Mason

But hold on a sec. Didn't the Bolsheviks actually abolish the death penalty initially?

But hold on a sec. Didn't the Bolsheviks actually abolish the death penalty initially?

So how do we square that with this whole idea of them being obsessed with violence and terror?

So how do we square that with this whole idea of them being obsessed with violence and terror?

He doesn't shy away from these seemingly contradictory details.

He doesn't shy away from these seemingly contradictory details.

Okay, I'm intrigued. So how does he explain that whole death penalty thing?

Okay, I'm intrigued. So how does he explain that whole death penalty thing?

He was a master strategist.

He was a master strategist.

Especially after the czar had been overthrown.

Especially after the czar had been overthrown.

Not more bloodshed.

Not more bloodshed.

So it was a calculated move to gain power by appealing to these democratic ideals.

So it was a calculated move to gain power by appealing to these democratic ideals.

Wow. Talk about playing the long game.

Wow. Talk about playing the long game.

It's like they were intentionally acclimating the population to increasing levels of brutality.

It's like they were intentionally acclimating the population to increasing levels of brutality.