The Russian Revolution : a new history / Sean McMeekin.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McMeekin, Sean, 1974- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Soviet Union--History--Revolution, 1917-1921.

Soviet Union.

History.

HISTORY / Revolutionary.

HISTORY / Europe / Former Soviet Republics.

HISTORY / Europe / Russia & the Former Soviet Union.

Local Subjects:

HISTORY / Revolutionary.

HISTORY / Europe / Former Soviet Republics.

HISTORY / Europe / Russia & the Former Soviet Union.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

xxxi, 445 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Basic Books, [2017]

Summary:

"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.

Contents:

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.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 359-420) and index.

ISBN:

9780465039906

0465039901

OCLC:

960294645