Why did Maxim Gorky oppose Russia’s participation in World War I?

Maxim Gorky’s opposition to Russia’s participation in World War I was aligned with the stance of the Bolsheviks, with whom he shared a political perspective during that period.1

While Gorky maintained a degree of independence from the Bolshevik party—never formally becoming a member—he consistently supported their revolutionary goals and provided significant financial backing to the organization. His opposition to the war reflected the broader Bolshevik rejection of the conflict, which they viewed as an imperialist struggle that did not serve the interests of the working class.21

It is important to note that although Gorky agreed with the Bolsheviks regarding the war, he remained a complex figure who frequently clashed with V.I. Lenin and later became a vocal critic of the dictatorial methods employed during the Russian Revolution of 1917.21