October Revolution 1917

The Role of Trotsky
1. Organised the October Revolution
2. Was well known after his role in the 1905 revolution, the experience helped the Bolsheviks movement in October
3. Was President of the Petrograd soviet
4. Important in the timing of the revolution to ensure the Bolsheviks were strong enough
5. Led the Military Revolutionary Committe
6. Brilliant speaker, he was able to exploit popular issues, accusing the PG of encouraging the "bony finger of hunger
7. Command the Red Guards,were the only efficient military force in Petrograd
8. Without Trotsky's superb Military leadership the revolution may not of succeeded
9. In February 1917, the Bolsheviks has 25,000 members, in October 350,000. This was mainly due to to Trotsky's popularity
10. Trotsky wasn't the only figure in Bolsheviks success- it must be remembered he was a new comer to the Bolsheviks, joining in the summer of 1917
The Role of Lenin
1. Lenin was the dominant leader who noticed the weakness of the PG and was able to exploit them.
2. Before Lenin returned from Exile in April 1917, the Bolsheviks were very disorganised. Under him they regrouped
3. Immediately on his return he announced the April Theses, in which he demanded the handing over of all power to the soviets
4. He also demanded an immediate end to the was which was very popular
5. Was able to get the central committee to agree with the timing of the revolution
6. The April theses gave the Bolsheviks a clear focus that other parties lacked, no other party had a political program
7. Lenin's insistence on a small elite helped the Bolsheviks as secrecy was maintained
8. Ordered on co-operation with the PG
9. Gave the Bolsheviks determination and drive
Weakness of the Provisional Government
1. It was Provisional, and therefore never meant to last.
2. It was unelected, it had no authority.
3. Further weakened by having to share power with the Petrograd Soviet (Dual Authority), which grew steadily more powerful as 1917 wore on
  1. Soviets had a much larger force due to its popularity, resulting in the passing in soviet rule no.1 which urged soldiers only to follow the orders of
    1. PG if they did not conflict with their own decrees
4. Did not cater to the needs of the soldiers, peasants or the workers
5. Failed to pass land reforms. Land was usually one of the chief reasons why the peasants revolted
6. The decision to stay in the war was a disaster.
  1. By 1917 the chances of becoming victorious were very slim.
  2. Sapping resources from towns and cities
  3. Moral in the army was at an all time low
  4. Money and resources were being spent on the war effort, as a result inflation rose to 400%
    1. also it meant that it was unable to tackle fundamental problems elsewhere in Russia
  5. Russia received foregin loans and war credits which it came to rely on from the allies
  6. It was a paradoxical situation, in order to survive the PG had to keep Russia in the war, but in doing so destroyed its own chances of survival
7. The July days made evident the unrest of the workers and soldiers. Sailors marched into Petrograd using the slogan "All power to the soviets"
  1. The government was able to crush the uprising with the support of the mensheviks, but they still did not take full advantage of the situation
    1. The PG could of totally destroyed the Bolsheviks but instead they simple placed their leaders in prision
8. The PG was also discredited as the man they placed in charged tried to overthrow them (Kornilov)
  1. In order to deal with the situation they released and armed the Bolsheviks
    1. The Bolsheviks was able to crush the uprising gaining them more support

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