Advanced Higher History - Historian's Views

Which historians argue that Tsar Nicholas's incompetance led to the February Revolution

. Peter Gatrell has stated, the "Food shortages in 1916 could not be blamed on the extreme failure of the harvest. In the last analysis, Russian consumers pinned the blame on government incompetence."

. Chris Read argues that "Politically, Tsar Nicholas II was a complete idiot."

. Orlando Figes states, "Nicholas was the source of all of the problems. If there was a vacuum of power at the centre of the ruling system, then he was the empty space."

What are some historians' views on the Events of the February Revolution?

. Orlando Figes: The mutiny turned disorder into revolution. The revolution was "Born in the bread queues of Petrograd".

. Rex Wade: "The long-awaited revolution had come swiftly, arising out of strikes and popular demonstrations..."

. Asa Briggs: The Tsarina "was unable to appease mounting discontent with the Imperial Government."

Which Historians argue that it was the socio-economic troubles that caused the February Revolution

. Alec Nove - "It was the shortage of food which finally broke the back of the Russian Empire".

. Counter - Peter Gatrell has stated, the "Food shortages in 1916 could not be blamed on the extreme failure of the harvest. In the last analysis, Russian consumers pinned the blame on government incompetence."

Which historian argues that it was WW1 which led to the war?

. Robert McKean explains the situation of WW1 in relation to Tsarist support as "The Great War acted as the spark which set the combustible of mass discontent alight."

Historians' views on the events of the October Revolution

. Chris Read: Lenin was a key figure in the October Revolution, but there was also a lot of independent action at local level.

. Sheila Fitzpatrick: It was the workers, soldiers and peasants who created the circumstances for Bolshevik success.

Which historians argues that the failings of the provisional government led to the October Revolution's success?

. Orlando Figes has pointed toward the Summer Offensive's failure as what led directly to the summer crisis which resulted in the downfall of the Provisional Government.

. Martin McCauley stated "It was a true caretaker government" as it was never meant to be permanent.

. Douglas Boyd has stated, "The war-weary soldiers were determined to have peace at any price; Lenin offered them that hope".

What are some historian's views on the difficulties the Provisional Government faced?

. Richard Pipes Argues that it was only a matter of time before Kerensky was overthrown by someone able to provide firm leadership.

. Robert Service Believes that for most of the year the Provisional Government survived on guile and rhetoric with little power and diminished authority.

. Orlando Figes Contends that Soviet power was the driving force for popular discontent with the Provisional Government as workers and soldiers in garrisons becoming more radical.

. Douglas Boyd Argues the war-weary soldiers were determined to have peace at any price. Lenin offered them that hope.

Which historian argues that it was the Organisation of the Bolshevik Party that led to the success of the October Revolution?

. Richard Pipes believes this view: "October was not a revolution but a classic coup d'etat planned in the dead of night on October 10th, and executed two weeks later. The 'masses', so much in evidence in the bourgeois revolution of February, were not told that they were taking over until after the event."

Which historians argue that it was the Popularity of the Bolshevik Party that led to the success of the October Revolution?

. Sheila Fitzpatrick argues that the October Revolution was created by the workers, peasants and soldiers who created the circumstances for Bolshevik success, not the Bolshevik party themselves.

. Geoffrey Hosking believes that the Bolsheviks rode to power based on the popular opinion that was being held by the masses in Russia at the time.

. Counter - Beryl Williams: The people may have supported the Bolsheviks, but they hardly knew what Bolshevism stood for. There is significant evidence pointing to the fact that it was a coup.

Which historians argue that the October Revolution was a Coup D'etat

. Orlando Figes summarises this, stating "The October insurrection was a coup d'etat, actively supported by a small minority of the population (and indeed opposed by several of the Bolshevik leaders themselves)."

. Richard Pipes argues the October Revolution was planned on the 10th of October and executed 2 weeks later with the 'masses' not being aware they were taking over until after the evening.

. Beryl Williams: The people may have supported the Bolsheviks, but they hardly knew what Bolshevism stood for. There is significant evidence pointing to the fact that it was a coup.

Which historians argue that the October Revolution was a Popular Uprising

. Sheila Fitzpatrick argues "it was the workers, soldiers, and peasants who created the circumstances for Bolshevik success."

. Peter Kenez Argues the Bolsheviks seized power because the country was in a state of anarchy. The Provisional Government could not defend itself.

Which Historians argue that the Weaknesses of the White Army led to the Red victory in the Civil War?

. Robert J. Maddox summarized the immediate effect of the allied intervention as prolonging a bloody civil war, thereby causing thousands of additional deaths.

. Geoffrey Swain: The Civil War became a war between Red Bolsheviks and the White Generals with the Whites were unable to mobilize the population to fight for their cause.

Which Historians argue that the Strengths of the Red Army led to the Red victory in the Civil War?

. Historian Issac Deutscher states "Without Trotsky's ruthless determination, his iron discipline, and his extraordinary energy, the Red Army would have been little more than a disorganized mob. He was the supreme military architect of the Red victory."

. Robert Service: Trotsky's leadership was vitally important for the Red victory in the Civil War.

Counter - E. Mawdsley, The Russian Civil War, believes that whilst Trotsky was an important leader in the Civil War, it is vital to not overstate his importance due to the fact that his career in 1917 to 1920 was marked by spectacular failures, including the bitter military defeats that the Red Army faced in the summer of 1919.

Which Historians argue that the Geographical Placement of both sides was the reason for the Red Victory in the Civil War?

. Historian Dan Bullock states "The geographical isolation of the White armies meant they could never truly coordinate their efforts, while the Bolsheviks could shift forces between fronts with greater ease due to their control of the rail network and the central regions of the country."

. Richard Pipes: White Army was better than Red Army, but lost because it faced huge disadvantages. Objective factors (like the territory the Reds controlled) were the cause of victory, rather than leadership or motivation. - Pipes is an anti-communist

Which Historians argue that it was Stalin's Political Skills that led to his rise to power?

. Dr. Lisa Pine explains that Stalin used cunning tactics after Lenin's death to secure leadership, manipulating rivals like Trotsky to strengthen his own power.

. Orlando Figes argues that Stalin's position as Chairman of the Secretariat and the only member of the Politburo in the Orgburo, Stalin could appoint his friends to positions and dismiss opponents.

. Simon Sebag Montefoire argues that Stalin systematically organised to win power by charming people and playing to this strength to persuade politicians to work in a way that favoured himself.

. Dr Daniel Beer: While Trotsky and Zinoviev often won debates with their strong oratory skills, in the end, party members sided with Stalin because they owed their positions to him.

. David Reynolds argues that "Stalin made a career out of being underestimated"

Which Historians argue that it was Trotsky's failures that led to Stalin's rise to power?

. Isaac Deutcher argues that Trotsky didn't initially attack Stalin because he felt safe as it seemed almost humorous to him that a man of Stalin's character would be a threat and political rival to him.

. According to E.H. Carr, Trotsky could fire masses of men to acclaim and follow him. But he had no talent for leadership among equals. Trotsky made no attempt to organise his friends or divide his enemies, displaying how he was also reluctant to participate in party politics.

Which Historians argue that it was Luck and Circumstance that led to Stalin's rise to power?

. Martin McCauley argues Stalin had luck on his side as if it was not for Lenin's death, he would probably have been sent to less important and influential regions of Russia, capping his ability to ascend to power.

. Counter: Richard Pipes argues Stalin was in an unrivaled position that assured his future for some time before Lenin's death.

. Stephen Kotkin argues that it was only due to Stalin’s qualities as to why Lenin appointed Stalin as General Secretary in the first place. “You can get a position by accident…but to hold that position in difficult circumstances…you have to be skilled in some way. It can’t be just accident that brings you to power.”

What does Martin McCally remark about Stalin regarding his ability to turn Trotsky's weakness into liability?

Dr Martin McCally also remarks that a success of Stalin over Trotsky in terms of connecting to the working people was shown through Stalin's ability to connect to the common people of Russia, recalling how Stalin's speeches were easy to understand whereas Trotsky's intellectualist nature made speeches difficult to comprehend, so it appeared Stalin was speaking to the ordinary people. Therefor showing that Trotsky's personality became weakened only in comparison to Stalin's political ability where Stalin ensured that Trotsky would pale in comparison.

What historians pinpoint Stalin's Personality as the cause of the Purges?

. Stephen Cohen: Stalin was determined to remove old Bolsheviks who knew he was not Lenin's equal.

. Robert Conquest argues that "The purges were a direct result of Stalin's paranoia and his desire to consolidate his absolute power. Without Stalin's personal intervention, the scale and intensity of the terror would have been impossible."

. J. Arch Getty and O.V. Naumov argue that while Stalin lacked a detailed plan for carrying out mass repression, he was undeniably responsible for the terror. His involvement is evident throughout the archives, and although he often approved proposals from others, he was the central figure driving the Purges.

What historians argue that the Threat of War led to the Purges?

. Richard Overy argues that the Purges weren't a result of Stalin's decisions but were instead deeply involved in the perceived threat of invasion created context where repression was necessary to safeguard the revolution.

What historians argue that the NKVD led to the Purges?

. Lynne Viola, the NKVD's actions during the Purges revealed a failing bureaucracy where local agents pursued their own interests under the defense of ideological purity. The terror spiraled out of Stalin's direct control due to these vendettas and culture of institutional violence.

What historians argue that the Economic Failures Didn't lead to the Purges?

. I. Deutscher there is a grain of truth that Stalin sent the men to their deaths as scapegoats for his economic failures but no more, Deutscher argues that Stalin's real motive was to destroy men who represented the potentiality of alternative government.

What Historians describe life under Stalin?

. Richard Stites: All existing culture was negated because it was better to have no culture rather than bourgeois culture.

. Orlando Figes argues Stalinist society needed to restore stability after early 1930s famine, and upheavals that convulsed society.

What Historians describe life under Stalin for Women?

. Sarah Davies: Women were likely to be lower paid, less literate & in lower-skilled industrial jobs than men. Trade unions were also male-dominated.

. Orlando Figes: Violence against women was commonplace in peasant communities.

. Sheila Fitzpatrick: the new message amongst Stalin's Russia was that family came first, despite the growing numbers of women who were receiving education and entering professional careers. The liberated woman was no longer in favour.

Which historians argue that the Role of Generals was the main reason for the outcome of the Great Patriotic War?

. Robert Service: Argues Red Army generals were vital for Soviet victory in the war ― more important than Stalin’s leadership.

. Martin McCauley: The successful defence of Moscow was chiefly down to Zhukov’s leadership and tactical expertise.

Which historians argue that the Role of Stalin was the main reason for the outcome of the Great Patriotic War?

. Richard Overy: Stalin was an effective war leader by 1943 as he trusted his commanders such as Zhukov by then to plan operations that were successful.

. Counter - Roy Medvedev: Stalin was “short-sighted and cruel, careless of losses”.

. Richard Sakwa: Stalin “appealed to Russian pride rather than Marxism or Leninism as inspiration for resistance”.

Which historians argue that Allied Aid was the main reason for the outcome of the Great Patriotic War?

. Sarah McMeekin: Argues USA government fueled Stalin’s war machine blindly indulging every Soviet demand to the detriment of the American military supplies.

. John Keegan: Soviet victory was ensured by the Allied aid that allowed the Red Army to fight on.

Which historian argues that the Soviet Economy resulted in the outcome of the Great Patriotic War?

. Evan Mawdsley: “The resources lavished in the 1930s on technical education and military research and development paid off, with the development of equipment which was as good as that of the Germans, in some cases superior, and in all cases available in larger numbers”.

Which historian argues that the Resilience of the Red Army resulted in the outcome of the Great Patriotic War?

. Catherine Merridale: Contends that strange mixture of courage, fear, patriotism and hatred of the ordinary Red Army soldier led to victory over the Nazi invader.

What Historians comment on the Red's weaknesses during the Great Patriotic War?

. Roy Medvedev: Stalin was “short-sighted and cruel, careless of losses”.

. Alec Nove: Stalin can be held directly responsible for the loss of influential military leaders during the Purges, he can therefore be held, at least in part, responsible for the early military blunders.