The revolutions of 1917 : 4.4 Trotsky and Lenin (Part 1) Flashcards
Why and when did Trotsky become a Bolshevik?
He was originally a prominent Menshevik member, but was afraid that many Mensheviks supported the PG - so in August 1917, he became an official Bolshevik party member.
What positions did he hold?
1) Leader of PS
2) Dominant member of the MRC (Military Revolutionary Committee formed after Kornilov’s revolt) which provided a useful screen for his secret preparations. MRC controlled 230,000 red guards, Baltic sailors and soldiers of the Petrograd Garrison.
(Side not - made his plans for seizure from his office in the Smolny Institute)
Trotsky Timeline
Born 1879
1903 became a Menshevik
Returned to Russian in May 1917 (Menshevik exile)
Arrested in July 1917 as a result of his revolutionary activities
August 1917 - became an official party member
1918 - Commissar for War
How did Lenin influence the war?
1) Persuaded Bolshevik to oppose the war - making them the only party to be right and stand out
2) April These consisted of simple yet powerful slogans that the peasants and Proletariats understood
3) Tremendous energy and vitality at every rally
4) Created the Red Guard and persuaded the MRC to seize power in October
How did he secure control after the takeover?
Within a week of the Revolution in Petrograd, the Bolsheviks had control of Moscow and were securing control of the rest of Russia.
Lenin Timeline
Born 1870
Brother hanged in 1887 - field his hatred for the Tsar
1897 - exiled to Siberia
1903 - led Bolsheviks in SD spilt (Bolsheviks and Mensheviks)
1917, April - April Theses
1917, July - Organised July Days and then October, Revolution
