The October & November Revolutions

History: KS3, topic 17.4.6

‘State and Revolution’

When he was in Finland, Lenin wrote ‘State and Revolution’ which spoke about the plans for revolution.

After the Kornilov revolt, the Bolsheviks once again increased in popularity, particularly among workers and soldiers.
The German army was advancing, and the people had no confidence in Kerensky’s ability to defend the city of Petrograd.
By August, the Bolsheviks had the majority of delegates in the Petrograd Soviet and in the Moscow Soviet by September.

Whilst hiding in Finland, Lenin wrote a pamphlet called ‘State and Revolution’.
This pamphlet outlined how a successful revolution would work.
After taking power, there would be a period of rule known as the ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’, to create stability in the nation before the transition to full communism.
This would create an opportunity for old social structures to be abolished.

Lenin believed he could spark a chain of revolutions across Europe if his party were to act decisively.
In October, Lenin returned.
12 senior Bolsheviks met, and Lenin convinced a majority that action was needed.

The October Revolution happened between the 24th and 25th October 1917.

Because Lenin was not permanently in Petrograd, he left Trotsky to plan the seizure of power by the Red Guards.
Trotsky believed they should act before the All-Russian Congress of Soviets in October.
They could then make sure this body gave their actions its seal of approval.
Trotsky was elected to chair the Petrograd Soviet.
Trotsky was able to use its Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) as a way to achieve the Bolsheviks’ goals.
The MRC controlled soldiers in Petrograd.

Lenin returned in October.
The revolution had already begun by this point.
Although Trotsky led the operation on the ground, Lenin was crucial in driving the power seizure.

SRs and Mensheviks (correctly) claimed that the Bolsheviks had not sought the consent of the other revolutionary parties.
The SRs and Mensheviks then walked out of the All-Russian Congress.

Red Guards and Kronstadt sailors stormed the Winter Palace on the 25th October
The tsars had reigned in the Winter Palace for centuries, and the Provisional Government now had its seat.
Aurora (a cruiser harboured nearby) fired blank shots to signal the start of the attack.
Kerensky had only a small number of cadets to defend him - all other troops had deserted.

When the palace was stormed, some members of the Provisional Government were arrested, although Kerensky escaped and fled.
As planned, the Bolsheviks claimed at the Congress that they were now in power, even though this was not settled in Moscow.