Developments Between The Revolutions Of 1917 Flashcards
What significant event occurred on April 3, 1917?
Lenin returns and the April Theses are compiled over the next few weeks
This marks a pivotal moment in the Bolshevik movement and their strategy for the revolution.
What was the role of Trotsky in the Bolshevik Party during 1917?
Trotsky joins the Bolsheviks on June 2, 1917
His involvement significantly strengthened the party’s leadership and strategy.
What were the ‘July Days’?
A series of anti-government demonstrations in Petrograd from July 3 to July 5, 1917
These events reflected the growing unrest among the populace and the Bolsheviks’ increasing influence.
What happened to Bolshevik leaders during the July Days?
Bolshevik leaders (including Trotsky) are arrested; Lenin flees to Finland
This setback temporarily weakened the Bolshevik leadership.
Who became Prime Minister after the July Days?
Kerensky (Socialist) becomes Prime Minister
His leadership was marked by continued instability and dissatisfaction among the populace.
What was the outcome of Kornilov’s coup?
Kornilov’s coup fails and the Bolshevik Red Guards are given arms
This event bolstered the Bolsheviks’ position as they were seen as defenders against counter-revolutionary forces.
What position did Trotsky hold in the Petrograd Soviet in September 1917?
Trotsky becomes chairman of the Petrograd Soviet
This role allowed him to exert significant influence over the revolutionary movement.
What did Lenin call for during the meeting of the Bolshevik Central Committee on October 10, 1917?
A Bolshevik-led revolution is agreed
This decision was crucial in the lead-up to the October Revolution.
Fill in the blank: The first All-Russian Congress Soviet meets on _______.
June 3, 1917
This congress was significant for establishing Soviet power and representation.
What significant military organization was set up under Trotsky and Dzerzhinsky?
Military Revolutionary Committee
This committee played a key role in the organization and execution of the Bolshevik Revolution.
True or False: At the time of the February/March revolution in 1917, the Bolsheviks were a large political party with significant representation.
False
The Bolsheviks were a small party with only 23,000 members and limited representation.
Who were the first Bolshevik leaders to reach Petrograd in March 1917?
Lev Kamenev and Josef Vissarionovich Djugashvily (Stalin)
Their return was instrumental in re-establishing Bolshevik leadership in Petrograd.
Who was Lev Borisovich Kamener?
A Jewish railway engineer’s son, member of the Social Democrats, opposed Lenin’s April Theses, became a Commissar, and was executed in 1936.
Kamener met Stalin in Siberia and was involved in Brest-Litovsk negotiations.
What was Kamener’s stance on the October 1917 uprising?
He voted against an armed uprising, preferring a coalition with the Socialists.
He was opposed to Lenin’s approach during this period.
What significant position did Kamener hold in Lenin’s government?
He was made a Commissar.
His role included participation in peace negotiations with Germany.
What happened to Kamener in 1932?
He was expelled from the party by Stalin.
This marked the decline of his political influence.
Who was Josef Vissarionovich Djugashvily?
Also known as Stalin, a leading Bolshevik with peasant roots who became a dictator of Russia.
He trained as a priest before joining the revolutionary movement.
What role did Stalin play in the October Revolution?
He played a minor role but was made Commissar for Nationalities.
His background influenced this appointment.
What was the significance of Lenin’s return to Russia in 1917?
It was crucial for the Bolshevik revolution, as he brought a political program ready for implementation.
Lenin’s return was marked by a rousing speech.
What was the ‘sealed train’?
A train Lenin used to travel from Switzerland to Petrograd, which had no passport or luggage inspections.
It included 31 comrades and was crucial for maintaining secrecy.
What was one of Lenin’s key political demands during his journey?
Power should be placed in the hands of local soviets.
This was part of his broader program for the revolution.
Fill in the blank: Lenin believed in the concept of _______.
‘permanent revolution’.
True or False: Stalin was known for his role in robbing banks to fund the Bolshevik cause.
True.
This was part of his early activities as a Bolshevik.
What did Lenin argue regarding the war during his journey?
The war should end.
This was a critical stance for the Bolsheviks.
List two countries involved in Lenin’s journey from Switzerland.
- Finland
- Sweden
What was the relationship between Lenin’s ideology and the idea of a ‘bourgeois revolution’?
Lenin rejected the idea of a full ‘bourgeois revolution’.
He believed in a more direct approach to socialist revolution.
What were the main demands of Lenin’s April Theses?
- The war should be brought to an immediate end
- Power should be transferred to the Soviets
- All land should be taken over by the state and re-allocated to peasants by local Soviets
This set of demands is often summarized as ‘peace, bread and land’ and is supported by the motto ‘All power to the Soviets’.
True or False: The Bolshevik Party was under Lenin’s tight control in April 1917.
False
This was a myth spread by later Soviet historians.
Fill in the blank: Lenin’s April Theses demanded that power should be transferred to the _______.
[Soviets]
What was the reaction among the delegates regarding Lenin’s proposals?
Uproar among the delegates
What did some Bolsheviks fear about Lenin during his exile?
That Lenin had grown out of touch and his radical proposals would do more harm than good
What allegations were made against Lenin regarding his proposals?
That he was in the pay of the Germans
What was the Mensheviks’ concern about Lenin’s actions?
That he would undermine their efforts and provoke a right-wing reaction
What did some think about Lenin’s call to oppose the Provisional Government?
That it was unrealistic since the Bolsheviks were still in a minority among the Socialists
What skills did Lenin use to win support for his ideas?
Persuasion, tactful retreat, compromise, threats of resignation, appeals to the rank and file
What did Lenin abandon in order to gain support?
His call for an immediate overthrow of the Provisional Government
What was the result of Lenin claiming credit for events in Russia?
He won over those who feared civil war
