A History of Twentieth-Century Russia

A History of Twentieth-Century Russia is a comprehensive historical work by British historian Robert Service, first published in 1997. The book provides a detailed narrative of Russia's turbulent journey from the final years of the Russian Empire through the rise and fall of the Soviet Union to the emergence of the Russian Federation. Service's analysis draws on archival material opened after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, examining the roles of key figures like Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Mikhail Gorbachev within the broader context of social, political, and economic upheaval. It is regarded as a seminal text in the field of Russian studies and modern historiography.

The Russian Empire and the Revolutions (1900–1922)

The book opens with the decline of the Russian Empire under Tsar Nicholas II, detailing the pressures of World War I, social inequality, and the rise of revolutionary movements. Service chronicles the February Revolution of 1917, which led to the abdication of the Tsar and the establishment of the Russian Provisional Government. He then analyzes the Bolshevik seizure of power in the October Revolution, masterminded by Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky. This section covers the subsequent Russian Civil War between the Red Army and the White movement, the brutal policy of War Communism, and the founding of the Soviet Union in 1922 following the victory of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union under Stalin (1922–1953)

This segment details the consolidation of power by Joseph Stalin after the death of Lenin, outlining the intense internal struggles within the Politburo and the defeat of rivals like Trotsky. Service examines the implementation of the First Five-Year Plan, the forced collectivization of agriculture, and the catastrophic Holodomor famine in Ukraine. The narrative covers the Great Purge orchestrated by the NKVD, the signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact with Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union's pivotal role in World War II, known domestically as the Great Patriotic War. The period concludes with the onset of the Cold War, the Berlin Blockade, and the establishment of Soviet dominance over Eastern Europe.

The Cold War and Stagnation (1953–1985)

Beginning with the power struggle after Stalin's death, this part explores the era of Nikita Khrushchev, including his Secret Speech denouncing Stalin's crimes, the Khrushchev Thaw, and crises like the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Service then analyzes the lengthy rule of Leonid Brezhnev, marking a period of so-called "Stagnation" characterized by economic decline, rampant corruption, and the reinforcement of the Brezhnev Doctrine. Key events covered include the Prague Spring, the Soviet–Afghan War, and the rise of internal dissent exemplified by figures like Andrei Sakharov and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

Perestroika, Glasnost, and Dissolution (1985–1991)

This section focuses on the transformative leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev, who initiated radical reforms through perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness). Service details the unintended consequences of these policies, including the Chernobyl disaster, the proliferation of nationalist movements in Baltic republics like Lithuania, and the loosening of control over Warsaw Pact allies. The narrative covers pivotal events such as the Revolutions of 1989, the August Coup attempt by hardline communists, and the final dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991, symbolized by the rise of Boris Yeltsin in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.

The Russian Federation in the 1990s

The final section charts the tumultuous first decade of the Russian Federation under President Boris Yeltsin. Service examines the painful economic transition to capitalism, known as "shock therapy", which led to hyperinflation, the rise of the Russian oligarchs, and widespread poverty. Key political crises are analyzed, including the Russian constitutional crisis of 1993 which culminated in the shelling of the Russian parliament, and the First Chechen War. The book concludes with Yeltsin's resignation on New Year's Eve 1999 and the transfer of power to his appointed successor, Vladimir Putin, setting the stage for a new political era.

Category:History books about Russia Category:1997 non-fiction books Category:Books by Robert Service