Trotsky's Contribution to the October Revolution

Leon Trotsky emerged as a key figure in the Bolshevik rise to power during the tumultuous events of 1917. After joining the Bolsheviks in July 1917, Trotsky quickly became an instrumental leader in the revolutionary movement. His appointment as Chairman of the Petrograd Soviet in September 1917 was a crucial development, allowing him to claim he was acting on behalf of the Soviet.

Highlight: Trotsky's role as Chairman of the Petrograd Soviet gave the Bolsheviks a significant advantage in legitimizing their actions.

Trotsky's organizational skills were evident in his management of the Red Guard, where he was responsible for recruitment and discipline. His excellent oratory skills allowed him to sway crowds effectively, making him a powerful asset to the Bolshevik cause.

Example: The Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC), set up by the Soviet to resist the transfer of revolutionary troops out of Petrograd, acted under Trotsky's leadership in the name of the Soviet.

In support of Lenin's decision to stage an uprising, Trotsky played a crucial role in planning the actual seizure of power in October. He advised on the timing of the revolution, coordinating it with the meeting of the All-Russian Congress of Soviets. This strategic timing was crucial for the success of the Bolshevik takeover.

Quote: "He planned the actual seizure of power in October - seizure of key buildings etc."

Trotsky's meticulous planning and coordination of the MRC's activities were instrumental in the success of the October Revolution. On the night of October 24-25th, Bolshevik soldiers, under Trotsky's direction, entered the Winter Palace and arrested what remained of the Provisional Government, effectively marking the end of its rule.

Vocabulary: The Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) was a body formed by the Petrograd Soviet to organize the armed workers and soldiers in preparation for the revolution.

The Fall of the Provisional Government

The collapse of the Provisional Government in Russia in 1917 was the culmination of its inherent weaknesses and the strategic actions of the Bolsheviks. The Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs), who had been part of the government, had been damaged by their collaboration with Kerensky's administration. This weakening of moderate socialist parties created a political vacuum that the Bolsheviks were poised to fill.

Highlight: The Bolsheviks experienced a dramatic increase in membership, growing from about 11,000 members in March 1917 to claiming over 300,000 by October 1917.

The rapid growth of the Bolshevik party was a clear indicator of their increasing popularity and the declining support for the Provisional Government. This surge in membership provided the Bolsheviks with a broader base of support and more resources to carry out their revolutionary plans.

Example: The Bolshevik party's membership growth from 11,000 to over 300,000 in just seven months demonstrates the rapid shift in popular support away from the Provisional Government.

The Provisional Government's inability to address key issues such as land reform, ending Russia's participation in World War I, and solving economic problems led to widespread disillusionment among the population. This dissatisfaction created fertile ground for the Bolsheviks' promises of "Peace, Bread, and Land" to gain traction.

Definition: The Provisional Government was the temporary administration formed after the February Revolution and the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in March 1917.

The final blow to the Provisional Government came with the Bolshevik-led October Revolution. The government's lack of popular support and its weakened state made it unable to effectively resist the Bolshevik takeover. The arrest of the remaining members of the Provisional Government at the Winter Palace marked the definitive end of its rule and the beginning of Bolshevik power in Russia.

Quote: "On the night of the 24-25th October, Bolshevik soldiers entered the Winter Palace and arrested what remained of the Provisional Government."

This event marked a pivotal moment in Russian history, ending the brief experiment with democratic governance and ushering in the era of Soviet rule that would shape Russia and global politics for decades to come.