Rex A. Wade
Author of The Russian Revolution, 1917
Works by Rex A. Wade
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Wade, Rex Arvin
- Birthdate
- 1936-10-09
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Piedmont, Kansas, USA
- Education
- University of Nebraska, Lincoln (PhD|1963)
- Occupations
- historian
- Organizations
- University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Members
Reviews
Statistics
- Works
- 7
- Members
- 74
- Popularity
- #238,154
- Rating
- 4.1
- Reviews
- 3
- ISBNs
- 17
- Languages
- 2
Wade of course also provides the necessary background, both historically (the emancipation of the serfs, the Revolution of 1905, etc.), and of the structure of the parties, their respective bases of power, and their internal points of strife. He does a great job explaining somewhat complicated issues such as the conflict within the Socialist-Revolutionary party, the basis of the split between Mensheviks and Bolsheviks, and the importance of "revolutionary defensism" to the Provisional Government and its subsequent downfall. Wade further shows that contrary to some allegations, the Bolsheviks and their left-radical allies did have a popular majority to overthrow the Provisional Government, though clearly NOT to disperse the Constituent Assembly. He rightfully points this latter act on the part of Lenin, heavily contested even within his own party, as illegitimate and unnecessary, but that the Bolsheviks up to that point had behaved perfectly in accordance with the newly developing soviet system.
"The Russian Revolution, 1917" is an excellent introduction to the history of that fateful year, and recommended for casual readers and beginners interested in the subject. Note that due to the introductory nature of the book, there is very little by way of economic analysis, nor is any significant attention paid to developments in culture.… (more)