HISTORY OF RUSSIAN REVOLUTION - 1. Russia’s Path to February Revolution of 1917 (1905-1917) - Leon Trotsky cover art

HISTORY OF RUSSIAN REVOLUTION - 1. Russia’s Path to February Revolution of 1917 (1905-1917) - Leon Trotsky

HISTORY OF RUSSIAN REVOLUTION - 1. Russia’s Path to February Revolution of 1917 (1905-1917) - Leon Trotsky

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 The History of the Russian Revolution - Leon Trotsky - Vol. I Chapters 1-6 - HQ Full Book.Part 1: Russia’s Path to February Revolution of 1917 (1905-1917).Dive into the riveting world of revolutionary history with the "Secrets of Power" podcast, where we unravel the profound insights from Leon Trotsky's masterpiece, The History of the Russian Revolution. In this captivating series, we delve into Volume 1, Part 1, spanning the Preface and Chapters 1 through 6. Trotsky, a central figure in the Bolshevik uprising, offers an unparalleled Marxist analysis of the events that toppled the centuries-old Tsarist autocracy in 1917. PrefaceIn the preface to The History of the Russian Revolution, Leon Trotsky outlines his approach to documenting the dramatic transformation of Russia from a Romanov monarchy in early 1917 to Bolshevik rule by year's end, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of this shift in a nation of 150 million. He asserts that the history of a revolution must explain what happened and why, adhering to its own laws rather than moral preconceptions. Trotsky highlights the masses' direct interference in historical events as a defining feature, breaking barriers to create a new regime, driven by class conflicts and rapid psychological changes within classes. He argues that revolutions stem from the masses' inability to endure the old order, with political programs emerging through successive approximations and growing leftward pressure, though reactions occur when movements face obstacles. Trotsky stresses the importance of studying mass consciousness to understand the roles of parties and leaders, likening mass energy to steam and organizational guidance to a piston-box. He clarifies that his work relies on verified documents, not personal recollections, and maintains a historical objectivity based on factual analysis rather than impartiality, using sources like the Essays on the History of the October Revolution. Dates are given in the old style calendar to preserve historical context.Chapter 1: Peculiarities of Russia’s DevelopmentIn Chapter 1, "Peculiarities of Russia’s Development," Trotsky highlights Russia’s slow historical and economic development, marked by backwardness, primitive social forms, and low cultural levels, due to its vast, austere plain and struggles with nomads and harsh climate. Unlike Western Europe, which built on Roman ruins and developed commercial cities, Russia’s expansion diluted social differentiation, with active elements becoming traders or Cossacks rather than burghers. Russia, positioned between Europe and Asia, experienced the Tartar yoke and Western pressures, leading to an incomplete feudalism with Asiatic despotism traits, reinforced by serfdom lasting until 1861. Trotsky discusses the "privilege of historic backwardness," allowing Russia to adopt advanced technologies, skipping stages, resulting in a combined development of archaic and modern forms. This is evident in rapid industrial growth, with giant enterprises dominating, yet agriculture remained backward, and foreign capital controlled much of industry, giving Russia a semi-colonial character. The bourgeoisie, tied to foreign interests, was politically isolated, unable to lead, while the proletariat, formed from rural roots, was receptive to revolutionary ideas, setting the stage for future upheavals. Chapter 2: Tsarist Russia in the WarWorld War I significantly strained Tsarist Russia, exposing its economic and military weaknesses. Russia's war aims, such as control over the Turkish Straits and Galicia, were secondary to the global imperialist ambitions of the major powers, reflecting Russia's semi-colonial status. The Russian bourgeoisie acted as an agent for foreign imperialism, benefiting from alliances while exploiting weaker nations. The Tsarist army, modernized only superficially, struggled against advanced European forces, relying on vast spaces and poor infrastructure rather than military prowess. Early in the war, Russia faced defeats, retreating in 1915, with generals blaming civilians and resorting to harsh measures like flogging soldiers. The war effort revealed industrial and logistical failures, with shortages of munitions and transportation, deepening dependence on allies. Mobilizing around 15 million men, Russia suffered about 5.5 million casualties, leading to widespread desertion and morale collapse. The war exacerbated internal discontent, with soldiers and civilians weary of conflict, setting the stage for revolutionary unrest. Liberal opposition, fearing social revolution, sought compromises with the monarchy, but Tsarist resistance to reform further destabilized the regime. Chapter 3: The Proletariat and the PeasantryIn Chapter 3 of "The History of the Russian Revolution," Leon Trotsky examines the roles and interactions of the proletariat and peasantry during the revolutionary period. The Russian proletariat, concentrated in large enterprises and facing intense ...
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.