Chapter four - The October/November Revolution Flashcards
What caused the October revolution?
Weaknesses of the provisional government
The defeat in the First World War
The political manoeuvres of the Bolsheviks under Lenin
The deteriorating economic situation
What happened on the 23rd October?
Kerensky ordered the printers of two Bolshevik newspapers to cease activities in attempt to restrict the power of the Military Revolutionary Committee and sent troops to raise the the bridges linking the working class area of Petrograd to the city centre. He was prevented from doing this by troops loyal to the Bolsheviks.
What happened on the 24th October?
On the night of the 24th, 5000 soldiers from Kronstadt moved into the city and the Red Guards began to take over key government buildings such as the telephone exchange, railway stations, the state bank and power stations.
Lenin returned from hiding in the evening.
What happened on the 25th October?
Kerensky left Petrograd in an attempt to rally military support. The Red Guard surrounded the Winter Palace and they were easily able to penetrate the building. The Second Congress of Soviets convened, although the Bolsheviks didn’t turn up until midnight.
What happened on the 26th October?
In the early hours of the morning, the Congress greeted the announcement of the Capture of the Winter Palace and the arrest of the remaining members of the PG. Lenin’s Decree on Peace was adapted unanimously.
What happened on the 27th October?
The decree on land was agreed, but this was opposed by the SRs and Mensheviks. A new All-Russian Central Executive Committee was elected containing 62 Bolsheviks and 29 left-wing SRs out of a total 101. The Sovnarkom was created out of only Bolsheviks.
What was the extent of the October revolution?
Trotsky claimed there was only 30,000 people involved - 5% of total workers and soldiers in the city. There was very little fighting in the 3 days and records suggest there were no more than five deaths.
How did the Bolsheviks establish control?
Kerensky’s opposition force was defeated on the 2nd November and they took the Kremlin on the 3rd. Kamenev, Zinoviev and Rykov left as they were unhappy with the new government.
October 1917 decrees?
Workers decree established maximum 8 hour day.
Press decree banned opposition press.
Decree on war promised to end the war
Decree on land abolished private ownership of land and legitimised peasant seizures
Social insurance decree provided old age, health and unemployment benefits
November 1917 decrees?
Rights of the people of Russia decree abolished titles and class ranks
Nationality decree promised self-determination to the peoples of the former Russian Empire
Decree on workers’ control of factories gave workers the right to supervise management
Judicial decree established a new legal system of elected people’s courts
Decree to outlaw sex discrimination gave women equality and the right to own property
December 1917 decrees?
The Cheka was created to root out opposition
The bank decree nationalised banks and ended private flow of capital
Military decree removed class ranks and placed the army under the control of soldiers’ soviets, which elected officials
Decree on church nationalised church land and gave women the right to initiate divorce
What were some steps taken to combat opposition?
A propaganda campaign was mounted against political and class enemies
Anti-Bolshevik newspapers were closed down
There was a purge of the civil service
The Cheka was established. Leading Kadets, right wing SRs and Mensheviks were rounded up and imprisoned in December
