Twentieth Century Russia

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Donald Treadgold was a distinguished Russian historian, and his standard text on Twentieth Century Russia has been revised to reflect new events and scholarship. The latest edition, by Professor Herbert Ellison, includes a significant chapter on the Yeltsin era, covering the Russian narrative up to the century's end. Throughout the twentieth century, the collapse of the Russian state and empire led to attempts at building a Western-style democracy. The first effort quickly fell to Lenin's communist revolution, which dominated Russia and much of the world for seventy-four years. In August 1991, an attempt by Soviet leaders to suppress democratic movements ignited an anti-communist revolution led by Boris Yeltsin. This edition examines the sweeping transformations that followed, including a new constitutional framework, democratic elections, and a revival of political parties and debate, raising critical questions about Russia's political future. It explores the paradox of the communist party's strength post-revolution, the challenges of transitioning to a market economy, and Russia's relationship with former Soviet republics. Additionally, it addresses the shift in foreign policy from partnership with the US to conflict. This comprehensive exploration offers insights into the roots of current developments against the backdrop of Russia's tumultuous history.