russia quotes Flashcards
(15 cards)
How is Russia described in the context of war?
Russia is like a colossal, unarmed man being dragged into a modern war.
What was said about Nicholas’s capabilities?
Nicholas was the source of all the problems. He was not fit to run a village post office.
What did the July Days demonstrate?
The July Days demonstrated the volatility of popular unrest and the Bolsheviks’ uncertain grasp on it.
Who were the real victors of the Kornilov Affair?
The real victors of the Kornilov Affair were the Bolsheviks.
What is said about terror in the context of revolution?
Terror is a necessary tool of revolution.
What was the outcome of collectivisation?
Collectivisation was a political victory but an economic disaster.
What is said about the building of socialism?
We are building socialism with peasants whose faces we do not see and whose voices we do not hear.
How is the USSR described?
The USSR had become a prison camp state.
What criticism is made about a Secretary-General?
He is too crude, and this defect becomes intolerable in a Secretary-General.
How are Trotsky and Stalin characterized?
Trotsky was brilliant but arrogant; Stalin was cunning and patient.
What does it mean that the Bolsheviks were pushing against an open door?
The Bolsheviks were pushing against an already open door.
What is the power of the Tsar in relation to laws?
A word from the Tsar is sufficient to alter any law.
How is the revolution described?
One of the most leaderless, spontaneous, anonymous revolutions of all time.
What is said about the technological gap with the West?
We are 50 to 100 years behind the West. We must catch up in 10 years or be crushed.
What was the impact of the failure of the offensive?
The failure of the offensive was the last nail in the coffin for the Provisional Government.
