Lee - Lenin and Revolutionary Russia

Edited by Stephen J. Lee, Sean Lang and Jocelyn Hunt

Other titles in this series:

Modern History

Early Modern History

STEPHEN J. LEE

ROUTLEDGE

LondonandNew York

First published 2003
by Routledge
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE

Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group

This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2007.

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2003 Stephen J. Lee

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Lee, Stephen J., 1945
Lenin and revolutionary Russia / Stephen J. Lee.
p. cm.(Questions and analysis in history)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. RussiaPolitics and government18941917. 2. Soviet UnionPolitics and government19171936. 3. Russian Communism (bolsheviks)History. 4. CommunismSoviet UnionHistory. 5. Lenin, Vladimir Ilych, 18701924. I. Title. II. Series.
DK246.L427 2003
320.94709041dc21 2003045912

ISBN 0-203-93011-8 Master e-book ISBN

ISBN13: 978-0-203-93011-3 Master e-book ISBN

ISBN13: 978-1-134-44600-1 ePub ISBN

ISBN 0-415-28717-0 (hbk)

ISBN 0-415-28718-9 (pbk)

The Questions and Analysis series is based on the belief that the student actively benefits from explicit interpretation of key issues and help with source-based technique. Each volume therefore separates narrative from analysis and sources; it follows an overall structure of Background Narrative, Analyses, and Sources with questions and worked answers.

This volume, Lenin and Revolutionary Russia, is the first in the series to add another dimension. Sixth-form and university courses have given increasing importance to historical debates, requiring proficiency in historiography as well as history. The revised format takes this development into account.

only one set of Sources, the subject matter is largely historiographical and therefore related to A2.

This book also aims to interest students in higher education, who might find a background to history and historiography helpful for their chosen topic. The Sources and Questions offer a variety of approaches and techniques that are likely to provide at least a starting point for further analysis. The series as a whole has kept in mind the interest of an increasingly sophisticated general reader, perhaps coming to a particular topic as a result of television, which emphasises new ideas in history.

The subject of this volume could not be more controversial. Lenins reputation has been subject to a wider range of interpretations than that of any other major historical figure. He was a force for fundamental good or evil. He was crucial for the growth of revolution in Russia or peripheral to it. He was a liberator or an autocrat. He based his actions on ideas or his ideas followed his actions. He was consistent or inconsistent. He led the masses or followed them. His plans came to fruition under Stalin or were betrayed by Stalin. And finally, the Soviet regime collapsed in spite of his influence or because of it.

It is hoped that the student or general reader will want to contribute to the debate in these chapters. Such a range of ideas is bound to stimulate more. Provided that they can be substantiated, they are all valid and they all count. This is what makes history so creative.