Russia AOS1 Causes October Revolution

Question 1

Why was the October Revolution Kerensky’s fault?

Answer 1

• by Oct no support -> rumours he was a drunk etc.
• British were convinced he was going to withdraw from the war -> no financial support
• Failed to act b/w 1-15 Oct when he could have arrested Bolshevik leaders
• Provoked Bolsheviks on the 23rd when they were too strong
• Bolsheviks had not actually planned for a revolution on the 25-26th October -> took advantage of situation Kerensky made

Question 2

Was it a revolution with popular support?

Answer 2

• Fighting against Kerensky’s actions result of the popular movement
• BUT not a mass revolution - Trotsky claims they had 30,000 - 40,000 supporters of whom only 10,000-15,000 attacked the Winter palace (only 5% of workers in Petrograd)
  -Most workers and soldiers (in milrevkom) wanted a socialist coalition through all power to the soviets not a one party state

Question 3

Lynch’s opinion

Answer 3

‘The Bolshevik Party exerted all influence out of proportion with its numbers’.
(only 5% of Petrograd workers participated in the storming of the Winter Palace)

Question 4

Wade’s opinion on the Bolsheviks

Answer 4

The Bolsheviks ‘became a political alternative for the disappointed and disenchanted’

Question 5

Ryan’s opinion on the Bolsheviks

Answer 5

‘The growing popularity and influence of the Bolsheviks by September 1917, combined with the decline of Kerensky and the Provisional Government, led Lenin to send a letter to the Central Committee titled ‘The Bolsheviks must take power’

Question 6

Trotsky’s opinion on the Bolsheviks

Answer 6

‘You might say in general about this government, that up to the days of October in hard moments it was always undergoing a crisis, and in the intervals between crises it was merely existing. Continually ‘discussing its condition,’ it found no time for business’

Question 7

Lynch on why the Bolsheviks were able to take power

Answer 7

‘Economically incompetent and militarily disastrous, the Provisional Government was not considered worth struggling to save. In October 1917, the Bolsheviks were pushing against an already open door.’

Question 8

Beginning of Provisional Government

Answer 8

Lvov appointed Prime Minister because:
o He had experience leading the union of towns
o He had no formal affiliation with any political party
Appointments made by Miliukov and Lvov
Provisional government limited because:
o Assumed power in a power vacuum
o Was not elected and had no popular mandate
o Believed they would only govern until a Constituent Assembly was formed → left many reforms for them to complete in the future
Provisional Government made a series of reforms:
o Recognition of trade unions
o 8 hour working day for industrial workers
o Capital punishment and Okhrana abolished
o Freedom of speech, assembly and press established
o However, PG did not make any reforms to industry, agriculture, the war effort or inflation → did not meet expectations of the public

Question 9

Dual Authority

Answer 9

Refers to sharing of power between Provisional Government and Petrograd Soviet
Soviet Order #1 – Petrograd garrison only obligated to follow the directives of the PG when they do not conflict with the orders of the Soviet
o This was a direct challenge to power of PG
o Led to a split in power between military officers and soldiers

Question 10

Lenin’s Return to Russia

Answer 10

A
First leading Bolsheviks to return were Stalin and Kamenev → provided cautious support to PG → angered Lenin
Lenin was stuck in Zurich and unable to cross German territory
Germans formulated plan to secretly escort Lenin and 31 other Bolsheviks back to Russia → aim to cause political instability

Question 11

April Theses

Answer 11

4th April 1917
Expected that Lenin would speak about need to unite Bolsheviks and Mensheviks
However, he instead spoke about:
o Denunciation of Provisional government due to capitalist nature and ongoing support for ‘imperialistic’ WWI → urge Bolsheviks to not support it and instead criticise it
o Need for a second revolution for the workers to take control, as part of the Soviet
o Nationalisation of all land
o Abolition of police, army and bureaucracy
o Increased propaganda and introduction of clear slogans
Became a radical manifesto that appealed to workers and soldiers
By end of April, the theses had broad support in the Bolshevik party
Led to Bolsheviks becoming more recognisable

Question 12

Provisional Government’s War Aims

Answer 12

A
14th March – Petrograd Soviet called for end to war but without concessions → forced PG to declare its aims
Disagreement existed in PG:
o Lvov and Kerensky believed that peace needed to be made
o Guchkov and Miliukov believed that the war should continue until Russia was victorious
Final declaration aligned with Soviet’s position

Question 13

Miliukov’s Note

Answer 13

However, Miliukov continued to oppose this position so produced a note to accompany the declaration outlining the need for a decisive victory
This lead to widespread fury amongst workers and soldiers → protests of 25k with calls to end war and for Guchkov and Miliukov to resign
Miliukov’s note played into Lenin’s argument

Question 14

April Crisis

Answer 14

Protests about Miliukov’s note → gave validity to Lenin’s ideas
Lvov forced to ask for support by Soviet → 3 day ban on demonstrations by Soviet
Outcome – PG survived but demonstrated its’ fundamental lack of power and lost support from the public

Question 15

First Coalition Government

Answer 15

Guchkov and Miliukov reluctantly resign in late April/early May
Lvov aimed to restore support and legitimacy to PG → urged Soviet leaders to join
5th May – new coalition formed, including 6 socialists, who hoped for greater influence and populist policies
Divide formed between Liberals and Socialists → difficulty creating change → Mensheviks and SRs involved in PG had reputations tarnished as they were blamed for lack of action
Meanwhile, Bolsheviks did not participate in PG so did not lose their reputation = played into Lenin’s argument

Question 16

June Offensive

Answer 16

1st Coalition began preparing for a renewed military offensive
Kerensky was concerned about low morale and effects of a German victory on revolution, and pressure from allies → announce a new offence
Kerensky’s speeches labelled him the ‘Supreme Persuader in Chief’ and created an enthusiastic response from soldiers
Brusilov, known for preparedness and aggression, made Commander in Chief on 23rd May
Offensive initially a success with 30km gained
However, Russia suffered 40k losses, including the most elite and loyal troops → offensive stalled by July 2
6th July – counter attack from Germany → 400k soldiers retreat, spike in desertions and Germans had advanced 230km
Brusilov blamed defeat on Bolshevik influence
Consequences:
o Morale completely eroded
o Soviet War aim discredited
o Dual Authority put under great strain
o Confidence in Government plummeted → increased support for Bolsheviks

Question 17

July Days

Answer 17

First Machine Gun regiment advised of deployment to front line → Petrograd Soviet meeting on 2nd July → passing of anti government resolutions and calls for demonstration
3rd July – armed workers and soldiers march toward city → street fighting between protesters and right wing groups → 400 deaths
4th July – hundreds of thousands protest, and 2500 sailors from Kronstadt are praised by Lenin but are urged to maintain restraint
50k gather at Tauride palace but Lenin does not act – concerned about whether he would have Soviet support
Soviet had no desire to take power, despite being urged by workers and soldiers → frustration at Soviet
Chernov (Min. for Agriculture) sent to explain to crowd how situation was being managed → kidnapped by protesters and told to ‘take power’
However, by the end of 4th July the protests had fizzled out due to lack of leadership
Pereverzev (Min. for Justice) blamed situation on Bolsheviks, suggested Bolsheviks were supported by Germans and raided offices of Pravda → soldiers return to Tauride Palace to protect PG and Soviet
Kernsky ordered seizure of Bolshevik HQ, arrest of Bolshevik leaders → 800 arrested, Lenin flees to Finland, and party members attacked and removed from factories by workers

Question 18

Second Coalition Government

Answer 18

8th July – PM Lvov resigns as he is disillusioned with internal fighting and is concerned about social tensions → Kerensky becomes new PM
Kerensky immediately tries to form new government → enormous pressure on him:
o Left wing want an end to the war and resolution to economic issues
o Right wind want a continuation to the war until victory
18th July – Kerensky believed strong leadership would lead to success → Kornilov appointed Commander in Chief
o Believer in strong discipline
o Hated the Soviet and Bolsheviks
o Did not have an understanding of the political system in Russia
25th July – Second Coalition Government takes office
o All ministers asked to act as individuals, not representatives of parties, to increase unity and stability; however, this did not work
Kornilov provided a list of demands:
o Restoration of death penalty to reduce desertions and mutinies
o Ban soldier committees and political meetings on the front
o Factories working for defence should be subject to military discipline and have a set of quotas established
o Ban on strikes with strikers to receive death penalty
Kornilov’s demands → concerned Kerensky about his appointment

Question 19

Moscow State Conference

Answer 19

Kerensky convened a meeting of 2500 delegates from diverse background to try to create unity and support for new government
o Did not include any representatives from Bolsheviks
Conference revealed deep divisions in Russian politics
Kornilov arrives on day 2 and emphasised need for discipline and order
Conference ultimately made no progress whatsoever

Question 20

Kornilov Affair

Answer 20

19th August – Kornilov orders his Cossack units to move closer to Petrograd
o Argues this was to protect the Northern Front
o However, this was really to disperse the Soviet
Former Minister for the Church, Lvov, acted as a mediator between Kerensky and Kornilov
o Lvov interfered with messages
o Told Kerensky that Kornilov was demanding dictatorial powers and Kerensky’s resignation
o Told Kornilov that Kerensky was encouraging him to establish a military dictatorship
o Neither of these messages were true → worsened situation
Kerensky impersonates Lvov in a telegram asking him to confirm his real intentions
27th August – Kerensky telegrams Kornilov advising him he is dismissed → Kornilov believing he has been betrayed or Kerensky was held hostage by the Soviet → Kornilov dismissed order and commands his troops to advance on Petrograd to ‘save Russia’

Question 21

Significance of Kornilov Affair

Answer 21

PG forced to plead for support from Soviet – Soviet demands for release of Bolsheviks
Bolsheviks organise workers’ militias, known as Red Guards
30th August – Kornilov and closest officers arrested
Increased problems for Kerensky:
o Divisions between soldiers and officers grew
o Military discipline fell
o Unemployment growing → crime increased
o Food supply crisis – caused by bad harvest and ongoing land seizures
o Popularity fell
Reputation of Mensheviks and SRs ruined due to involvement in Second Coalition
Bolshevik popularity grew dramatically as they were able to portray themselves as protectors of the revolution

Question 22

Meeting of Bolsheviks (10 October)

Answer 22

Decision made that Bolsheviks should launch an armed insurrection
Trotsky believes that they should wait until Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets, and Lenin agrees
Date of insurrection not set
Kamenev and Zinoviev continue to disagree with plan → publicly stating objections → Lenin becomes furious

Question 23

Military Revolutionary Committee

Answer 23

Formed by Bolsheviks on 16th October
Took control of Petrograd garrison - aimed to protect Soviet from an armed coup/counterrevolutionaries and to protect Petrograd from German offensive
Trotsky was a key member and exerted large influence
Provisional Government lost control of Petrograd as had no military power
Allows Bolsheviks to launch an insurrection

Question 24

Events Prior to
October Revolution

Answer 24

23rd October:
o Kerensky orders destruction of bridges linking the city to working class suburbs
o Kerensky orders the shutdown of 2 Bolshevik newspapers
24th October:
o Red Guards retake control of checkpoints and printing presses
o Milrevkom has taken control of strategic buildings
o Soldiers loyal to Provisional Government surrender
25th October:
o Bolsheviks have control over public services – post, electricity, banks, railways and telegraphs
o Lenin comes out of hiding
o Bolsheviks initiate plans to attack winter palace

Question 25

Assault on Winter Palace (25 October)

Answer 25

Kronstadt sailors arrive 3 hours late → force Bolsheviks to delay assault
Plan to use cannons fails as it is learned the planned cannon is only a historical artefact
Aurora late – arrives at 9:40pm
Provisional Government soldiers waiting for assault leave positions to have dinner → weakest soldiers in charge (140 volunteers, 40 disabled soldiers, trainees and bicycle officers)
40k Bolsheviks able to enter through unarmed doors
Takes 4.5 hours to find remaining PG ministers – Kerensky escaped before this time

Question 26

Congress of Soviets (25 October)

Answer 26

Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets begins on 25th October at 10:40pm, despite Bolshevik attempts to delay
Martov (Menshevik) calls for a socialist coalition government
o Lenin rejects this as it would mean Bolsheviks would have limited influence
Complete rejection of this call → Mensheviks and SRs stage a walkout → no opposition to Bolsheviks

Question 27

Conditions Prior to July Days

Answer 27

Deteriorating economic conditions and discontent with PG → increased number of strikes and revolutionary ideas prevalent
Returning soldiers had gained more radical views → increased number of land seizures
Greater exposure to revolutionary ideals through rural Soviets
Government urged peasants to wait for Constituent Assembly
PG also losing power to nationalist groups hoping for greater autonomy
o Concessions to Rada (Ukraine) → all Kadets resign from coalition on July 2nd

Question 28

Consequences of July Days

Answer 28

Bolsheviks did not have power to drive through with a revolutionary movement
Government still maintained military support
Demonstrated that a popular movement with strong leadership could lead to collapse of Government