The October/November 1917 Revolution

Question 1

What are the main learning objectives regarding the October Revolution?

Answer 1

• the causes, course and extent of revolution
• leadership and the establishment of Bolshevik authority
• Sovnarkom and decrees and actions to December 1917

These objectives outline the key areas of study related to the October Revolution.

Question 2

What film did Sergei Eisenstein create in 1927 that depicted the storming of the Winter Palace?

Answer 2

October

This film contributed to the myth of a heroic popular rising during the revolution.

Question 3

True or False: The storming of the Winter Palace involved a heroic popular rising as depicted in Eisenstein’s film.

Answer 3

False

The actual event was less dramatic, with minimal resistance from the Provisional Government.

Question 4

What triggered the panic among the women’s battalion guarding the Winter Palace?

Answer 4

A shot fired from the battleship Aurora

This shot marked the beginning of the Bolshevik takeover.

Question 5

How did the Red Guards enter the Winter Palace?

Answer 5

They walked in

They did not storm in but instead wandered until they found remaining government members.

Question 6

What event fueled a frenzy of drunkenness during the storming of the Winter Palace?

Answer 6

The discovery of the Tsar’s wine cellar

This incident contributed to the chaotic atmosphere of the takeover.

Question 7

What significant action did Kerensky attempt on October 23, 1917?

Answer 7

He tried to take action against the Bolsheviks

This was part of the escalating tensions leading to the revolution.

Question 8

What happened from October 24-25, 1917?

Answer 8

Armed workers and soldiers took over key buildings and communication centers in Petrograd

This was organized by the Bolsheviks and the Military Revolutionary Committee.

Question 9

What occurred between October 25-27, 1917?

Answer 9

The remaining members of the Provisional Government were arrested and the revolution was announced at the Second Congress of Soviets

Lenin’s decrees on peace and land were adopted during this Congress.

Question 10

What was established in December 1917 as part of the Bolshevik government?

Answer 10

A secret police force called the Cheka

The Cheka was created to maintain order and suppress opposition.

Question 11

What were some of the causes of the October/November Revolution?

Answer 11

• Weaknesses of the Provisional Government
• Defeat in the First World War
• Political manoeuvres by the Bolsheviks
• Deteriorating economic situation
• Resentments of soldiers, peasants, and workers

These factors created a volatile environment leading to the revolution.

Question 12

What was the initial action taken by Kerensky on 23 October in response to the Bolsheviks?

Answer 12

Ordered the printers of two Bolshevik newspapers to cease activities

The newspapers were Pravda and Isvestia.

Question 13

What was Kerensky’s goal in sending troops to raise the bridges in Petrograd?

Answer 13

To restrict the power of the Military Revolutionary Committee

This action was aimed at cutting off the Bolshevik stronghold in the Vyborg district from the city center.

Question 14

What was the outcome of Kerensky’s actions against the Bolsheviks?

Answer 14

He was prevented by troops loyal to the Bolsheviks

These troops believed Kerensky’s actions were a betrayal of the Soviet principles established during the February/March revolution.

Question 15

What significant event took place on the night of 24-25 October 1917?

Answer 15

Bolshevik Red Guards began to take over key government buildings in Petrograd

This was part of Trotsky’s plan and involved 5000 soldiers and sailors from Kronstadt.

Question 16

Which key locations were taken over by the Bolsheviks during the October Revolution?

Answer 16

• Telephone exchange
• Post office
• Railway stations
• News agency
• State bank
• Bridges
• Power stations

The takeover was largely successful, with minimal resistance encountered.

Question 17

What was the general reaction of the troops on duty at the main telegraph office during the Bolshevik takeover?

Answer 17

They generally gave in without resistance

This indicated a lack of support for Kerensky’s government at that time.

Question 18

Where did Lenin go on the evening of 25 October?

Answer 18

He traveled to Smolny

Smolny was the headquarters for the Bolsheviks during the revolution.

Question 19

What date marks the beginning of the October Revolution?

Answer 19

25 October 1917

Question 20

What event occurred at 5:00 am on 26 October 1917?

Answer 20

The Congress adopted a resolution to take power into its own hands.

Question 21

What significant decree was adopted unanimously by the Congress at 9:00 pm on 26 October?

Answer 21

Lenin’s Decree on Peace

Question 22

What was agreed upon at 2:00 am on 27 October?

Answer 22

Lenin’s Decree on Land, acknowledging the peasant seizure

Question 23

How many members were elected to the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, and how many were Bolsheviks?

Answer 23

101 members; 62 were Bolsheviks

Question 24

What was the name of the government created to run the Bolshevik government?

Answer 24

Soviet of People’s Commissars (Sovnarkom)

Question 25

Who was elected chairman of the Soviet of People’s Commissars?

Answer 25

Lenin

Question 26

Fill in the blank: The Congress issued an appeal to the Cossacks to _______.

Answer 26

switch sides

Question 27

What was the main composition of the guard at the Winter Palace?

Answer 27

Cadets, Cossacks, Women’s battalion

Question 28

True or False: The October/November Revolution involved significant fighting in Petrograd.

Answer 28

False

Question 29

What was the estimated number of participants in the October Revolution according to Trotsky?

Answer 29

25,000 to 30,000

Question 30

Fill in the blank: The legitimacy of the Bolshevik regime was based on the claim of emerging from a _______ revolution.

Answer 30

popular

Question 31

What was the primary outcome of the Bolshevik’s actions during the three days of the revolution?

Answer 31

They assumed control of the city.

Question 32

How many deaths were recorded during the October Revolution?

Answer 32

No more than five deaths

Question 33

What remained unaffected in Petrograd during the disturbances?

Answer 33

Trams, taxis, restaurants, theatres, cinemas

Question 34

What did Trotsky admit about the nature of the October Revolution?

Answer 34

It was essentially a series of small operations, calculated and prepared in advance.

Question 35

What were the Bolsheviks’ main demands during the October Revolution?

Answer 35

Bread & Land

Question 36

What is the historiographical debate surrounding the October/November revolution?

Answer 36

Historians debate whether it was a spontaneous uprising or a coup led by the Bolsheviks.

Richard Pipes and other historians argue for the coup interpretation, while some, like Shet Fitzpatrick, suggest a mix of radicalism and spontaneous rebellion.

Question 37

What was the Bolsheviks’ initial stance during the second ‘All-Russian Congress of Soviets’?

Answer 37

The Bolsheviks were not united; leaders Zinoviev and Kamenev opposed the coup.

Many factions within the Congress had differing opinions on the Bolshevik rise to power.

Question 38

What was the outcome of the second ‘All-Russian Congress of Soviets’ regarding Bolshevik authority?

Answer 38

The Congress resulted in a Bolshevik and left-wing Social Revolutionary coalition in control.

Moderates walked out, allowing the Bolsheviks to establish dominance.

Question 39

What was the composition of the Soviet of People’s Commissars (Sovnarkom)?

Answer 39

Sovnarkom comprised exclusively Bolsheviks, with Lenin as Chairman and Trotsky as Commissar for Foreign Affairs.

Aleksandra Kollontai was the only female Commissar.

Question 40

True or False: Lenin sought to share power with the Mensheviks and Social Revolutionaries.

Answer 40

False.

Lenin sidelined the Petrograd Soviet and did not intend to share power.

Question 41

What action did Sovnarkom take immediately after coming to power?

Answer 41

Sovnarkom initiated peace talks with the Germans without seeking Soviet approval.

Question 42

Fill in the blank: The word _______ was chosen to distinguish the new officials from the old bourgeois ministers.

Answer 42

[commissar]

Question 43

Who was the original incumbent for the position of Commissar for Foreign Affairs?

Answer 43

[Leon Trotsky]

Question 44

What challenges did the Bolsheviks face in consolidating their authority after the revolution?

Answer 44

Civil servants refused to serve, bankers withheld finance, and they faced opposition from Kerensky’s forces.

The Bolsheviks had to threaten armed intervention to gain access to the State Bank’s reserves.

Question 45

What was the reaction of soldiers from the Petrograd garrison after the revolution?

Answer 45

Many returned to their homes in the countryside.

Question 46

Who was the Chairman of the Soviet of People’s Commissars?

Answer 46

[Vladimir Lenin]

Question 47

What did Trotsky famously declare to the departing delegates of the Congress?

Answer 47

“You’re finished, you pitiful bunch of bankrupts. Get out of here to where you belong - in the dustbin of History.”

Question 48

What was the Bolsheviks’ slogan upon coming to power?

Answer 48

‘All power to the Soviets.’

Question 49

Fill in the blank: The Bolshevik position at the end of October was far from _______.

Answer 49

[secure]