The Bolshevik Seizure Of Power

Question 1

What was Lenin’s goal upon returning to Russia after the February Revolution?

Answer 1

To promote peace and end chaos in Russia

Lenin aimed to support a workers’ revolution and oppose the Provisional Government.

Question 2

How did the Germans assist Lenin’s return to Russia?

Answer 2

They facilitated his return from exile in Switzerland in hopes he would overthrow the new government

The Germans believed this would allow them to redirect troops to the Western Front.

Question 3

When did Lenin arrive in Petrograd?

Answer 3

3rd April 1917

Question 4

What was the April Theses?

Answer 4

A set of directives outlining Lenin’s plans for Russia

Key points included ending the war, transferring power to the working class, land distribution to peasants, and abolishing the police, army, and bureaucracy.

Question 5

List the key points of the April Theses.

Answer 5

• The war with Germany had to end
• Power had to pass from the middle classes to the working classes
• All land had to be given to the peasants
• The police, army and bureaucracy should be abolished
• The capitalist system had to be overthrown by the workers
• The Bolsheviks should take control of the Soviets

Question 6

What was the membership growth of the Bolsheviks from February to April 1917?

Answer 6

From 24,000 in February to 100,000 in April

Question 7

What was the significance of the July Days for the Bolsheviks?

Answer 7

They were not a success and led to accusations against the Bolsheviks

Prime Minister Kerensky accused them of being German spies, leading to Lenin’s flight and other leaders’ arrests.

Question 8

What happened to the Bolsheviks’ newspaper, Pravda, during the July Days?

Answer 8

It was closed down

Question 9

How did Lenin’s views change after the July Days?

Answer 9

He accepted that peasants would play a significant role and encouraged land seizures

This shift helped the Bolsheviks gain support from the countryside.

Question 10

What was the new slogan adopted by the Bolsheviks to gain support?

Answer 10

‘Peace, Bread and Land’

Question 11

What role did the Bolsheviks play in the Kornilov revolt?

Answer 11

They helped suppress it, increasing their popularity

They were able to present themselves as the true defenders of Petrograd.

Question 12

True or False: The Red Guards lost the weapons given to them by Kerensky during the Kornilov revolt.

Answer 12

False

Question 13

What was the primary goal of the Bolsheviks regarding the All-Russian Congress of Soviets?

Answer 13

To present their new authority as a fait accompli by overthrowing the Provisional Government before the Congress met.

This would make it difficult for the Congress to reject their authority.

Question 14

Why did Lenin want to be in power before the Constituent Assembly elections?

Answer 14

To ignore the election results if they were unfavorable to the Bolsheviks.

Lenin was aware that the Bolsheviks were unlikely to win a majority in these elections.

Question 15

What significant action did Lenin take on October 7th, 1917?

Answer 15

He returned to Petrograd from Finland and started calling for a revolution.

This marked the beginning of active preparations for the Bolshevik uprising.

Question 16

Who voiced strong objections to Lenin’s call for an uprising?

Answer 16

Kamenev and Zinoviev.

They published their objections in a newspaper, alerting Kerensky to the Bolshevik threat.

Question 17

What was the role of the Military Revolutionary Committee during the Bolshevik uprising?

Answer 17

It was set up by the Petrograd Soviet and led by Trotsky, gaining obedience from soldiers in Petrograd.

This undermined the Provisional Government’s ability to defend itself.

Question 18

What actions did Kerensky take against the Bolsheviks prior to the revolution?

Answer 18

He closed down Bolshevik papers and attempted to round up leading Bolsheviks.

These actions inadvertently prompted Lenin to order the revolution.

Question 19

What strategic locations did the Bolsheviks capture on the night of October 24th?

Answer 19

Key buildings such as telegraph offices and railway stations.

They also set up road blocks on bridges and roads surrounding the Winter Palace.

Question 20

What was the outcome of the Bolshevik uprising on October 25th, 1917?

Answer 20

The Provisional Government collapsed, with 6 soldiers dead and 18 arrests made.

The government was placed under arrest after the cruiser Aurora fired its guns.

Question 21

What declaration did Lenin make at the All-Russian Congress of Soviets?

Answer 21

That the Bolsheviks had taken power across Russia.

Their actions were condemned by the Mensheviks and SR’s, who then left the Congress.

Question 22

What was the name of the government formed by Lenin after the Bolshevik takeover?

Answer 22

The Council of People’s Commissars.

It had an all-Bolshevik membership.

Question 23

Who were the key members of the Council of People’s Commissars?

Answer 23

• Lenin - Head of Government
• Leon Trotsky - Commissar of Foreign Affairs
• Joseph Stalin - Commissar for Nationalities

These leaders played crucial roles in the new Bolshevik government.

Question 24

Fill in the blank: Lenin was furious when _______ and Zinoviev voiced strong objections to the uprising.

Answer 24

Kamenev

Their objections were made public, warning the Provisional Government.

Question 25

True or False: The Bolsheviks were able to secure troops to defend the Provisional Government during the uprising.

Answer 25

False. ## Footnote The troops guarding the Provisional Government surrendered.

Question 26

What role did Lenin play in the Bolshevik takeover?

Answer 26

Lenin had tremendous energy and vitality, and his commitment to revolution spurred on the Bolsheviks. He opposed the war, which increased Bolshevik support in 1917. He also provided simple slogans like 'Peace, Bread, Land' to gain popular support. ## Footnote Lenin created the Red Guard funded by German money to equip them.

Question 27

What was Trotsky's role in the Bolshevik takeover?

Answer 27

Trotsky became the dominant member of the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) and coordinated the plans for seizing key buildings of the Provisional Government. He was elected as the leader of the Petrograd Soviet, which was crucial for his success. ## Footnote The MRC controlled significant armed forces including 20,000 Red Guards and 150,000 soldiers of the Petrograd garrison.

Question 28

What was the weakness of the Provisional Government (PG)?

Answer 28

The Provisional Government was weak, temporary, and not elected by the people of Russia. They had to share power with the Petrograd Soviet and could not overturn Soviet Order Number One. ## Footnote The PG failed to win the support of ordinary people in Petrograd.

Question 29

What slogans did Lenin use to gain support for the Bolsheviks?

Answer 29

Lenin used slogans such as: * 'Peace, Bread, Land' * 'All power to the soviets' ## Footnote These slogans were simple and easily understood by ordinary people.

Question 30

Fill in the blank: The Provisional Government had to share power with the _______.

Answer 30

Petrograd Soviet. This made them weak

Question 31

What was the impact of the soldiers of the Petrograd garrison during the Bolshevik takeover?

Answer 31

The soldiers of the Petrograd garrison did not side with the Provisional Government, which weakened the PG's position. ## Footnote This lack of support for the PG contributed to the Bolshevik success.

Question 32

How did Lenin influence the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party?

Answer 32

Lenin persuaded the majority of the Central Committee to seize power in October. ## Footnote His leadership was crucial in rallying support for the Bolshevik takeover.