The Bolshevik Revolution Flashcards
How did Lenin return to Russia in April 1917?
The Germans arranged for him to travel from exile in Switzerland in a sealed train.
Why did the Germans help Lenin return?
They hoped he would pull Russia out of WWI and reduce Germany’s enemies.
What were Lenin’s April Theses?
A manifesto calling for the working class to take control of Russia through a second revolution.
What were the key demands of the April Theses? -4
• End the war (imperialist and capitalist conflict)
• Transfer all power to the soviets
• Do not support the Provisional Government
• Take land from rich landlords and give it to peasants through agricultural soviets
What was the state of the Bolsheviks in April 1917?
They were a small party with limited influence.
What helped grow Bolshevik support?
• Lenin’s April Theses gave a clear, powerful message
• Bolshevik newspapers criticised the Provisional Government
• Germany secretly funded the Bolsheviks’ campaigning
What slogan captured Lenin’s revolutionary message?
“All Power to the Soviets!”
What did “All Power to the Soviets” mean?
Lenin wanted workers’ soviets to run factories, agricultural soviets to control rural areas, and a congress of soviets to govern nationally.
What were the July Days?
Riots and demonstrations against the Provisional Government, which turned into an uprising
What caused the July Days uprising?
Food shortages and the failure of the June Offensive.
Did the Bolsheviks start the July Days?
No, but they joined the demonstrations once they began.
What did Lenin believe during the July Days?
That the time might be right to overthrow the Provisional Government.
Why didn’t the Petrograd Soviet support the July Days?
Its Menshevik members did not trust the Bolsheviks.
What did the Petrograd Soviet do in response to the July Days?
It supported the Provisional Government, and troops were brought in to stop the uprising.
What happened to the Bolsheviks after the July Days?
Many were arrested; Lenin fled to Finland in disguise.
How did some Bolsheviks initially respond to Lenin’s April Theses?
They were shocked and unsure Russia was ready for a second revolution.
How did Lenin convince the Bolsheviks to support his ideas?
Through his powerful speeches and strong command of Marxist theory.
What was Lenin’s famous slogan that appealed to the Russian people?
“Peace, Land, and Bread.”
Why did the slogan “Peace, Land, and Bread” become so powerful?
• Peace appealed to soldiers who wanted an end to the war
• Land appealed to peasants who wanted land reform
• Bread appealed to workers suffering from food shortages
When did Lenin decide the Bolsheviks should seize power?
October 1917.
What impact did the Kornilov Revolt have on the Bolsheviks?
It increased their support and weakened the Provisional Government.
How many members did the bolsheviks have in total by October 1917?
340,000
How many Bolshevik followers were there in Petrograd by October 1917?
60,000
How many of those were armed Red Guards?
40,000
