Elisabeth, we agree on much more than you probably imagine, but the issue of peasant desperation, I don't think it was in any way better before the revolution. What good is one's culture if one is too hungry or overworked and hopeless -- they never dared hope for a better life, which is what led to the massive alcoholism and domestic abuse -- to care to participate (whether art, dance, music or even religion).
I will always maintain that life for peasants was far worse before the revolution than after, not because the soviets made everything so great (I know that they didn't) but that strides and improvements were made where none had even been attempted before. I realize that imperial supporters like to say, "Well, if the reforms had been given a chance," but look at the Imperial and even Provisional track record! Why were they to be believed? Especially in light of the fact that there were no *true* reforms enacted during those periods.
I think it is not only very sad, but that those who wielded power for SO long, all the while claiming to "luuuvvv" the people so much, sat on their hands and did nothing, and that the resulting revolution and tyranny was able to take place -- because it **could** and because people really were that desperate.
All because Nicky and company (and his forebearers) were asleep at the switch.
I am not a religious person, but if there is an afterlife I hope that the imperial leaders, from the tsars to all of their flunkeys, are deep in Dante's inferno, where they watch again and again what their selfish neglect wrought. Ditto to Lenin and Stalin, but those two at least get marks for trying. The tsar/flunkey tag team did nothing. My Russian professors, my husband's family and millions more, who came from the peasant or "Kulak" class received higher education and have lived long healthy lives. They would have had NONE of the above under Nikolai or any of his ilk. These facts mean a GREAT DEAL to Russians. Put simply, they were given hope, and for the first time.
How horrible that something so elemental and necessary to human existence had to be attained by such atrocious means.
The refrain that comes to me time and time (*endless* time) again from Russians I know of a certain age (let's say from 35 and older) is one of: the Soviet government made it possible so that we (using a direct quote here) "never no worry" about anything, jobs, medical care, food, etc... (and I am speaking of post-Stalin Russia). And history has shown without fail that when a population is prosperous *enough* so that the basics are covered, culture blossoms. No doubt about it, culture was not allowed to blossom the way it *could* have, but absolutely Russian culture was maintained, in fact, it was a major point with Lenin that all cultures in the vast USSR should be allowed to flourish (including language and cultural practices) albeit with a Soviet spin.
One other point with regard to survival of culture:
As for those who grew up and lived under the soviet system, for all its faults, based on what I've read and the many Russians I have interviewed and chatted with *from* that era (including even those who well remember the 1930s) that the old songs were still sung, folk practices were maintained though it is certainly understandable that such practices and beliefs were cast off willingly (just as they were during the 20th century in the west!), the balalaika was played in nearly every home, people went to church if they wanted (as long as it was Orthodox), and folk art continued to be created. I saw at least some physical proof of this last spring when I visited a Russian toy museum and I was not at all surprised to see the great variety of both traditional and modern toys from the Soviet era, and of the mass-produced as well as one-of-a-kind types.
