The fact that there was no fierce opposition from the people - they were either silent, indifferent, or passively accepted the revolution - showed that at least they did not welcome any restoration of the old order of pre-1917 period.
Therefore, when viewed from the revolutionary mood and the activity of the mass from February to October, there was indeed the continuation of a great Revolution connoting the total upheaval inevitably involving mass participation.
B. October Revolution as a coupdetat
1. What actually happened in October was by nature a coup carried out by a small group of the Bolsheviks.
- describe the scene (the mass was relatively in peace while the Bolsheviks planned well for it).
2. The mass lacked consciousness for political action
- they were ignorant and backward
- unable to act consciously on behalf of their own political interests.
In February, it was the army which was decisive, and the result was a new government set up under the bourgeoisie command.
In October, the revolution to overthrow the existing government was planned and carried out only by the Bolshevik revolutionary committee while the garrison either remained neutral or supported the Bolsheviks. Also it was confined to Petrograd and Moscow.
3. Lenin never intended it as a mass movement
- he did not trust the mass (their mood were changeable).
- insisted on the leadership of the group of professional revolutionaries in guiding the mass all the way through.
- decided the time was ripe because of the international war situation rather then the mass behaviour in Russia.
4. The Bolsheviks had only begun to be a majority in Soviets in August. They had not built up a dominant influence among the people, especially in the countryside. Even Lenin needed to take time to convince the Bolshevik leaders about the time for political takeover.
5. Post-1917 situation was a civil war
- the Bolsheviks needed to impose and consolidate their authority in the country by force - reign of terror and the use of Cheka.
- they had not gained popular support in October, at least not the kind of support in which the people genuinely identified their interests with the Bolshevik faith.
- the civil war lasted for 2 years, could not be solely explained by the presence of foreign troops.
- after they seized power, they cut opposition by banning political parties and imprison opponents.
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What is a coupdetat?
A coupdetat is the sudden overthrow of the existing government by a small group, often made up of military officers. The group takes the place of the government and usually works within the existing political system.
Coups usually take place when a government is in a weak position or there is a national emergency such as extreme civil unrest (lots of strikes, riots and other evidence of dissatisfaction). The group carrying out the coup takes control of all means of communication, transport and other services vital to the running of the state. The previous government has no means of control left and is prevented from appealing to the people to resist the coup.
To succeed, coups must be well organized and kept secret. Coups are most likely to succeed where there is support for the existing systems of government but mistrust of, or lack of confidence in, the leaders.
In a revolution, the whole political, social and economic system of a country may be completely changed, involving the support of most of the population.
Can we say that the Russian Revolution in 1917 started as a coup and then turned into a revolution?
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Russia was ripe for revolution in 1917. Discuss this view in light of the Russian history of this period.
Two revolutions in the first two decades of the 20th century.
Since the accession of Nicholas II, there was fermentation of revolutionary condition.
Czarist rule was unpopular:
Discontent : i. political
ii. economic
iii. social
Defeat in foreign war provided a chance for the revolutionaries ----->1905 revolution
But 1905 revolution failed because the time was not yet ripe for revolution.
- middle class still had hope to have a reform from above
- armies still loyal to the Czar
- revolutionary parties were weak
The Czarist government tried to revitalize its rule by reforms but was insincere and thus failed. People discontent remained. Discontent accumulated and finally released in the First World War.
Why 1917 revolution successful?
Bolshevik's idea on the chance of a successful revolution:
- Chaos in which only the party who know what they wanted would be the final victor.
- First World War provided such a chance. (details on its effects on the ruling house)
- Thus the time was ripe now, Nicholas II was forced to abdicate. But the revolution did not produce a democratic government as usually happened in other country because the middle class was weak and they were unprepared for it. So the Bolsheviks finally seized power as they had predicted in such a chaos.
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Russian Revolution in 1917 was the work of Lenin?
Without Lenin, there would be no Bolshevik Revolution?
It implies that the time was not ripe for revolution, the success of the Bolsheviks resulted from luck and opportunism of Lenin.