reasons for Bolshevik success in the October Revolution? 25

Question 1

Policies

Answer 1

April Theses, “Peace, Bread and Land” and “All Power to the Soviets” and “Peace without annexation or indemnities”.
 The Bolsheviks were taking control Soviet popularity was increasing due to Trotsky as much as Lenin.
 Forming the MRC, again Trotsky; gives more direct control over soldiers in the capital…and arms and ammunition more readily available. October 22, the Commissar for the Western Front cabled Kerensky that “disintegration has attained its limits”; evidence of mutinies, pogroms - Kharkov, Tambov, Ostrog - a picture of murders and pillages of arson and theft.
 The case against it being popular and democratic is largely built round disputing the figures for support for Bolsheviks and a discussion of the nature of their takeover of power.

Question 2

Popularity of Bolshevism

Answer 2

Growth in support for Petrograd Soviet with a core committee making decisions alienated rank and file which Bolsheviks exploited after July.
 Trade unions and factory committees – “Red Guards” a forum for Bolshevik propaganda.
 Soldiers - perhaps there was still front-line patriotism, but not so in the garrisons, plus
peasant soldier support.
 The Soviet view as expressed by Lenin that the majority of working class were with them
and that “half of the army immediately joined” followed by “nine tenths of the peasants
…in a few weeks”.
 By September there was greater evidence of popular impatience – army officers authority
declined, peasants against private landownership, strikes increased especially amongst less
skilled workers. This was what the people wanted.
 Effect of the Kornilov Coup on Kerensky’s support and Lenin’s popularity.
 November elections reflected limited Bolshevik popularity but in some areas of Petrograd
they gained as much as 70% support hence reference to democratic.
 From industrial workers because of limitations of workers organisations. Growth in support for Petrograd Soviet with a core committee making decisions alienated rank and file which
Bolsheviks exploited after July.
 Debates about ‘when’ in the Central Committee and fear that in a revolutionary war
soldiers would not support them (Zinoviev and Kamenev), hence delays until 26 October (Second Congress of All Russian Soviets) suggested by Trotsky to allow seizure in the name of the Soviets not the Bolsheviks. Tactics to maximise popular support, focus on Petrograd Soviet. This gave the coup an appearance of greater legitimacy, hence Trotsky delays it to coincide with the Congress of Soviets.

Question 3

Seizure of Power

Answer 3

 Martov, leader of the Mensheviks declared it to be “…a military plot organised by one of the revolutionary parties”.
 This was no revolution from below, the working class of Petrograd was nearly absent during the “ten days that shook the world”.
 That the Bolsheviks were not that popular… Constituent Assembly elections show this, but they had key support in Moscow and Petrograd, the centres of power.
 Most people unimpressed - Sukhanov thought Bolshevik regime was short-lived.
 That the Bolsheviks were not that prepared…July Days reflects this… “wait and see”
policy of Lenin’s and the moment was lost, arrests follow and Lenin in hiding.
 Lenin drew up his new strategy (12th September) pamphlet.
 Plotting the coup in Sukhanov’s apartment on October 10th – 12 members took part.
 Some would describe events as an amateur action of the MRC (which was dominated by
Bolsheviks), Battleship Aurora, some sailors of the Baltic fleet and a handful of Red Guards; the storming of the Winter Palace, Trotsky’s treatment of the ARCS delegates; all suggest elements of a coup.
 The Petrograd proletariat and the city’s military garrison remained over-whelmingly neutral.

Question 4

Other Reasons

Answer 4

The Provisional Government was weak by its nature – real power was held by the Soviet, it was temporary, internal divisions prevented clear policies, failed to call Constituent Assembly early enough.
 Kerensky inept leadership handed over power to the Bolsheviks.
 Summer Offensive cost the Provisional Government the support of the soldiers.
 Bolsheviks only party that opposed continuing the war.
 Role of Lenin was crucial; no October revolution without him…and Trotsky shows fluidity
of Party.
 There was significant independent action at local levels in the party and in the Soviets.
 National disintegration. Structures of Imperial Russia unravelling after February - army,
industrial economy, social structure of the countryside, Great Russian provinces and
nationalities areas…and open for others to take power.
 The impact of WWI, Soviet Order No1, role of Kerensky, the July Days, Kornilov’s
attempted coup failed to restore Russia’s fighting capacity by sweeping away Soviets.

Question 5

G Hosking

Answer 5

“…the Bolsheviks rode to power on the crest of a groundswell generated by the mass of peopl

Question 6

R Service

Answer 6

“The conditions for a seizure of power with the sanction of exhausted workers, war - weary soldiers and angry peasants could hardly have been more favourable.

Question 7

R Pipes

Answer 7

a “clandestine coup d’état”.

Question 8

Shiela Fitzpatrick

Answer 8

claims it was the workers, soldiers and peasants who created the circumstances for Bolshevik success.