The October Revolution Flashcards
What were the causes of the revolution?
The unpopular status of the PG
The Russian people wanted the war to end which the PG were not agreed to do
Prices went on rising, food was in short supply and the peasants’ desire for control of more land was not met
What happened on October 24th?
Following Trotsky’s plan 5000 soldier and sailors moved into the city and began to take over key government areas and positions in Petrograd e.g. post offices and railways and state banks where PG soldiers on duty gave in with little resistance
What happened October 25th?
Kerensky left Petrograd to summon military support while the Red Guards surrounded the Winter Palace where at 9:40pm the shot was fired for Bolsheviks to attack by penetrating the building while government members escaped via the back entrance. T and RG successfully arrested majority of PG and the MRC announced the PG had been deposed
What was the extent of the Oct Revolution?
Relatively small scale 25,000-30,000 involved
Forces were quite small but Bolsheviks claimed they were larger to emphasise popularity
Reported to be 5 deaths due to lack of fighting as PG lacked military resources
Rest of Petrograd remained undisrupted
What was the reaction of the revolution at the Second All Russian Congress?
Zinoviev and Kamenev spoke out against the coup
Menshevik leader predicted B would last 3 weeks
SR’s split- Left congratulated- Right accused L of illegal violence to seize power
SR and Mensheviks walked out of the congress in protest leaving a Bolshevik majority which allowed for a new Bolshevik government to be created
What was the Sovnarkom?
An all Bolshevik government with Lenin as chairman and Trotsky as Commissar for Foreign Affairs
How did the Sovnarkom rule?
By decree without the approval of the Soviets
How often did the Sovnarkom meet?
1-2 times a day
What was the purpose of the first Sovnarkom?
To distinguish the new officials from the old bourgeois ministers
