The Transformation of Bolshevik Position Between February and October 1917 Most historians think that the Bolshevik’s position went from playing almost no role in February 1917; they had only 150 members in the Pultilov Works which had 20,000 workers, to taking control of the country in October by a combination of luck and skill. It was said of the Bolshevik party in early 1917 that “The Communist Party existed solely in the leaders.” Many historians think Lenin’s leadership was the joint main reason for making the party into the leading revolutionary group in Russia, along with the luck the Bolsheviks had in the circumstances under the Provisional Government. A few historians claim Germany played a major role in the Bolshevik’s road to power. The Germans helped many previously exiled revolutionaries to get back to Russia when the Tsar abdicated and the Provisional Government came to power from March onwards, in the hope that they would end the war. This included Lenin and an accompanying group of Bolsheviks being given passage on a train across Germany back to Russia. Between 1914 and 1917 the German Foreign Office had also given regular financial support to Lenin and the Bolsheviks. However other historians point out that by giving Lenin funds it actually hindered him, as on his return to Petrograd he was branded a spy by Politicians such as Kerensky, especially in the weeks after the July Days. It is also argued that Lenin would have been determined to get back to Russia even if Germany would not let him. Communist and Marxist historians claim that as well as Lenin’s leadership, popular support led the party to power. In earl... ... middle of paper ... ...hevik success as well as the fact that it was the government who armed the Bolsheviks in the Kornilov crisis. It was lucky that the Petrograd Soviet had gained a lot of respectability, support and authority whilst the Mensheviks and SRs held the majority. The support was shown by autumn when there were over 900 soviets in Russia and the soviets had authority with decrees such as “Order Number 1”. It was also lucky that neither the Mensheviks or SRs attempted to take power whilst they were the dominant figures in the soviets. Most historians would agree with the evidence that it was Lenin’s leadership skills combined with the luck the Bolshevik party had in the failings of the Provisional Government and how the events out of their control went that brought the Bolsheviks to power between February and October 1917.
In February of 1917 a group of female factory workers and led a revolt in which the Tsar was dethroned, only to be replaced by a provisionary government composed of the Russian elite. When this government did not live up to its promises of an end to Russian involvement in World War I, the Bolsheviks (“majority”), a revolutionary movement led by Vladimir Lenin, overthrew the provisionary government in what bacame known as the October revolution.
Understanding the role Bolsheviks play in affecting Britain's soldiers and citizens during World War One first requires background information on both Russian interests and Russia's relationship to Germany. Russia entered World War One after Germany declared war against Russia due to an alliance system between Germany and Austria. The Russians had little success in repelling the Germans, illustrated by the disaster at Tannenberg where more than 30,000 Russians soldiers died (Sherow). Germany subsequently made large gains into Russian territories. Tsar Nicholas II had no choice but to abdicate the throne in March 1917, allowing the Bolsheviks to take power (Sherow). It is very important to note that the Germans allowed "prominent Bolsheviks like Lenin and Trotsky" to pass by rail through their country "to start a revolution and knock Russia out of the war" (Simpson). Due to the Bolshevik revolution not completely coming from a democratic mandate from the people, Britain shows extreme suspicion towards Russian motives henceforth.
The Failure of the Provisional Government and the Rise of the Bolsheviks i. Subject of investigation. How did the failure of the Provisional Government allow for the rise of the Bolsheviks? ii. Methods to be used.
The Effect of the Bolshevik Rule on Russian Culture Bolshevik cultural policy was based on spreading their values to the population. They attempted to promote equality to create a classless society. In addition to removing class differences they attempted to give equal status to women and to young people. In order to encourage women to work state funded crèches were established and laws passed to give women parity in terms of pay with men. The state tried to destroy the old concept of families by legalising abortion and enabling people to obtain divorces much more simply.
The most important war in relation to political change of 1855 to 1964 would be the Civil War (1917 – 1922) because it directly led to the Bolsheviks taking power in Russia implanting new ideologies (communism) into the state as well as forming of the USSR and dismantling state religion. For example take this quote from the declaration of the rights of the people of Russia which was drafted by the first Bolshevik government in 1917 "resolve to establish as a basis for its activity in the question of nationalities the following principles will be applied: Equality and sovereignty of peoples of Russia, Right of peoples of Russia of a free self-determination, including secession and formation of a separate state and Abolition of all national and religious privileges and restrictions" This shows that there were political changes in Russian society that would never happen if not the Bolsheviks got in power. The dismantling of state religion shows that the new Bolshevik government were taking strides in replacing the old political structure of society which consisted of state religion and heavily autocratic state Duma with new Soviet administration's at every level of society including the military and at industrial level which ensured a secular Marxist state.
so a treaty would be a minor set back if Germany lost the war to
that was required to be done was 'to issue a few decrees, then shut up
There are many people who have lived through and within the Bolshevik Revolution, so there are a multitudinous variety of perspectives, thoughts, and insights about the revolution. The Bolshevik Revolution is known for many things; some say that the revolution helped women become free of control, and others proclaim that it did nothing but continue to hold women captive of their desired rights. The Bolshevik Revolution article states the side of a history professor Richard Stites, who argues yes the revolution benefited the women whilst the other side is declared no the revolution did no justice for women at all, which was argued by a Russian scholar, Lesly A. Rimmel. The opposing arguments both create an effective view on the revolution, and
It was in the interests of all the major powers of the world to remove
A power struggle for control of the Bolshevik party began after Vladimir Lenin's death in 1924. Among the several contenders, two of the most important names in this struggle were Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. Ultimately, Stalin was able to secure power and vote out Trotsky. In the following essay I will discuss the reasons why Stalin rather than Trotsky emerged as the leader of the USSR in 1929.
In 1905 , Russia had a prerevolution that was put down of the Czar. Instead of learning from this prerevolution, Czar Nicholas II, made a very big mistake by in not introducing some reforms to correct the problems. So because of his actions, the situation grew worse. In 1917, the Russians were fighting in World War I. A good majority of the Russian people were weary and uncontent with the way the war was going and with the Czar's rule. This uncontent along with economic hardships caused riots and demonstrations to break out. The Czar called for the army to put down the revolution as they did in 1905. But the army joined the revolt and the Czar was kicked out of power soon afterwards. A temporary government was set up to decide on what kind of government Russia was gonna set up. Two political parties were set up. The Bolsheviks were one of the two. The leader of the Bolshevik party was a man named Lenin. Lenin was a firm believer of the theories and ideas of Karl Marx. So with his slogan of "Bread, Peace and Land", Lenin gained the support of the peasants and gained control of Russia and setup a communist state.
The Reasons for the Second Revolution in Russia in 1917 There was a second revolution in Russiain 1917 for a variety of different reasons. It was particularly the mistakes made by the provisional government and the problems caused by the dual government and the previous revolution in February which had allowed the Bolsheviks to make a leap to power in this revolution. If the February revolution had not taken place, the Czar would most likely still be in power, there would be no provisional government and therefore it would have been almost impossible for the Bolsheviks to plan an uprising. The February revolution left Russiain a state of confusion over who was in power, and most people were still dissatisfied as most of their grievances were still outstanding.
Lenin and the Bolsheviks Replacing the Provisional Government as Leaders of Russia by November 1917
Over the next few years, Russia went through a traumatic time of civil war and turmoil. The Bolsheviks’ Red Army fought the white army of farmers, etc. against Lenin and his ways. Lenin and the Bolsheviks won and began to wean Russia of non-conforming parties eventually banning all non-communist as well as removing an assembly elected shortly after the Bolshevik’s gain of power. Lenin’s strict government, however, was about to get a lot stricter with his death in 1924.
The Rise of the Bolshevik Party On the night of October 25, 1917, the Bolshevik Party of Russia seized control of the Winter Palace in Petrograd without firing a single shot. However, this silent successful opportunity had been in the works for many years. The Bolshevik party rose to power in Russia by giving in to the needs of the people, having superb organizational skills, and their ability to take advantage of a weak provisional government, especially after the Kornilov Affair took place. The combination of all of these conditions enabled the Bolsheviks to take control of Russia and keep her in its iron fist for years to come.