The october/november 1917 revolution

Lenins role in the october/november revolution and in establishment of power

Ideological leadership , he was the face behind the bolshevik party ordered storm of the winter palace and seizure of power from the Provisional government

Leon Trotsky

head of the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC), he organized the Red Guards, coordinated the seizure of government buildings,

Casues of the october revolution

weakness of dual power;

growing bolshevik influence

Kornilov Affair (late August 1917): failed coup, boosted Bolshevik credibility and portrayed them as defenders of Petrograd against counter‑revolution

Decree on Land

Issued on October 26th 1917.

First decree established by soviet government

Declared abolition of private land,peasants seized land back

Major part in winning Russia’s support

Decree on press

26th november 1917

a way the soviet government could control the media after the revolution,shut down opposition newspapers

consolidate bolshevik power and remove challenges

Decree on workers control

November 14th 1917

support of working class protection was aligned with needs of the workers

authoirty to control wages,working hours

Decree on titles

November 12th 1917

dismantle old aristocratic and class based structures in russian society

Decree on political parties

November 7th 1917

aim to eliminate any threat to the bolshevik party

Banning of mensheviks/SRS

Decree on banking

November 14th 1917

change economic structure and replace with the socialist sytem

Sovnarkom

On October 26, 1917, Lenin and the Bolsheviks established the Sovnarkom, which became the new governing body. Lenin was the head of Sovnarkom, and it included other Bolshevik leaders like Trotsky, Stalin, and Bukharin.

Decree on peace

november 8 1917

26 october (old style)

This called for an immediate armistice with Germany and the end of Russia's participation in World War

Cheka:

The Bolshevik secret police established to suppress opposition

(7 Dec): state political police under Felix Dzerzhinsky, to suppress counter-revolution and opposition

Membership for Bolsheviks in 1917

February-10,000

October-250,000

November 1917 elections

Bolsehviks only had 24% of the vote , the SRs had 53%

The October Revolution date

(October 25–26, 1917)

MRC & Red Guards seize key sites—bridges, railway stations, telegraph, post, the Winter Palace; minimal resistance; Kerensky flees

The October Revolution

• The Winter Palace was stormed by Bolshevik forces,On october 25 and the government ministers were arrested.

• The All-Russian Congress of Soviets convened on October 25. Lenin declared All power to the Soviets

• The Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC), led by Leon Trotsky, played a crucial role in coordinating the Bolshevik takeover of the Winter Palace and other key areas.

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

(March 1918):

by signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany, large amounts of land were lost but peace was ensured

• This decision caused anger among many Russian nationalists and even some Bolsheviks, but Lenin saw it as necessary for consolidating power and avoiding further destruction.

first stage of the revolution

on the night of 24-25 october units of the red guard ,sailors and garrison were sent out to seize key points in the city- bridges,telephone exchange,the main railway

MRC established by Petrograd soviet

October 16th 1917-The MRC established by Petrograd soviet ,Trotsky was appointed leader,preparation for the revolution.The MRC secretly begins to prepare for storming of the provisional government

Weakness of the Provisional Government:

Failure to Withdraw from World War I: The Provisional Government, led by figures such as Alexander Kerensky, made the crucial mistake of continuing Russia’s involvement in World War I. This kept the army and the population disillusioned

Failure to Address Land Reform:

The Provisional Government also failed to implement land reforms, which were vital to gaining the support of the peasants. many peasants were frustrated with the government’s inaction.

Influence of the Bolsheviks:

• Strong Leadership and Ideology

The Bolsheviks were able to exploit the dissatisfaction with the Provisional Government. Lenin’s promise of "Peace, Land, and Bread" resonated with soldiers, workers, and peasants. The Bolsheviks also gained support due to their radical approach to revolution, which contrasted with the moderate policies of the Provisional Government.

Why were Kamenev and Zinoviev ideologially oppossed to the revolution

They were marxists which called for a proletarian revolution to overthrow capitalism and establish a socialist society.

The power vaccum

Lenin had been in finland watching events unfold and decided the time was right for the bolsheviks to seize power;

the PG was helpess,the bolsheviks had control of the soviet and their popularity was at an all time high

the power vacuum after tje kornilvo after determined lenin to fill it

What did lenin write

on 12 september Lenin wrote to the bolshevik central committee “History will not forgive us if we do not assume power now” but the committee believed his plans were premature

it was on october 10 lenin ad secretly come to petrogard to convince them and they agreed - planned revolution - an armed uprising was approved

What policies of the bolsheviks worked in their favour

-they were the only party opposed to the war - greatly increased their popularity

-advocated for land distribution for peasants

radical policies were in tune with the workers and soldiers aspirations their slogan fitted with what the masses needed