Investor Presentaiton
Kaganovich developed his commitment to Bolshevism in Kiev, but his time there was not
without its drawbacks. In one especially mournful passage, Kaganovich reflects on having to
give up on his dreams of continuing his education due to his economic situation. 107 This
unfortunate reality was faced by many youths at the time, especially those from the Pale who had
limited access to education. Like other revolutionary youths, Kaganovich attempted to overcome
this struggle through self-education. Kaganovich's journey with self-education began when he
was still living in Kabany, but in Kiev he progressed to organizing educational circles, the first of
which he started for workers when he was just 16 years old. 108 Kaganovich also reflects on his
favorite author, Gorky, and recalls reading his works to other workers he lived near.
109
Kaganovich's revolutionary work from 1913-1914 of producing pamphlets, hosting secret
meetings, and engaging in agitation work landed him in slight trouble with the authorities. In
early 1914, a group of Kiev Bolsheviks were sent into exile. Kaganovich was not one of them,
but his apartment was placed under police surveillance, and he was forced to move to continue
110
his revolutionary activities." Months later, in August 1914, Russia joined World War I.
Kaganovich was able to avoid army involvement until 1917, when he was conscripted. 111 Before
then, Kaganovich was briefly arrested, along with other leaders of the Kiev Party committee, and
sent back to Kabany. In 1916, Kaganovich and his wife moved a few times, first to Ekaterinoslav
where Kaganovich worked in a shoe factory and was later fired for organizing a strike, then next
to Yuzovka where he again took up work in a shoe factory. Here, Kaganovich also worked as
107
Ibid, 51.
108 Rees, Iron Lazar, 5.
109
Kaganovich, Pamiatnye zapiski, 83-84.
110
Rees,
7.
111 Ibid, 9.
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