Growing strength of the Bolsheviks

Question 1

Why was the November elections a devastation for the Bolsheviks? (but what was the upside)

Answer 1

-less than 1/4 of seats BUT… did get 70% of working class district.

Question 2

What had the workers become under the influence of Bolsheviks?

Answer 2

-highly politicised and radical.

Question 3

What was happening socially that influenced workers radicalisation?

Answer 3

-strikes and starvation.

Question 4

What were workers sometimes doing to their employers?

Answer 4

-assaulting them,

Question 5

How much did the Bolshevik membership increase between July and October 1917?

Answer 5

120k

Question 6

What happened to the other parties membership between July and October 1917?

Answer 6

-decreased other than SR with increase (still not as significant as the Bolsheviks).

Question 7

Was this increase in support for the Bolsheviks or the Petrograd soviet in reality?

Answer 7

-not necessarily one party rule or policies
-wanted a coalition of socialist powers
-Lenin ‘hijacked’ it.

Question 8

What was there a true desire for in Petrograd?

Answer 8

-‘simply peace, bread and land’