The Global Shock of the February Revolution 1917

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Explaining History, Nick turns to the global dimensions of the Russian Revolution. Drawing on Robert Service's Spies and Commissars: Bolshevik Russia and the West, we explore how the events of 1917 reverberated far beyond Petrograd.

We delve into the chaotic collapse of the Romanov dynasty and the fragile "dual power" that followed. Why did the liberal Provisional Government fail to consolidate power? And how did the Bolsheviks—a small group of exiles caught completely by surprise—navigate their way back to Russia?

From the euphoric reaction of emigre circles in London (where Maxim Litvinov tried to shave with toothpaste in his excitement) to the geopolitical chess game played by Britain, France, and the US, we examine the revolution not just as a Russian event, but as a pivotal moment in the First World War. Nick also discusses the historiographical battles over the period—was it a coup, a popular uprising, or a tragedy?—and why historians like Service and Orlando Figes have faced the ire of the modern left.

Plus: A final reminder for students! Our Russian Revolution Masterclass is this Sunday, January 25th. Book your spot now to master exam technique and essay structure.

Key Topics:

• The February Revolution: How strikes in Petrograd toppled the Tsar while Lenin was stuck in Switzerland.
• Dual Power: The uneasy alliance between the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet.
• The Exile's Return: How revolutionaries navigated a war-torn Europe to get home.
• Global Reactions: Why Western powers initially welcomed the fall of the Tsar, and how 1917 reshaped the war.

Books Mentioned:

• Spies and Commissars by Robert Service
• A People's Tragedy by Orlando Figes
• Stalin's Nemesis by Bertrand Patenaude

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