| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
CHICAGO / TURABIAN Format
The
Russian Revolution by Sheila Fitzpatrick
[Author’s Name]
[Institution’s Name]
The Russian Revolution by Sheila Fitzpatrick
Sheila Fitzpatrick,
in her book on the Russian Revolution portrays the masses
as having just such a natural political and social development.
It is in her view of the Russian Revolution, as a social
historian, that allows for respect to be given to the
masses of people who were fighting for social and political
freedoms. She views the Anarchists as having had the natural
support of the workers and peasants. In her book The Russian
Revolution, Fitzpatrick describes this movement by the
workers themselves. She states that "...the factory
committees took over [the factories in order] to save
the workers from unemployment, when the owner or manager
abandoned the plant or threatened to close it because
it was losing money. As such events became more common,
the definition of workers' control moved closer to something
like workers' self-management." 1 Fitzpatrick notes
that because of the growing fallout between the workers
and the government, that real grievances were developed
and that a program of self-management became every more
necessary in the eyes of the working classes. Instead
of foreign anarchistic elements conspiring to get worker
support, it was the conditions in Petrograd that caused
the workers to become more militant. Workers angered by
"...the Bolsheviks [who had gained] influence in
the factory committees...[that] there was an emerging
sense in the working class that 'soviet power' meant that
the workers should be sole masters in the district, the
city, and perhaps the country as a whole...this was closer
to anarchism or anarcho-syndicalism than to Bolshevism,
and the Bolshevik leaders did not in fact share the view
that direct workers'democracy through factory committees
and the soviets was a plausible or desirable alternative
to their own concept of party-led 'proletarian dictatorship."2
Fitzpatrick makes
known form the beginning of her work that the Russian
Revolution to many is seen as being corrupt and is clearly
a controversial subject between many historians. She points
to most important three primary, recurrent motifs or themes
- a modernization theme, a class theme, and a theme of
revolutionary violence and terror. Fitzpatrick believes
that the newly released information from the historical
archives is so dynamic that each writer and each historian
may interpret it differently. Given the circumstances
of the new found evidence of the Revolution Fitzpatrick
works to break down the political, social and economic
forces found within society at the time of the Revolution
in hopes to gain a greater understanding of the Russian
Revolution. Shelia as a writer and historian also works
to make known the profound connections between the Russian
Revolution and what effect it has on the people and the
governmental system within Russia.
Once Fitzpatrick
has provided the reader with the basic knowledge of the
Revolution she then calls upon the reader to analyze not
only the purpose of the Revolution, but the success of
it as well. Fitzpatrick then works to find the answer
if it was really a “Revolution” at all, in
comparison to other national revolutions.
In explaining the
modernization theme Fitzpatrick works to uncover what
the Russian Revolution meant not only to the political
structure within Russia but what the Revolution meant
for the people of Russia in regards to their economic
and social success. Fitzpatrick makes known the role that
Lenin and Stalin played during the Russian Revolution
as members of the Bolsheviks. Fitzpatrick also works to
uncover the tragedy and corruption found within the political
system of Russia, while making known the cost of corruption
and violence.
The major themes found
within the book are in the form of three primary forces
that led up to the Russian Revolution, and were ultimately
forever changed by the Revolution. Fitzpatrick believes
that the Russian Revolution centers around three major
forces, which are in the form of political, social and
economical. Under these three forces there are three major
themes found within the Revolution, which are in the form
of modernization, class issues, and violence. Fitzpatrick
then breaks down the themes into various subjects offering
an in-depth look into the Russian Revolution. For within
the book the author discusses various issues found within
the Revolution such as the rise of the NEP, socialism,
Stalin’s Revolution, collectivization, and lastly
the Great Purges.
Fitzpatrick concludes
the book by discussing the success of the Revolution,
and making known that the Revolution offered little to
the people within Russia, and although they may have saw
a little improvement in their lives during the Revolution
it was short lived. For soon as Fitzpatrick mentioned
Russia would slip back into its backwardness and digress
back to its old ways.
Endnotes
1.
Sheila Fitzpatrick, The Russian Revolution, Oxford University
Press, 1994, p.54
2.
Sheila Fitzpatrick, The Russian Revolution, Oxford University
Press, 1994, p.56
Back to top
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
|
| |
 |
Join
our free membership
program to save $5 per page
all year round! Enter your name
and email address below to
signup. |
|
|
 |
Excellent Writers
Your paper will be created by excellent
writers employed by us.
Helpful Customer
Care
Problems regarding term paper writing are dealt
well by our specialized customer care staff.
Global Admiration
Renowned institutes of the world have appreciated
our quality work and have even presented awards
to us.
Punctuality
We have been punctual in meeting your deadlines.
Privacy Policy
Your information remains safe with us and is not
disclosed to anyone.
Bulk Discount
Send us details of your large size orders and get
a special bulk discount. Email us at: 24 Hour Customer Support Center
Order More
Products
Essays, dissertations, theses, term papers, etc.
for only $10 per page. |
Featured
as the most popular site in the research and term
paper writing. |
|
|
