9. The October Revolution

Question 1

October Revolution

Answer 1

24th - 25th of October, 1917 - Trotsky and Sverdlov organise the revolution in finality, sending out troops of the Red Guard to take over areas of importance in the city (telephones, bridges etc.)
25th - 26th of October, 1917 - The Bolsheviks launch an assault on the Winter Palace. At 2:00 am that night Bolsheviks made their way in and arrested all remaining members of the government.

First Hand Quotes
Lenin (September 12th) - “History will not forgive us if we do not assume power now”

Question 2

Proletariat Revolution

Answer 2

90% of Moscow strikes in 1917 were economically motivated
In the Petrograd Soviet, only 40 of 600 Soviets were Bolsheviks in March 1917
Only 150 Bolsheviks in 26,000 Putilov workers in Feb 1917

Question 3

Historian Quotes - Popular

Answer 3

Ponomarev - “…the workers created their own organs of power”
Ponomarev - “The proletariat were the prime motive force”
Figes - “The political vacuum …. enabled the Bolsheviks to seize power”
Acton - “…established itself as the prime vehicle for the achievement of popular goals.”
Berkman - “…truly popular and profoundly democratic.”
Berkman - “…the illegitimate beneficiaries of the autonomous action of the masses.”
Rabinowitch - “…the proletariat led Lenin”
Reed - “… the autocracy had been the principal architect of its own downfall”
Lynch - “… Bolsheviks were pushing against an already open door”

Question 4

Historian Quotes - Coup

Answer 4

Pipes - “…masterminded by Trotsky…a model putsch”
Figes - “…a coup d’état, actively supported by a small minority”