History & Area Studies / Thematic History / Social & Cultural History

How Russia Destroyed Its Own Aristocracy: The Final Days of the Former People

Former People: The Final Days of the Russian Aristocracy

Douglas Smith

In this video, we explore the shocking and brutal end of the Russian aristocracy, as chronicled by historian Douglas Smith in his book *Former People: The Final Days of the Russian Aristocracy*. You'll discover how the Sheremetev and Golitsyn families, once the pillars of the empire, were systematically stripped of everything—land, homes, dignity, and even their lives—by the Bolsheviks. We break down the key moments: from the illusion of modernization in 1900, to the violent 1917 revolution, the rise of the Cheka's 'Red Terror,' and the final purge under Stalin. This isn't just history—it's a warning about how class hatred can be weaponized to destroy a whole way of life. Watch to understand why the 'former people' were erased, and what it means for us today.