Sleep With History - Russian Revolution and the fall of the Russian Empire (1917)

Episode Date: February 21, 2025

Dive into the Sleep with History podcast as we touch upon a transformative period that changed the world - The Russian Revolution in 1917. Be captivated as you journey through Russia's frost-covered landscapes and listen to the echoes of fiery revolution. No mere whisper of distant hardships, but vivid stories sprung from stark reality. Watch the dawn of Marxism, feel the upheaval and yearning for justice. Join us tonight, as we drift into sleep and travel back in time; deeply exploring characters, events, and ideals amid the tumult of times forever gone but not forgotten. Your sleepcast, steeped in history, awaits. This episode is hosted by Sophia Wilson. Check out more of our shows and get your free trial of Whisper Premium: www.whisper.fm Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/channel/whisper-fm/id6466174594 Whisper.fm on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whisper_fm

Welcome to Sleep with History, the podcast that unlocks the past with captivating tales of global history. Join us as we delve into the past and share with you intrigues and fascinations from around the world. Before we begin, I wish to let you know that you can find our full range of relaxing shows covering topics such as mythology, classic books, meditations, and history at our website. Whisper.fm. Would you like to have a fresh episode every day? With Whisper Premium, you'll receive new episodes from all of our shows, seven days a week. Consider subscribing to Whisper Premium to hear our entire collection of bonus and extended episodes, all of which can be listened to without interruption. Sign up now to receive full early access to the current season. Tonight, as you settle into the comfort of your evening, let us draw the curtains back in time to a moment that

not only changed the course of a nation, but also sent shockwaves across the entire world. We're journeying back to the early 20th century to a Russia steeped in deep winter frosts and the fires of revolution. The Russian Revolution, a beacon of upheaval and transformation, stands as one of the most significant events in modern history. As we explore this period, imagine the expanses of the icy Russian landscape, the echo of workers' boots on snowy pavements, and the fervent whispers of change that filled the air.

This was a time when the Russian Empire was crumbling under the weight of centuries-old autocracy. The masses, burdened by the toils of war and want, began to knit together their courage and desperation into a banner of revolution. In the years leading up to 1917, the imperial rule of the Tars became increasingly disconnected from the plight of its people. Poverty, famine, and dissatisfaction permeated the vast stretches of the countryside and the cramped quarters of the urban workers in the grand palaces and estates. The stories of these hardships were but distant whispers. In the streets and fields, they were the stark reality.

The air of this era was saturated with the ideologies of Marxism, which promised the disillusioned masses and escape from the chains of exploitation and the dawn of a society based on equality and justice. Figures like Lenin, Trotsky, and other revolutionaries began to emerge, their words igniting hope and action among the oppressed, these leaders, with their radical ideas and promises of a better life, began to sculpt the narrative of rebellion that would eventually demolish the old regime and attempt to forge a new one from the ashes of injustice and strife. The Russian Revolution wasn't just a local skirmish confined within the borders of a single country.

It was a dramatic showdown with international implications that promised to redefine the ideas of governance, power, and societal structure. Countries around the globe watched with bated breath, some in fear, others in hope, as the events unfolded. And so tonight, as the shadows lengthen and you nestle deeper into the quietude of the night, let us delve into this fervent period of Russian history. We will uncover the complexities, the characters, and the cascading series of events that led to a world forever altered. This is not just the tale of a revolution. It is the story of human hope, endurance, and the relentless pursuit of an ideal, set against the somber backdrop of one of history's most turbulent time to grasp the full scope and intensity of the Russian Revolution, one must explore the rich, complex backdrop of the Russian Empire under the Romanovs. This narrative begins in the 17th century with the ascension of Michael Romanov, after the tumultuous period of the time of troubles,

heralding the dawn of a dynasty that would rule Russia for more than 300 years. During this expansive era, Russia emerged from the shadows of medieval isolation to become a major European power. The Romanovs were ambitious rulers, with each Tsar and Serena pushing the empire's borders outward through warfare, diplomacy, and strategic marriages. Russia's territorial gains were impressive, stretching from the northern forests across the steps of Central Asia to the shores of the Pacific. This relentless expansion was not just a quest for land, but also a bid for access to warm water ports, and the economic benefits they promised. a long-standing Russian geopolitical craving. Yet the empire was not just expanding, but transforming. Peter the Great, in the early 18th century, turned his gaze westward, determined to modernize Russia.

He introduced reform that westernized the Russian aristocracy, bolstered the military, and streamlined the government. The Grand City of St. Petersburg was erected, a symbol of Russia's. new direction. Its window to the west, Catherine the Great continued this legacy, focusing on domestic reforms, expanding the empire further and patronizing the arts, contributing to a burgeoning cultural renaissance in Russia. However, despite these gilded achievement, the vast majority of Russians saw little benefit. The serfs, who comprised the bulk of the population, remained bound to the land under feudal obligations that were both archaic and harsh. The 19th century saw the initial stirrings of discontent,

as the gap between the opulent lives of the nobility and the desperate existence of the serfs became ever more glaring. The emancipation reform of 1861 intended to liberate the serfs, did little to alleviate their hardships, as it often left them in debt or tied to the land through economic, and administrative pressures. The turn of the 20th century brought the forces of industrialization

in a rush that was both disorganized and ruthless. Factories mushroomed in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, drawing millions from rural areas with the promise of wages. Yet the reality these peasants encountered was grim, appalling working conditions, overcrowded housing, and negligible right.

The industrial boom exacerbated. exacerbated the chasm between the burgeoning class of industrialists and their workers, setting the stage for radical ideologies. Intellectual ferment was part of this new industrial landscape. Marxist doctrine found a ready audience among the disaffected workers and intellectuals who saw in it a blueprint for overturning the old order. Discussions of socialism and debates on reform bubbled through salons and secret meetings, sewing seeds of revolution. Meanwhile, Russia's adventures on the world stage, particularly the Russo-Japanese War and World War wa, drained the empire's coffers and morale. The embarrassing defeat by Japan in 1905 shattered the mystique of Russian invincibility, leading to the first revolution of 1905, a precursor and warning of what was to come. World War, I further strained the resources and patience of the populace, as causalities mountain.

and supplies dwindled. By early 1917, the stage was set. The February revolution erupted spontaneously, powered by years of growing frustration. The abdication of Sir Nicholas too marked the end of the Romanov reign, leaving a provisional government in its wake, one incapable of quilling the unrest or pulling Russia out of war, the Bolsheviks under the shrewd and relentless leadership of Vladimir Lenin, seized this moment to advance their agenda, leading to the seminal October revolution, which promised to reshape not just Russia, but the entirety of world affairs. As the chill of political dissatisfaction intensified across Russia, the clamor for transformative change became more pronounced. Amidst this turmoil, the Bolshevik faction emerging from the broader Marxist-Russian social

Democratic Labor Party began to distinguish themselves. They articulated a narrative that resonated deeply with the disenfranchised working class and the struggling peasantry, promising to alleviate their suffering with bold pledges of peace, land, and bred under the leadership of the formidable Vladimir Lenin. The Bolsheviks Eddly positioned themselves at the forefront of the political arena, leveraging the palpable discontent that plagued the ineffective provisional government, especially given its unresolved stance on Russia's continued involvement in the protracted World War War War. The Bolsheviks' rise to power was not merely fortuitous, but the result of meticulously orchestrated strategic maneuvers. Sensing the fragility of the provisional government, Lenin and his compatriots worked tenaciously to undermine its authority,

and gained the allegiance of key military faction, this was pivotal, as military support would be crucial in any bid to forcefully alter the government structure. Lenin's charisma and decisive leadership rallied disillusioned soldiers and workers alike, setting the stage for a significant showdown. October 1917 became the fulcrum of Bolshevik ambition. The party orchestrated an armed insurrection that would go down in history for its strategic brilliance and relative lack of bloodshed, a rarity in cups of such magnitude. In a carefully coordinated operation, Bolshevik Red Guards, alongside sympathetic military unit,

took control of strategic locations across Petrograd, the then-capital. This effectively crippled the provisional government's ability to govern, leaving a vacuum that the Bolsheviks were all too, ready to fill. The event later celebrated as the October Revolution, marked a definitive end to the provisional government, and heralded the beginning of Bolshevik dominance in Russian politics. Upon seizing power, the Bolshevik regime moved swiftly to implement a series of radical reforms, aimed at reshaping Russian society, according to Marxist principles. One of their first actions was to broker a peace deal with Germany, extracting Russia from the war.

war that had drained its resources and demoralized its population. This move, though controversial, fulfilled a key promise to the war-weary Russian people and stabilized the internal situation momentarily. Further, the Bolsheviks turned their attention to the economy, nationalizing industries, which had been under private control. This move was designed to redistribute wealth more evenly across society, centralizing economic power in the hands of the state, which they argued would be able to manage the resources for the benefit of all rather than the few. Alongside this, land redistribution policies were enacted with fur. Land was seized from the nobility and the wealthy and redistributed to the peasantry, a class which had long suffered under feudal burdens. This not only fulfilled another

pivotal Bolshevik promise, but also aim to undermine any lingering loyalties to the former elites among the rural population. However, the transformation was not without its dire cost. The sweeping reforms and assertive seizure of power by the Bolsheviks polarized Russian society deeply. The years following the Bolshevik rise saw the ignition of a brutal civil war from 1918 to 1922, A conflict that would see the Red Army Bolshevik forces pitted against the White Army, which comprised a diverse coalition of anti-Bulshevik groups, including monarchists, capitalists, and foreign nations interested in curtailing Bolshevik influence. The civil war was marked by extraordinary violence and severe precautions for the civilian population,

who suffered immensely amid the chaos, delving deeper into the fabric of the fabric of, of our story. We encounter figures whose lives and legacies are indelibly intertwined with the fabric of early 20th century Russia. We start with Vladimir, Ilifashilanov, better known by His Nome de Goer, Lenin. His life begins in 1870 in Simbursk, where he was born to a well-educated family. His father was an education inspector and his mother a homemaker with a passion for the welfare of their children. However, the idyllic childhood was abruptly marred by two pivotal events. Firstly, the death of his father in 1886, which plunged the family into a state of financial instability. And secondly, the arrest and eventual execution of his elder brother, Alexander, in 1887,

for involvement in a plot to assassinate TR Alexander 3. These events were critical in forging the Steeley, resolute young Lennon, who would later spearhead a movement to upheave the social and political order of Russia. Lennon was not only intellectually rigorous, graduating top of his class at Kazen University, but also emotionally hardened by personal tragedy, deeply entrenched in Marxist ideology. His acumen for political strategy and leadership led him to assume the helm of the Bolshevik faction, which pushed for immediate and radical reform, distinct from their Menshevik counterparts, who advocated a gradual approach to socialism. On the opposing end of the societal spectrum, was Tsar Nicholas II, the final monarch of the Romanov dynasty, born into a lineage of rulers

dating back to 1613. Nicholas was a man shaped by the colossal weight of his ancestry, a legacy steeped the absolute belief in autocratic rule and the divine right of kings. His reign, beginning in 1994, was marked by profound resistance to change and a romanticization of the past that left him woefully unprepared for the societal shifts that were underway. Despite his deep devotion to his family, particularly his wife, Alexandra, and their five children, Nicholas was fundamentally disconnected from the evolving needs of his populace, compounded by his mismanagement of military campaigns during World War War. His rule distanced him further from the hearts and the needs of the Russian populace. Both men's lives were a constellation of contrasting ideologies and

methodologies. Nicholas's commitment to autocracy and his hesitance to acknowledge the desperation of his people, contrasted sharply with Lenin's relentless pursuit of a restructured society, one which ultimately laid the groundwork for the Soviet regime. That's significant for our narrative is Lenin's intellectual evolution and his authorship of texts, like the development of capitalism in Russia and what is to be done. These works were instrumental in igniting the flames of Bolshevik ideology, proving pivotal in the events leading to the 1917 revolutions. Nicholas's aloofness from domestic policy and governance,

prominently visible in his handling of the bloody Sunday massacre and his ineptitude in managing wartime crises, contributed significantly to the public dissent that swelled to formidable levels. His abdication in 1917 was less a choice, and more a yield to the inevitable tides of change swirling around, him, a capitulation to the forces marshalled by his contestor, Linen, who by this time had cemented his place as a revolutionary figurehead. Exploring these two pivotal characters affords us deeper insights into the tumultuous era that redefined not only the geography,

but also the ideological landscape of the early 20th century. Their decisions, doctrines, and destinies, encapsulate the narrative of the Russian Revolution, embodying the clash between an immovable past and an unstoppable future, between enduring legacies and revolutionary ideas, despite the reverence held by some for the transformative objectives of the Bolshevik Revolution. It has its fair share of detractors who express considerable reservations about the legitimacy and outcomes of the Bolsheviks' ascension, to power. One prevalent critique is the assertion that the Bolsheviks, rather adeptly,

leveraged the widespread public discontent festering within Russian society to catapult themselves into power, rather than through a genuine commitment to addressing the fundamental needs and desires of the proletariat and peasantry. This perspective suggests a calculated move by the Bolsheviks to harness unrest for political gain, employing revolutionary rhetoric. as a veil to obscure their true intentions. Also, some historians and critics point out that the quick consolidation of power by the Bolsheviks post-revolution led to a severe suppression of political pluralism. The initial promise of the revolution was marred by the swift establishment, a one-party state,

which curtailed the development of any potential democratic governance. Instead of fostering a new era of political liberty, the Bolsheviks constrained the political landscape severely. This shift dampened the hopes of those who anticipated that the fall of the terrorist autocracy would lead to a more representative and participative government. Moreover, detractors argue that this monopolization of power resulted in the substitution of one oppressive regime for another. the repressive tactics employed by the Bolshevik leadership, including censorship, political purges, and the suppression of opposition through coercive. Means reflected many of the autocratic tendencies attributed to the Tsarist regime that preceded them. The secret police, or Cheka, founded under Lenin's regime, became a symbol of this new authoritarian repression.

instilling fear and silencing dissent. Therefore, critics argue that the revolution, rather than liberating the masses, merely transition them from one form of despotism to another, under the guise of proletarian leadership. Furthermore, while the Bolsheviks promised economic transformation and equality, the subsequent years post-revolution witnessed numerous hardships, including severe famine and economic disarray that exacerbated the suffering of million.

Critics point to these outcomes, as evidence of the Bolsheviks' failure to implement effective governance and economic policies that could genuinely uplift a population's living standard. This viewpoint challenges the narrative that the Bolsheviks acted in the best interests of the people and questions the practical efficacy of their ideological propositions. Additionally, the failure of the Bolsheviks to engender an enduring international revolution, which had been a fundamental tenet of their philosophy, is frequently seen as a flaw in their vision. The bellicose approach to foreign policy in the subsequent years

not only isolated Russia but also led to severe repercussions for its people. This isolation is often cited by critics as a direct outcome of the flawed policies and strategies pursued by the Bolshevik leadership in summation, while the Bolshevik revolution is depicted by some as a pivotal moment of emancipation and societal restructuring. There exists a strong critical dialogue that posits the revolution as a strategic power grab that resulted in significant political, social and economic repercussions. These counterarguments underline important questions about the true nature and legacy of the Bolshevik revolution, suggesting that its outcomes were perhaps not as beneficial or revolutionary as proclaim. As such, the critiques of the Bolshevik regime not only offer a lens to reassess its historical impact, but also challenge the broader narratives of revolutionary success,

as we glide through the tranquil currents of the night, let us ponder the deep and resonant echoes of the Russian Revolution as the day surrenders to the enveloping embrace of darkness. A time for reflection emerges. It is a moment to contemplate the profound shift that this cataclysm brought not just to the cold expanses of Russia, but to the very fabric of global society. this revolution, brewing under the heavy shackles of an antiquated autocracy, was not nearly a political uprising.

It was, more fundamentally, a seismic wave that shattered centuries-old institutions and beliefs, giving birth to a fervently hoped for vision of equality and justice. The fervor that propelled the masses to rise was fueled by an unyielding desire for change, for an end to the oppressive structures that had long dictated their lives. In the soft glow of history's lamp, we see more than a mere transfer of power. The Russian Revolution was a dramatic reimagining of society. It pulled the future into the present with startling urgency, crafting from the crucible of conflict a new ideology that promised to reshape the world order. The echoes of this promise reverberated across continents, stirring up similar sentiments and inspiring numerous other movements, these shifts came at a profound

cost, a mosaic of human joy and suffering woven into its unfolding. The revolution reminds us that progress is often attended by unintended consequences, the initial hope and idealism that galvanized a nation gave way in time to new forms of tyranny and oppression. This duality prompts us to reflect on the nature of change itself, on the delicate balance between revolution and the governance that follows. The Russian Revolution also invites us to interrogate the essence of power and governance. How does authority, once seized or transferred, begin to reshape itself in the image of all tyrannies, even under the banner of liberation? This question lingers in the thoughtful night, urging us to consider the ways in which history repeats itself, not as mere

recurrences, but as rhymes and variations on the theme. As we now stand at the boundary of sleep, let us carry with us the understanding that history is not just a record of past event. It is a living, breathing presence in our lives. It shapes our perceptions, informs our values, and challenges us to think critically about our own time. The Russian Revolution, with all its complexity and impact, serves as a powerful reminder of how deeply the currents of history run and how they continue to influence the course of our contemporary world. These final thoughts, like a gentle, but insistent whisper before we drift into dreams, invite us to keep questioning, to keep learning, and to view the past, not just as a

a series of events to be recounted, but as a continual source of lessons for the future. As we close our eyes tonight, let the weight of this history hug us closer, enriching our dreams, and sharpening our hopes for the time to come. That brings us to the end of this episode. Until next time, goodbye for now. Remember to subscribe to sleep with history on your favorite podcast player And make sure you never miss an episode