Feb and Oct 1917, Dual Authority, Lenin and Civil War

What was the Feb 1917 Revolution?

A spontaneous, urban uprising in Petrograd that ended 300 years of Romanov rule and forced the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.

Long-term causes of the Feb 1917 Revolution

• Autocratic rule of the Tsar

• Ineffective reforms & political repression

• Widespread poverty and inequality

• Weakness of the Duma (little real power)

Short-term causes of Feb 1917 Revolution

• WWI disasters: military defeats, massive casualties

• Food shortages & inflation

• Strikes and discontent in Petrograd

• Loss of faith in the Tsar after he took command of the army

23-27th February 1917 (8-12 March, new style) - what occurred

• Bread riots begin on International Women’s Day

• Strikes spread across Petrograd

• Soldiers mutiny and join the protesters

• Petrograd is effectively lost to the Tsar

Formation of Dual Power

• Petrograd Soviet (workers & soldiers) forms

• Provisional Government forms from the Duma

• Both claim authority — “Dual Power”

The Tsars abdication

• 2 March 1917 (15 March, New Style)

• Nicholas II abdicates for himself and his son

• Ends Romanov dynasty

• Russia becomes a republic

Immediate consequences of the Feb 1917 Revolution

• Provisional Government takes power

• Freedom of speech, press, and political parties

• Army discipline weakens (Order No. 1)

Long-term consequences of the Feb 1917 Revolution

• Continued war → rising discontent

• Weak Provisional Government

• Increased support for Bolsheviks

• Leads directly to the October Revolution (1917)

Constituent Assembly

An elected parliament whose main job is to write a constitution which sets out a new system of government.

What were the 2 governing bodies during the age of dual authority?

Provisional Government and Petrograd Soviet

Role of the Provisional Government

Leading figures from liberal parties (e.g. Kadets) were led by Prince Lvov and was chosen by a Duma Committee.

Only ran until the constituent assembly was elected.

Role of the Petrograd Soviet

Represented the workers and soldiers by the socialist intellectuals, mainly Mensheviks + SR.

Protected the interests of working class and soldiers.

The Intellectuals formed the leadership.

Soviet Order 1

Soviet would listen to the Provisional Government and work with them... if the Petrograd Soviet agrees.

Issue 1 - The War

Kadets and Moderates wanted to remain in the war.

Socialists were divided.

Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries wanted peace.Is

Issue 2 - the July/Kerensky Offensive

Was an offensive to go against the Germans on the Eastern Front, soldiers didn’t want to attack.

But after 3 days, it fell apart with thousands dying. Moderate socialists lost credibility.

Issue 3 - Land & Peasants

Land was distributed to peasants from land owners, but many wanted compensation.

It was a very poorly mishandled situation.

Issue 4 - National Minorities

Some demanded outright independence (Finns and Poles), whilst others demanded autonomy (Caucuses).

Ukraine was granted concessions but the government didn’t want to divide during war, so the delay showed inept governing.

Issue 5 - Social Reform

Workers wanted better wages, working conditions, hours, and more influence from them.

But the progress was slow which frustrated the workers.

Issue 6 - Economic Situation

Russia was experiencing food shortages, unemployment, and high prices.

But peasants were refusing to give up grain so the government couldn’t do anything about it.

Crisis of 1917 - The July Days

Frustration of radical workers and soldiers erupted in several days of rioting.

July 4th: 200,000 soldiers from Kronstadt marched on Petrograd demanding the Soviet take power.

The dual authority framed Lenin as being a German ally and forced exiled.

Crisis of 1917 - Resignation of Prince Lvov

Prince Lvov, head of the PG, ordered the July offensive so he stood down.

The Provisional Government promoted Alexander Kerensky, a moderate socialist who had good relations with both governments. (July 21st 1917)

Crisis of 1917 - Kerensky’s struggle

Kerensky was now in control of a disintegrating country. Lawlessness was a problem in both the cities and the countryside.

Soldiers in the army deserting and middle-class were worried he was too left wing.

Crisis of 1917 - Kornilov’s Revolt

7th September, Kornilov wanted the PG to resign and give the power to him.

And Kornilov was moving his forces to establish military control through a Coup d'état.

Kerensky turns to the Bolshevik Party and demanded their help in repelling Kornilov.

Bolsheviks - what they were and key figures.

The ‘majority’ faction from the Social Democrats who believed in discipline, centralisation, organisation, role of the Proletariat, and party guidance.

Key Figures - Lenin, Kamenev, Zinoviev.

Mensheviks - what were they?

The ‘minority’ faction from the Social Democrats who believed in corporation with liberals rather than peasantries, and the use of legal channels.

Lenin's April Thesis

Called the Feb Revolution 'fake' and the PG weren't very good. Instead he declared for a new a revolution and his slogan was introduced: "Peace, Bread, Land"

Central Committee Meeting

10th October 1917: leading figures of the Bolshevik party met to discuss whether it was the right time begin their revolution.
Yes = Lenin and Trotsky
No = Kamenev and Zinoviev
Other 8 undecided (included Stalin)

Outcome of the Central Committee Meeting

Voted 10-2 in favour of revolt.

Kamenev and Zinoviev so upset they publish their opposition (Lenin never forgave).

All party members informed and told 'an armed uprising was inevitable'

What caused the Bolsheviks to launch the October Revolution?

• Provisional Government weaknesses: failure to leave WWI, economic crisis, loss of public support.

• Kornilov Affair: boosted Bolshevik popularity as defenders of Petrograd.

• Lenin’s leadership: pushed for immediate overthrow (“All Power to the Soviets”).

• Bolshevik majority in Petrograd Soviet by September 1917 made a takeover possible.

What happened during the October Revolution and what were its outcomes?

• 24–26 October 1917: Red Guards seize key Petrograd locations (bridges, telegraph, railways).

• Storming of the Winter Palace: Provisional Government arrested with little resistance.

• Bolsheviks take control: Council of People’s Commissars (Sovnarkom) formed under Lenin.

• Immediate decrees: land to peasants, workers’ control in factories, peace talks (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk).

• Begins the Russian Civil War and establishes one-party Bolshevik rule.

The Cheka

Lenin's secret police whose role was to 'protect' the revolution from 'class-enemies' and become the first of a series of Soviet secret police organisations. Generally operating outside the rule of law.

What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

Treaty that pulled Russia out of WW1 and solved one of Lenin's slogans: "peace"

What did Lenin and Trotsky want from the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

Lenin wanted immediate peace as he didn't care for the capitalist west.

Felt Germany could be a useful economic ally to the Bolsheviks.

Trotsky wished-for long-drawn-out peace negotiations giving time for the West to defeat Germany. Called it "Neither Peace nor War".

Terms of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Russia lost Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to independence.

Handed territory to Germany and Romania and had to pay Germany 6 billion Marks in reparations.

Repealed in November 1918 because Germany lost the War.

The 3 armies of the Russian Civil War

The Reds (Bolsheviks) - Protect the Communist state Russia currently was.

The Whites (Anti-Bolsheviks) - Wanted the Tsar and the ruling classes back controlling Russia.

The Greens (Peasants) - Didn't care and just wanted to protect their land, if they had to choose side with the Reds.

War Communisms one goal

The whole economy should be geared towards helping the Reds win the Civil War.

Aspect of War Communism - Grain Requestioning

May 1918: food-supplies dictatorship set up, with units of the Red Guard and soldiers forcibly requestioned food from the peasants who resisted bitterly.

Aspect of War Communism - Nationalisation of Industry

The decree on nationalisation in June 1918 brought all industry under state control by the Vesenkha.

Committees were replaced by single managers reporting to central authorities.

Did nothing by itself to increase production.

Aspect of War Communism - Banning of Private Trade

Private trade and manufacturing were banned, however industry wasn’t producing enough consumer goods.

Black Market developed to keep people alive.

Aspect of War Communism - Labour Discipline

Fines for lateness and absenteeism.

Internal passports were introduced to stop migration to the countryside.

A workbook was required to receive rations.

Aspect of War Communism - Rationing

Red army soldiers and the labour force were given priority, with smaller rations given to civil servants and professionals such as doctors.

Smallest rations were given to the bourgeoise and the middle class.

Kulak

A wealthy peasant who owns land.

Tambov Rising 1920

Led by Alexander Antonov (SR) and peasant armies in a retaliation of the grain requestioning. Used brutal Gorilla Tactics of 20,000 men led to a cycle of violence. Red armies were sent in to suppress the rebellion, continuing the violence. Antonov killed by the Cheka in June 1922.

The New Economic Policy (NEP)

Introduced in 1921, as the Civil War was ending. Reduction in State Control of the economy, and the introduction of aspects of capitalism and the "free market"

10th Party Congress, March 1921

Lenin announced the ban on factions within the Bolshevik party.

Also announced the NEP.

Scissors Crisis 1923

Post Civil War, agricultural prices dropped because Kulaks increased supply.

Industrial prices increased since the NEP was introduced to replace War Communism.

When did Lenin die?

21st January 1924.