In October 1917, the October Revolution took place in Russia, overthrowing a provisional government established a few months earlier. This was the first in a series of steps which led to the establishment of the Soviet Union. In this article, we look at how the October Revolution was covered in one historic newspaper, the Neue Hamburger Zeitung.

 

The Neue Hamburger Zeitung (NHZ) was a liberal political paper, established in 1896. It was a relatively serious paper with middle-class readers as a target group. It appeared twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, and during the First World War almost daily special broadsheets were published and attached to roadside billboards.

On this day — Friday, November 9th 1917 — the headline on the front page of the newspaper read “Russian Provisional Government Overthrown”.

This was the first main headline for the Russian revolutionary events. From November 1st onwards, rebellion and “anarchy”, parliamentary discussion, peace proposals of the Bolsheviks and other related topics had been reported in shorter news or discussed in accompanying commentary. On November 4th one of the daily extra editions had been titled “Krawalle in Petersburg” (“Riots in Petersburg”). But it was only on the 9th of November that continuous front page coverage started.

The article presents views from various angles and perspectives, which shows in a fascinating way, how strenuously the newspaper editors tried to find traces of truth. The many sources included the Wolffsches Telegraphenbüro (WTB) and Reuters news agencies, the Copenhagen and Stockholm offices of Vossische Zeitung (a Berlin newspaper), the Neue Züricher Zeitung and several other intermediate institutions.

Also interesting is the fact that the article appears to be an exception from the propaganda driven German press coverage of October and November 1917, which mainly focused on the military progress of German and Austrian troops in Italy.

In addition to the article, there is a commentary-like addition below in which the author speaks about the tragedy of the Russian fate (”russische Schicksalstragödie”). The implications for the continuing World War on the one hand and the threat of anarchy on the other hand are voiced along with many other comments on Russia. Lenin’s peace ideas were seen as attractive to German politicians and there was sympathy for intentions to distribute arable land to the peasantry.

Many thanks to Ulrich Hagenah of the Hamburg State Library for writing this article. Explore more of the 33.175 issues of historical newspapers from the Hamburg State and University Library in our historic newspaper browser developed by The European Library. The article is also available on Europeana among millions of other cultural heritage items.

This week one hundred years ago, on 28th of June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated. This event triggered the outbreak of WWI one month later. How did European newspapers of the time cover the crucial events and the political opinions in this terrible war? Did the news travel fast? Europeana Newspapers has gathered historic newspaper material to illustrate how different European newspapers reported on WWI. This week we’ll publish a series of three articles, each covering one important moment in WWI. Today in the third and last article of our series, in which we cover the Versailles Treaty.

On 18 January 1919 the Peace Conference, destined to unfold a new peace settlement after the Great War, commenced in Paris. The date was certainly not chosen by chance, since 48 years earlier, Wilhelm I was proclaimed emperor of the new German Empire at that very date.[1] The conference officially concluded about a year later, with the inaugural General Assembly of the League of Nations – the predecessor of today’s United Nations. Arguably, the most important event during this time was the conclusion of the peace treaty with Germany on 28 June 1919, the so-called Treaty of Versailles. The most important decisions, considerations and meetings were held before that date. Although after this event, the conference was more like what Margaret Macmillan described as: “…a theatrical production whose stars had gone”[2] because the assembled head of states had left Paris, work on other peace treaties continued. Austria signed its peace treaty in Saint-Germain on 10 September 1919 and Bulgaria’s treaty was signed in Neuilly on 27 November 1919, while the treaties with Hungary signed on 4 June 1920 in Trianon and Turkey signed on 10 August 1920 in Sèvres were prepared at the conference but concluded after its conclusion.

Those treaties, especially the one concerning Germany, have been contested from their moment of signing. In retrospective their objective to find a durable peace settlement for the European continent was not fulfilled, as even some contemporaries sensed it. A British diplomat, for example, said: “We came to Paris confident that the new order was about to be established, we left it convinced that the new order had merely fouled the old.”[3]

But there is another aspect to the conference as well – it was a great media event. “Five hundred journalists were on hand to record and broadcast the proceedings at a time when publicity was the exception and not the rule.”[4] wrote Zara Steiner about the event. Therefore we will take a look at how the Peace Conference was presented in contemporary newspapers all over Europe.

What might be obvious today was not so much at that time. Although an occasion of world-wide significance, with objectives and decisions that might have been centred on Europe but were sensible across the planet, the reports were centred on national perspectives. The reason is to be found in the outcome of World War I itself – At first glance the continent was cleared of multi-national empires and a number of smaller states gained independence. Though at a closer look this is not that obvious because about 30 million people lived in states in which they constituted an ethnic minority.[5]

Therefore, the, at the time Czechoslovak newspaper Národní Listy reported shortly before the conference on 30 November 1918, that the new founded state will participate in Paris and also that it delegates will have a full vote during the negotiations. The situation in its neighbouring country Austria was rather different. The Neuigkeits Welt-Blatt asked under the title “The signature that brings us peace”: “Can the state that needs to sign this peace live?” The newspaper answered the question by citing the French newspaper Ouevre, which wrote: “Today Austria signs its death sentence”. This shows the uncertainty many Austrians sensed at the time. Hence it is rather unsurprising that numerous caricatures expressed this sentiment and interestingly France was the main target e.g. by depicting France as a bailiff or Clemenceau as a midwife of new-born Austria.

Also for the successor state of the Ottoman Empire, Turkey, it was quite difficult to come to terms with the differing objectives and interests of the victorious powers. The Turkish press, that played a leading role within the society, drifted apart in their opinions. Some argued for British protection, while others had high hopes for an American mandate. But, due to the political circumstances of both powers, the Turkish press gradually argued in favour of full independence.

Another important process was the formation of the League of Nations which took place in the first weeks of the conference. This event sparked great interest in the press as the following examples of South Tyrolean newspapers show. The newspaper Der Tiroler reported on the title page under the heading “the League of Nations-question”, that a stable economic and political situation as well as the reorganization of social relations were among the prerequisites to join the League. The defeated nations must therefore prove their capability of taking part. And the Bozner Nachrichten described the founding of the League of Nations, which was on 25 January 1919 when a corresponding proposal was approved as an event of world-historical relevance and reported on extensively on the speech of U.S. president Wilson. Though legally speaking, the League came only in existence when the Treaty of Versailles was signed. The Bozner Nachrichten also reported a small detail, which might look rather strange for us nowadays, namely that the proceedings were not only held in French, as common in diplomatic circles of the time, but also in English.

The conference might have lost its “stars” after the Versailles treaty, but work continued. This can be shown by some Serbian examples. Belgrade based newspaper Pravda reported on 2 November 1919, about concerns of the Serbian government regarding the negotiations on the Serbian-Bulgarian border and on 30 December 1919 the same newspaper reported on the discussions about war reparation to Serbia.

More European historic newspaper coverage on the Paris Peace conference can be found in our browser and Flickr album.

This week one hundred years ago, on 28th of June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated. This event triggered the outbreak of WWI one month later. How did European newspapers of the time cover the crucial events and the political opinions in this terrible war? Did the news travel fast? Europeana Newspapers has gathered historic newspaper material to illustrate how different European newspapers reported on WWI. This week we’ll publish a series of three articles, each covering one important moment in WWI. Today in the second article of our series, in which we cover the October Revolution.

1917 was a pivotal and eventful year in Russia’s history. The October Revolution laid the foundation for a new world power to come but it cannot be seen without the preceding February Revolution.

Widespread strikes and demonstrations held during the last week of February (according to the Julian calendar or the second week of March according to the Gregorian calendar) led to the abdication Tsar Nicholas II. Romanov rule commencing with Tsar Michael about three centuries earlier, was brought to an end by the refusal to accept the crown by Michael – the brother of Nicholas II.[1]

The political vacuum left by the abdication of the Tsar was filled by two actors: On the one hand, the liberal Provisional Government first led by Prince George Lvov, then after uprisings in July by Alexander Kerensky. On the other hand the ‘Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies’, the organ of the political left. Although about 700 soviets (i.e. councils) emerged all over the country in March and April, the one in Petrograd, today’s St. Petersburg, was the most powerful.[2]

During 1917 the constellation within the political left changed dramatically. Initially a minority in the Petrograd Soviet[3], the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, gained more and more influence. Finally, in the fall of 1917 Lenin ordered preparations for the seizure of power, though without a definitive date. He argued: “History will not forgive us if we do not assume power now.”[4]

Interestingly it was a newspaper related incident that prompted the October Revolution. A press that printed two Bolshevik newspapers was raided in early morning October 24^th (or November 6^th according to the Gregorian calendar) by the Provisional Government and as Rex A. Wade summarized: “Unbeknownst to anyone, including the Bolshevik leaders, the October Revolution had begun.”[5]

The following armed coup, prepared by Lev Bronshtein, better known as Trotsky, swiftly brought the Bolsheviks to power, ultimately setting in motion “the most radical revolution the world had yet seen.”[6]

On the 9^th of November 1917 the Dutch newspaper Telegraaf opens with the heading Anarchy in Russia – Lenin Rules. The social democrat newspaper De Tribune, very much interested in the situation in Russia, is not so fast. On November 9 it still contains an analysis of the Kerensky government.

On November 9th the Tiroler newspapers Bozner Zeitung opens with big headlines “New coup in Russia. The Minister arrested, Kerensky fled. Petersburg in the power of the Military Revolutionary Committee. Demands immediate cease-fire and peace”. On page 3 of the same newspaper a longer article titled Revolution in Russia is printed. Vienna and St. Petersburg report on the victory of Lenin and his social revolution, his demands for democracy as well as the arrest of the former ministers and the flight of Kerensky.

On Wednseday 14th of November the Brixner Chronik heads „Kerensky again in charge?“. The article relays on reports from Stockholm, according to which it is rumored that Kerensky prevailed in bloody fight over the Bolsheviks – not least thanks to support from England. Kerensky hopes to put down the counter revolution. But the outcome of the Civil War, according to the Brixner Chronik, is still uncertain at this time. On the same day the Der Burggräfler printed a front page story titled “The Russian Comedy”. It tells conflicting news about victory or defeat of the Bolsheviks that are reported from St. Petersburg, which rather confuse than clarifies the situation. The article is written in a judgmental tone and decisions and statements of the Russians are ridiculed.

The first information about the October Revolution in the Polish newspaper Kurjer Warszawski is a telegram that came via Stockholm on November 8^th. The Telegram speaks about a civil war in Russia. A day later, November 9^th the same newspaper runs an article about „Civil war in Russia”. The article informs about the capture of the Winter Palace, proclamation of the Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies.

The reflections of the October Revolution reached Ottoman Capital several days later. In the most important newspapers of the period there is no proper information about inland affairs of Russia.On November 11^th Sabah newspaper states “New government in Russia, under Lenin’s leadership.” The article reports from St. Petersburg that Lenin will give an ultimatum to the Allied Powers to engage in peace negotiations with his cabinet.  The Soviet government is formed, with Lenin as Chairman. Trotsky, originally Jewish, will head the Army. Vakit, another Turkish newspaper, reports on the front page, on the same day: “New era in Russia”. The article talks about the bloody days in St. Petersburg. Where is Kerensky? The collision of two forces: War and Peace. Lenin gives ultimatum. Seizure of the Winter Palace. Revolution committees. Second declaration. The looting of military.

This week one hundred years ago, on 28th of June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated. This event triggered the outbreak of WWI one month later. How did European newspapers of the time cover this crucial event and the political opinions? Did the news travel fast? Europeana Newspapers has gathered historic newspaper material to illustrate how different European newspapers reported on this crucial event. This week we’ll publish a series of three articles, each covering one important event in WWI. Today we start with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.

On 28 June 1914 Archduke Franz-Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg, were murdered in Sarajevo by the Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip. For about one century this dramatic event is known as the triggering event of World War One. Indeed, the exacerbation of nationalistic tensions in Central and Balkan Europe, an Austro-Hungarian declining monarchy and the play of strategic and diplomatic alliances precipitated within a month the European continent into war.

Yet what might be obvious today was not so much at that time and the announcement of this assassination in the newspapers of the time throughout Europe does not reflect or foresee the gravity of the situation.

When looking back on European newspapers of the time, two main common themes can be distinguished:

• A murder story full of twists
• A family tragedy

A murder story full of twists

No source allows us to know with certainty what happened. The trial minutes inform us nevertheless that a conspiracy took place. The seven conspirators had no experience in the use of weapons, and it is only by an extraordinary series of coincidences that they succeeded.

On the morning of 28 June 1914, the Archduke’s parade of six cars passed a first conspirator who tried to shoot from the window of an upper floor, but renounced as he could not get a clear shot. A second member did not attempt anything since he was fearful of harming the Duchess. A third member, Nedeljko Čabrinović, threw a bomb on the car of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, but in his haste, he did not wait the recommended eight seconds to throw it. It seems that the prince had time to take the bomb in his hand and to throw it out of his car. The explosion nevertheless destroyed the next car, seriously injuring its passengers, a policeman and several people in the crowd. Čabrinović tried to kill himself by swallowing a cyanide pill and jumping into the river Miljacka. As the cyanide pill he had taken was old or too low dosed and the tide of river was very low, he failed in his attempt and was arrested.

Later in the morning, the Archduke decided to go to the hospital to visit the victims of the bomb. Gavrilo Princip saw his car passing near Latin Bridge, caught it and fired twice. The first bullet pierced the side of the car and reached the Duchess of Hohenberg in the abdomen, the second bullet struck the Archduke in the neck. Both died of their wounds fifteen minutes later. Like Čabrinović, Princip attempted suicide and failed.

The Austrian newspapers were the first ones to cover the event, as to be expected. The Montags Journal reported Der Thronfolger von Österreich ermordet! Seine Gemahlin die Herzogin von Hohenberg ermordet! (The heir to the throne of Austria murdered! His wife the duchess of Hohenberg murdered!). On this day, 29th of June, an extra edition was printed in which the assassination of the heirs to the Austrian throne was extensively covered.  In the days following other Austrian newspapers covered the assassination and the victims in all detail; such as Das Interessante Blatt (frontpage, page 3, page 5) and Wiener Bilder (frontpage and page 5).

The Bozner Zeitung of Monday 29 June 1914 featured the news on its frontpage on and covers it from page 1 to 5. Entitled Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand und Herzogin von Hohenberg ermordet (Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Duchess of Hohenberg murdered), the article conveys the course of the two attacks reporting on the happy ending of the first bomb assassination and the tumultuous ovation from the people that expressed the joy of the failed attempt. It also reports on the continuation of the journey, on the second, and this time successful, attack carried out. It gives details too on the assassin, the 19 years old Princip, who named the deed “revenge of the oppressed of Serbia”.

The attack is strongly condemned by the magazine and described as “one of the most dreadful prince-murders of late”.

Telegraph messages of the murder of Franz Ferdinand and his wife started arriving in the Netherlands on Monday 29 June 1914. Most newspapers include a small message somewhere in the paper on the murder. Like the Algemeen Handelsblad, in which a small message on the frontpage in the left column below is featured with the title De moord op het vorstenpaar (Murder on the royal couple).

The next day, on Tuesday 30 June, full reports have reached the country including detailed statements of the eyewitnesses, which are no doubt copied from local Bosnian papers. All newspapers open with the full story of the murder, like the Nieuwsblad van het Noorden.

On 1 July 1914, the Turkish newspapers Sabah also gives details of what is called a “tragedy” providing the murderers’ confession and details of the investigation: “…Except the two perpetrators arrested yesterday, other men are arrested. A joint movement is suspected ».

A family tragedy

Being a public figure by birth and because of his function as an Emperor, Franz Joseph also drew the attention of the media with his marriage to Duchess Elisabeth of Bavaria better known as Sissi. His family life had so far already been filled with several dramas. His first daughter Sophie died as an infant and his only son, Crown Prince Rudolf, died by suicide in 1889. His wife was stabbed to death by an Italian anarchist in 1898 while on a visit to Geneva. It is said that Franz Joseph never fully recovered from the loss.

In French newspapers, the event is covered as mondain/society news. Rare are the journalists who glimpsed the military outcome that would bring Europe into war. In less than four days, the news had left newspapers frontpage. For example, La Croix from 30 June 1914 focuses on the tragic destiny of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The newspaper fears that this assassination will weaken the catholic monarchy with whom it hoped for reconciliation with France against the German Empire. La Croix pictures Emperor Franz Joseph as a martyr.

On 12 July 2014, Le Petit Journal puts on its frontpage an illustration of the Emperor grieving on his throne and surrounded by his deceased family members. The headline reads La tristesse du vieil empereur. Rien ne lui aura été épargné sur cette terre! (The sadness of the old emperor. He has been spared nothing on this Earth!).

The Polish newspaper Głos Śląski in its issue of 2 July 1914 tells the story of the spell put on Emperor Franz Josef by the Countess Karolyi.

The Bozner Zeitung of Friday 3 July 1914 reports on the popular outrage and solicitousness, and the great compassion for the Emperor who already suffered so many blows of fate. The images show The Konak in Sarajewo, the itinerary of the coffin and the manor house Artstetten, the last resting-place of Franz Ferdinand and his wife.

More historic newspaper coverage on the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Duchess of Hohenberg in our Flickr album.