HIST 122
Outbreak of the Russian Revolution
A - The end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th brought a lot of turmoil to the world. This was the time of revolution, the time of new idea, the time of war, and the time of economical and technical development. Each and every one of these factors had their own impact on the world and on Russia as well. The Russian empire, headed by the tsar was one of the latest to experience the turmoil which such countries as the USA, Great Britain and France had already gone through. The citizens of the above mentioned contrived had already concluded that they wanted to live in a different society. With this conclusion came effort which in most cases resulted in one coup or other. The article we are about to read will show the inside story of a participant of the revolution.
The whole world was on the end of its seat. The technological progress which had spread to many countries had good and bad consequences. Whenever something new is introduced, one has to find the best way to utilize this. The search for the safest path was taking quite some time. While people were ruining their health and their lives for the technical revolutions nothing seemed to get better. The countries, on the other hand, saw that there was a great chance to overprotect them. Such countries as USA, UK, France and Russia began what later was called militarization. The question arose, what to do with all the military equipment. This was one of the reasons everyone was far too willing to go to war.
In the past, we have paid close attention to World War One. We have studied it from all different sides. There is no denying the fact that Russia was a part of this war. Nevertheless, a question does arise. How is Russia’s revolution connected with what we have been studying? Let read the article from the book and find out.
The World War One did not go unnoticed in all the countries that participated. For each country, this war had prepared its own consequences. For Russia, the revolution was it. Life was extremely hard during the war. People had to work long hours to support the battlefield. But no effort could stop the death of thousands of men. It was time to put an end to these unwanted events. The masses broke out. These masses decided that something should and can be done. Thus, with half the people blindly following the leader, the movement began. Although the air of the moment was filled with firmness, many were not completely sure of what was going on around them. “Where are we going? Why are we marching? Why is there a revolution? How will we manage without a tsar?”(Hunt)1
B - The article “Outbreak of the Russian Revolution” allows the reader to see the major event of that time through the inside. This monologue allows one to feel and to see oneself part of the huge crowd. It explains what it meant to be blindly following and how certain or not everyone really was. “We moved slowly and could see neither the front nor the back of the crowd, for the street was blocked solid” (Hunt)1. At one point, the main goal is forgotten. Just the moment is enjoyed. “For the first time in my life I sensed that atmosphere of joy, when everyone you meet seems close to you, your flesh and blood, when people look at one another with eyes full of love.”(Hunt)1 These are the words that show the true feelings of the participant. These are the emotions that carry them to their goal. Love and unification is the driving force of the revolution.
C - In the article the revolution is seen from a different side. It does not directly mention why people are revolting, why their life is bad or even why they are where they are. Perhaps the writer did this for a reason. Perhaps he wanted us to see two sides of the picture: both the power of the masses and the uncertainty of it all. Many just participated for a chance to do something extraordinary, for a chance to add a bright glimpse to their everyday routine lives. “It seemed like a mere holiday to her” (Hunt)2. The rendering of the story in such a way emphasizes the actual situation of that time.
D – The narrator of the story is a young man, a student. He is most likely not very involved in politics but he is still there, participating. He mentions that it is a Sunday, a day off, the last day to try something new. No matter what, tomorrow will be Monday. It does not matter whether the revolution succeeds or not. Whichever the end – they will still have to go to work tomorrow. Perhaps this is the hopelessness of their position. To them life had turned into plain work, into work days that bring nothing but need and must. This was what they were tired or and this is one of the things they truly wanted to change.
The story of the young man shows us the inside of the revolution. It enables us to understand the thoughts and feelings of a commoner, of a participant. We are no longer preoccupied with the political side of things, but are teleported to the personal side of the revolution.
Bibliography
Hunt Lynn, Thomas R. Martin, Barbara H. Rosenwein, R. Po-chia Hsia and Bonnie G. Smith. The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures, Volume II: since 1500. 3rd ed., Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin
