The Sickle and the Hammer: A Socialist History of the Soviet Union Episode 5 - Lights, Camera, Action!
Mar 3, 2025
Discover the power struggles of early 20th-century Russia as key revolutionary figures like Lenin and Trotsky navigate a collapsing Tsarist regime. Delve into the chaos of Petrograd, where workers' strikes intertwine with political fervor, leading to a dramatic uprising. Explore how soldiers turned against the Tsar, mutinies erupted, and the Petrograd Soviet re-emerged amid the turmoil. Witness the tensions of dual power as socialists and the Provisional Government grapple for control in a rapidly changing political landscape.
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Decaying Center Of Power
- Tsar Nicholas II was absent from Petrograd at the revolution's outbreak, weakening centralized control.
- His habit of dismissing ministers left the bureaucracy chaotic and unprepared for crisis.
Women Spark Political Strike
- International Women's Day strikes triggered mass action after bread rationing news.
- Women carried explicitly political slogans, turning economic protest into outright anti-Tsar demands.
Workers Avoided Soldiers To Win Sympathy
- On 25 February, soldiers and police clashed with workers and the army began showing reluctance to fire.
- Workers focused attacks on police to avoid provoking rank-and-file soldiers, who started sympathizing.
