The Russian Revolution

The Russian Revolution by John M. Dunn not only investigates the Revolution of 1917, but it also discusses major events and personalities that led to and resulted from the Revolution. The book is filled with close to one hundred illustrations and dozens of excerpts from first-hand accounts written by those whose lives were affected by the incidents that transpired between the early 1800's and mid 1900's. Dunn does not examine every minute detail of the period since a book would have to be a multiple-volume set to be the primary source on the many subjects mentioned. For this reason, I found the book to be informative, yet extremely easy to read and comprehend. The first half of the book lets us know what life was like under the Romanov dynasty in Russia. As peasants and citizens became more restless, Tsar Nicholas began making some changes, but they were not enough. The impressionable ideas of Karl Mark and Friedrich Engels had already reached many future revolutionaries in Russia. Chapter Three leads us into the Revolution of 1905, with the infamous "Bloody Sunday," and it ends with Nicholas' attempt to quell the insurrection by allowing the establishment of the congress-like Duma. The only thing that turns attention away from the dissatisfaction with the Tsar is the outbreak of World War I. This is avoided only temporarily. The discontent arises again because of the continuing problems and Rasputin, the so-called "Mad Monk." All this and more contribute to the February Revolution of 1917, that influences Tsar Nicholas' abdication of his throne and the setting up of the Provisional Government. The Provisional Government is desperately trying to organize and control the country as the second half of the book begins. Amid the confusion, Lenin and other Bolshevik leaders return from exile and take the final steps to be, as Lenin said in June, 1917, ". . . ready at any moment to take over the government." The next chapter goes into ample detail regarding the circumstances surrounding the Bolshevik overthrow of the Provisional Government in October, 1917. The Bolsheviks quickly seized power of Russia, but not without major opposition. The "Whites" were many resistant groups that combined together with the single goal of defeating the "Red" Bolsheviks. The Russian civil war raged on from the spring of 1918 to the fall of 1920, and left behind death and destruction throughout the country. This death and destruction would continue with Lenin in charge, and eventually worsen under Stalin. Lenin and the Communist forces were victorious, but the rebuilding of a nation in shambles would never be complete. The book ends with a brief mention of the dismantling of the Soviet Union in 1991. John Dunn suggests that the ideals of freedom and democracy that fueled the revolution(s) may be forthcoming, but, "Whether the nations of the former Soviet Union will be able to fulfill the dreams o