russian revolution key question 3 Flashcards
What were the main reasons the Bolsheviks gained power in October 1917?
Weaknesses of the Provisional Government, Bolshevik propaganda, support from workers and soldiers, and Lenin’s leadership.
How did the Provisional Government’s failures help the Bolsheviks?
It failed to end the war, solve economic crises, or address land reform, making it unpopular.
Why did the Provisional Government keep Russia in World War I?
It was pressured by allies and believed continuing the war was necessary for national stability.
What was the impact of the June Offensive (1917)?
A disastrous military failure that led to mass desertions and further weakened the Provisional Government.
What role did Lenin play in the Bolshevik rise to power?
He provided leadership, a clear revolutionary message, and directed the Bolsheviks toward armed insurrection.
What were Lenin’s April Theses?
A set of demands in April 1917 calling for ‘Peace, Land, and Bread’ and ‘All Power to the Soviets.’
Why was the slogan ‘Peace, Land, and Bread’ effective?
It addressed the key concerns of soldiers (peace), peasants (land), and workers (bread).
What was Order No. 1 and how did it weaken the Provisional Government?
It gave soldiers control over their weapons, making it difficult for the government to suppress uprisings.
How did the Petrograd Soviet contribute to the Bolshevik takeover?
It controlled soldiers and workers, weakening the authority of the Provisional Government.
What was the Kornilov Affair (August 1917)?
An attempted military coup by General Kornilov, which failed and discredited the Provisional Government.
How did the Bolsheviks benefit from the Kornilov Affair?
They gained popularity as ‘defenders of the revolution’ and armed their Red Guards.
Who were the Red Guards?
Armed Bolshevik militias composed of workers and soldiers, crucial to the October takeover.
What was Trotsky’s role in the October Revolution?
He organized the seizure of power as head of the Petrograd Soviet and Military Revolutionary Committee.
What was the Military Revolutionary Committee?
A Bolshevik-controlled body in the Petrograd Soviet that coordinated the armed takeover.
Why was the Bolshevik seizure of power almost bloodless?
The Provisional Government had little support, and key locations were taken with minimal resistance.
What key locations did the Bolsheviks capture on October 24-25?
Railway stations, telegraph offices, bridges, and finally the Winter Palace.
What happened at the Winter Palace?
It was stormed by the Red Guards, marking the official fall of the Provisional Government.
Who was in charge of the Provisional Government during the October Revolution?
Alexander Kerensky, who fled Petrograd as the Bolsheviks took power.
How did Lenin justify the Bolshevik seizure of power?
He claimed they were acting in the name of the Soviets and fulfilling the will of the people.
What was the first action of the Bolshevik government?
The creation of the Council of People’s Commissars (Sovnarkom), with Lenin as leader.
What were the first decrees of the Bolshevik government?
The Decree on Peace (calling for an end to the war) and the Decree on Land (redistributing land to peasants).
How did workers react to Bolshevik rule?
Many supported it, hoping for better wages, working conditions, and factory control.
What role did the railway workers play in the October Revolution?
They helped secure key transport hubs, preventing Provisional Government forces from regrouping.
How did the Bolsheviks use propaganda to gain power?
They spread messages through newspapers like Pravda, speeches, and slogans appealing to the masses.
Why did the Bolsheviks appeal to the peasants?
They promised land redistribution, which other parties failed to deliver.
Why did some socialists oppose the Bolsheviks?
Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries wanted a coalition government rather than a one-party rule.
How did Bolshevik ideology differ from other socialist groups?
They believed in a small, disciplined party leading the revolution, while others preferred a broader democratic approach.
Why did the Bolsheviks succeed despite being a minority party?
They were well-organized, had strong leadership, and controlled key soviets and military units.
What was the role of German support in the Bolshevik rise to power?
Germany secretly funded the Bolsheviks to destabilize Russia and remove it from World War I.
What happened to the Constituent Assembly in January 1918?
It was forcibly dissolved by the Bolsheviks after they failed to win a majority.
How did the Bolsheviks deal with opposition after October 1917?
They used the Cheka (secret police), censorship, and repression to eliminate opponents.
What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 1918)?
A peace treaty with Germany that ended Russia’s involvement in World War I but resulted in major territorial losses.
Why did Lenin accept the harsh terms of Brest-Litovsk?
He prioritized consolidating Bolshevik power over maintaining Russia’s territory.
How did the October Revolution impact Russia’s involvement in World War I?
It led to Russia’s withdrawal, allowing Germany to focus on the Western Front.
What was the international reaction to the Bolshevik takeover?
Western countries opposed it, fearing the spread of communism, while Germany welcomed it.
How did the Bolsheviks use terror to maintain control?
They created the Red Terror, executed opponents, and used the Cheka to crush resistance.
What was the significance of the October Revolution?
It marked the first successful communist revolution, leading to the establishment of Soviet rule.
How did Lenin’s leadership contribute to Bolshevik success?
He provided clear direction, ruthless decision-making, and effective propaganda.
How did the October Revolution influence global politics?
It inspired communist movements worldwide and led to Cold War tensions in the long term.
