Russian history overview and major periods

Blackwell -- the Industrialization of Russia

Blackwell, William L. (1994). The Industrialization of Russia: A Historical Perspective. 3rd. ed. New York: Harland Davidson

The Industrialization of Russia: A Historical Perspective is a standard reference book in the economic history of Russia from the middle of the 19th century to the Stalinist collectivization era of the 1920s and 1930s. It is meant to be a survey text, hence it does not delve into a great deal of controversial theory, of the debate of the standard scholarship vs. The revisionists, nor does it attempt to provide more than a complimentary discourse to a survey course in Modern Russian History.

Blackwell specializes in Russian economic history prior to the Soviet Period, particularly the period from the 16th to 19th centuries, at which time Russia underwent a significant industrialization spurt as the Tsars tried (sometimes in vain) to move the country from a feudal empire into a modern European nation. He has taught Russian History, Government and Political Institutions in Eastern Europe at the College of William and Mary and New York University from 1962 on (Back Matter - List of Contributors, 1975).

Russian history after 1700 was a series of complicated machinations all designed to move the country into designation as a world power. Peter the Great ruled from 1682 to 1725, defeated Sweden and secured Russia's access to the sea. On the Baltic, he founded his new capital city, Saint Petersburg, and began the slow process of opening up the country to Europe. In order to engender themselves with Europe's rules, Russia participated in the disastrous Seven Years War (1756-1763). However, under the leadership of Catherin II (the Great) from 1762-1796, Russia once again expanded into Poland and onto a warm water port in the Black Sea, all vital to any semblance of economic growth, but still placing the country behind Western Europe.

Continuing with alliances with the major European powers, Russia fought with England against Napoleon and some say, caused the defeat of the French. It was, however, the officers who fought alongside the British and others in the Napoleonic Wars who brought ideas of social and political liberalism back to Russia. While they failed in their 1825 Decembrist Revolt, enough economic and social reform occurred during the reign of Nicholas I (1825-55) which was, by all accounts, the zenith of Russian power until its defeat in the Crimean War. Nicholas's successor, Alexander II (1855-81) was far more liberal and enacted the Reforms of 1861, finally bringing industrialization and modernization to Russia, although a century or so later than Western Europe.

As might be expected, this rapid industrialization brought about various socialist movements that had their roots in Europe. Alexander II was killed in 1881 by socialist revolutionaries causing his son, Alexander III, to be less liberal to dissent and open social freedoms. It was the last Russian Emperor, though, Nicholas II (1894-1917) who was unable to prevent the Revolution of 1905, handled by the government but with major reforms, including granting of free speech and assembly and the legalization of political parties. Nicholas was operating on an 18th century paradigm, though, and entered World War I as a response to Austria's declaration of war, which proved to be the death knells of the Empire. It was simply not modern or wealthy enough to withstand such strong economic pressure. In 1917 the first of two major coups occurred; the Tsar was imprisoned and later executed, a Civil War erupted eventually resulting in the emergence of the Bolshevik Party under Vladimir Lenin; the world's first socialist state.

The major thrust of the new government was to completely revise the economy of the massive state -- breakup landed estates, seizure of agricultural surpluses, but an economic period of 8 years (1921-29) that was more market socialism. However, once Lenin died and the power struggle for ultimate control went to Joseph Stalin, a vast and rapid reindustrialization took place. Stalin believed that the only way to retain a Soviet State was to modernize and the only way to modernize was to collectivize all agriculture so there would be enough food and surplus to fuel the drastic measures necessary to modernize. It was also during this time that a number of large industrial projects were built based on "slave labor," a euphemism for anyone who disagreed with Stalin's policies. From an economic standpoint, what could benefit the State better than thousands upon thousands of free laborers, toiling 6-7 days per week for nothing more than a meager food allowance. Thus, Russia became the Soviet Union and was thrust into the 20th century at the cost of millions of its own citizens.