In April 1917, with the assistance of the Germans, Lenin returned to Russia from Switzerland and immediately took control of the Bolsheviks, preparing to seize power using a clear plan. The plan included gaining control of the Petrograd Soviet and then proceeding to take power in the October Revolution in the name of the Soviet. This process was to be repeated in other cities.
Propaganda and Promises
The Bolsheviks used propaganda successfully to undermine the Provisional government. Lenin also made promises of "Peace, Land, and Bread" to the masses. The promise of peace was in response to the people's desire to end the war, offering land was to ensure that the peasants would remain neutral, and the claim that the Bolsheviks could solve food shortages provided hope for the masses.
April Theses Declaration
Upon his arrival in Petrograd, Lenin declared to a large gathering that no support must be given to the Provisional Government. The following day, he revealed his "April Theses" and declared all power to the Soviets, as the Bolsheviks did not believe in the existence of the Provisional Government.
Trotsky's Role
Trotsky, the chairman of the Petrograd Soviet, played a crucial role with his superb organizational skills. He also headed the Military Revolutionary Committee, which allowed socialists to infiltrate the army and effectively became an armed wing of the Bolsheviks. Trotsky's importance in ensuring the timing of the revolution was right cannot be overstated.
Strengths of the Bolsheviks and the October Revolution
The Bolsheviks experienced rapid growth due to the increasing dissatisfaction with the Provisional Government and the popularity of Lenin's simple and popular policies. By October, their membership had surged from 11,000 in March to over 300,000. Lenin declared in a secret Bolshevik meeting that history would not forgive them if they did not take power at that moment. Trotsky's plans for an armed revolutionary operation, which involved taking control of Petrograd's essential services, were put into action on the 24th and 25th of October, leading to the overthrow of the Provisional Government.
In conclusion, Lenin's return, supported by the Germans, and the strategic plan to gain control through the Petrograd Soviet and the use of propaganda and promises, as well as Trotsky's crucial role and the growing strength of the Bolsheviks, all played important parts in the success of the October Revolution.
