HISTORY OF RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 2: The February Revolution of 1917 - Leon Trotsky

About this episode

This episode explores the February Revolution of 1917 through Leon Trotsky's analysis in his seminal work on the Russian Revolution.

The History of the Russian Revolution - Leon Trotsky - HQ Full Book. Part 2 (Vol. I Chapt. 7-9): The February Revolution of 1917. Leon Trotsky's The History of the Russian Revolution is a seminal work of Marxist historiography, written by one of the revolution's key architects during his exile in the 1930s. Volume 1, titled "The Overthrow of Tsarism," delves into the February Revolution of 1917, which toppled the Romanov dynasty and paved the way for the Provisional Government. Part 2 of this volume focuses on the immediate dynamics of the uprising, blending meticulous narrative with theoretical analysis. Chapters 7 through 9 form a critical core, capturing the revolution's explosive onset, its leadership, and its ironic outcomes. These chapters highlight Trotsky's thesis that revolutions arise from deep social contradictions, often defying the plans of elites or even revolutionary organizations. Drawing on eyewitness accounts, documents, and his own insights, Trotsky portrays the February events as a spontaneous proletarian surge that unexpectedly reshaped Russia's political landscape. The narrative underscores the role of workers, soldiers, and peasants in driving history…

Topics covered

• Russian Revolution
• Leon Trotsky
• February Revolution
• Marxist historiography
• political dynamics
• proletarian surge

Keywords

• Russian Revolution
• February Revolution
• Leon Trotsky
• Marxism
• political history
• social contradictions
• Provisional Government

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Provisional Government

Books & works: The History of the Russian Revolution

Places: Russia

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