Causes of the October Revolution
- Created by: tannykarimi
- Created on: 25-02-17 12:55
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- Causes of the October Revolution?
- Anger amongst the workers and peasants.
- Workers angry at low working and living conditions. Food shortages common, inflation led to high unemployment In June alone, there were 175,00 0 strikes.
- Historian Richard Pipes argues that the anger amongst the workers was not the main cause of the revolution. The revolution was carried out by small revolutionary groups rather than mass protests.
- Workers angry at unfair land distribution. In July alone, land was seized by peasants in 237 villages.
- Workers became angry at Russia's involvement in WW2. Between March-May 1917, 365,000 troops deserted.
- The failure of the Provisional Government.
- Prov gov continued fighting in WW2 and even launched June Offensive that led to defeat. 12,000 soldiers deserted one day in June. Lost army loyalty, meant no army to defend against revolution.
- Failed to deal with crisis in the countryside. In June 1917, 700 complaints about peasants illegally seizing land. Prov Gov tried to send in troops but this angered peasants.
- Failed to tackle Russia's problems such as food shortages, inflation, land question and continuation in the war.
- Failed to improve living and working conditions for workers and peasants. Tried to tackle food shortages by introducing rationing but this angered people further.
- The return of Lenin
- Lenin changed the way Bolsheviks responded to Feb Revolution. Before Lenin, Bolsheviks had been working with Prov Gov. On Lenin's return, planning for the revolution finally began.
- Most dynamic and talented of the Bolshevik leaders.
- Lenin's slogan 'Peace, land and break' resonated with ordinary Russians and emphasized Prov's Gov inability to address Russia's social and economic problems.
- The Kornilov Affair
- This affair discredited Kerensky and helped win support for Bolsheviks.
- July 18th 1917, Kerensky appointed Kornilov as commander of army, his main aim was to win WW1. Thought best way to do this was to break up worker's councils and crush revolutionary organisations in cties.
- On August 27th, moves his troops towards Petrograd, claiming he had pact with Kerensky to take over but army of workers force him to surrender on 1st September.
- The planning of Trotsky
- Trotsky directed Red Guard to take over key bridges and stations, giving them effective control over city to take over Prov Gov.
- Trotsky's public speaking skills key in gaining support for Bolsheviks.
- Trotsky mainly organised, using MRC to take control of the city.
- Anger amongst the workers and peasants.
- The return of Lenin
- Lenin changed the way Bolsheviks responded to Feb Revolution. Before Lenin, Bolsheviks had been working with Prov Gov. On Lenin's return, planning for the revolution finally began.
- Most dynamic and talented of the Bolshevik leaders.
- Lenin's slogan 'Peace, land and break' resonated with ordinary Russians and emphasized Prov's Gov inability to address Russia's social and economic problems.
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