The activities of Lenin and the Bolsheviks, including the April Theses and July Days. Flashcards
How and why did Lenin return
Through germany and was given access bc. Germans knew he would create a stir in Russia causing more chaos better for the war. He returned bc. he wanted a second revolution a socialist revolution where workers would take power.
What did Lenin do the moment of his return
he mae a speech that was significant it was named the “April Theses”
What did the april theses cover
There would be no cooperation with the provisional government
War would be ended immediately
Land would be given to peasants
Sovieets would take power
What did the bolsheviks turn the april theses to
A slogan “Bread, Peace, and Land”
What was the significance of the slogan “Bread, Peace, and Land’
It was exactly what the general public wanted to hear and support for the bolshevik party grew
What was July days
Enormous demonstrations in Petrograd where soldiers, sailors, and workers poured into streets to protest against the war. This was due to a massive defeat in a operation issued by Kerensky.
What happened in the july days that led to a seeming defeat for the bolsheviks
When the demonstrations turned to rioting kerensky showed evidence of Lenin being in pay of Germany, causing him to flee to finland an dother leading bolsheviks were arrested. Kerensky turned to the prime minister.
What was a second chance for the Bolsheviks take over against the provisional government
In autumn 1917, where Kerensky appointed Kornilov to be head of army. But then Kornilov decided to revolt and make his own government ordering his troops to march Petrograd. kerensky panicked and armed the bolsheviks with rifles. It later turned out Kornilovs troops were conviced by the railway workers to not fight their fellow russians on the train to petrograd. However this event not only gave Bolsheviks rifles and arms but also they were seen as defenders of Petrograd.
Why did Bolsheviks seize power from the Provisonal government in November
It was the right time after kornilovs revolt their support was very high, kerensky had snet punishements to land seizures losting peasant support, and soldiers as a result were deserting for land.
How did Bolsheviks seize power
They published news articles on it, took control of major communication sites, bridges, railway station, and power stations. They were ready to fight for a long time and the public awaited Kerensky to come back with big trooops but he escaped the city never to return
What was the significance of the next step the bolsheviks did after taking over
They stormed the winter palace, this allowed them to indicate the end of the tsars regime truefully and start of socialism, and how they consolidated their power over Petrograd the main indusrialized city in Russia
How was Lenin able to sieze control of Petrograd
Combination of
- Kornilov’s revolt
- They knew what the people wanted bread, peace, and land they promised to end the war and give land to the peasants
- The provisional government was weak with no power and made mistakes like not ending the war or not distributing land.
Would there’ve been a revolution in November 1917 if Lenin had not returned to Russia
No, as he was a great speaker and planner. He had great vision and leadership which helped unite the Bolsheviks who were at the time quite divided.
His speech had all the thoughts that the people wanted to say, he had a clear goal and was determined to achieve it.This was a direct cause to the increase in Bolshevik membership
Would there’ve been a revolution in November 1917 if Trotsky didn’t help?
Trotsky did lots of the planning, the details, and he was leading the army. Also the one who thought of taking over key infrastructures like the communication centres and railway stations.
