The Russian Revolution by Sheila Fitzpatrick

The Russian Revolution by Sheila Fitzpatrick Fitzpatrick, Sheila. 2008. The Russian Revolution. New York: Oxford University Press is a book exploring the Russian Revolution: 1917 – 1932. I have chosen this book for analysis in order to improve my knowledge of that historic period and get better understanding of the essence, causes and aims of the Revolution.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The Russian Revolution by Sheila Fitzpatrick specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The second reason for my choice was that I wanted to examine new approaches to the issue and develop my critical thinking as this book provides a new perspective and new aspects of the historical events. It is a sort of reading for those who are critical about history and want to develop personal opinion independent from a generally accepted point of view. In addition, the book is not very long, but rich in content and provides not only general information, but details of that historical per iod. What is more, the book is easy to read. The topic of the book is Russian Revolution, its aims, purposes, causes, consequences and flow. There are different approaches to the time period that can be considered revolutionary. The author of this book defines the following frames: â€Å"The timespan of the Russian Revolution runs from February 1917 to the Great Purge of 1937-8. The different stages – the February and October Revolutions of 1917, the Civil War, the interlude of NEP, Stalin’s â€Å"revolution from above†, its aftermath and the Great Purges – are treated as district episodes in a twenty-year process of revolution† (Fitzpatrick 2008, 4). The book consists of chapters which contain comprehensive and critical analysis of each period supported by various historiographical references. Three major themes of the Russian Revolution are discussed in each chapter. The first theme is the Bolsheviks’ vision of the revolution as a mean of modernization of the society. Fitzpatrick defines the goal of Bolsheviks as â€Å"revolution as a means of escaping backwardness.† (Fitzpatrick 2008, 4). The second major theme is the class theme: revolution as the â€Å"mission of proletariat† to create a new working class. The third team discloses the problem of violence and terror that took place in the country.Advertising Looking for report on eastern europe? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The author provides the information on how Revolution â€Å"dealt with its enemies† (that often were innocent people), what meaning it had for the government and why the government was so afraid of those â€Å"enemies†. The author presents the Revolution as a set of agitations and recurrences. She describes the results of the Revolution as positive to a certain extent. The Stalin’s Revolution extended the direct state over the economy and gre atly improved the economic state of the country. Fitzpatrick states that Russian peasants were more progressive than in the rest of the Western Europe, as a consequence, they formed a new class of workers. The Stalin’s Revolution provided new and productive ways of exploiting peasant agriculture. The state was strong and â€Å"disciplined†. However, the author emphasizes the price of that power: â€Å"The persecution of â€Å"class enemies† in collectivization and the Cultural Revolution had left a complex legacy of bitterness, fear, and suspicion, as well as encouraging such practices as denunciation, purging, and â€Å"self-criticism† (Fitzpatrick 2008, 148). We can consider this book a highly reliable source of information, as its author, Sheila Fitzpatrick, is a renowned specialist in the field of the Soviet History. She made a great contribution to the study of Soviet History, as well as modern Russian history. Among her recent publications are Ever yday Stalinism (2000), Tear of the Mask! Identity and Imposture in Twentieth-Century Russia (2005). Her works primarily focus on the social and cultural history of Russia of the Stalin period. Her biography is rich in awards, among which is a Mellon Foundation Distinguished Achievement Award. She is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her works are not a mere description of events and personalities. She provides her vision of the problem or historical event which is based on archive materials and researches by other Western authors. The book is also very interesting to read as the author has a particular approach to the subject discussed. First of all, the author provides the idea that Russian society was not ready for revolution and that Russian Revolution of 1917 was a â€Å"contradiction† to the idea of Marx’s revolution. The citizens were the rural peasants who were industrial workers and they were more willing for a revolt than Marx expecte d them to be.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The Russian Revolution by Sheila Fitzpatrick specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Another Fitzpatrick’s idea that generally contradicts a commonly accepted point of view that October Revolution contributed strength and discipline to the organization of the state. The author argues this point of view. She states that Provisional Government decided to â€Å"intransigent radicalism on the extreme left of the political spectrum† (Fitzpatrick 2008, 48) and could be seen by people as the only not corrupted part. The capture of power by Bolsheviks was just the first step of the Revolution. The next step was a Civil War that had a great influence on the flow of it and on the establishment of the Soviet power. However, the author does not try to persuade the reader in her point of view, she only presents facts and provides her assumptions. The task of the reader is to develop personal vision of the historical events and it not necessary should coincide with the author’s. The author assumes that: â€Å"For Russians and other former soviet citizens, the collapse of the Soviet Union meant a fundamental reappraisal of the meaning of the Revolution, previously hailed as the foundational event of the â€Å"world’s first social state† and now seen by many as a wrong turning that took Russia off course for seventy-four years† (Fitzpatrick 2008, 4). The author generally accepts this vision and analyzes the most important changes from the historical perspective. As the author used new document that became available after 1991, her vision of the Revolution has changed in some aspects. Outlining some positive sides of it, the author emphasizes the mistakes that were done. She supports her point of view with convincing evidences and analysis of works by other authors. Having read this book, I developed a bit different vision on the Russian Revolution. I can come to a conclusion that people were not ready for it and the actions that government undertook were contradictory to those suggested by Marx as people did not understand the essence of Revolution.Advertising Looking for report on eastern europe? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As a result, the idea of revolution â€Å"to put power into hand of the working class† failed and all people got was just another government which tried to build new society subordinate to new rules. However, in general the book does not present different information, it just adds new details and evidences to what have already been studied. It is a good book for those who want a critique vision of the history. Reference List Fitzpatrick, Sheila. 2008. The Russian Revolution. New York: Oxford University Press.

30 More Nautical Expressions

30 More Nautical Expressions 30 More Nautical Expressions 30 More Nautical Expressions By Mark Nichol After launching a list of seafaring idioms on a previous online cruise, I discovered a cargo hold of additional expressions that originated on the high seas but have come to rest high and dry on land. Here’s the haul. 1. All at sea: lost because of lack of knowledge of one’s position (confused and disorganized) 2. At loose ends: a reference to idle sailors being assigned to check that rigging is secure (idle) 3. Bail out: remove water from (assist or rescue) 4. Broad in the beam: said of a wide vessel (said of a large-hipped woman) 5. By and large: said in reference to steering slightly off the wind to ease effort and decrease the risk of slowing (in general, without special consideration) 6. Cut and run: sever the anchor line in an emergency (leave abruptly and abandoning others) 7. Fall foul of: collide with or become entangled in (come into conflict with) 8. First-rate: the largest class of warships during the sailing era (best) 9. Flog a dead horse: a reference to a period of work after getting and spending an initial payment (focusing on something already completed or settled) 10. Flotsam and jetsam: items lost or thrown overboard, respectively (odds and ends) 11. Give a wide berth: provide sufficient space when anchoring or docking to avoid other ships (keep at a distance) 12. Go by the board: a reference to something lost overboard (said of something to be abandoned or ignored) 13. Hail from: referring to the point of origin of a ship (come from, live) 14. Half seas over: partly submerged or keeled over so that waves are breaking over the deck, and therefore unable to maneuver effectively (drunk) 15. Hand over fist: using one hand at a time in quick alternating movements (rapidly) 16. Hard and fast: grounded (inflexible) 17. Hard up: a reference to the tiller being pushed as far to one side as possible (short of money) 18. High and dry: beached or caught on rocks and standing out of the water as the tide recedes (stranded or without resources or support) 19. In the offing: in sight, from the term for the expanse of ocean visible from shore (about to happen) 20. Know the ropes/learn the ropes: a reference to understanding knots, ropes, and rigging (familiarity with or training in how to perform a task) 21. Loose cannon: a piece of artillery that is not secure and therefore can cause damage or injury when it rolls on its wheels from the ship’s movement or from its recoil after being fired (out of control or unpredictable) 22. Ship shape: ready for sailing, with equipment and materials secured (clean, neat, in good condition) 23. Skylarking: sliding down rigging for fun (engaging in playful antics) 24. Take another tack: change the ship’s direction in relation to the wind (try another approach) 25. Take the wind out of one’s sails: a reference to the loss of movement when another vessel comes between the wind and one’s ship (to undermine another, usually by anticipating an action) 26. Taken aback: halted by a sudden shift of wind (surprised by a revelation) 27. Three sheets to the wind: a reference to the sheets (ropes) of a sail becoming loosened, rendering the sail useless (drunk) 28. Trim one’s sails (before the wind): adjust sails as appropriate (act according to circumstances) 29. When one’s ship comes home: a reference to the arrival of a fully laden cargo ship that will bring profit to the owner or investors (achievement of fortune or good luck) 30. Whistle for it/whistle for the wind: from the tradition of superstitiously whistling to summon the wind (hope for the impossible) At least two nautical expressions, â€Å"between the devil and the deep (blue) sea† (meaning, essentially, â€Å"between a rock and a hard place†) and â€Å"to the bitter end† (meaning â€Å"to the last extremity, regardless of difficulty†), have been attributed to seafaring origins, but the idioms, or similar expressions, may have come from earlier landlubber usage. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Mostly Small But Expressive InterjectionsRunning Amok or Running Amuck?Charles's Pen and Jesus' Name