Bedford Public Library

The Russian Revolution, a new history, Sean McMeekin

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 359-420) and index

illustrationsplatesmaps

index present

non fiction

The Russian Revolution

bibliography

Sean McMeekin

a new history

"In The Russian Revolution, historian Sean McMeekin traces the origins and events of the Russian Revolution, which ended Romanov rule, ushered the Bolsheviks into power, and changed the course of world history. Between 1900 and 1920, Russia underwent a complete and irreversible transformation: by the end of these two decades, a new regime was in place, the economy had collapsed, and over 20 million Russians had died during the revolution and what followed. Still, Bolshevik power remained intact due to a remarkable combination of military prowess, violent terror tactics, and the failures of their opposition. And as McMeekin shows, Russia's revolutionaries were aided at nearly every step by countries like Germany and Sweden who sought to benefit-politically and economically-from the chaotic changes overtaking the country. The first comprehensive history of these momentous events in a decade, The Russian Revolution combines cutting-edge scholarship and a fast-paced narrative to shed new light on a great turning point of the twentieth century"--, Provided by publisher"In The Russian Revolution, historian Sean McMeekin traces the origins and events of the Russian Revolution, which brought an end to Romanov rule and ushered the Bolsheviks into power. Between the dawn of the 20th century and 1920, Russia underwent a complete and irreversible transformation, the effects of which would reverberate throughout the world for decades to come. At the turn of the century, the Russian economy, which still trailed behind Britain, France, Germany, and the U.S., was growing by about 10% annually, and its population had reached 150 million. But by 1920, a new regime was in place, the country was in desperate financial straits, and between 20 and 25 million Russians had died during the Revolution and the Civil War, the Red Terror, and the economic collapse that followed. Still, Bolshevik power remained intact through a remarkable combination of military prowess, violent terror tactics, and the bumbling failures of their opposition. And as McMeekin shows, they were aided at nearly every step by countries like Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland who sought to benefit--politically and economically--from the chaotic changes overtaking the country"--, Provided by publisher

Prologue: The blood of a peasant -- I. The twilight of the Romanovs -- The old regime, and its enemies -- 1905: shock to the system -- The fragile giant: Tsarist Russia on the precipice of war -- Russia's war: 1914-1916 -- II. 1917: a false dawn -- Full of fight -- A break in the weather -- Army in the balance -- The German gambit -- Twilight of the liberals -- Kerensky's moment -- III. Hostile takeover -- Lenin shows his hand -- Army on the brink -- Red October -- General strike -- Ceasefire -- Russia at low ebb -- Reprieve -- IV. The Bolsheviks in power -- War communism -- Red on white -- The Communist International -- The ides of March -- "Turn gold into bread": famine and the war on the church -- Rapallo -- Epilogue: the specter of Communism