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Russia in early 1917
Russia was a vast empire, covering one-sixth of the world's surface. Ruled by Tsar Nicholas II. Had many different regions and a total population of 125 million people. Faced a number of political, economic, social, religious and geographical problems- led to discontent and growing opposition, which threatened the Tsarist regime.
Subject Nationalities
The Russian Empire was difficult to rule because it was made up of more than 20 different people or ethnic groups- for 6/10 people, Russian was a foreign language. many of these people resented being part of the Russian Empire, especially as its rulers carried out a policy of 'Russification.' This meant making non-Russians speak Russian, wear Russian clothes and follow Russian customs. For example, in the area of present-day Poland, it was forbidden to teach children in Polish.
Russians were often given the important jobs in non-Russian areas.
Discontent with the government- Autocracy
Russia was an autocracy with all the power in the hands of the Tsar. The tsar believed that he had a divine right to rule- God had chosen him. He could do whatever he liked without having to consult his people. The only parliament was the duma, which had very little power.
Discontent with the government- Religion
About 70% of the population were members of the Orthodox Church. The Church was closely linked to the tsar and supported his way of ruling. It taught that the tsar was the head of the country and the Church- in other words, that he was God's chosen representative on Earth.
Discontent with the government- ministers.
The tsar did have a council of ministers that ran the various government departments- but they could not make important decisions. There were thousands of civil servants, such as tax collectors, who carried out the day-to-day work of government. (Generally poorly paid, which encouraged bribery and corruption.)
Discontent with the government- Russian People
The Russian people had little freedom. All unions of workers and strikes were forbidden, and newspapers and books were censored by the government. The tsar was determined to suppress all opposition through the Okhrana, his secret police- they used spies and agents to root out anyone who was against the tsar and his system of government. Such opponents could be imprisoned without trial or exiled to far-off Siberia.
Nicholas II's weaknesses- Part 1.
The system of autocracy only worked if the tsar was strong and able to control the government and different nationalities of the vast Russian Empire. Nicholas II became tsar in 1884- not a strong character. Reluctant to become tsar, possibly because he had witnessed the assassination of his grandfather, Alexander II, in 1881.
Nicholas II's weaknesses- Part 2.
Nicholas II insisted on governing as an autocrat. He and his wife, the Tsarina Alexandra, believed that they had been chosen by God and no one had the right to challenge them. He was ignorant of the nature and extent of opposition to tsarist rule and refused to share power.
Although a devoted husband and father, he was not happy-his son and only heir, Alexis, suffered from an incurable blood disease known as haemophilia, and was likely to die young.
Economic Problems.
85% of the population lived in the countryside, but Russian agriculture was poor. Only 5% of the land was used for farming. Old fashioned farming methods resulted in low food production and frequent famines.
Industrial development.
Russia was rich in oil and minerals, but industrialisation didn't happen until the end of the 19th century (much later than some other European countries, such as Britain and Germany.) Considering Russia's size and resources, its manufacturing output was still very low at the beginning of the 20th century. Its size and undeveloped system of roads and railways, together with the absence of an effective banking system, all restricted the growth of industry.
Industrial development Part 2.
By outbreak of WW1 in 1914, Russia had experienced a rapid growth in industry due to:
An increase in the output of coal in the Ukraine An increase in the output of oil in the Caucasus. Deliberate government policy.
One of the tsar's ministers, Count Sergei (Minister of Finance, (1893-1903), set himself the huge task of modernising the Russian economy. His reforms did stimulate industrial growth. However, rapid industrial growth would lead to poor living and working conditions for workers, causing discontent.
The aristocracy
The aristocracy made up just over 1% of the population. They owned 1/4 of all the land. Some were extremely rich, with lavish homes in the countryside, a 2nd home in a town or city, and many servants.
The middle class
By 1914, Russia had a growing middle class due to the development of industry. This included bankers, merchants and factory owners. Many made fortunes from government contracts and loans and had a very pleasant lifestyle, eating out at expensive restaurants and frequently going to the theatre or ballet.
The peasants
The biggest and poorest group were the peasants. Made up nearly 4/5 Russian people in the years before 1917. For most, life was very hard. They lived in very poor conditions and survived on diets of rye bread, porridge and cabbage soup. When the harvests were poor, there was starvation and disease. The peasants had a life expectancy of less than 40 years, with many dying from typhus and diphtheria.
The town workers
Most rapidly increasing group- new industrial workers in the towns and cities. Large numbers of peasants had flocked to the towns and cities to work in industry. The conditions were terrible. Workers lived in overcrowded slums and ate cheap black bread, cabbage soup and wheat porridge. In industrial centres away from the cities, workers often lived in barracks next to the factory and slept in filthy, overcrowded dormitories. They earned low wages, worked long hours, and were forbidden to form trade unions to fight for better conditions. Protests and strikes were crushed, often with great brutality by the police or army.
Bloody Sunday and the 1905 Revolution
Sunday 22 January 1905 Father Gapon led a peaceful march of around 200,000 people to the tsar's Winter Palace in St Petersburg. The marchers were petitioning for better working conditions. The tsar wasn't in his palace, and the soldiers panicked. They fired on the crowd, killing 100s and wounding 1000s. Event became known as 'Bloody Sunday.'
Bloody Sunday Consequence
Bloody Sunday, together with discontent over defeat of Russia in war with Japan (1904-1905) sparked revolution in Russia in February 1905. There were strikes and a mutiny in the navy. In order to avoid further chaos, Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto.
The October Manifesto
Promised freedom of speech. An end to censorship. A national parliament (duma).
The revolution was a warning to the tsar about the need for change and reform. The tsar ignored this warning.
Stolypin's 'necktie'
After the 1905 revolution, Nicholas appointed Peter Stolypin as prime minister. Stolypin did introduce certain reforms, especially of agriculture and education. Those who opposed the tsar were dealt with severely. There were more than 3,000 executions during Stolypin's time as PM- the gallows became known as 'Stolypin's necktie.'
Failure of the dumas
In the years after 1905, Nicholas ensured that the duma he had been forced to create had little power, After the election of the first duma in 1906, he declared that he had the power to dissolve it, and to change the rules by which it was elected, whenever he liked.
Four different dumas in the years 1906-1914. Nicholas had gone against the promises made in the October Manifesto, refusing to share power and continuing to rule like an autocrat. This stimulated further opposition, particularly among different political groups.
Rasputin
Further reason for growth of political opposition- resentment about growing influence of Rasputin.
After 1907, Nicholas and his wife, Alexandra, came to rely on the help and guidance of a holy man named Gregory Rasputin. Rasputin had the ability to control the life-threatening illness of the tsar's son.
Alexandra and Nicholas called Rasputin 'our friend' and his position and power at court grew so much that he eventually helped to choose government ministers.
Stories about his hedonistic lifestyle abounded. Rasputin was another piece of ammunition for those who didn't like tsarism- these critics now saw corruption and incompetence now being added to the list of problems that Russia faced.
Industrial Unrest
Poor living and working conditions for industrial workers led to a wave of strikes in the years before 1914.
One of the most important strikes occured in 1912 at the Lena Goldfields. Troops shot dead more than 200 strikers and injured several hundred. The events at Lena signalled a new wave of strikes in urban areas across Russia and there was a general strike in St. Petersburg in July 1914.
The Social Democratic Party
Founded in 1901 Followed the teachings of Karl Marx, and believed that the workers would one day stage a revolution and remove the tsar. The revolution would lead to the setting up of a communist state.
In 1903, the party split into two- Mensheviks and Bolsheviks. The Mensheviks believed that the party should have a mass membership and were prepared for slow change. The Bolsheviks believed that a small party elite should organise the revolution. Vladimir Lenin led the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks were led by Julius Martov and Leon Trotsky.
The Octobrists
Founded in October 1905, after the tsar issued his October Manifesto. They believed that the tsar would carry out his manifesto promises of limited reform. The Octobrists' main area of support came from the middle classes. They were led by Alexander Guchkov.
The Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs)
Founded in 1901. Believed in a revolution of the peasants and aimed to get rid of the tsar. They wanted to share all land among the peasants, so that it could be farmed in small peasant communities.
There were a mixture of beliefs in the party- some wanted to use terror to achieve their aims and others were prepared to use constitutional methods. Terror activity by SR members led to the deaths of 1000s of government officials in the years before 1917. Alexander Kerensky eventually led the SRs.
The Constitutional Democratic Party (Cadets)
As Russia developed a middle class, the demand grew for a democratic style of government. Founded in 1905, the Cadets wanted to have a constitutional monarch and an elected parliament-as in Britain- though some were prepared to set up a republic. The Cadets were led by Paul Milyukov.
Cause of WWI?
Heir to the Austrian throne, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Serbia on 28th June, 1914. So, Austria-Hungary, supported by Germany, declared war on the Serbs. Russia was the protector of Serbia, so Russia mobilised its military forces to help Serbia, leading Germany to declare war against Russia in August.
Summary of Russia in WW1.
Russia entered WW1 with great expectations of success. Many believed that the size of the Russian army, known as 'the Russian steamroller' would be too strong for both Germany and Austria-Hungary.
However, by the end of 1914, Russia had over one million casualties. By the end of 1916, Russia had suffered defeat after defeat. This led to growing discontent with the tsar and his government.
Russian Defeats- Stage 1.
Early August, 1914: A Russian army advanced 160 km into Austria. Two Russian armies advanced into the German province of East Prussia.
Russian Defeats- Stage 2.
26-29 August, 1914: A German army surrounded and trapped one of the Russian armies in swampland at Tannenberg. Over 70,000 soldiers were killed and wounded, and 50,000 taken prisoner. The Russian commander, General Samsonov, was so ashamed he committed suicide.
Russian Defeats- Stage 3.
5-9 September 1914: The German army advanced northwards by rail and defeated the second Russian army at the Battle of Masurian lakes. 100,000 Russians killed or wounded. The Russian steamroller had been destroyed.
Russian Defeats- Stage 4.
4th May 1915: A joint Austro-German offensive forced the Russians to retreat from Germany back to Russia, a distance of over 480 km.
Only the extreme Russian winters prevented further Austro-German advances and saved Russia from defeat.
Russian Defeats- Stage 5.
June 1916: Russian counter-attack led by General Brusilov drove deep into Austrian territory, regaining much of the land lost in 1915. However, the arrival of German reinforcements saved Austria and stopped the Russian advance. Russians began to retreat into Russia One million Russian deaths.
Reasons for Russian Defeats: Poor leadership of generals and officers
1.Lazy incompetent, overconfident officers. Generals didn't work as a team.
IN 1914, THEY MOVED THEIR ARMIES TOO QUICKLY INTO EAST PRUSSIA, CONFIDENT OF VICTORY, AND WERE TOO FAR AHEAD OF THEIR SUPPORT AND SUPPLIES.
2.Outed tactics:
BELIEVED THE CAVALRY WOULD BE DECISIVE. THE RODE WITH SABRES AND LANCES, WHICH WERE NO MATCH FOR THE GERMAN MACHINE GUNNERS.
Poor communication:
SENT WIRELESS MESSAGES TO EACH OTHER, WHICH WERE THEN INTERCEPTED BY THE GERMANS AND GAVE AWAY THEIR POSITIONS
Outdated telegraph system- military orders got lost.
Reasons for Russian Defeats: Lack of infrastructure (+ Part of Supplies and Equipment)
Poor roads and inadequate railway system-supplies couldn't reach the front line.
Not enough steelworks, explosive factories, shipyards and medical supplies.
Reasons for Russian Defeats: Supplies and Equipment
Soldiers had no boots or winter coats. Sometimes 2 or 3 men shared the same rifle. Usually they were short of bullets and they always needed more medical supplies.
Reasons for Russian Defeats: Leadership of the tsar (from September 1915)
No military experience
Not capable- made no difference to the war effort
Blamed for military defeats:
THE PEASANTS, WHO PROVIDED MOST OF THE ARMY'S RECRUITS, HAD THEIR IMAGE OF A WISE AND CARING TSAR FURTHER SHATTERED BY THE EXPERIENCE OF WAR.
Military Exhaustion.
Enthusiasm for the war soon waned. Casualties, frequent defeats and poor equipment lowered the morale of the soldiers.
Soon lost respect for their officers, who seemed unfeeling and ineffective. Desertion was common. Many soldiers died without weapons or ammunition, and some didn't even have boots to wear in the bitterly cold weather.
Consequence of defeats in military
The discontent spread to the people of Russia. News of high casualties caused alarm in different parts of the Russian Empire. E.g. In Baku, the Capital of Azerbaijan, women lay on the rails to stop troop trains moving. In other areas, there was violent resistance to conscription.
Effects of War on Economy: Part 1
Devastating effect on the Russian economy. Inflation increased- 7 price rises between 1913 and 1917. Less food produced because of the shortage of labour and horses. As more peasants called up to the armed forces, there were fewer men left to work on the land. 14 million men called up to serve in the army between 1914 and 1917.
Demand for horses at the front also made it harder for peasants to cultivate their land. Food shortage-encouraged higher food prices.
Effects of War on Economy: Part 2 (Industry)
Industry effected by shortage of workers, lack of fuel and essential supplies. Russia's transport system couldn't cope with the increased demands of war, as well as providing industry with the necessary raw materials. Consumer goods, such as boots and cloth, became scarce and expensive. Shortages of vital coal, iron and steel. Many factories closed.
Effects of War on Economy: Part 3
Economic problems brought misery. Closure of factories led to unemployment and even greater poverty. Because of shortages, prices were rising continually, but wages for those left in work hardly went up at all. Workers being asked to work long hours, to make matters worse.
Effects of War on Economy: Part 4 (Fuel + Food Shortages)
Hardships worsened by fuel and food shortages.
Even when fuels and food were available, supplies frequently failed to reach the people in the towns and cities, due to Russia's inadequate transport system and the incompetence of the government.
Effects of War on Economy: Part 5
By the beginning of 1917- Russia was close to defeat on the Eastern Front. There was mass discontent in the armed forces and among the Russian people. To make matter worse, Petrograd (formerly St. Petersburg) experienced the worst winter in living memory, at a time when there were severed food and fuel shortages.
Political effects of the war
At first, the war seemed to improve the government of Russia as it encouraged the tsar to work with the dumas, but ultimately seriously weakened the position of the tsar.
The tsar's decision to take over command of war and move to the front was a big mistake. Left the running of the country in the hands of his wife. She refused to take advice from middle-class members of the duma, and they became increasingly frustrated.
During the war, the Russian people came to hate anything German. Changed the name of the capital city from German St. Petersburg to the Russian Petrograd. Alexander was German- rumoured that she was a German spy trying to sabotage the Russian war effort.
Political effects of the war- Alexandra and Rasputin
Rasputin was the only person the tsarina listened to. He seemed to be in charge of the government. Tsarina frequently dismissed any capable ministers from the duma on Rasputin's advice and replaced them with his incompetent friends.
So many changes of ministers that nobody was properly organizing food, fuel and other supplies to the cities. The railway system fell into chaos, and trainloads of food were left rotting.
News from the war got worse- situation in cities became more desperate. SO support for tsar and his wife began to decrease among the middle and upper classes. They blamed the tsar for leaving the country ujnder the control of a German woman, influenced by a mad monk.
CHAPTER 2- Summary of Revolutions
Beginning of January 1917, the position in Russia was becoming chaotic. Defeats in the war, food shortages and lack of social and political reform meant that support for the tsar had been severely eroded.
In Petrograd, February 1917- spontaneous demonstrations against the war. Members of armed forces joined the demonstrators- threat to position of Nicholas II became so serious that he was forced to abdicate.
Situation in Petrograd
By early 1917, it seemed as if the country was on the verge of collapse. Hoped that murder of Rasputin (December 1916) would help to bring some stability to the running of the country- it didn't.
Winter weather was especially severe in December and January, affecting food supplies to cities and towns. Prices rose, and rationing led to further disconent. In Petrograd, there were stikres- people began to demand food.
Situation in Petrograd: Part 2.
Support for tsar continued to diminish.
Tsar's brother, Grand Duke Michael mentioned the idea of direct challenge to the tsar- indication of severity of situation.
Strikes became an everyday occurence in Petrograd in early 1917, resulting in huge numbers of people on the streets.
Situation worsened when soldiers garrisoned in Petgroad mutinied and began to take sides with the demonstrators.
Situation in Petrograd: Part 3
Nicholas' presence at the front meant that he didn't always know exactly what was happening in Petrograd.
January 1917-General Krymov, a Russian army commander on the Eastern Front, infored Rodzianko, the president of the duma, that many soldiers had lost faith in Nicholas and would support the duma if it took olver. Krymov also told Rodzianko that the tsarina had to be removed from Russian politics. Rodzianko tried to act on this, but he found that Nichola wouldn't accpet advice from him or the duma, which had been recalled in 1915.
Events rapidly spiralled out of control in February 1917.
Events in Petrograd: TIMELINE.
14th February: Rodzianko informs Nicholas that he could no longer rely on his closest supporters in Petrograd.
18th February- Strike at Putilov engineering works. Workers want higher wages because their wages had lost value as a result of inflation.
23rd February- International Women's Day. Large numbers of women join about 100,000 strikes and demonstrations on the streets of Petrograd.
24th Febuary- About 200,000 workers now on stike.
25th February- Strikes all over the city, with about 300,000 demonstrators on the streets. No newspapers are printed and there is no public transport. The police begin to show sympathy for the demonstrators.
26th February- Nicholas instructs army to restore order but some of the Petrograd garrison had deserted. Some shots were fired on the demonstrators. No printers to produce the tsar's proclamations.
27th February- Buildings, shops and restaurants are looted. Most of Petrograd garrison mutinied and joined the strikes. Nicholas orders the duma to dissolve. It does so, but 12 members refuse and set up a 'Provision Committee.' Alexander Kerensky demands that Nicholas abdicate.
1st meeting of the Petrograd Soviet of Soldiers', Sailors', and Workers' Deputies. The Provisional Committe and the Petrograd Soviet are now running rhe country.
28th February- The Soviet issues a newspaper and declares its intentions to remove the old system of government.
Tsar's absence and abdication: TIMELINE.
1st March: The Petrograd Soviet issues Soviet Order Number 1, which transfers all authority from army officers to the elected representatives of the soldiers.
2nd March- Nicholas abdicates and refuses to nominate his son Alexei as his successor, because of his haemophilia.
3rd March- The Provisional Committee renames itself the Provisional Government and becomes responsible for running the country (until elections for a Constituent Assembly ((Parliament)) could be held, and a permanent government established).
Members of the PG, and attitude?
Consisted of a cabinet of of ministers. The Prime Minister was Princ Lvov, a wealthy aristocratic landowner.
Milyukov- Foreign Minister and leader of the Cadets Guchkov- War Minister and leader of the Octobrists Kerensky- Minister of Justice and a Social Revolutionary
Remaining ministers were chosen from the Octobrist and Cadet parties. New government- middle-class politicians who wanted to draw up a constituion and establish a democratic government.
Inititally, the Bolsheviks supported it- they believed that the working classes could become better organised under such a government. In the future, they thought the workers would be ablw to seize power from the middle classes.
The PG Reforms:
Freedom of religion Freedom of speech Recognition of trade unions Introduction of an eight-hour day for industrial workers Promise of an elected parliament Abolishment of secret police Amnesty for political prisoners
Backround of PG reforms:
Each reform tried to address problems which had either not been solved after the 1905 Revolution, or had been created by the tsar and his ministers in an effort to keep tight control over the Russian people.
Reforms wereq uite wide-ranging, and it was hoped that they would satisfy the workers and the middle classes.
The PG did make some of its promised reforms during the early weeks of its ministery. Many wete pushed through by Alexander Kerensky, who won great personal support for his powerful speeches.
The PG's problems
Not a truly elected body and didn't represent people of Russia
Defeats in the war
Soldiers were deserting
Peasants were looting the property of the landlords and seizing their land
Soldiers and workers were setting up elected council of workers, known as soviets, in towns and cities
People wanted an end to food shortages
Some of the subject nationalities were hoping that there might be a chance of independence in the future.
Weaknesses and failures of the PG: The Soviet
Most severe issue facing PG- formation of the Petrograd Soviet.
By early March- 3,000 elected members and contained many revolutionaries (especially Socialist Revolutionaries and Menshveiks).
Existence of PG and PS meant that two bodes were running Russia- known as the Dual Authority. Both bodies met in the same building.
Initially they worked together (Kerensky was a member of both). As months wore on, a gulf between the two began to grow. The Soviet came under the influence of the Bolsheviks, who attacked the PG for continuing the war. The Sovietonly wished to see the German army pushed out of Russia, whereas the PG was prepared to fight on with Britain and France until Germany surrendered.
Soviet Order Number One
In March 1917- the Petrograd Soviet issued Soviet Order Number One. This meant that the orders of the PG were only binding in regards to military affairs if they were approved by the Soviet. This significantly weakened the new government's authority.
Defeats in the War (Part 1)
PG decided to continue the war because it was concerned at the heavy demands Germany would make if Russia made peace. Alexander Kerensky, now Minister of war visited troops and persuaded them to support a new June offensive in the hope it would drive the German forces out of Russia. Even some Bolsheviks who felt that the war should not be stopped.
Defeats in the War (Part 2)
Decision to continue the war was fatal for the PG as further defeats only increased its unpopularity, weakening it further. Kerensky's June offensive was a failure and resulted in more than 60,000 deaths and yet more desertions.
Germany sent exiled revolutionaries back to Russia in the hppes that they would stir up a rebellion. Among these was Lenin, the Bolshevik leader, who arrived in Petrograd in April 1917, and began to call for the overthrow of the Provisional Government.
Vote of Confidence
First meeting of All-Russian Congress of Soviets gave a vote of confidence to the PG in June 1917. (Congress consisted of representatives from the newly created soviets which had been set up at local levels all over Russia after the February revolution.) Only 105/822 representatives in the Congress were Bolsheviks.
The July Days
The PG was still experiencing problems. The war wasn't going well and the growing power of the soviets and strength of opposition were key concerns. Sharing of Dual Power coming under increasing strain. The Austrian Front was disintegrating and this caused many soldiers to flood back to Russia. For 3 days (July 3-6),there was chaos in Petrograd when the soldiers and some Bolsheviks tried to overthrow the PG. The riots were only restored when Kerensky, the Minister of War, was able to move loyal troops to quash the rebels. About 400 people were killed and injured and Lenin fled the country.
Consequences (Alexander Kerensky)
Was appointed the new prime minister on 8th July 1917. Cemented position as most powerful politician in Russia. Determined to continue the war and wait until the elections before any decisions would be made about ending Russia's participation. Growing disquiet among many Russians because little seemed to have changed since the abdication of Tsar Nicholas.
Kornilov Revolt (Brief Summary)
General Kornilov, the new Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian armed forces, threatened to seize power in Petrograd.
Background for Kornilov Revolt?
By the end of August, German forces had advanced far unto Russia and began to threaten Petrograd. A large number of deserters and refugees flooded into the city, heightening the sense of crisis. Kornilov declared that if Russia was to defeat Germany, there had to be stability at home. He would help to restore order and ensure that there was no anarchy or socialist-style government in Russia. Kornilov didn't agree with the Petrograd Soviet's wish to end the war and he sought to set up a military dictatorship.
Kornilov's Decision
Decided to march on Petrograd to save the PG. Issued a manifesto to win esupport and clearly explain his aims. It: Attacked the Bolsheviks in the Petrograd Soviet Asked for the war to be continued Called for the meeting of a Constituent Assembly
How was Kornilov prevented?
Kornilov was immediately condemned by Kerensky, and Petrograd was placed under martial law. As Kornilov and his forces approached Petrograd, Kerensky allowed the Bolshevik Red Guards to arm wand was happy to see the Bolsheviks persuade many of Kornilov's troops to desert.
Kerensky also set free many Bolsheviks who had been imprisoned after the July Days, so that there would be a considerable force to oppose Kornilov in Petrograd.
What happened?
Railway workers prevented Kornilov's troops from approaching Petrograd and printers stopped publication of newspapers that supported the revolt. The attempted revolt failed and Kornilov was arrested.
Significance of the Revolt (military)
Army High Command had lost its commander-in-chief and morale sank even lower. Moreover, officers continued to be murdered and desertions reached an even higher level. The army was no longer in a position to set up a military dictatorship.
Significance of the Revolt (Kerensky)
Kerensky's government looked weak and the Bolsheviks, who had seized control of the Petrograd Soviet, looked like heroes. Many of their followers were armed and those imprisoned in July were freed. Bolsheviks began to sense that their time was approaching, and Lenin began to make plans for his return from exile.
Problems of PG
All the problems that PG had faced in March hadn't gone away and by October it had retained little authority.
The Bolsheviks' promises were proving more attractive than the seeming inaction of Kerensky. When Kerensky did act- setting the date for Constituent Assembly elections- it pushed Lenin to decide on a takeover.
CHAPTER 4- THE BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION: Lenin's return and activities before the revolution (Part 1)
When war broke out in 1914, Lenin was in Poland. Arrested for being Russian, but allowed with Austrian help to travel to Zurich in neutral Switzerland.
Utterly opposed to the war, he and fellow Bolsheviks were condemned as traitor by Russia and forced into exile.
After February Revolution in 1917, Lenin was desperate to return to Russia. Made sure that his supporters at home spread the message that the Bolsheviks wanted peace and an end to the chaos in Russia.
Germans thought that if Russia pulled out of the war, then more troops could be moved to the Western Front to fight Britain and France. Lenin was put in a sealed train and sent across Germany and Sweden. Arrived in Petrograd at the Finland Station- 3rd April 1917.
Price to pay for this method of transport: Accused of being a German spy. Lenin was unconcerned- he had returned, and the money from the Germans would help finance his revolution.
The April Thesis (6 points)
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- banks, factories and transport should be nationalised.
The Bolsheviks should take control of the Soviets in order to achieve their aims. The slogan "All power to the Soviets."
Bolshevik's popularity rise
Bolsheviks grew in popularity. Membership grew from 24,000 in February to 100,000 in April.
By June 1917, there were more than 40 newspapers spreading Lenin's views and ideas across Russia.
Bolsheviks even had their own Red Guard- by July, there were about 10,000 armed workers in Petrograd itself.
Impact of July Days
Not a success for the Bolsheviks
Kerensky, now PM, accused the Bolsheviks of being German spies, because he knew that Lenin's return to Russia had been financed by Germany.
AND
Much of the Bolsheviks' revolutionary activity since April had been backed by German money.
Lenin fled the country and other leading Bolsheviks were arrested or went into hiding, denounced as traitors.
Their newspaper, Pravda was closed down.
How did Lenin fix this?
Lenin directed the Bolsheviks from Finland and they were able to continue to function and maintain their high profile. Lenin altered the view he held before 1917 that the peasants wouldn't play a significant role in any future revolution.
Accepted land seizures and encouraged even more, thus winning support in the countryside.
The slogan 'land to the peasants' was taken up by the Bolsheviks.
Lenin also knew that the Russian army could be swayed towards the Bolshevik anti-war policy. New slogan of 'Peace, Bread, Land' began to attract more and more followers.
Bolshevik growth in popularity?
Membership grew from 100,000 in April to 340,000 in October, with 60,000 members in Petrograd alone. Role in suppressing the Kornilov revolt had increased their popularity, and they had retained the weapons given to them by Kerensky during the revolt.
The move to revolution
All-Russian Congress of Soviets due to meet in Late October- possible that the Bolsheviks wouldn't have a majority of representatives in it. However, if Bolsheviks overthrew the PG before this, they could present their new authority as fait accompli, which the Congress would find difficult to reject.
Lenin was also aware that the Bolsheviks were unlikely to win a majority of seats in the Constituent Assembly elections that Kerensky had called. But if they were in power before these elections, then the results could be ignored if they were unfavourable to the Bolsheviks.
Bolsheviks' move to revolution
Lenin returned to Petrograd on 7th October, went into hiding. 10th October- persuaded the Bolshevik Central Committee to agree in principle to an uprising, but two influential leaders- Kamenev and Zinoviev- voiced strong objections, and published these in a newspaper, alerting Kerensky to the Bolshevik threat. Lenin was furious.
How did Kerensky try and combat this?
23rd October- Kerensky tried to remove the Bolshevik threat by closing down the Bolshevik papers, and attempts were made to round up leading Bolsheviks.
Bolsheviks were forced into action, and Lenin ordered the revolution to begin before Kerensky could capture them.
Date of revolution- 24th October 1917
Events of the Revolution
Night of 24th October:
The Bolsheviks captured key buildings, such as telegraph offices and railway stations, and road blocks were set up on the city bridges and roads surrounding the Winter Palace, where the Provisional Government was in session.
Little resistance and the citizens of Petrograd went about their everyday business.
Kerensky escaped from Petrograd on the morning of 25th October- tried to raise troops from the front, while the rest of the government remained in the Winter Palace.
Could secure no further help. The troops guarding the PG, and the military cadets surrendered.
PG gave in and was placed under arrest. Some members slipped away unnoticed. Death of 6 soldiers, 18 arrests and the collapse of the PG.
The Bolsheviks take power
Meanwhile, the All-Russian Congress of Soviets was taking place. The Bolsheviks held the most seats- 390/650.
The SR and Menshevik representatives condemned the Bolshevik actions, because it wasn't a Soviet takeover of power. The 2 sets of representatives left the Congress which meant that the Bolsheviks' position was strengthened because of their huge majority.
The next day, Lenin formed a government called the Council of People's Commissars. All Bolshevik membership:
Lenin was the head of the government Leon Trotsky was Commissar of Foreign affairs Joseph Stalin was Commissar for Nationalities
Reasons for success: Role of Trotsky
When the Bolsheviks secured control of the Petrograd Soviet, Trotsky was elected as leader and this became the key to his success.
In October, he became the dominant member of the three-man Military Revolutionary Committee of the Soviet. The MRC controlled 20,000 Red Guards, 60,000 Baltic sailors and the 150,000 soldiers of the Petrograd garrison.
When Bolsheviks started to prepare for revolution, they began to rely on small, disciplined units of soldiers and workers. From his office, Trotsky made plans for the seizure of the key buildings of the PG and their overthrow of the PG.
Role of Lenin
Role of Lenin was crucial. Lenin persuaded the Bolsheviks to oppose the war, unlike the Socialist Revolutionaries and Mensheviks.
He gave the Bolsheviks simple slogans which were easily understood by the ordinary people and designed to gain their support.
Lenin had tremendous energy and vitality, and his commitment to revolution spurred on the Bolsheviks.
His decision to oppose the war was the key reason why Bolshevik support rose throughout 1917.
He created the Red Guard which was funded by German money, which helped to equip them.
Lenin persuaded the majority of the Central Committee of the Bolshevik party to seize power in October.
Trotsky organised the takeover, but without Lenin the Bolsheviks would never have tried to remove the PG. Within a week of the revolution in Petrograd, the Bolsheviks took control of Moscow, and then began the work of securing control of the whole of Russia.
Weaknesses of PG
PG was weak and only a temporary body- people of Russia hadn't elected it.
From the beginning, it shared power in Petrograd with the Soviet and couldn't overturn SON1.
Kerensky was never able to remove the Bolsheviks completely and during the Kornilov revolt he armed them.
As 1917 unfolded, the PG was unable to win over the support of ordinary people in Petrograd. The Bolsheviks and other parties were able to publish so much propaganda that when the crisis came, Kerensky received little to no help.
Bolshevik control of the armed forces
Trotsky claimed that the Bolsheviks were successful because the soldiers of the Petrograd garrison didn't side with the PG. The Creation of the Military Revolutionary Committee enabled the Bolsheviks to control some of the armed forces at a critical time.
Lack of Alternatives
Many political parties didn't offer clear leadership during 1917. They all became discredited because they supported the continuation of the war- led to discontent within the army.
CHAPTER 5: After Revolution
The government that Lenin set up in November 1917 was called Sovnarkom, short for Council of People's Commissars. During the weeks after the Bolshevik takeover, soviets throughout Russia joined in the revolution and took control of most towns and cities.
By end of 1917, nearly all of Russia was in Soviet hands. This didn't mean that the Bolsheviks had total control of Russia, as not all soviets were run by Bolsheviks. In the countryside, most peasants supported the Socialist Revolutionaries.
Lenin's problems
Upcoming elections to the Constituent Assembly that the PG had arranged before the revolution. Seemed that the Socialist Revolutionaries would win more votes. If they did, the Bolsheviks would have to hand over control of Sovnarkom to their rivals.
On top of this, Lenin had to keep the promises he made in his April Thesis, such as giving land to the peasants.
To address this, Lenin issues a series of decrees in November and December 1917.
Decree on Land
540 million acres of land taken from the tsar, nobles, the Church and other landlords. Peasants set up committee to divide the land fairly.
Decree on Unemployment Insurance
Employment insurance to be introduced for all workers against injuries, illness and unemployment
Decree of Peace
Sovnarkom intended to make peace immediately with Russia's opponents in the war.
Decree on Work
Introduction of an 8-hour day and 40-hour weeks for all industrial workers. There were restrictions on overtime and there was to be holiday entitlement for workers.
Decree on titles
All titles and class distinctions were abolished. Women were declared equal to men.
Decree on the press
All non-Bolshevik newspapers were banned
DECEMBER: Decree on workers' control
All factories to be placed under the control of elected committees of workers.
Decree to set up the political police
The Cheka was formed
Decree on political parties
Russia's main liberal party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, was banned
Decree on banking
All banks in Russia came under the Sovnarkom's control
Decree on marriage
Couples could have non-religious weddings and divorce was made easier.
Note
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