The October/November 1917 Revolution Flashcards
What are the main learning objectives regarding the October Revolution?
• 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.
What film did Sergei Eisenstein create in 1927 that depicted the storming of the Winter Palace?
October
This film contributed to the myth of a heroic popular rising during the revolution.
True or False: The storming of the Winter Palace involved a heroic popular rising as depicted in Eisenstein’s film.
False
The actual event was less dramatic, with minimal resistance from the Provisional Government.
What triggered the panic among the women’s battalion guarding the Winter Palace?
A shot fired from the battleship Aurora
This shot marked the beginning of the Bolshevik takeover.
How did the Red Guards enter the Winter Palace?
They walked in
They did not storm in but instead wandered until they found remaining government members.
What event fueled a frenzy of drunkenness during the storming of the Winter Palace?
The discovery of the Tsar’s wine cellar
This incident contributed to the chaotic atmosphere of the takeover.
What significant action did Kerensky attempt on October 23, 1917?
He tried to take action against the Bolsheviks
This was part of the escalating tensions leading to the revolution.
What happened from October 24-25, 1917?
Armed workers and soldiers took over key buildings and communication centers in Petrograd
This was organized by the Bolsheviks and the Military Revolutionary Committee.
What occurred between October 25-27, 1917?
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.
What was established in December 1917 as part of the Bolshevik government?
A secret police force called the Cheka
The Cheka was created to maintain order and suppress opposition.
What were some of the causes of the October/November Revolution?
• 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.
What was the initial action taken by Kerensky on 23 October in response to the Bolsheviks?
Ordered the printers of two Bolshevik newspapers to cease activities
The newspapers were Pravda and Isvestia.
What was Kerensky’s goal in sending troops to raise the bridges in Petrograd?
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.
What was the outcome of Kerensky’s actions against the Bolsheviks?
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.
What significant event took place on the night of 24-25 October 1917?
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.
Which key locations were taken over by the Bolsheviks during the October Revolution?
- Telephone exchange
- Post office
- Railway stations
- News agency
- State bank
- Bridges
- Power stations
The takeover was largely successful, with minimal resistance encountered.
What was the general reaction of the troops on duty at the main telegraph office during the Bolshevik takeover?
They generally gave in without resistance
This indicated a lack of support for Kerensky’s government at that time.
Where did Lenin go on the evening of 25 October?
He traveled to Smolny
Smolny was the headquarters for the Bolsheviks during the revolution.
What date marks the beginning of the October Revolution?
25 October 1917
What event occurred at 5:00 am on 26 October 1917?
The Congress adopted a resolution to take power into its own hands.
What significant decree was adopted unanimously by the Congress at 9:00 pm on 26 October?
Lenin’s Decree on Peace
What was agreed upon at 2:00 am on 27 October?
Lenin’s Decree on Land, acknowledging the peasant seizure
How many members were elected to the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, and how many were Bolsheviks?
101 members; 62 were Bolsheviks
What was the name of the government created to run the Bolshevik government?
Soviet of People’s Commissars (Sovnarkom)
Who was elected chairman of the Soviet of People’s Commissars?
Lenin
Fill in the blank: The Congress issued an appeal to the Cossacks to _______.
switch sides
What was the main composition of the guard at the Winter Palace?
Cadets, Cossacks, Women’s battalion
True or False: The October/November Revolution involved significant fighting in Petrograd.
False
What was the estimated number of participants in the October Revolution according to Trotsky?
25,000 to 30,000
Fill in the blank: The legitimacy of the Bolshevik regime was based on the claim of emerging from a _______ revolution.
popular
What was the primary outcome of the Bolshevik’s actions during the three days of the revolution?
They assumed control of the city.
How many deaths were recorded during the October Revolution?
No more than five deaths
What remained unaffected in Petrograd during the disturbances?
Trams, taxis, restaurants, theatres, cinemas
What did Trotsky admit about the nature of the October Revolution?
It was essentially a series of small operations, calculated and prepared in advance.
What were the Bolsheviks’ main demands during the October Revolution?
Bread & Land
What is the historiographical debate surrounding the October/November revolution?
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.
What was the Bolsheviks’ initial stance during the second ‘All-Russian Congress of Soviets’?
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.
What was the outcome of the second ‘All-Russian Congress of Soviets’ regarding Bolshevik authority?
The Congress resulted in a Bolshevik and left-wing Social Revolutionary coalition in control.
Moderates walked out, allowing the Bolsheviks to establish dominance.
What was the composition of the Soviet of People’s Commissars (Sovnarkom)?
Sovnarkom comprised exclusively Bolsheviks, with Lenin as Chairman and Trotsky as Commissar for Foreign Affairs.
Aleksandra Kollontai was the only female Commissar.
True or False: Lenin sought to share power with the Mensheviks and Social Revolutionaries.
False.
Lenin sidelined the Petrograd Soviet and did not intend to share power.
What action did Sovnarkom take immediately after coming to power?
Sovnarkom initiated peace talks with the Germans without seeking Soviet approval.
Fill in the blank: The word _______ was chosen to distinguish the new officials from the old bourgeois ministers.
[commissar]
Who was the original incumbent for the position of Commissar for Foreign Affairs?
[Leon Trotsky]
What challenges did the Bolsheviks face in consolidating their authority after the revolution?
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.
What was the reaction of soldiers from the Petrograd garrison after the revolution?
Many returned to their homes in the countryside.
Who was the Chairman of the Soviet of People’s Commissars?
[Vladimir Lenin]
What did Trotsky famously declare to the departing delegates of the Congress?
“You’re finished, you pitiful bunch of bankrupts. Get out of here to where you belong - in the dustbin of History.”
What was the Bolsheviks’ slogan upon coming to power?
‘All power to the Soviets.’
Fill in the blank: The Bolshevik position at the end of October was far from _______.
[secure]
