CH 6 Maniak Buch Klasse

Bolshevik takeover of Petrograd

The strategic collapse of Kerensky's Provisional Government as Bolshevik leaders orchestrated a targeted armed takeover.

Kerensky's Collapse

Personal accounts reveal the total panic and political helplessness of Alexander Kerensky's administration.

Trotsky & Armed Uprising

Trotsky's tactical leadership in directing the Military Revolutionary Committee and planning the seizure of power.

Party Debate

Internal Bolshevik Central Committee fights over timing; Lenin pushes hard for immediate armed action against cautious party members.

Seizure of Petrograd

Bolsheviks take key strategic points with minimal direct combat, exploiting popular desire for 'All Power to the Soviets.'

Congress of Soviets Split

Moderate socialists walk out in protest; Martov opposes Bolshevik dictatorship, leaving Bolsheviks in total control.

Creation of the Cheka

Lenin quickly establishes the secret police under Dzerzhinsky to crush counter-revolutionaries and political opponents.

Dissolution of Constituent Assembly

Bolsheviks shut down the democratically elected assembly by force when they fail to win a majority.

Red Terror & Decrees

Early Soviet government used emergency decrees, land redistribution, and immediate peace demands to lock down state control.

One-party dictatorship

Lenin established a one-party dictatorship by driving out moderate opposition.

State repression

Power was immediately consolidated using state repression and the Cheka secret police.

Forcible shutdown of the Constituent Assembly

Bolsheviks forcibly shut down the assembly when they failed to win a majority.

Emergency decrees

Used by the early Soviet government to maintain control and implement land redistribution.

Military Revolutionary Committee

Committee directed by Trotsky to plan the seizure of power.

Moderate socialists

Walked out in protest during the Congress of Soviets, opposing Bolshevik dictatorship.

Dzerzhinsky

Leader of the Cheka, the secret police established by Lenin.

Political opponents

Individuals targeted by the Cheka to suppress dissent against Bolshevik rule.

Land redistribution

A measure implemented by the early Soviet government to consolidate control.

Immediate peace demands

Part of the early Soviet government's strategy to secure power.

All Power to the Soviets

A slogan exploited by Bolsheviks during the seizure of Petrograd.

Bolshevik Central Committee

Internal group that debated the timing of the armed uprising.