Oct/Nov 1917 revolution

Question 1

LT issues

Answer 1

Middle class wanted more political participation 
Lower class wanted more land
Industrialisation (too many workers, low salaries, bad working conditions, inflation)
Improved literacy (people open to new ideas)

Question 2

WW1

Answer 2

Economic issues (no food resources)
Inflation, lack of fuel
Urban workers hostile towards PG
Peasants angry about conscription
Rasputin and Alexandra (German wife and crazy monk hated by nobles, had no idea how to run country)
Nicholas II leading war with no military experience and had no idea what he was doing
Gap in experience and preparation between Germany and Russia

Question 3

Trotsky

Answer 3

Practical power over the city
Claim Bolsheviks were seizing power in the name of the Soviets gave worker support
Set/organised red army
Excellent orator/inspired ppl

Question 4

PG

Answer 4

Nature: saw itself as a temporary body
Division: internal weaknesses bc of division between socialists and liberals
Power: limited (shared power with Bolsheviks)
Law: legislation passed that allows freedom of speech, members attracted easily to Bolsheviks

Question 5

Ideological appeal of Lenin

Answer 5

Slogans: “all power to the soviets” + “peace bread land”
Unique stance on war attracted support
April theses: persuade party to stage a revolution
Leadership inspired masses: good skills & ability to adapt to needs of workers

Question 6

Uprisings

Answer 6

June offensive: PG attacked Germany, lost, humiliated, success for Bolsheviks and other political parties cause of increased support
July Days: spontaneous uprising, which consisted of 500 000 soldiers, workers and sailors in Kronstadt, went to Petrograd to try and overthrow the PG, unsuccessful because the PG still had control over some loyal troops, caused Trotsky to join the Bolsheviks
Kornilov Affair: August 1917, military coup threatened government’s position, Kerensky arms Bolsheviks to help (made them stronger), boosts image of Bolshevik’s as protectors, failed, General Kornilov unhappy with the way the PG handled politics and World War I so he decided to go to Petrograd to overthrow the PG with his army. Kornilov’s army never reached Petrograd because some of his soldiers rebelled and railway workers sabotaged the railways. Embarrassment for the PG and everyone lost respect for them. However, this was a big success for the Bolsheviks because not only were they seen as saviours they were also stronger than other political parties at no cost.