Book Review: A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution (1891-1924)

This book is an authentic and interesting document of one of the most important periods (1891–1924) in Russian history.

The French Revolution (1789–1799) completely changed the political landscape of Europe. The powers of the aristocracy and the church had been curbed to a great extent and democratic changes swept across Europe. The Industrial Revolution (1760–1840) further reinforced the flame of these changes. As a result of the Industrial Revolution, the centralization of property and means of production began to take place in the hands of the bourgeoisie, as a result, in response to it, a wave of socialist ideas swept across Europe.

Before the births of Karl Marx (1818–1883) and Friedrich Engels (1820–1895), Robert Owen (1771–1858) in America and Louis Blanc (1813–1832) in France made the initial experiments of socialism.

Despite the prevailing wave of socialism in Europe, Russia remained largely untouched by its influence because, despite certain efforts to industrialize the nation, Russia was still primarily an agrarian nation. In the early 19th century, where only 40% and 50% of the population in France and Germany, respectively, depended on agriculture, a whopping 85% of the population of Russia was still dependent on agriculture. Russia remained untouched by the revolutionary ideas of Europe for a long time due to the lack of class consciousness and the traditional rule of the Tsar.

Over time, this situation began to change gradually. Due to the wrong policies of the government in the famine of 1891, more than 5 lakh Russian citizens died. The defeat of Russia in the Japanese-Russian War in 1905 served as a sprinkling of salt on the burn and made the lives of the public worse. In response, protests began in the general public, but, instead of diagnosing the problem of the public, the Tsar-administration adopted a policy of repression. On January 22, 1905, Jar's forces opened fire on demonstrators, killing more than 200 people. This event is known as 'Bloody Sunday' in Russian history.

Therefore, instead of achieving the intended outcome of the government’s repressive policy, the number and severity of protests increased steadily. As a result, in October 1905, the Tsar had to declare 'October Manifesto', resulting in the formation of first parliament of Russia (Duma). Further, the Russian Constitution of 1906 was also established. But, in reality, all these reforms were just pretensions. The Duma was just to name, as Tsar Nicholas II retained the power of veto. The Tsar dissolved the first Duma in just 75 days. The second Duma was elected in 3 months. The Tsar changed the rules of the election in such a way that the number of pro-Tsar people in the third Duma greatly increased and the opposition was almost eliminated. Due to the above reasons, the October Manifesto was unable to calm the public discontent and the fire of protest kept smoldering inside.

In 1914, the world was inundated in the First World War. The Tsar pushed Russia into a war against Germany without the public representatives supporting it. Initially, the spirit of nationalism caught up with the war but by 1916, people had turned against the war. Between 1914 and 1917, over 7 million Russian military casualties occurred. Neither arms and ammunition were available on the war front nor bread was available inside the country. All the young people were sent to fight, so all the small domestic industries were closed. Due to the German occupation in the Baltic Sea, essential goods from outside could not be shipped to Russia. Tsar's wife was of German descent and was always surrounded by German advisors. His spiritual mentor Rasputin was particularly notorious. Due to these reasons, public dissatisfaction with the Tsar administration was increasing and the army was also not loyal to the king.

The revolution of Russia, in February 1917, took place due to longing for democratic changes, economic problems and dismal results of war. Tsar Nicholas II had to abdicate the throne and the era of monarchy in Russia came to an end. An interim government was formed in a hurry. The common citizens established the 'Soviet' of Saint Petersburg to pressure the interim government and implement democratic changes. The Soviet was a representative institution of peasants, laborers and the lower strata of the army. As the interim government was still dominated by the bourgeoisie and the Tsar supporters, the power struggle between the Soviet and the Interim Government started.

In April 1917, Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Party, returned from exile to Russia and placed his 10-point demands before the interim government, with three leading demands - 1. End the war by making an immediate treaty with Germany, 2. The land should be distributed among the tenants, and 3. Banks should be nationalized. The conflict between the Bolsheviks and the Interim Government culminated in the October 1917 revolution, in which the Interim Government was defeated and the Soviets came to power under the leadership of the Bolshevik Party.

After coming to power, the Soviets started implementing land-distribution and other reform programs. This step was popular among the proletariat, but it was opposed by the bourgeoisie and Tsar supporters, which led to the start of civil war in Russia. The Bolshevik pro-military was called the 'Red Army', the Tsar supporters the 'White Army' and the Social Revolutionist the 'Green Army'. Fearful of the spread of communism, France, America, Japan and England were also providing military support to the Red Army's adversaries, the Green and White Army. Despite this, the Bolsheviks emerged victorious in this civil war and communism was established in Russia.

It is sad to know that the Russian revolution which took place after so much struggle and bloodshed could never achieve its real goals. After the Civil War, the communist government led by Lenin gradually transformed into a notorious cult system of oppressive, single party politics. By 1924, the so called democratized fa?ade of the Communist Party of Russia under Stalin's leadership had completely taken off.