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Historicizing Divergence: A Comparative Analysis of the Revolutionary Crises in Russia and Finland

In: Economic History of Warfare and State Formation

Author

Listed:
  • Pavel Osinsky

    (Appalachian State University)

  • Jari Eloranta

    (Appalachian State University
    University of Jyvaskyla)

Abstract

Beginning 1917, Russia and Finland both experienced revolutionary situations, the seizure of power by radical political groups, and civil wars. However, the ultimate outcomes of the revolutionary crises in the two countries turned out to be different: the Russian Bolsheviks won the struggle for power whereas the Finnish Red Guard suffered a defeat. Why did the radical socialists win in Russia but lose in Finland? This chapter argues that the Russian revolutionaries benefited from the existence of two coalition alliances that had not fully materialized in Finland: the workers–soldiers’ alliance, which was critical for the radicals’ seizure of power, and the workers–peasants’ alliance, which became pivotal during the years of the civil war. Thus, our comparative historical analysis lends support to the “social history” of the revolutions but—in contrast to other writings—draws attention to the centrality of structural conditions created by a mass mobilization war and the contingent nature of the extant revolutionary alliances.

Suggested Citation

  • Pavel Osinsky & Jari Eloranta, 2016. "Historicizing Divergence: A Comparative Analysis of the Revolutionary Crises in Russia and Finland," Studies in Economic History, in: Jari Eloranta & Eric Golson & Andrei Markevich & Nikolaus Wolf (ed.), Economic History of Warfare and State Formation, pages 103-116, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:stechp:978-981-10-1605-9_4
    DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-1605-9_4
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