This course focuses on Russia’s momentous revolutionary years in the early part of the 20th century. It begins by examining the challenge to Tsarism in 1905, its limits and possibilities, and discusses whether this can be seen as a revolutionary year or merely the precursor to a longer revolutionary period. We then turn to the events of 1917 proper, considering firstly the long and short term causes of the February revolution, and how its course can be explained. With the collapse of tsarism, the course then moves to discuss the events after Nicholas II’s fall from power, including the formation of two different types of government, the continuing war effort, the condition of the Russian army and of the countryside and wider provinces, and the attraction of the revolutionary socialism of the Bolshevik Party.
We consider other contemporary political currents, including liberalism and moderate socialism, in order to explain why they failed and why Bolshevism grew in popularity. The roles of key leaders including Alexander Kerensky and Vladimir Lenin will be assessed here. The course then turns to the October revolution, examining the Bolsheviks’ victory, the ways in which they held on to power and the shifting fortunes of Red and White forces in the ensuing Russian Civil War. It concludes by considering the ways in which Russia had been changed by its revolutions.
Learning outcomes
- To demonstrate a critical understanding of the causes of the Russian Revolutions;
- To show a good awareness of the events of the revolutionary period;
- To examine the consequences of the Russian Revolutions.
