Daniel

The Sickle and the Hammer: A Socialist History of the Soviet Union

History EN ↓ 49 episodes

We are often told the USSR was an oppressive, authoritarian society, lacking freedom and democracy. There were endless purges that claimed the lives of millions of “dissidents,” purges that were designed for one thing and one thing only: to keep power in the hands of those who wielded it. And as we all know, the economy was based on socialist and communist principles, which is why it barely functioned at all. There were endless famines, genocides against minorities within the nation, and an industrial base that was constantly tottering on the edge of collapse. But instead of trying to address...

Author

Daniel

Episodes

15.b - Address of the Second All-Russian Congress 03.09.2025 3:44

Source: https://www.hist.msu.ru/ER/Etext/DEKRET/IIsiezd.htm

14 - On The Eve 30.07.2025 1:04:11

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. 1930 Cliff, 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 1...

14.a - The Bolshevik Central Committee Resolution of 10 October 30.07.2025 4:41

Source for text: https://ru.wikisource.org/wiki/Заседание_Центрального_Комитета_РСДРП(б)_10_(23)_октября_1917_г._(Ленин)

13.a - The Life of Natasha Morozova 06.07.2025 43:43

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 06.07.2025 49:23

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! 15.06.2025 3:53

I recently did two guest spots on two other fantastic shows. Check out their Patreon pages! Patreon.com/thedeprogram Patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism Patreon.com/sovietpod

**Announcement** Patreon page updates! 14.06.2025 10:52

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 27.05.2025 47:25

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. 1930 Cliff, 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 12.05.2025 47:07

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. 1930 Cliff, 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 24.04.2025 36:05

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. 1930 Cliff, 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 191...

9 - Reaction and Recovery 14.04.2025 47:19

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. 1930 Cliff, 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 03.04.2025 49:38

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. 1930 Cliff, Tony. All Power to the Soviets: Lenin 1914-1917. 1976, republished by Haymarket Books, 2004. Rabinowitch, Alexander. The Bolsheviks Come to Pow...

7 - The People and the Party 24.03.2025 38:00

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. 1930 Cliff, Tony. All Power to the Soviets: Lenin 1914-1917. 1976, republished by Haymarket Books, 2004.

6 - Fumbling the Ball 13.03.2025 46:32

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. 1930 Cliff, Tony. All Power to the Soviets: Lenin 1914-1917. 1976, republished by Haymarket Books, 2004.

6.a - Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies Order Number 1 13.03.2025 3:32

Source for text: http://museumreforms.ru/node/13711 Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod

6.b - Address of the Soviet to the Peoples of the Entire World 13.03.2025 4:46

Source for text: http://www.spbiiran.nw.ru/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/токарев-ВИД-4.pdf

6.c - The Tasks of the Proletariat in the Current Revolution 13.03.2025 13:53

Source for text: https://www.hrono.ru/libris/lib_l/lenin_apr.php Please consider supporting me on Patreon at patreon.com/sovietpod.

6.d - Miliukov’s Note 13.03.2025 3:48

Source for text: http://www.obraforum.ru/lib/book2/2.htm

5 - Lights, Camera, Action! 03.03.2025 42:18

”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. 1930 Cliff, Tony. All Power to the Soviets: Lenin 1914-1917. 1976, republished...

4 - Setting the Stage 20.02.2025 54:17

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 10.02.2025 38:25

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? 30.01.2025 1:11:16

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 20.01.2025 1:12:17

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 18.01.2025 36:26

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.