Political Tensions and Bolshevik Rise to Power

By September 1917, the Bolsheviks had gained a majority in both the Petrograd and Moscow Soviets. This shift reflected changing attitudes among workers and soldiers rather than a broad swing in public opinion.

Example: Soviet meetings that were once well-attended saw declining participation, with a higher proportion of radical elements remaining active.

The Provisional Government, led by Alexander Kerensky, struggled to maintain control. Kerensky's actions, including his response to the Kornilov Affair, inadvertently strengthened the Bolsheviks' position.

Highlight: Kerensky's attempt to create a "pre-parliament" to broaden his government's base backfired, as the Bolsheviks used it as an opportunity to mock and undermine the Provisional Government.

Lenin's Return and Revolutionary Strategy

Vladimir Lenin, who had been in exile, returned to Russia with a clear vision for revolution. His "April Theses" outlined a radical program that included:

• Immediate peace
• Land redistribution
• Transfer of power to the Soviets

Quote: "Lenin wrote on 12 September: History will not forgive us if we do not assume power."

Lenin insisted on launching the revolution before the meeting of the All-Russian Congress of Soviets and the election of the Constituent Assembly. He believed timing was crucial to seize power effectively.

The October Revolution Unfolds

On October 24-25, 1917, the Bolsheviks launched their uprising in Petrograd. Key events included:

1. Seizure of strategic points in the city
2. Storming of the Winter Palace
3. Kerensky's flight from Petrograd
4. Establishment of Bolshevik control

Highlight: The revolution was relatively bloodless compared to the February Revolution earlier that year.

On October 26, the Bolsheviks established the Sovnarkom, with Lenin as its head. This marked the beginning of Soviet rule in Russia and set the stage for the creation of the world's first socialist state.

Vocabulary: Sovnarkom - Council of People's Commissars, the first government of Soviet Russia.

The October Revolution's success was due to a combination of factors, including the Bolsheviks' organization, the weakness of the Provisional Government, and the popular appeal of their slogans: "Peace, Land, and Bread."

The Military Revolutionary Committee and Trotsky's Role

The Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) was instrumental in the October Revolution. Established by the Petrograd Soviet, it allowed the Bolsheviks to gain control of Petrograd.

Highlight: The MRC was initially created to defend Petrograd against possible German attacks or internal threats.

Leon Trotsky, as chairman of the Petrograd Soviet, played a pivotal role in organizing the revolution. He was elected on October 9 and set up the MRC, which became a powerful tool for the Bolsheviks.

Quote: "While Lenin was undoubtedly the great influence behind the October rising, it was Trotsky who organized it."

Trotsky's leadership in the MRC allowed him to direct the Red Guards in seizing key locations like bridges and telegraph offices when Lenin gave the order to uprising.

Vocabulary: Red Guards - Armed workers who supported the Bolsheviks during the revolution.

Timeline of Key Events

The revolution unfolded rapidly in the autumn of 1917:

• September 25: Bolsheviks gained a majority in the Petrograd Soviet
• October 9: Petrograd Soviet established the Military Revolutionary Committee
• October 11: Kamenev and Zinoviev publicly opposed the idea of revolution
• October 23: Kerensky attempted to shut down Bolshevik propaganda
• October 24-25: Bolsheviks took control of Petrograd
• October 26: Bolsheviks established Sovnarkom (Council of People's Commissars)

Definition: Sovnarkom - The first government of the Soviet Union, formed after the October Revolution.