With the revolution in February, the socialist youth movement emerged out of young workers throughout Russia. They pushed for more education opportunities and education for everyone. This youth movement join with the Bolsheviks Party and they helped to create policies … Continue reading →
Comrades’ Corner
Comrades' Corner, Week 3 Posts
Furious For Food
by afoutz •
One of the most humane rights and biological necessities is to be able to eat. Sadly however, after World War I had begun this basic right was incredibly hard to come by for the Russian peasantry. At the beginning of the war it was thought that as a largely agrarian empire it would have no […]
Comrades' Corner, Week 3 Posts
When the Tsar is away, the Monk will play
by jslattery •
At the outbreak of the Great War, Russia had the world’s largest army at almost one and a half million soldiers. With reserves activated and fully mobilized, this number expanded to five million. At first, the Russians made large, quick gains by striking first into East Prussia (modern day Kaliningrad Oblast) and Galicia. By the end […]
Comrades' Corner, Week 3 Posts
Free Love and Communism: The Alexandra Kollontai Story
by cpurvis2 •
No matter the time period, no matter the location, the status of women has always been in question. As the Bolsheviks came to power, women in Russia began to see themselves on a more equal field; legislation like the Code on Marriage, … Continue reading →
Comrades' Corner, Week 2 Posts
Октября Манифестъ
by jmhawkins •
The October Manifesto was created out of the hope for changed, signed out of fear, and not fully used until the “Fundamental Laws” was written almost 6 months later. The year of 1905 proved to hold the biggest trouble for … Continue reading →
Comrades' Corner, Week 2 Posts
The Duma of the Russian Empire
by oliva2015 •
The Russian Duma was intended to act as a steady transition towards a more democratic Russia, controlled and guided by the Tsar. However, this first meeting of the Duma (seen above) was far from a controlled change. The Duma spiraled out of the Tar’s control and became a public and legitimate source of revolutionary change […]
Comrades' Corner, Week 2 Posts
Why Witte Was a Winner
by afoutz •
As a double major in management and finance with a minor in history, I’ve always had a sweet spot in my heart for historical figures that work in a business or financial way. One such man that has peaked my interest is Sergei Witte. Mr Witte was the Minister of Finance for the Russian Empire […]
Comrades' Corner, Week 2 Posts
What constitutes a Constitution?
by gracehemmingson •
Increasing challenges to autocratic rule reached a boiling point in 1905. In order to avoid total disaster, Sergei Witte called for a reform of the political system. Witte wrote the famous October Manifesto, which calmed the unrest following the shooting … Continue reading →
Comrades' Corner, Week 1 Posts
The Half-Measured Emancipation
by A. Lengyel •
the picture above offers a glimpse into the lives of Russian peasants towards the end of the 19th century. The picture makes it clear that although the Russian serfs were emancipated in 1861, they remained second-class citizens for decades after. … Continue reading →
Comrades' Corner, Week 1 Posts
A Band-aid that didn’t stick: Russian reform in the 1860s and 70s
by gracehemmingson •
Reform. Counter-reform. One step forward and two steps back. This pattern can be seen in many places throughout history, and usually leads to a period of explosive reform started by the people. Examples of this pattern are the reforms begun by Qing Russia before the 1911 Revolution and even the connection between post-civil war […]