The October Revolution, 1917

What was the October Revolution?

The October Revolution is sometimes called the November Revolution due to Russia using a different calendar. It was the Bolshevik-led revolution to remove the Provisional Government from power.

When was the October Revolution?

The October Revolution occurred on 25th and 26th October, 1917, according to the old calendar. The dates are 7th and 8th November, 1917, under the new calendar.

Who led the October Revolution?

The October Revolution was organised by the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin. Leon Trotsky played a major role in organising the revolution.

Why did the October Revolution happen?

There were 5 key reasons why the October Revolution occurred:

• ❖ There was a shift in power and popularity from the Provisional Government to the Petrograd Soviet after the Kornilov Revolt.
• ❖ On 10th October, Lenin returned to Russia and was able to persuade leading Bolsheviks that the party should plan for an armed uprising against the Provisional Government.
• ❖ On 16th October, Trotsky, as the leader of the Petrograd Soviet, created the Military Revolutionary Committee. This gained the support of the Peter and Paul Fortress, so the Bolsheviks had the support of the military.
• ❖ On 24th October, the leader of the Provisional Government, Kerensky, attempted to limit the power of the Bolsheviks by ordering their arrest and stopping their newspapers. Trotsky used the Military Revolutionary Committee to take over key bridges and the telephone exchange.
• ❖ Lenin needed to act before the elections to the Constituent Assembly which were scheduled for November 1917.

What happened during the October Revolution?

There were 3 key events during the actual takeover:

• ❖ Early in the morning of 24th-25th October, the Red Guards took control of banks, government buildings and the railway stations.
• ❖ In the evening of 25th October, the Red Guards entered the Winter Palace and arrested the members of the Provisional Government that were present.
• ❖ On 26th October, Lenin announced a new communist government called the Council of the People's Commissars.

Why were the Bolsheviks successful during the October Revolution?

There were 5 key reasons why the Bolsheviks were successful during the October Revolution:

• ❖ Trotsky played a key role in the success of the October Revolution. He cleverly used his position as the elected leader of the Petrograd Soviet, created the Military Revolutionary Committee, and helped increase support for the Bolsheviks.
• ❖ The Provisional Government was weak because it had lost support from all parts of society. The armed forces were crumbling because of the First World War. The peasants felt neglected as their issues had not been addressed.
• ❖ Lenin's 'April Theses' appealed to the people, was clear to understand and helped to persuade other leading Bolsheviks not to support the Provisional Government. His planning of the uprising was successful.
• ❖ They were funded by Germany which helped pay for their propaganda. The Germans hoped that the revolution would be successful so that Russia would pull out of the First World War.
• ❖ The Bolsheviks had the support of the major industrial cities.

What was the significance of the October Revolution to the First World War in Russia?

The October Revolution was significant to the outcome of the war on the Eastern Front for 4 reasons:

• ❖ Lenin had become popular on the slogan, 'Peace, Bread, Land' that reflected both the requirements of the German government and his need to stay in power by delivering on his promise.
• ❖ The October revolution led directly to an armistice and the offer of Peace from the Bolsheviks.
• ❖ The negotiations stalled as the Bolsheviks tried to delay agreeing to the German and Austrian demands which were shocking to most Russians.
• ❖ The Germans resumed the war by launching a full scale assault against Petrograd, getting to within 100 miles of the Russian capital.