Defenders of the Motherland

The Tsarist Elite in Revolutionary Russia

Nonfiction, History, Asian, Russia, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book Defenders of the Motherland by Matthew Rendle, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Matthew Rendle ISBN: 9780191608018
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: November 5, 2009
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Matthew Rendle
ISBN: 9780191608018
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: November 5, 2009
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

Defenders of the Motherland studies how the most powerful social groups in tsarist Russia reacted to the challenges posed by the Russian Revolutions of 1917. Arguing that elite groups-especially nobles, landowners, and officers-played an important role in these events, Matthew Rendle shows how the alienation of tsarist elites from the tsar during the First World War and their support for the new Provisional Government in February 1917 secured the initial success of the revolution. Elites engaged actively with revolutionary politics, serving in the government and forming unions to promote their interests and gather wider support. In doing so, they fostered fears of counter-revolution amongst the lower social classes, radicalizing the popular mood and paving the way for the Bolsheviks. Although increasingly disillusioned with events, elites were not solely counter-revolutionary and were far from united. A poorly-supported military revolt in August 1917 demonstrated different aspirations for the future, whilst as many served the Bolshevik regime after October 1917 as opposed it. The divisions that had existed prior to 1917, exacerbated by the revolution, consequently undermined the White armies' opposition to Bolshevism during Russia's civil war. Nevertheless, the Bolsheviks' fear of 'class enemies' was endemic, and their obsession with removing the threat that former elites posed laid the foundations of the violent and repressive Soviet regime.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Defenders of the Motherland studies how the most powerful social groups in tsarist Russia reacted to the challenges posed by the Russian Revolutions of 1917. Arguing that elite groups-especially nobles, landowners, and officers-played an important role in these events, Matthew Rendle shows how the alienation of tsarist elites from the tsar during the First World War and their support for the new Provisional Government in February 1917 secured the initial success of the revolution. Elites engaged actively with revolutionary politics, serving in the government and forming unions to promote their interests and gather wider support. In doing so, they fostered fears of counter-revolution amongst the lower social classes, radicalizing the popular mood and paving the way for the Bolsheviks. Although increasingly disillusioned with events, elites were not solely counter-revolutionary and were far from united. A poorly-supported military revolt in August 1917 demonstrated different aspirations for the future, whilst as many served the Bolshevik regime after October 1917 as opposed it. The divisions that had existed prior to 1917, exacerbated by the revolution, consequently undermined the White armies' opposition to Bolshevism during Russia's civil war. Nevertheless, the Bolsheviks' fear of 'class enemies' was endemic, and their obsession with removing the threat that former elites posed laid the foundations of the violent and repressive Soviet regime.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Exploring Law's Empire by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book Our Knowledge of the Internal World by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book Secret Science by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book Scottish Philosophy in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book Emergencies in Mental Health Nursing by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Management by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book International Trust Laws by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book A Zeptospace Odyssey: A Journey into the Physics of the LHC by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Conflict Management in Organizations by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book Jacob's Room by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book The Hancocks of Marlborough by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book Forms of Empire by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book The Middle Ages: A Very Short Introduction by Matthew Rendle
Cover of the book Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam by Matthew Rendle
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy