Bolshevik Seizure & Consolidation of Power Flashcards
When did Lenin return to Petrograd and why?
On 7 Oct, to attend a Central Committee meeting to try and win them over on Lenin immediately taking power.
What Kerensky’s reaction to Lenin’s return?
He sent radical arm units to Petrograd, allowing Trotsky and Dzerzhinsky to set up the Military Revolution Committee in Moscow. They appointed Bolshevik commissars to their troop units.
On 10 October Lenin finally won the vote in favour of revolution. What was the score and who opposed?
10-2, Zinoviev and Kamenev opposed.
What happened on 24-25 October 1917?
5000 sailors and soldiers from Kronstadt moved into the city and the Bolshevik Red Guards seized key positions in the city. These included telephone exchange, post office, railway, news agency, bank, bridge and power station. Kerensky’s troops usually gave in without resistance.
On the 25th October, what did Kerensky do?
Left for the front to try get more loyal troops to defend te city.
What happened at 9:40 on 25 October?
A shot from the Battleship Aurora was heard, signifying the start of the attack on the Winter Palace.
How large was the revolution?
Relatively small-scale, 30,000 troops or less. There were 15,000 in front of the Winter Palace but the amount that were simply spectators is to be debated, likely the majority.
What were the weaknesses of the Provisional Government?
Their weak political position and dual power.
Their policies.
Kerensky’s mistakes such as leaving Moscow
Defeat in WW1
What were the Bolshevik strengths at the time?
Political maneouvres
Policies - PBL
Lenin & Trotsky as leaders
Pressure from workers & peasants.
What happened at the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets?
On 26 October - it was clear that there was still opposition - Z&K.
500 voted in favour of a socialist government with Mensheviks and RW SRs to be left off the executive committee.
Who walked out of the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets?
The moderates - including the Mensheviks walked out, leaving a Bolshevik-SR coalition in control.
What was established by the executive committee?
The Soviet of People’s Commissars - otherwise known as Sovnarkom. This was exclusively Bolsheviks.
What were the decrees issued in October 1917?
Decree on Peace, Abolition of Private Ownership of Land.
What were the decrees issued in November 1917?
Workers Control Decree, Nationality Decree promising self-determination of nationality. New legal system in courts. Women became equal citizens.
What were the decrees issued in December 1917?
Military decree removed ranks and saluting. Church decrees nationalised Church land and removed marriage and divorce from Church control, and nationalised banks.
