Status Updates From Russia: The Wild East: A Hi...

Revolution! The battleship Avrora fires her guns, the signal to start the Revolution. Martin Sixsmith describes how Lenin seizes the moment, and how Russia missed her last chance at democracy.

Lenin's Return

Martin Sixsmith charts the chaotic progress of the Revolution. Can Lenin seize the prize?

The Year 1917 Dawns - Europe at war; a disillusioned people; a tsar blindly believing in his autocratic right to rule; a new leader in waiting

The Centre Weakens - Imperial Russia squanders its final chance to survive as war begins in Europe. Tsarism is rotting from within.

Too Little, Too Late - Martin Sixsmith plots the events that lead to the Russian Revolution, the roles of politicians, and of Trotsky and Lenin. Had reform succeeded, how different might Russia be today?

The Last Tsar - Trouble at home and disaster abroad weaken the Tsar fatally as Martin Sixsmith reveals.

Censorship and Suppression - Amid pressure for change Martin Sixsmith charts what drove subversive activity underground

The Seeds of Revolution - Socialism is on the rise in Russia as Martin Sixsmith identifies emerging revolutionaries, divided between western and orthodox values. New angry radicals replace cautious liberals.

The Murder of the Tsar - In 1861, Alexander II promised liberal reforms, but his proposed changes ended in his violent murder.

The Downtrodden Serfs - As pressure for change mounts, Martin Sixsmith traces the role of serfdom in Russia.

Defeat and Disaffection - Martin Sixsmith shows how the iron fist crushes nationalism in Russia's overblown empire.

Decembrist Revolt - How victory against Napoleon bred further desire for radical reform.

Napoleon Marches East - Martin Sixsmith puts Napoleon's siege of Moscow in context: looking back and to the future

Rebellion and Punishment - Martin Sixsmith tells how a fierce rebellion turns Catherine from reformer to reactionary.

Catherine, Lover and Reformer - Under Catherine the Great, Russia becomes Europe's most feared superpower. But, as Martin Sixsmith shows, an ingrained fear of vulnerability lay beneath this show of strength.