]], where he wrote his [[memoir]]s and articles about anarchism. He argued a lot with other anarchists and was accused of [[antisemitism]]. He died from [[tuberculosis]] at the age of 45.

==Early life==
Nestor Makhno was born on 7 November 1888. His family were poor [[peasant]]s and they lived in [[Huliaipole]], in the south of [[Ukraine]]. Makhno had four brothers and his parents were former [[Serfdom|serfs]]. His father died while he was still very young.{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 1|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Introduction|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapter 3}} Growing up, Makhno was often [[Truancy|absent from school]] and went to work on a [[farm]] at an early age. Makhno hated working for [[landlord|property owners]] and [[Rebellion|rebelled]] against them. He worked a number of different [[job]]s to support his family.{{Sfn|Skirda|2004|loc=Chapter 3}}

In 1905, Makhno joined the local [[anarchism|anarchist]] [[group]] in Huliaipole. The group [[Robbery|robbed]] local [[Businessperson|businesspeople]] and attacked the [[police]]. By 1909, Makhno was [[arrest]]ed. He was [[Sentence (law)|sentenced]] to [[life imprisonment]]. In prison, Makhno was often in [[solitary confinement]] and became ill with [[tuberculosis]]. [[Peter Arshinov]] gave him an education. He also started to dislike [[intellectual]]s. From his prison cell, Makhno opposed the [[Russian Empire]] joining [[World War I]]. He was freed from prison during the [[Russian Revolution]] of 1917 and returned home to Huliaipole.{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 1|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Introduction|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapters 4 and 5}}

==Revolutionary leadership==
===Activism in Huliaipole===
Local peasants and members of his old anarchist group welcomed Makhno back to Huliaipole. Makhno wanted the anarchist group to take [[leadership]] over the peasants, but it would not help him. By himself, Makhno formed a [[Trades union|trade union]] for local peasants. He was [[election|elected]] as the union's [[chairperson]]. Led by Makhno, peasants and anarchists took control of the [[local government]]. Makhno led [[strike action]]s against [[employer]]s. [[Worker]]s then took control of the town's [[industry]]. Makhno also took [[property]] from [[landlord]]s and gave it to poor peasants. By October 1917, Makhno had [[wikt:disband|broken up]] Huliaipole's law enforcement and formed a peasant [[militia]]. When [[Russian Civil War|civil war]] started, Makhno's anarchist forces took the side of the [[Bolshevik]]s against the [[White Army]].{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 1|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Chapter 1|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapter 6}}

===Travels in Russia===
In February 1918, the [[Central Powers]] [[Invasion|invaded]] Ukraine. Makhno tried to resist but Huliaipole was [[Military occupation|occupied]] by the [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian Empire]]. Makhno [[Withdrawal (military)|retreated]] to [[Taganrog]] and made plans to take back Huliaipole. He then travelled along the [[Volga]] to [[Moscow]], the capital of [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Soviet Russia]]. There he met with Peter Arshinov and the famous anarchist [[Peter Kropotkin]]. He also met the Bolshevik leader [[Vladimir Lenin]]. The Bolsheviks [[forgery|forged]] him a [[passport]] so he could return to Ukraine.{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 2|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Chapter 1|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapters 7, 8 and 9}}

==Military command==
===Return to Ukraine===
Makhno crossed the Russia-Ukraine border in [[wikt:disguise|disguise]]. He discovered that his house was destroyed and his oldest brother was [[Execution|executed]] by the Austro-Hungarian Army. He returned to Huliaipole in secret and planned an [[insurgency]] against the [[military occupation]].{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 2|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Chapter 2|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapter 10}}

Makhno's forces took over Huliaipole for a short time in September 1918. They then [[Withdrawal (military)|withdrew]] north to Dibrivka [[forest]]. They were [[wikt:surround|surrounded]] by the Austro-Hungarian Army, but beat them in a [[Ambush|surprise attack]]. For their victory, Makhno's [[fan (person)|supporters]] gave him the [[title]] of ''Bat'ko'' ([[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] for "[[father]]"). The Austro-Hungarians [[Arson|set fire]] to the nearby [[village]]. Makhno's forces took revenge against supporters of the occupation, such as local [[Mennonites]].{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 2|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Chapter 2|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapter 11}}

Makhno's forces took Huliaipole again in November 1918. They were then [[wikt:reorganize|reorganized]] into the [[Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine]], with Makhno as its [[Commander-in-Chief]]. At this time, the Central Powers withdrew from Ukraine. The [[Red Army]] invaded Ukraine from the north and the [[White Army]] attacked from the south.{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 2|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Chapter 2|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapter 13}}

===In the Red Army===
In January 1919, Makhno's Insurgent Army decided to join the Red Army. Makhno became the [[commander]] of a Red [[brigade]]. He disliked his own commanders in the Red Army. His [[commanding officer]] banned him from holding regional [[congress]]es in Huliaipole. In May 1919, [[Nykyfor Hryhoriv]] rebelled against the Red Army. The Bolshevik politician [[Lev Kamenev]] demanded that Makhno attack Hryhoriv. Makhno complained about Hryhoriv's [[antisemitism]], but also blamed the Bolsheviks for causing the [[rebellion]]. Makhno's [[Interpersonal relationship|relationship]] with his Red Army commanders got [[wikt:worse|worse]].{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 3|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Chapters 2 and 3|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapters 13, 14 and 15}}

By June, the Bolsheviks were calling Makhno an [[outlaw]] and wanted him to be [[arrest]]ed. [[Leon Trotsky]] also disliked Makhno for being an anarchist. At this time, White [[Cossacks]] captured Huliaipole and Makhno retreated. He then [[Resignation|resigned]] from the Red Army. The [[Cheka]] tried to arrest him, but were not successful. Makhno's small group retreated west and linked up with Hryhoriv's forces in July 1919. But their agreement broke down because of Hryhoriv's antisemitism. Makhno's [[adjutant]] then [[killing|killed]] Hryhoriv.{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 4|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Chapter 3|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapter 16}}

===Independent command===
In September 1919, the Red Army withdrew from Ukraine. Makhno's forces then fought against the White Army by themselves. The Whites forced the Insurgent Army to retreat further west. Makhno agreed a [[Ceasefire|truce]] with the [[Nationalism|nationalist]] leader [[Symon Petliura]]. Makhno's forces then [[wikt:regroup|regrouped]] and beat the White Army in [[battle]]. The Insurgent Army then took over most of the south of Ukraine. This broke the [[supply line]] of the White Army, which stopped attacking [[Moscow]]. The Whites then attacked [[Dnipro|Katerynoslav]] and the Insurgents retreated from the city. In [[Zaporizhzhia|Oleksandrivsk]], Makhno and his forces caught [[epidemic typhus]].{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 5|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Chapter 3|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapter 17}}

In January 1920, the Red Army arrived at Oleksandrivsk. They requested Makhno to go west to fight against [[Second Polish Republic|Poland]]. He [[wikt:refuse#Verb|refused]] and the Bolsheviks made him an [[outlaw]] again. The Red Army and the Insurgent army started to fight against each other. Makhno's typhus got worse and he fell into a [[coma]]. While he was [[wikt:unconscious|unconscious]], local peasants [[wikt:hid|hid]] him from the [[Cheka]]. When he [[wikt:recover|recovered]], he started to fight [[guerrilla warfare]] against the Cheka and the Red Army. But by August 1920, they agreed to stop fighting and formed an [[alliance]] against the White Army.{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 6|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Chapter 4|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapters 20 and 21}} Makhno did not [[Trust (social science)|trust]] the Bolsheviks but hoped they would keep to the agreement. In October 1920, the Insurgent Army took Huliaipole back from the Whites. Some of Makhno's [[Army|forces]] went to [[Crimea]] to keep attacking the White Army. Makhno stayed behind.{{Sfn|Skirda|2004|loc=Chapter 22}}

After the White Army was beaten in Crimea, the Bolsheviks [[betrayal|turned against]] Makhno. They claimed that Makhno had [[insubordination|disobeyed orders]]. On 26 November 1920, the Red Army attacked Huliaipole. Makhno's forces fled the town and met up with the insurgent forces from Crimea. They retook Huliaipole one week later. In December 1920, the Insurgent Army took more towns from the Red Army. But Makhno's forces were surrounded. They separated into small groups and started to fight guerrilla warfare against the Red Army. Makhno went north. He was wounded in battle.{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 7|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Chapter 5|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapters 24 and 25}}

==Exile==
===In Eastern Europe===
By August 1921, many of Makhno's [[friend]]s were [[death|dead]] and he was badly [[wound]]ed. He decided to leave Ukraine and get [[Therapy|medical treatment]]. Makhno's unit fled to [[Kingdom of Romania|Romania]]. After a short time in a [[concentration camp]], he [[wikt:recover|recovered]] from his wounds in [[Bucharest]]. The Bolsheviks called for the [[extradition]] of Makhno, but the Romanian government refused. Makhno tried to form an alliance with Ukrainian [[nationalism|nationalists]] in Romania, but was not successful.{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 8|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Chapter 14|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapters 25 and 26}}

He moved to [[Second Polish Republic|Poland]] in April 1922. There he was held in another concentration camp. He and his wife [[Halyna Kuzmenko]] were [[suspect]]ed of planning an anti-Polish insurgency. They went to prison. Kuzmenko gave birth to their daughter, [[Elena Mikhnenko|Elena]], in prison. Their trial resulted in their [[acquittal]]. In July 1924, they moved to [[Free City of Danzig|Danzig]]. Makhno was again put in prison, but he escaped to [[Berlin]], in [[Weimar Republic|Germany]].{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 8|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Chapter 14|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapter 26}}

===In Paris===
In April 1925, Makhno moved to [[Paris]] in [[French Third Republic|France]]. He met up with his family and they moved into a new home. Makhno's illness kept him out of work. It forced his family to move to a different house. During this time, Makhno co-wrote the ''Platform''. This [[manifesto]] called for the anarchist movement to be more [[organization|organized]]. Other anarchists disliked the ''Platform.'' They called it "[[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]]". Makhno was also [[wikt:accuse|accused]] of [[antisemitism]], which he [[wikt:deny|denied]]. Makhno's illness got worse. He became [[wikt:isolated|isolated]] from other Ukrainian emigrants. He argued with the [[Copy editing|editors]] of his [[memoir]]s. He and Kuzmenko also separated. By the 1930s, Peter Arshinov had [[Defection|defected]] to the [[Soviet Union]]. Makhno's tuberculosis was made worse by [[malnutrition]]. He spent the last months of his life in [[hospital]]. He died on 25 July 1934. His body was [[cremation|cremated]] and the [[Cremation|ashes]] kept in [[Père Lachaise Cemetery]].{{Sfnm|1a1=Darch|1y=2020|1loc=Chapter 8|2a1=Malet|2y=1982|2loc=Chapter 14|3a1=Skirda|3y=2004|3loc=Chapter 27}}

Makhno's widow and daughter were [[deportation|deported]] to [[Nazi Germany]] during [[World War II]]. They were then arrested by the Soviet Union and exiled to [[Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic|Kazakhstan]]. They lived there for the rest of their lives.{{Sfn|Darch|2020|loc=Chapter 9}} After the [[independence]] of Ukraine, Makhno became a local [[hero]] in Huliaipole.{{Sfn|Darch|2020|loc=Chapter 10}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |last=Darch|first=Colin|title=Nestor Makhno and Rural Anarchism in Ukraine, 1917–1921|year=2020|location=London|publisher=Pluto Press|isbn=978-1786805263|oclc=1225942343}}
* {{cite book |last1=Malet |first1=Michael |title=Nestor Makhno in the Russian Civil War |date=1982 |language=English |isbn=978-0-333-25969-6 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |location=London |oclc=8514426  }}
* {{cite book |last1=Skirda |first1=Alexandre |translator-last1=Sharkey |translator-first1=Paul |title=Nestor Makhno–Anarchy's Cossack: The Struggle for Free Soviets in the Ukraine 1917–1921 |date=2004 |orig-year=1982 |language=en |isbn=978-1-902593-68-5 |publisher=AK Press |location=Oakland, California |oclc=60602979 }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Makhno, Nestor}}
[[Category:1888 births]]
[[Category:1934 deaths]]
[[Category:Anarchists]]
[[Category:Deaths from tuberculosis]]
[[Category:Ukrainian activists]]
[[Category:Ukrainian military people]]
[[Category:Ukrainian politicians]]
[[Category:Ukrainian writers]]