Russia in Revolution 1914-1929 Quotes

“Joseph Conrad once wrote that ‘it is the peculiarity of Russian natures that however sharply engaged in the drama of action, they are still turning their ear to the murmur of abstract ideas’.106”
― S.A. Smith, Russia in Revolution: An Empire in Crisis, 1890 to 1928

“In the last analysis, however, the Provisional Government had expired even before the Bolsheviks finished it off.”
― S.A. Smith, Russia in Revolution: An Empire in Crisis, 1890 to 1928

“what is crucial to grasp is that the end of tsarism came about not because of the breakdown in morale in the armed forces—discipline held up remarkably well through the winter of 1916–17, despite growing war weariness—but because of acute disaffection on the home front. Politics”
― S.A. Smith, Russia in Revolution: An Empire in Crisis, 1890 to 1928

“That the autocracy came out of the Revolution relatively unscathed had little to do with clever political tactics.”
― S.A. Smith, Russia in Revolution: An Empire in Crisis, 1890 to 1928

“The collapse of the tsarist regime in February 1917 was ultimately rooted in a systemic crisis brought about by economic and social modernization, a crisis that was massively exacerbated by the First World War.1”
― S.A. Smith, Russia in Revolution: An Empire in Crisis, 1890 to 1928

“The source of the woes and unpleasantness that we are currently experiencing is the fact that the Communist Party consists of 10% convinced idealists who are ready to die for the idea, and 90% hangers-on without consciences, who have joined the party in order to get a position.’83”
― S.A. Smith, Russia in Revolution: An Empire in Crisis, 1890 to 1928

“Article One of the Fundamental Laws of 1906 declared, ‘The Emperor of All Russia is an autocratic and unrestricted monarch. To obey his supreme authority, not only out of fear but out of conscience, God Himself commands.’18”
― S.A. Smith, Russia in Revolution: An Empire in Crisis, 1890 to 1928