Unit 3: Nature of the October Revolution Source Points

Question 1

Menshevik and SR leaders after Kornilov Affair

Answer 1

After the Kornilov Affair the Mensheviks and SR leaders were discredited by their association with Kerensky. This allowed the Bolsheviks to appeal to the workers who previously supported other socialists the Bolsheviks took advantage of the wave of popular support.

Question 2

Storming of Winter Palace

Answer 2

On a night in late October, the Bolsheviks stormed the Winter palace who arrested the remaining members of the government, and it was disbanded. The All-Russian Congress of Soviets met and socialists from other parties claimed that the Bolsheviks did not represent the Russian people and were not competent enough to run the government. They stormed out from the hall, leaving the Bolsheviks in majority, allowing Lenin to establish a Bolshevik government. This supports the view that the October Revolution was more like a coup d’état and a quick takeover by Bolshevik figures.

Question 3

Role of Trotsky in October

Answer 3

At the time of the revolution, Trotsky had a large role in the organisation and planning. He set up and controlled the Military Revolutionary Committee and won over some army units in Petrograd, whilst persuading others to stay neutral. This aligns with the idea that the October revolution was more of an organised coup d’état with figures like Trotsky who took on these key roles.

Question 4

Zinoviev and Kamenev

Answer 4

Expressing their discontent and disagreement on the proposed timing of the revolution, leading Bolsheviks Kamenev and Zinoviev had written into a published newspaper that they opposed the seizure of power at this time. They feared they would not rally enough votes, and that the timing was too risky. This suggests that the nature of the October Revolution was not a coup d’état, and it was known by many that the Bolsheviks were going to take over, but just as a matter of when.

Question 5

War ideas

Answer 5

The Bolsheviks managed to appeal to masses of people with their beliefs in an immediate end to participation in the war. This differed to the other groups in the Provisional Government who wanted to continue in the war for the pride of their country, and they believed the war could be won. This helped the Bolsheviks gain the support for a popular revolution.

Question 6

Historians

Answer 6

• Western school of thought
• Revisionists
• Soviet View
• Sheila Fitzpatrick
• Rabinowitch
• Figes