October Revolution 1917

Question 1

Lenin’s Return in Oct

Answer 1

Lenin was hiding in Finland
judged that B time to take power as they had control of the Soviet
+ done well in elections
+ Pgov was helpless + unpopular after the Kornilov affair

10th Oct Lenin returned + urged CC to take action → eventually agreed

Question 2

Kerensky

Answer 2

his action played into B hands
he sent radical army units out f the capital + rumours spread he planned to give Petrograd to Germans

Question 3

Military revolutionary committee (MRC)

Answer 3

20th Oct = B persuaded Soviet to set up MRC
MRC had direct soldiers in the capital + ammunition = B openly intended to seize power

Kerensky retaliated by closing B news + restricting MRC + raising bridges that linked WC to Petrograd centre
→ B could now say that K was attacking the revolution
K found no loyal troops so left Petrograd

Question 4

Bolsheviks seize power
what did the Red guards do on 24th Oct?

Answer 4

B HQ = Smolny Institute
Trotsky organises final stage of rev

24th Oct = red guards seize key locations

Question 5

Storming of the Winter Palace

Answer 5

25th Oct 1917
B stormed the palace + arrested what was left of the gov
this allowed B to gain a majority

Lenin arrived + announced to formation of the Bolshevik gov
2nd congress of soviets adopt Lenin’s decree on land + peace

Question 6

Events in order

Answer 6

10th Oct
Lenin returned + calls for Bolshevik rev

20th Oct
B persuaded Soviet to set up MRC

24th Oct
red guards seize key locations

25th Oct 1917
B stormed the palace + arrested what was left of the gov

December
secret police formed = the cheka