Revolution and the Romanovs
Bolshiviks’ Rise and the End of the Romanov Dynasty
Summer of 1918 was a period of intense geopolitical shifts, as the First World War raged on and revolutionary movements reshaped the political landscape.
By July 1918, the Western Front had seen significant changes. The German spring offensives of March and April had stalled, and the Allied forces, buoyed by fresh American troops, launched a series of counteroffensives, pushing the Central Powers back.
Meanwhile, in Eastern Europe and beyond, revolutionary forces and shifting alliances were rapidly altering the world order.
On the 3rd of July 1918, the Entente powers launched the Siberian Intervention in Russia, aiming to support White Russian forces and the Czechoslovak Legion against the Bolsheviks.
This marked the beginning of a prolonged and turbulent intervention in the Russian Civil War. Concurrently, the political atmosphere in Catalonia saw the formation of the Comitè Pro Catalunya on the 8th of July, advocating for Catalan independence at the League of Nations.
In Russia, the Bolshevik government consolidated power, culminating in the adoption of the Russian Soviet Constitution on July 10th.
A funeral procession for a fallen officer in 1919 during the Russian Civil War. In July 1918, the Russian Civil War intensified as the Bolsheviks consolidated power, adopting the Soviet Constitution on July 10 and executing Tsar Nicholas II and his family on July 16–17. Meanwhile, the Siberian Intervention began, with Allied forces supporting White Russian factions against the Red Army, escalating the conflict's complexity.
...marking a brutal chapter...
Tsar Nicholas II was executed with his family by Bolsheviks on the 16th & 17th July, 1918, in Ekaterinburg, symbolizing the definitive end of the Russian monarchy during the civil war.
A dramatic event occurred on the 16th-17th July, with the execution of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, marking a brutal chapter in the Bolshevik consolidation of power.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Ukraine was established on the 17th July, solidifying Bolshevik influence in the region.
The month concluded with the Baku Coup d'état on July 26, further illustrating the instability in the Caucasus.
This period encapsulated the complexity of both the ongoing war in Europe and the revolutionary upheaval in Russia.
Map of Ukraine presented to the Paris Peace Talks 1919. The Communist Party of Ukraine (CPU) was established in July 1918 amidst the Russian Civil War. Functioning as a branch of the Russian Communist Party, it advanced Marxist-Leninist ideology in Ukraine. Focused on consolidating Soviet power, the CPU implemented state socialism, nationalized industries, and played a central role in Soviet Ukraine’s governance.
https://origins.osu.edu/read/ukrainian-independence-versailles-versailles
Launch of the Siberian Intervention, 3rd July 1918
The Siberian intervention (1918-1922) involved Entente powers, including Japan and China, dispatching troops to the Russian Maritime Provinces during the Russian Civil War.
Their aim was to support White Russian forces and the Czechoslovak Legion against Soviet Russia. While other Allied forces withdrew in 1920, the Imperial Japanese Army continued to occupy Siberia.
Following the Bolshevik Revolution in November 1917, the new Russian government signed a peace treaty with the Central Powers in March 1918, freeing Germany to shift resources to the Western Front.
Meanwhile, the 50,000-strong Czechoslovak Legion, allied with the Entente, was stranded in Soviet Russia and sought to reach Vladivostok via the Trans-Siberian Railway, sometimes controlling the railway and major Siberian cities.
Japanese lithograph depicting the capture of Blagoveshchensk. Japan played a significant role in the Siberian Intervention (1918–1922), deploying over 70,000 troops to support anti-Bolshevik forces and safeguard territorial interests. While most Allies withdrew by 1920, Japan remained until 1922, driven by anti-communism and expansionist ambitions. The intervention caused domestic controversy, high casualties, and strained international relations.
...to prevent Allied matériel from falling into German or Bolshevik hands...
Woodrow Wilson authorized the deployment of 15,000 U.S. troops to Siberia in 1918, aiming to assist the Czechoslovak Legion, protect Allied supplies, and counter Japanese territorial ambitions.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Colorization/comments/nipi6l/woodrow_wilson_28th_president_of_the_united/
In response, the UK and France decided to intervene in the Russian Civil War.
Their objectives were to prevent Allied matériel from falling into German or Bolshevik hands, assist the Czechoslovak Legion, and reestablish the Eastern Front by installing a White Russian government.
President Wilson, against initial advice, sent 15,000 US troops to Siberia and Arkhangelsk in July 1918.
China also sent 2,000 troops, later occupying Outer Mongolia and Tuva, and participating in the North Russian Campaign.
Troop movements in the Russian Civil War. The dark grey lines show the maximum advance of the White forces. During the Siberian Intervention, White forces, supported by the Allied powers, mobilized across eastern Russia to combat Bolshevik control. Concentrated along the Trans-Siberian Railway, they advanced from Vladivostok westward, aligning with the Czechoslovak Legion to capture key cities like Omsk. Under leaders such as Admiral Kolchak, White forces aimed to restore the Eastern Front and topple the Bolsheviks. However, logistical challenges, fragmented leadership, and lack of local support led to their eventual retreat and defeat.
...underlying chaos and suspicion...
The Allies, including British, French, and Italian forces, joined the Czechoslovak Legion in trying to re-establish the Eastern Front.
However, the intervention was marked by underlying chaos and suspicion among Allied forces, with the Japanese refusing to move west of Lake Baikal and Americans staying behind to monitor Japanese intentions.
Despite initial successes, the Allied intervention faced significant challenges and internal conflicts, leading to their eventual withdrawal by 1920, with Japan remaining until 1922 due to fears of spreading communism and territorial ambitions.
U.S. troops pose with men of the Czechoslovakian Legion. manning a Browning M1917 MG position. It appears that the Czechs are armed with Japanese Arisaka rifles. The Siberian Intervention was an international effort involving Japan, the United States, Britain, France, and China. Allied powers aimed to support White forces, secure military supplies, and contain Bolshevism. This multinational operation highlighted global concerns over communism’s spread, with conflicting national agendas complicating coordination and fueling postwar geopolitical tensions.
...and a desire to recoup losses...
Japan's motives were complex, including anti-communism, territorial ambitions, and a desire to recoup losses from Russia.
This intervention led to significant Japanese casualties, bitter controversy, and factional strife within Japan, resulting in Japan withdrawing its forces under intense diplomatic pressure and facing increasing domestic opposition.
Segun horyo o jūsatsu su セ軍捕虜を銃殺す (Execution of a prisoner
by one of Semenov’s men). 1920. by Takeuchi Tadao, a conscripted farmer who spent six
months in the Russian Far East in 1920. Japanese soldiers during the Siberian Intervention faced harsh climates, logistical challenges, and tense relations with other Allied forces. Stationed far from home, they often encountered resistance from Bolshevik forces and local partisans. Their mission reflected Japan’s dual goals: combating communism and securing regional influence. Soldiers endured prolonged deployment as Japan delayed withdrawal, leading to morale issues and casualties. Despite their efforts, the mission sparked domestic controversy, shaping Japan’s future military and political strategies.
M. Takeuchi Collection. Courtesy of the Art Research Center
(ARC), Ritsumeikan University
Establishment of the Committee Pro Catalonia, 8th July 1918
The Comitè Pro Catalunya (Committee Pro Catalonia) was established on the 8th July 1918, with the mission of supporting the Catalan National Committee's efforts in Paris to secure official Catalan representation at the League of Nations.
Chaired by Vicenç Albert Ballester and Pere Oliver i Domenge, the committee also counted prominent figures such as Francesc Macià—who would later become the 122nd President of Catalonia—Manuel Folguera i Duran, and J. Grant i Sala among its key members.
The committee was backed by the Unió Catalanista party and maintained connections with the Lliga Regionalista.
Over time, many of its members joined the Federació Democràtica Nacionalista and later the Estat Català (Catalan State) party.
The Catalonia region in Spain. In 1918, Catalonia witnessed growing nationalist aspirations with the establishment of the Comitè Pro Catalunya, advocating for independence at the League of Nations. Inspired by Wilson’s Fourteen Points, Catalan leaders sought international recognition, challenging Spanish centralism. This marked a pivotal step in Catalonia’s pursuit of autonomy and self-determination.
...to voice the Catalan people's aspirations...
Francesc Macià, inspired by Wilson's Fourteen Points promoting self-determination, championed Catalan independence. His 1931 Catalan Republic proclamation reflected aspirations for autonomy, echoing broader post-First World War calls for national sovereignty.
The Catalan National Committee, founded in Paris in 1918 by Daniel Domingo i Montserrat, a commander in the First Regiment of Catalan Volunteers during the First World War, aimed to voice the Catalan people's aspirations.
It gained attention after Francesc Macià's speech in the Spanish Courts calling for independence, inspired by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points.
The committee achieved observer status in the Treaty of Versailles and, on the 1918 National Day of Catalonia (Sept. 11), published a trilingual brochure (French, English, and Catalan) while organizing events advocating for Catalonia's inclusion in the League of Nations.
It absorbed the Catalan Nationalist League and sought the support of Catalan expatriates in America, such as Salvador Carbonell i Puig and Josep Abril i Llinés.
By 1923, its members had formed a support committee for the Catalan State in Paris.
Document in English entitled "What says Catalonia" dated September 11, 1918 in which the Committee Pro Catalonia asks "the victorious Entente, for the Right and Freedom of Peoples, the revision of the Treaty of Utrecht. Long live the Entente! Glory to Wilson! Justice!!!". This is the oldest document in which the Estelada (Catalan flag) appears.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalan_autonomist_campaign_of_1918%E2%80%931919
Russian Constitution marks the birth of the Soviet Republic, 10th July 1918
The 1918 Constitution of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (RSFSR) marked the birth of Russia's first republican constitution, solidifying the changes brought about by the October Revolution of 1917.
This landmark document not only gave the state its name but also enshrined the principle of the dictatorship of the proletariat, making the Russian Soviet Republic the first constitutionally socialist state in the world.
Ratified shortly after the Declaration of Rights of the Working and Exploited People, the constitution declared the working class as the ruling force of Russia.
The 1918 Constitution of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, the first republican constitution of Russia, codified the October Revolution's outcomes and officially named the state. Ratified after the Declaration of Rights of the Working and Exploited People, it established the working class as Russia’s ruling class under the dictatorship of the proletariat. This made the Russian Soviet Republic the world’s first constitutionally socialist state, enshrining the principles of socialism and proletarian governance into law.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918_Constitution_of_Soviet_Russia
...the establishment of a socialist society...
The constitution laid out the ultimate goals of the state: the abolition of exploitation, the eradication of class divisions, the suppression of exploiters, and the establishment of a socialist society.
It emphasized the alliance between workers and peasants, who would jointly govern the country through the soviets.
To protect the revolution, it stripped political power from the upper classes and those who supported the White Army during the Civil War.
To prevent their return to power, the first article called for workers and peasants to be armed and organized into the Red Army, while the higher classes would be disarmed.
Vladimir Lenin (left) and Leon Trotsky (right). Lenin and Trotsky were pivotal in establishing the 1918 Constitution of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic. Lenin, as the Bolshevik leader, shaped its ideological foundation, enshrining the dictatorship of the proletariat and the working class's rule. Trotsky, as a key revolutionary and Red Army founder, secured the revolution's survival, enabling the constitution's implementation. Together, their leadership during and after the October Revolution ensured the creation of the world’s first constitutionally socialist state.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/796/40283585004_5585d61846_o.png
...functioning as a collective presidency...
Supreme authority was vested in the All-Russian Congress of Soviets, composed of delegates from local soviets throughout the country.
Between congress sessions, the Central Executive Committee served as the supreme governing body, functioning as a collective presidency.
The congress also elected the Council of People's Commissars (Sovnarkom) as the administrative branch, tasked with the general administration of state affairs.
One notable principle from the constitution was the proclamation in Article 18: "He who does not work, neither shall he eat," reflecting a strong emphasis on labor as a civic duty.
The first state emblem of Soviet Russia.
The 1918 constitution laid the foundation for future Soviet constitutions, influencing the 1924 Soviet Constitution, which became the cornerstone of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
The Constitution of the Russian Socialist Federal Soviet Republic : order of the fifth all-Russia Congress of Soviets passed on the 10th of July, 1918. This copy is held (and can be accessed online) at Warwick Digital Collections.
https://wdc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/russian/id/5602
Murder of the Romanovs, 16th-17th July 1918
On the night of July 16–17, 1918, one of the most infamous incidents of the Russian Revolution unfolded in the basement of the Ipatiev House in Ekaterinburg.
Under orders from the Bolshevik Party, carried out by the secret police force known as the Cheka, the former Russian Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra Feodorovna, and their five children—Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, and Alexei—were executed.
Alongside the Romanov family, their loyal attendants—physician Eugene Botkin, maid Anna Demidova, footman Alexei Trupp, and cook Ivan Kharitonov—were also murdered.
The Romanovs in an official 1913 portrait. On the 16th and 17th of July, 1918, Tsar Nicholas II, his family, and loyal attendants were executed by Bolsheviks in Ekaterinburg. The brutal killings, ordered to prevent their rescue by advancing White forces, symbolized the Bolsheviks' commitment to eliminating the imperial order, cementing their power during the Russian Civil War and shocking the world.
https://www.deviantart.com/tashusik/art/Romanov-Family-1913-449141445
...raising fears among Bolshevik leaders...
The Romanovs had been under house arrest since their abdication in March 1917, following the February Revolution.
Initially confined to the Alexander Palace and later relocated to Tobolsk, the family was transferred to Ekaterinburg in April 1918 as the Bolsheviks tightened control amid the Russian Civil War.
Their fate became uncertain as anti-Bolshevik White forces advanced toward Ekaterinburg, raising fears among Bolshevik leaders that the Romanovs might be rescued and used as a rallying symbol for counterrevolutionary forces.
Demonstration during the Russian (February)Revolution. The February Revolution of 1917 led to Tsar Nicholas II's abdication, ending centuries of Romanov rule and establishing a provisional government. However, growing unrest and Bolshevik opposition culminated in the October Revolution, which seized power and targeted symbols of the old regime. The Romanovs, seen as potential rallying figures for counterrevolutionary forces during the civil war, were ultimately doomed.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Colorization/comments/2n0d3l/demonstration_in_russian_revolution/
...requiring further violence to finish the killings...
On the evening of July 16, the Romanovs were informed they would be moved to a safer location.
Led to the basement of the Ipatiev House under the pretext of safety, they were met by a firing squad under Yakov Yurovsky, the Cheka officer in charge.
The executions were brutal and chaotic; after the initial gunfire, many of the victims were still alive, requiring further violence to finish the killings. Their bodies were hastily transported to a forested area, mutilated to prevent identification, and buried in a shallow grave.
The murder of the Romanovs shocked the world, symbolizing the Bolsheviks' determination to eliminate the old order and consolidate power, while fueling decades of speculation and myth surrounding their fate.
The basement of the Ipatiev house where the Romanov family was killed. The wall has been torn apart in search of bullets and other evidence by investigators following the shooting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_the_Romanov_family#/media/File:Ipatyev_house_basement.jpg
Establishment of the Communist Party of Ukraine, 17th July 1918
The Communist Party of Ukraine (CPU), known in Ukrainian as Комуністична Партія України (Komunistychna Partiya Ukrayiny), was the founding and ruling political organization of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (Ukrainian SSR).
Operating as a republican branch of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), the CPU adhered strictly to Marxist-Leninist ideology as formulated by leaders such as Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, and later Joseph Stalin.
It was established in 1918 in Moscow as the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of Ukraine (CP(b)U).
Russian Propaganda Poster featuring from left: Karl Marx, Frederick Engels, Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin. The banners say, (in order from left to right), "Forward to Communism," "Glory to the Party of Lenin and Stalin," "Work for Peace" and "For the Happiness of the Peoples." Marxist-Leninism, rooted in Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’ theories, emphasized class struggle, proletarian revolution, and a stateless, classless society. Vladimir Lenin adapted these ideas to lead the Bolshevik Revolution, advocating for a vanguard party to establish socialism. Joseph Stalin further centralized power under Marxist-Leninist principles. This ideology shaped the Communist Party of Ukraine’s formation in 1918, aligning with Lenin’s goal of spreading socialism through national republics under the USSR framework, blending Marxist ideals with centralized Soviet control.
...functioned under the statute of the Russian Communist Party...
Initially created from the Russian Bolshevik faction active in Ukraine, the CPU functioned under the statute of the Russian Communist Party, lacking the autonomy to adopt its own governing documents.
As the sole governing party in Soviet Ukraine, it implemented policies of state socialism, nationalizing industries and introducing a command economy.
In the 1920s, under Lenin's New Economic Policy (NEP), limited capitalist elements were permitted to stabilize the economy following the failures of war communism.
However, this was replaced by central planning in 1929 under Stalin's leadership.
Russian Propaganda poster stating: "From the Russia of the NEP (New Economic Policy) period there will arise a socialist Russia." The Communist Party of Ukraine was established on July 17, 1918, during a period of political turmoil following the October Revolution. It became a key faction of the Bolsheviks, promoting socialism in Ukraine. Later, during the New Economic Policy (NEP) introduced in 1921, the party managed a delicate balance between limited market reforms and state control to revive the war-torn economy. This pragmatic approach temporarily allowed private enterprise while maintaining communist principles to consolidate power.
...continued to dominate Ukrainian politics...
The party retained its name and function until 1952, when it formally became the Communist Party of Ukraine. It continued to dominate Ukrainian politics until the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
The Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) suspended the CPU on August 26, 1991, accusing its leadership of supporting the failed coup attempt in Moscow earlier that year.
This suspension led to the creation of the Socialist Party of Ukraine by some former CPU members. In 1993, a new iteration of the CPU was established in Donetsk, independent of its Soviet-era counterpart but aligned with the Union of Communist Parties.
However, following the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, all communist parties and ideologies were banned in Ukraine, marking the end of its political influence.
State flag of Ukraine behind a wall of anonymous protesters in Kyiv, Ukraine during the 'Revolution of Dignity", 18th February, 2014. The 2014 Revolution in Ukraine, sparked by protests against corruption and closer ties to Russia, led to significant political changes. Amid rising nationalism, the Communist Party of Ukraine faced declining support, accused of pro-Russian sympathies, and was eventually banned in 2015 for allegedly undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and democracy.
Establishment of the Centrocaspian Dictatorship, 26th July 1918
The Centro-Caspian Dictatorship, also called the Central-Caspian Dictatorship (Russian: Диктатура Центрокаспия, Azerbaijani: Sentrokaspi Diktaturası), was a short-lived anti-Soviet regime established in Baku during the First World War.
It emerged on July 26, 1918, following the bloodless Baku Coup d'état, replacing the Baku Commune.
The administration was an alliance of the Socialist Revolutionary Party and Mensheviks, aiming to counter the growing influence of Soviet forces in the region.
However, the dictatorship’s existence was brief, collapsing less than two months later on the 15th September 1918.
Baku in 1918, the scene of the Baku Coup d'état which paved the way for the short-lived Centrocaspian Dictatorship.
...overwhelmed the defenders...
General Lionel Dunsterville. The Centrocaspian Dictatorship, a short-lived anti-Bolshevik regime in Baku (1918), allied with British forces led by Dunsterville. Their efforts ultimately failed against advancing Bolshevik and Ottoman forces.
As the Ottoman Islamic Army of the Caucasus advanced toward Baku, the Central-Caspian Dictatorship sought military assistance from Britain to defend the city.
In response, General Lionel Dunsterville led a small British force to support predominantly Dashnak-Armenian troops in the Battle of Baku.
Despite this reinforcement, the Azerbaijani-Ottoman coalition overwhelmed the defenders, capturing Baku on the 15th September 1918.
This victory forced the British to evacuate, while much of the Armenian population fled amid the chaos.
Following the Ottoman Empire’s surrender through the Armistice of Mudros on the 30th October, 1918, British forces re-entered and occupied Baku.
The brief tenure of the Centro-Caspian Dictatorship highlighted the intense geopolitical and ethnic struggles in the Caucasus during the First World War.
Signatories of the Armistice of Mudros, 1918. The Armistice of Mudros, signed in October 1918, ended the Ottoman Empire’s involvement in the First World War and reshaped power dynamics in the region. With Ottoman forces withdrawing, British troops took control of Baku, ensuring access to its vital oil reserves. This shift marked the fall of the Centrocaspian Dictatorship, a short-lived anti-Bolshevik regime backed by Britain. The armistice thus underscored the strategic importance of Baku while dissolving Ottoman ambitions in the Caucasus.
https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/milestones-peace-armistice-mudros/
Conclusion
The events of 1918, particularly those during the summer months, profoundly shaped global politics in the 1920s and 1930s, sowing seeds for future conflicts and ideological divides.
The Siberian Intervention illustrated the mistrust and rivalry between capitalist and communist powers, with foreign interventions in Russia laying the groundwork for decades of Cold War antagonism.
Similarly, the establishment of the Russian Soviet Constitution institutionalized the dictatorship of the proletariat, providing a blueprint for socialist states and fueling ideological competition with fascist and liberal-democratic regimes in the interwar years.
A U.S. lieutenant mans a machine gun in northern Russia during the Siberian Intervention. The Siberian Intervention (1918–1922) fostered long-term U.S. skepticism toward foreign military entanglements, highlighting the challenges of intervening in complex internal conflicts. It reinforced isolationist tendencies during the interwar period and shaped American reluctance to engage in similar interventions, influencing U.S. foreign policy until its global commitments expanded during the Second World War.
Photo by John Wilson, Bentley Historical Library
Rasputin, a mystic influential in Tsar Nicholas II's court, deepened distrust in the monarchy due to his perceived manipulation and scandals. His 1916 assassination failed to restore confidence. Shortly after, the Romanov dynasty fell in 1917 amid revolution, with the royal family executed in 1918, ending imperial rule in Russia.
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-rasputin-and-czar-nicholas-ii/33903853/
The murder of the Romanovs symbolized the violent rejection of monarchy and the old imperial order, inspiring revolutionary movements while intensifying fears among conservative and nationalist factions worldwide.
In Catalonia, the Comitè Pro Catalunya’s advocacy for independence at the League of Nations reflected rising nationalist movements, challenging imperial structures and foreshadowing broader tensions over self-determination.
In the Caucasus, the brief Centro-Caspian Dictatorship and the British involvement in Baku underscored the region's strategic importance and the fragility of local powers amidst external pressures.
These events collectively reshaped global power dynamics, fueling ideological rivalries and nationalist aspirations that crystallized into the competing blocs of fascism, communism, and liberal democracy.
This volatile mix would ultimately culminate in the global conflicts of the Second World War.
People waving Catalan flags during a pro-independence demonstration in Barcelona on Catalonia’s national day on the 11th September 2018. The Committee Pro Catalonia advocated for Catalan self-determination, marking an early organized effort for regional autonomy. Inspired by post-First World War self-determination movements, it laid groundwork for modern Catalan independence efforts. Today, Catalonia’s quest for sovereignty remains a contentious issue, exemplified by the 2017 independence referendum and subsequent political tensions with Spain. The Committee’s foundation symbolizes the enduring struggle for Catalan cultural and political identity within a broader push for independence.
Lluís Gené/AFP via Getty Images
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/10/catalan-independence-key-figures
Further reading
The Royal Marines in Russia, 1919: Battling the Bolsheviks During the Intervention by Alastair Grant delves into the Royal Marines' role during the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War. It chronicles their challenges, battles, and interactions with Bolshevik forces in the chaotic post-First World War environment. Grant provides a vivid account of military strategy, personal experiences, and the broader geopolitical stakes, shedding light on this lesser-known yet pivotal chapter in British military history.
Japan's Siberian Intervention, 1918-1922: A Great Disobedience Against the People by Paul E. Dunscomb examines Japan's complex and controversial role in the Siberian Intervention during the Russian Civil War. The book analyzes Japan's motives, including anti-communism and territorial ambitions, and explores the military, political, and societal consequences of the intervention. Dunscomb provides a critical look at the domestic opposition and geopolitical fallout, highlighting this episode's significance in shaping Japan's modern history and international relations.
Sovereignty of Catalan People: A History by Kai Richardson explores Catalonia's enduring struggle for self-determination, tracing its historical, cultural, and political journey. The book examines key moments, from medieval independence to the modern independence movement, highlighting the region’s unique identity and relationship with Spain. Richardson provides a detailed account of Catalonia's resistance to external control, its cultural revival, and its fight for sovereignty, offering insights into the complexities of nationalism and self-governance.
The Last Days of the Romanovs: Tragedy at Ekaterinburg by Helen Rappaport offers a gripping account of the final days of Tsar Nicholas II and his family during the Russian Revolution. Drawing on new evidence and firsthand accounts, Rappaport vividly reconstructs the Romanovs' imprisonment and execution in July 1918. The book explores the political turmoil, Bolshevik motivations, and enduring mysteries surrounding their fate, shedding light on this pivotal and tragic moment in Russian and world history.
The Penguin History of Modern Russia: From Tsarism to the Twenty-first Century by Robert Service provides a comprehensive overview of Russia's evolution from the late Tsarist era to the present day. This fifth edition explores key events, including the Bolshevik Revolution, Stalin's rule, the Soviet Union's collapse, and post-Soviet challenges. Service examines political, social, and cultural developments, offering nuanced insights into the forces shaping modern Russia's trajectory and its impact on global history.
Borderland: A Journey Through the History of Ukraine by Anna Reid provides an engaging exploration of Ukraine's complex history, blending personal narratives with historical analysis. From Kievan Rus and Cossack uprisings to Soviet domination and post-independence struggles, Reid examines the forces that have shaped Ukraine's identity and geopolitics. This book offers a rich perspective on Ukraine's cultural and political significance, its enduring resilience, and its pivotal role in Europe’s historical and contemporary landscape.
Colourisers
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Photo by John Wilson, Bentley Historical Library
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