VCE History: Unit 3October Revolution

A strategic takeover

Lenin and Trotsky plan their attack

A strategic takeover

• While in exile (in Finland) Lenin wrote letters attempting to continue directing the revolution.

• Two weeks of negotiation began with the Bolshevik Central Committee after Lenin’s return to Petrograd on 7th of October.

• Lenin urged that the takeover must occur before the November elections for the Constituent Assembly.

Definitely Lenin

A strategic takeover

• By 10 October, Lenin had persuaded the Congress that an armed insurrection was needed but no date was agreed upon.

• Two prominent members of the committee Zinoviev and Kamenev published articles arguing that it was the ‘wrong circumstances’ for a takeover (chickens!).

• On 23 October Kerensky initiated action against the Bolsheviks, promising ‘permanent liquidation’ against any revolt.

• Members of the Cadet’s, Women’s Battalion and Cossacks were sent to guard the Winter Palace.

These women defended the Palace… but were crap.

A strategic takeover

• Kerensky’s aggression demanded a swift response and Lenin acted immediately, ordering the Bolshevik takeover for the following night, 24 October.

• Trotsky must take a lot of credit for the revolution. He was administratively minded, as Chairman he had influence over the workers of the Petrograd Soviet through the Military Revolutionary Committee and led the Red Guard into battle.

Four stages of Revolution

Were:• Stage 1: Capture the key communication centres• Stage 2: Capture key utilities, such as Electricity

companies.• Stage 3: Capture key vantage points like the bridges and

railway stations.• Stage 4: Capture the Provisional Government in the

Winter Palace.

The first three stages were completed quickly and the capture of the Winter Palace, while more difficult, but the Cossacks deserted, the Women’s Battalion surrendered (what a bunch of girls!), the battleship Aurora was commandeered to fire on the palace. Also the back door was left open.

Opening the back door,

genius.

Ten Days that Shook the World

• Day 1: Trotsky distributes arms to the Red Guard.• Day 2: Red Guard storm Winter Palace. Kerensky

escapes to US Embassy. PG arrested and imprisoned. Second All Russian Congress of Soviets – Trotsky dismisses Menshevik and SR opponents.

• Day 3: Bolshevik’s announce ‘Government of People’s Commissars’ with Lenin as leader (surprise, surprise).

Ten Days that Shook the World

• Day 5: ‘day of threats’ against the Bolsheviks in the newspapers and opponents statements.

• Day 6: Opposition turns into counter-revolutionary action. Cossacks enter Tsarskoye Selo on outskirts of Petrograd with Kerensky riding on a white horse.

• Day 7: Red Guards fight the Cossacks at Tsarskoye Selo, but the Cossacks break rank and flee, leaving artillery.

“Look I’m ona white horse”

“Whatevs…”

Ten Days that Shook the World

• Day 8: Bolshevik victory in Moscow.

• Day 9: Appeal to anti-Bolsheviks to join new government of the people.

• Day 10: Minimal backlash against Bolshevik’s, who have now usurped power in Russia.