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Russia: The Wild East

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Factual: History

A history of Russia, written and presented by Martin Sixsmith

Russia: The Wild East: Series 2 Omnibus

Russia: The Wild East: Series 2 Omnibus: Episode 1

Episode 1

Series 2 Omnibus

BBC Radio 4 - Russia: The Wild East, Series 2 Omnibus, Episode 1

Martin Sixsmith's history of Russia examines the Bolsheviks' rise to power.

Martin Sixsmith traces the history of Russia. In this episode, the Bolsheviks grab power from the constituent assembly and end hopes of democracy; Lenin is succeeded by Stalin.

Martin Sixsmith continues his major series of Russian history amidst the whirlwind of 1917 revolution and the Bolshevik rise to power. 

Here, as in part one, Sixsmith argues that things seem to change radically, only to revert to old stereotypes. He stands at the spot in Yekaterinburg where, while the country was engulfed in a bloody civil war, the last tsar of Russia met his fate. He draws on an eyewitness account of the execution by an ad hoc firing squad. Recent research suggests that Lenin took this decision personally to prevent Nicholas II becoming a rallying point for the White cause. Sixsmith reflects on the pragmatic necessity underlying Lenin's ruthlessness and on the fatal attraction Lenin held for a Russian people who thought he was bringing them freedom. 

Germany's defeat in the World War allowed the Bolsheviks to recoup much of the territory they'd ceded when they withdrew from the war, but an attempt to kill Lenin led to harsh reprisals and a ruthless war on so-called class enemies. Lenin abandoned his promises of freedom, justice and self-determination, replacing them with what came to be known as War Communism - harsh, enslaving and repressive. 

But the Kronshtadt rebellion, with its manifesto claiming the Communists had lost the trust of the people, forced the Bolsheviks to rethink how they exercised power. Trotsky crushed the uprising but Lenin was forced to offer economic concessions. The New Economic Policy (NEP) placated the people, and, although it split the party, gave Lenin the time he needed to consolidate his hold on power. But, just 7 years after the Revolution, Lenin dies to be replaced by the man he had tried but failed to warn his party against - Josef Stalin who increasingly adopted the model of an all-powerful centralized autocrat. 

Historical Consultant - Professor Geoffrey Hosking


Producers: Adam Fowler & Anna Scott-Brown
A Ladbroke Production for BBC Radio 4.

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