12. Establishment of Bolshevik government Flashcards
(38 cards)
Where was Lenin in 1917, and what prompted his return to Russia?
Lenin was in exile in Switzerland; upon hearing about the Tsar’s overthrow, he returned to Russia to shape its future.
What was Lenin’s vision for power and governance in Russia?
Lenin advocated for transferring all power to the soviets (councils) and ending cooperation with the Provisional Government.
Bolshevik and Marxist
April Thesis
-All land to be relocated to the Peasants.
–immediate end to the war
–all power to the soviets.
PEACE, BREAD AND LAND
Reactions to Lenin’s reappearence?
- Some bolsheviks feared Lenin had grown out of touch + radical proposals = more harm than good
- Allegations that Lenin was in pay of the germans |(partly true)
Mensheviks feared Lenin would undermine what they had been doing and by stirring up discontent would provoke a right-wing reaction. - Thought Lenin’s call to oppose PG was unrealistic (Bolsheviks had 26k members and still a minority)
- Bolsheviks were internally divided over whether to cooperate w/OG or not (Stalin did).
How did Lenin gradually build support?
with speaches, claimed credit for what was happening.
* By april, Lenin won over majority of central committee of Bols. party by personality.
What significant event happened in July involving Lenin and Trotsky?
- An armed riot involving soldiers, Kronstadt sailors, and factory workers broke out in Petrograd.
- Lenin was joined by Trotsky.
- The government used troops to suppress the protest, leading to arrests of prominent Bolsheviks, while Lenin fled to Finland.
How did the Provisional Government react to the July events?
The government dispersed the crowd with loyal troops and denounced Bolsheviks in the Soviet newspaper Izvestia, leading to the closure of Pravda and a decline in Lenin’s reputation.
What shift occurred when Kerensky replaced Prince Lvov as Prime Minister?
- Initially, seemed the Bolshevik moment had passed.
- However, Kornilov affair allowed Bolsheviks to gain reputation for opposing Kornilov’s actions, salvaging their cause.
- Lenin urged followers from Finland to maintain pressure and save the revolution.
How did Bolshevik support evolve from February to October?
- Bolsheviks gained increased support in urban Russia and Moscow’s Duma elections.
- increasing their backing by 164% (from 23,000 to 200,000) during this period.
October 1917
party producing 41 newsppers & 10k red guards in capital factories
sept 1917
Bolsheviks won maj. in PS// control of Moscow Soviet put them in powerful position
mid-sept
- Lenin (still in Finland) bombarded central committee of Bolshevik party w/demands to stage revolution & seize power.
- Grigorri Zinoviev & Lev Kamenev said no fearing Russia was not yet economically ready for revolution/urged restraint & burned Lenin’s letter
12 sept, what did Lenin write?
‘history will not forgive us if we do not assume power now’ - 3 days later committee voted against coup
THE BOLSHEVIK SEIZURE OF POWER, OCTOBER 1917
What did lenin do after secretly returning to Petrograd oct 1917?
- demands vote
- won 10 to 2.
THE BOLSHEVIK SEIZURE OF POWER, OCTOBER 1917
Bolshevik Rise in Petrograd
Bolsheviks become main party in Petrograd soviets.
Trotsky elected chairman of the soviet.
Establishment of the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) under Trotsky’s control for Petrograd’s defense.
THE BOLSHEVIK SEIZURE OF POWER, OCTOBER 1917
Kerensky’s Orders and MRC’s Actions
- Kerensky orders arrest of MRC leaders, shuts down Bolshevik party paper.
- MRC gains control over red guards, Petrograd, Peter and Paul fortress Garrisons, and Kronstadt sailors.
- Lenin’s statement: Power shifted to the Soviets, declaring end to the Provisional Government.
THE BOLSHEVIK SEIZURE OF POWER, OCTOBER 1917
Seizing Control and Kerensky’s Flight
- 8000 red guards and Kronstadt sailors seize key positions.
- Kerensky disguises as a nurse, flees to the front to gather troops against Bolsheviks.
THE BOLSHEVIK SEIZURE OF POWER, OCTOBER 1917
Assault on the Winter Palace
- October 25th: Warship Aurora fires at the Winter Palace, launching the Bolshevik attack.
- Palace defended by women and cadets, captured by Bolsheviks at 2.00pm with 6 casualties.
THE BOLSHEVIK SEIZURE OF POWER, OCTOBER 1917
Formation of New Government
- October 26th: Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets holds its first session.
- Lenin leads a new Governing Committee to form Sovnarkom (cabinet of important ministers).
THE BOLSHEVIK SEIZURE OF POWER, OCTOBER 1917
Trotsky’s Departure and Decree by Lenin
- Trotsky leaves, branding the revolution a coup.
- Lenin issues a decree advocating for peace and declaring land as property of the people.
- Bolsheviks had 390 representatives.
THE CONSOLIDATION OF BOLSHEVIK GOVERNMENT OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1917
Predictions and reactions
- Menshevik leader Irakli Tsereteli predicted Bolshevik power would not last longer than 3 weeks.
- Socialist Revolutionaries (SR) were divided: left wing congratulated Lenin, while the right accused him of illegally seizing power.
THE CONSOLIDATION OF BOLSHEVIK GOVERNMENT OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1917
voting and selection
- Around 500 delegates supported a socialist government.
- Majority of positions in the new executive went to Bolsheviks and extreme left-wing SRs.
THE CONSOLIDATION OF BOLSHEVIK GOVERNMENT OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1917
Moderates reaction (Trotsky response)
- The ‘moderates,’ including left-wing SRs and a Bolshevik coalition, walked out of the congress.
- Trotsky famously stated that they were consigned to the “dustbin of history.”
THE CONSOLIDATION OF BOLSHEVIK GOVERNMENT OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1917
Bolsheviks established new gov called?
Sovnarkom - comprimised of Bols. and included one female commisar Alexandra Kollantai.
