The Russian Revolution of 1917 has long been seen in terms of the political manoeuvrings of revolutionary politicians and the actions of lower social groups. This book argues that elite groups, especially nobles, landowners, and officers, also played an important role. The alienation of tsarist elites from the Tsar during the First World War and their support for the new Provisional Government in February 1917 secured the initial success of the revolution. The book describes how elites engaged with revolutionary politics, serving in the government, and forming unions to promote their interests ... More

The Russian Revolution of 1917 has long been seen in terms of the political manoeuvrings of revolutionary politicians and the actions of lower social groups. This book argues that elite groups, especially nobles, landowners, and officers, also played an important role. The alienation of tsarist elites from the Tsar during the First World War and their support for the new Provisional Government in February 1917 secured the initial success of the revolution. The book describes how elites engaged with revolutionary politics, serving in the government, and forming unions to promote their interests and gather wider support. These activities fostered fears of counter‐revolution among a population who saw 1917 as being for the lower social classes. These fears helped radicalize the popular mood, paving the way for Bolshevism. The book argues that, although increasingly disillusioned with events, elites were not solely counter‐revolutionary and far from united. The divisions among them that are visible prior to 1917 were exacerbated by the revolution. A poorly‐supported military revolt in August 1917 demonstrated different aspirations for the future, whilst as many served the Bolshevik regime after October 1917 as opposed it. This undermined the Whites armies' opposition to Bolshevism during Russia's civil war. Nevertheless, Bolshevik fears of ‘class enemies' were endemic, and their actions to remove them laid the foundations of the repressive soviet regime. By focusing on elites, this book helps provide a more comprehensive picture of the Russian Revolution.