The Sickle and the Hammer: A Socialist History of the Soviet Union
This podcast re-examines the history of the Soviet Union, questioning the mainstream narrative of an oppressive, authoritarian totalitarian state. It covers topics such as political purges, famines, industrialization, and foreign policy, arguing that the standard picture may be incomplete or distorted. The show aims to present an alternative perspective on Soviet society and governance, inviting listeners to learn the story they've never heard.
Episodes
28 - Economy? What Economy?
“In order for economic development to take place, one must first have an economy.” - Karl Vladimir Stalin, 2026Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Carr, E. H. The Bolsheviks Revolution: 1917-1923, vol. 2. Pelican Books, 1966Nove, Alec. An Economic History of the Soviet Union: 1917-1991. Penguin Books, 1992.Dobb, Maurice. Soviet Ec
27.a - The Declaration of the Rights of the Peoples of Russia
Source: https://www.hist.msu.ru/ER/Etext/DEKRET/peoples.htm
27 - Introduction to the National Question
What attitude ought socialists and communists have to the question of national self-determination? Survey says: Ask Lenin and Stalin!Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Natsional’ny Vopros v Nashei Programme - V. I. Lenin, published in “Iskra” 15 July 1903Kriticheskie zametki o natsional’nom voproce - V. I. Lenin, published in “Pr
26 - Epilogue to Brest-Litovsk
The narrative is over. Now comes the fun part: analysis!Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.
25.a - The Socialist Fatherland Is In Danger!
Source: https://www.hist.msu.ru/ER/Etext/DEKRET/opasnost.htmPlease consider supporting me on Patreon: patreon.com/soviet
25 - An Unacceptable Peace, Ratified
The saga of ending Soviet Russia’s participation in World War 1 comes to an end.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks in Power: The First Year of Soviet Rule in Petrograd. Indiana University Press, 2007.Gluckstein, Donny. The Tragedy of Bukharin. Pluto Press, 1994.“Sedmoi S’ezd RKP(b).” Bolshay
24.a - Theses on the Question of the Immediate Conclusion of a Separate and Annexationist Peace
Source: https://uaio.ru/vil/35.htm
24 - An Unacceptable Peace, Accepted
To fight or not to fight… that is the question!Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks In Power: The First Year of Soviet Rule in Petrograd. Indiana University Press, 2007.Gluckstein, Donny. The Tragedy of Bukharin. Pluto Press, 1994.Cliff, Tony. Revolution Besieged: Lenin 1917-1924. Republished
23 - Prologue to Brest-Litovsk
It’s that episode on the international aspects of the Russian Revolution you’ve been waiting for!Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Source:Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks In Power: The First Year of Soviet Rule in Petrograd. Indiana University Press, 2007.
22.b - Declaration of the Rights of the Toiling and Exploited People
Source: https://www.hist.msu.ru/ER/Etext/DEKRET/declarat.htm
22.a - Theses on the Constituent Assembly
Source: https://leninism.su/works/74-tom-35/1583-tezisy-ob-uchretitelnom-sobranii.html
22 - The Life and Death of the Constituent Assembly
This one is in the title, folks.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks In Power: The First Year of Soviet Rule in Petrograd. Indiana University Press, 2007.Znamensky, O. N. Vserossiiskoe Uchrezhditelnoe Sobranie: Istoria Sozyva i Krushenia. Nauka Publshers, 1976.Cliff, Tony. Revolution Besieged:
21 - The Origins of the Cheka
The Cheka: vehicle of Communist oppression, or shield and sword of the revolution?Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks In Power: The First Year of Soviet Rule in Petrograd. Indiana University Press, 2007.Golinkov, D. L. Krushenie antisovietsogo podpolya v SSSR, 1917-1925 gg. Izdatelstvo politi
Year 1 In Review
Our show turns 1 year old today!
20 - The Peasant Question, In All Its Glory
What do you get when you mix 18 years of theory with two separate Congresses of Peasants’ Deputies? Why, one unified Soviet government of, by, and for the masses, of course!Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:The Development of Capitalism in Russia (1899)The Workers’ Party and the Peasantry (1901)The Agrarian Program of Russian So
19.d - The Situation of Worker Control
Source: https://www.hist.msu.ru/ER/Etext/DEKRET/rab_ctrl.htm
19.c - The Decree on the Press
Source: https://ru.wikisource.org/wiki/Декрет_о_печати
19.b - The Decree on Peace
Source: https://www.hist.msu.ru/ER/Etext/DEKRET/o_mire.htm
19.a - The Decree on Land
Source: https://www.hist.msu.ru/ER/Etext/DEKRET/o_zemle.htm
19 - The Struggle for the People’s Government
Never forget, kids: the support of the masses is the key to victory.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Cliff, Tony. Revolution Besieged: Lenin 1917-1923. Haymarket Books, 2012.Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks in Power: The First Year of Soviet Rule in Petrograd. Indiana University Press, 2007.
18 - Shots Fired
We’re back! But so is the bourgeoisie.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Cliff, Tony. Revolution Besieged: Lenin 1917-1923. Haymarket Books 2012.Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks in Power: The First Year of Soviet Rule in Petrograd. Indiana University Press, 2007.Reed, John. 10 Days That Shook The World. Public domain, avail
17 - Lessons to be Learned
Wherein we find out what the point of all this was, and close the book on the revolutionary period.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.
16 - Filling in the Blanks
This is the first of a two-episode retrospective on the Russian Revolution. In this episode, we discuss some of the finer details that we passed over, in order to provide a more complete understanding of the revolutionary period.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.
15.b - Address of the Second All-Russian Congress
Source: https://www.hist.msu.ru/ER/Etext/DEKRET/IIsiezd.htm
15.a - To the Garrison of the City of Petrograd and the Surrounding Areas
Source: https://marxists.architexturez.net/russkij/trotsky/works/trotl336.html
15 - Checkmate
Kerensky gets pushed right off the board, and the revolutionary masses emerge victorious.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks Come to Power: The Revolution of 1917 in Petrograd. 1976
14.a - The Bolshevik Central Committee Resolution of 10 October
Source for text: https://ru.wikisource.org/wiki/Заседание_Центрального_Комитета_РСДРП(б)_10_(23)_октября_1917_г._(Ленин)
14 - On The Eve
Who knew preparing to overthrow a government would be this much work?!Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Trotsky, L. D. Istoriya Russkoi Revoliutsii. 1930Cliff, Tony. All Power to the Soviets: Lenin 1914-1917. 1976, republished by Haymarket Books, 2004.Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks Come to Power: The Revolution of 1917 i
13.a - The Life of Natasha Morozova
Natalya Ivanovna Morozova was born in village Yagodnoe in the Volga region. This is her story.A fictional biography of a peasant woman living through the events discussed in our series so far, as written by me.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.
13 - The People on the Brink
Russian society is being torn apart by its class contradictions not just in the cities, you know. Fun times.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Trotsky, L. D. Istoriya Russkoi Revoliutsii. 1930
**Announcement** “The Sickle and the Hammer” guest spots!
I recently did two guest spots on two other fantastic shows. Check out their Patreon pages!Patreon.com/thedeprogramPatreon.com/movies_vs_capitalismPatreon.com/sovietpod
**Announcement** Patreon page updates!
The Patreon page for this show has been updated in significant ways. Head on over to patreon.com/sovietpod to check it out for yourself!
12 - Building Momentum
It’s the home stretch of the revolution, folks.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Trotsky, L. D. Istoriya Russkoi Revoliutsii. 1930Cliff, Tony. All Power to the Soviets: Lenin 1914-1917. 1976, republished by Haymarket Books, 2004.Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks Come to Power: The Revolution of 1917 in Petrograd. 1976
11 - The People’s Defense
Everyone loves an underdog story.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Trotsky, L. D. Istoriya Russkoi Revoliutsii. 1930Cliff, Tony. All Power to the Soviets: Lenin 1914-1917. 1976, republished by Haymarket Books, 2004.Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks Come to Power: The Revolution of 1917 in Petrograd. 1976
10 - Kerensky’s Farce
The government puts on a show in Moscow. Too bad there’s no popcorn.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Trotsky, L. D. Istoriya Russkoi Revoliutsii. 1930Cliff, Tony. All Power to the Soviets: Lenin 1914-1917. 1976, republished by Haymarket Books, 2004.Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks Come to Power: The Revolution of 1917 in
9 - Reaction and Recovery
Sometimes the bark is worse than the bite.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Trotsky, L. D. Istoriya Russkoi Revoliutsii. 1930Cliff, Tony. All Power to the Soviets: Lenin 1914-1917. 1976, republished by Haymarket Books, 2004.Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks Come to Power: The Revolution of 1917 in Petrograd. 1976
8 - June and July
Whatever you do, don’t try to prematurely overthrow the government… No, I said DON’T do that!Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Trotsky, L. D. Istoriya Russkoi Revoliutsii. 1930Cliff, Tony. All Power to the Soviets: Lenin 1914-1917. 1976, republished by Haymarket Books, 2004.Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks Come to Power: T
7 - The People and the Party
The fusion of the party with the people doesn’t just happen overnight, folks.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Trotsky, L. D. Istoriya Russkoi Revoliutsii. 1930Cliff, Tony. All Power to the Soviets: Lenin 1914-1917. 1976, republished by Haymarket Books, 2004.
6.d - Miliukov’s Note
Source for text: http://www.obraforum.ru/lib/book2/2.htm
6.c - The Tasks of the Proletariat in the Current Revolution
Source for text: https://www.hrono.ru/libris/lib_l/lenin_apr.phpPlease consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod.
6.b - Address of the Soviet to the Peoples of the Entire World
Source for text: http://www.spbiiran.nw.ru/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/токарев-ВИД-4.pdf
6.a - Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies Order Number 1
Source for text: http://museumreforms.ru/node/13711Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod
6 - Fumbling the Ball
Unforced errors: the scourge of sports teams and revolutions alike.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Trotsky, L. D. Istoriya Russkoi Revoliutsii. 1930Cliff, Tony. All Power to the Soviets: Lenin 1914-1917. 1976, republished by Haymarket Books, 2004.
5 - Lights, Camera, Action!
”The history of revolution is, for us, first and foremost the history of the forceful intrusion of the masses into the sphere of control over their own fates.”Buckle up.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.Sources:Trotsky, L. D. Istoriya Russkoi Revoliutsii. 1930Cliff, Tony. All Power to the Soviets: Lenin 1914-1917. 1976, republished by H
4 - Setting the Stage
Yes, history is an endless cycle of cause and effect…. But you have to start somewhere!Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.
3 - Cast of Characters
There are no small roles. Only small actors.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.
2 - What To Do About The State And Revolution?
Have you ever wonder what a Russian revolutionary who’s been dead for over 100 years had to say about organizing the working class and the role of the state in capitalist society? What am I saying, of course you have!Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.
1 - The Phantom Red Menace
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step… and a whole lot of political economic theory from Karl Marx!Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.
Episode 0 - Introduction
Learn a little bit about me, and a lot about what to expect from this podcast.Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod or buymeacoffee.com/sovietpod.
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