By November 1917 there were severe problems and shortages of food supplies. Many of Russia’s ports were blocked and consequently they were unable to transport food, they were also unable to trade and receive other goods from their allies. Peasants refused to supply the towns and cities with food because of the inflation in Russia. The price they were being offered for the food was unacceptable. Russia’s railway system had also reached breaking point. The demand for the army was colossal. Meeting these demands was often achieved by the cost of allowing cities to go short. Only half the required supplies were reaching Russia’s cities. This problem was made even worse because the cities continued to grow rapidly during the war. Russia’s peasants had slipped back into self sufficiency, producing enough food for themselves and were unable to sell any to the cities and towns.
The peasants were also clamouring for land and Lenin was able to prise support away from the Provisional Government without any official actions. Land reform for the Provisional Government was not a priority, and in hindsight it should have been. The land programme of the Social Revolutionary party was to take all the lands held by the gentry and the Church, and to redistribute them through the peasant communes. The Social Revolutionaries were a significant presence in the Provisional Government, and thus Russia’s peasants now expected the great land estates would be shared out amongst them. However, the Provisional Government felt that it lacked necessary bureaucratic organisation. Conversely, Lenin and the Bolsheviks adopted the slogan ‘land to the peasants’ and confirmed the legitimacy of peasant seizures of land. Lenin used simple yet effective slogans to maximum effect, such as ‘all power to the Soviets’ and ‘land to the peasants’. These proved to be powerful in attracting support. Lenin promised to end all of Russia’s sufferings. This turned four fifths of Russia’s population into potential Bolsheviks supporters.
The Provisional Government was working towards setting up a new constitution in Russia. They wanted a newly elected government within Russia, which did not happen. They failed to introduce the new reforms to the political system and they were acting more like a dictatorship than a dual authority with the Petrograd Soviets. They were similar to the Tsarist autocracy and the Russian public were discontented. The Provisional Government was on the brink of losing all support to the Bolsheviks. Karl Marx the idealist in whom Marxism evolved from believed in three different forms of society in which Russian society would be based upon. The first was the feudal system which was prominent in Russian society. Marx believed Russia would go through a capitalist period and a proletarian period, when a revolution would occur. These ideas from Marxism were popular with Russia’s lower division of society, known by Marx as Proletariats, as they would have greater power and a better standard of living.
The support from the peasants, army and divisions of the bourgeoisie, as well as the Provisional Governments inability to govern effectively led to a Bolshevik Revolution, led by Lenin. The support of Leon Trotsky, who was released from prison during the Kornilov revolt, and who had been imprisoned during the July Days when the Bolshevik Party was almost destroyed, strengthened Lenin’s claim. Immediately after Trotsky’s release he assumed control over the Bolshevik faction in Petrograd Soviet. He was elevated to President of the Petrograd Soviet on 9th September, which demonstrated his worth to the Bolshevik cause. Trotsky also founded the Military Revolutionary Committee which developed into an organisation that would defend Russia from counter-revolutions, as well as German invasion.
By the time of revolution in 1917, Kerensky’s Provisional Government had lost all of its credibility and this in turn led to the lack of support for the Provisional Government. The Russian public turned towards the Bolshevik Party who promised reprieves from all their problems and hardships suffered under the Provisional Government. Lenin had the support of other leading Bolsheviks, including Leon Trotsky, as well as the whole Bolshevik Party and the military. With this great and new found support he was able to persist on building up the possibility and credibility of a revolution. The Provisional Government had little support and was unable to stop this gradual build up of power for the Bolsheviks, and Lenin persisted in his plan entitled ‘April Theses’.
The Bolshevik Revolution of November 1917 occurred because the Bolsheviks promised solutions to the never ending crises facing the Russian public. The Russian public was unable to vote out the Provisional Government and the Bolshevik’s were persistent in turning possible revolutionaries into Bolshevik followers so they could help their revolutionary cause. The unpopularity of the Provisional Government and ultimately the decisions it chose to follow, led to the unrest in Russia. However the shock abdication of the Tsar in March 1917, the appeal of Marxism, and the popular support for reforms in the army and the land also eventually led to the Bolshevik revolution.
‘Which factor contributed most to the Bolshevik Revolution? a) The effects of the first World War or b) Kerensky’s failure to take effective action against the Bolsheviks?
The First World War was a key factor which led to the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. The First World War resulted in colossal problems for Russia being a long term cause of revolt, whilst Kerensky’s lack of effective action against the Bolsheviks was merely a trigger. Without the First World War Kerensky’s failing actions would not have enabled the Bolsheviks to start the Bolshevik revolution of October 1917.
Russia in 1904-05 had fought the Russo-Japanese war against the Japanese, and had suffered a humiliating defeat, especially as the Japanese at that time were considered to be very weak. The First World War had an immense similarity to that of the Russo-Japanese War and caused unrest in all sections of Russia’s society. Even before the First World War had begun there was severe discontent, which would be invaluable for a revolution at a later date.
The belief that the Russian military would be able to ‘steam roll’ through the opposition and the war would be finished by Christmas, was a false and optimistic belief. The high casualty lists and enduring hardships caused morale to severely drop. The prolongment of the war turned the Russian public against the ethos of the war. As the Bolsheviks were the only party who did not want the war to continue, they were consequently able to rouse anti-war opinion and gain some much needed support.
Whilst the war was being fought there were severe food shortages at home, however the government sent food provisions to replenish troops at the front line, whilst cities food supplies were severely low. The Russian public believed this decision was unwarranted since the food was desperately needed more in the cities and the majority of the Russian public did not want the war to continue. The peasants were also clamouring for greater land distribution. The Provisional government promised this land to the peasants which never materialised. This caused severe discontent among the peasants. The Bolshevik Party appealed to their beliefs and offered them their land and food gaining immense support. The dissatisfaction of Russian society with the Provisional government meant they were easily aroused into drastic action by revolutionary groups.
The First World War also had a devastating effect on the Russian economy. The Provisional government was unable to afford the war effort, inflation occurred and paper money had to be printed. This consequently meant that the workers could afford less making them even worse off. They had no money to buy the small high priced amounts of food that was available. The Bolsheviks were the only party against the War and consequently appealed to their beliefs.
The Bolsheviks were also very sophisticated at infiltrating ideas into the Russian army that the soldiers were being used as ‘common fodder’, fighting in a war which only served the interests of the Russian upper classes. This was important in raising anti-war opinion and consequently the popularity of the Bolsheviks.
The Provisional Government was forced to carry on with the war even if it was against the majority of the Russian public’s beliefs. If Russia was going to withdraw from the war then the military personnel would have returned and probably would have joined the Petrograd Soviet. With this extra support the Petrograd Soviet could have ultimately controlled the military, consequently their power would have increased and the Provisional Government would not have the power over Russia to implement its ideas. However, the Provisional Government’s decision to carry on with the war increased the support of the anti-war Bolsheviks. The Provisional Government was unable to withdraw from the war even if the majority of the Russia public wanted it to finish, as the Russian public where attracted to the ideas of the Bolsheviks who appealed more to their desires. As a result, the support for the Bolsheviks was increasing dramatically. Nevertheless, even with the Provisional Government’s decision to continue with the war, the anti-war opinion and the build up of support for the Bolsheviks could have been avoided. If they had simply offered what the Bolsheviks were offering of ‘peace, land and bread’ they would have got the support of the Russian lower classes and peasants, and would not have been in such a catastrophic position.
The First World War also removed substantial obstacles which meant the Bolshevik Revolution could occur. Firstly the war and all of its major problems brought about the collapse of Tsarism. If the Bolsheviks were trying to gain support and ultimately force a revolution during the Tsarist regime they would have been severely punished. Political freedom was not allowed. The mass of support for the Bolshevik regime would not have materialised, for fear of their well-being and thus revolution would not have occurred. The collapse of Tsarism and the appointment of the Provisional Government meant that a revolution to the far left was more probable and suitable. Karl Marx, the idealist in whom Marxism originated, believed Russia would go through a capitalist period and a proletarian period, when a revolution would occur. The leap from Tsarism to a proletarian period on the far left would have been too great for the Russian public to realise, without a ‘stepping stone’ in between.
The collapse of Tsarism also removed the ‘lack of freedom’ obstacle. Under the Tsarist regime no free speech was allowed. However, under the Provisional Government free speech was allowed and the Bolsheviks used this to their advantage. Lenin and the Bolsheviks used a series of influential propaganda, which helped turned belief and support towards the Bolsheviks and discontent towards the Provisional government.
However, even with the effects of the First World War the Bolshevik party was least likely to gain control. Kerensky’s failure to take affective action against the Bolsheviks could be seen as a decisive and important factor as to why the Bolshevik Revolution occurred. A foremost failure of Kerensky was a decision he took when he was Minister of War. Kerensky attempted radical reforms in the military by getting revolutionary obedience. On the contrary, Bolshevik propaganda and Order Number One turned the military against the Provisional Government.
Kerensky was able to act effectively in the July Days, but was discredited over the Kornilov Revolt which triggered massive support for the Bolsheviks. During the attempted Bolshevik revolt against the Provisional Government in July 1917, Kerensky published an article that Lenin had connections with Germany. Even though the Russian public and militants did not like the way the Provisional Government governed, not under any circumstance would they tolerate a German collaborator especially as they where fighting a war against them. Lenin’s reputation dropped dramatically and Bolshevik support fell. However during the Kornilov Revolt, Kerensky claimed that Kornilov was attempting treason and a military coup. Although Kornilov was arrested, Kerensky’s position in the Provisional Government was weakened and Bolshevik popularity grew. Anyone who had been seen providing support for Kornilov was discredited, and every political party, apart from the extreme left wing the Bolsheviks, had at some time professed to agree with Kornilov. This wiped out any real competition for the Bolsheviks. The Petrograd Soviets would no longer work with the Provisional Government because of Kerensky’s apparent suppression of the military coup, and the coalition ceased to exist.
The war was still progressing with no sign of ending, the Russian winter was approaching and greater food shortages were expected. Kerensky had failed to improve Russia’s position and his reputation and the Provisional Governments was severely undermined. During the September elections the Bolshevik party managed to quadruple the amount of seats they had and consequently held the majority in Moscow. This was a big boost to the Bolshevik party as it was the first major city they held, and the Petrograd Soviets lost a majority of their seats.
On the 30th August all Bolshevik prisoners, except those who had legal charges, were released from imprisonment. This significantly helped the Bolshevik’s Party revitalisation. On the 3rd September, Leon Trotsky was released and immediately assumed control of the Bolshevik faction in the Petrograd Soviet. Militants already discredited with Kerensky over the Kornilov revolt, were appalled as he gave in to the whims of the Bolshevik party.
I consider the First World War to have contributed most to the Bolshevik Revolution of November 1917. Kerensky’s lack of deceive action and his mishandling of the situation was only a trigger and revolution would not have occurred if the First World War did not stir the need for change. Had the World War One not been a deceive factor, the Provisional government would not have formed, and Kerensky would have been unable to come to power. The First World War created the conditions for the trigger, severe unpopularity in Russian society and the abdication of the Tsar and ultimately Kerensky’s mishandling of Russia’s problems.
‘In what ways were Lenin’s oratory, personality and leadership more important than the other factors in explaining the Bolshevik revolution’?
I consider that Lenin’s oratory, personality and leadership was the most important factor contributing to the Bolshevik Revolution because it was his charisma that got public support behind Marxist ideology. This proves in history that great leaders are as important as ideas, especially the translation of ideology in a political party. However, it must also be remembered that other factors also played important roles in Revolution, including the First World War and the appeal of Marxism. Lenin’s political skills were the most significant factor for a Bolshevik Revolution because Lenin further skilfully used the other factors that caused revolution successfully to his advantage.
There was specifically a Bolshevik Revolution because the majority of the Russian people were lower or working class, they were poor, had barely any freedom, and consequently Marxism appealed to them. The Bolshevik party offered the ideas of Marxism so the lower and working classes supported the Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks were able to make a revolution occur because they had the support of the public. The public had become dissatisfied with the socialist parties which had worked with the Provisional Government and had failed to deliver on the fundamental issues of peace, land and bread. The Bolsheviks inherited the public’s hopes. They did not hold a new vision of revolution but a speedier realisation of the original one (Wildman).
Lenin’s oratory, personality and leadership are the most important factors contributing to the Bolshevik revolution however I believe that the Bolshevik revolution could not have happened without other significant factors. Popular support for change in the army and urban areas was an important long term factor since if people did not want change then there would have been no support for a Revolution. The appeal of Marxism to the people, another long term factor, was significant because if the public did not support Marxist ideology, a Bolshevik Revolution could not have occurred. The public wanted change and Marxism appealed to them, but no one was prepared to stand up and articulate what they sought.
However, Lenin did stand up and take control and in so doing gave the people a leader. Lenin had excellent leadership skills because he was able to give confidence to ordinary Russians to stand up and fight for what they believed in. I consider that revolution could not have happened without Lenin since the people would not have reacted, none of the public’s views would have got across and no one would have stood up to give them a voice.
Lenin had excellent political acumen because he was effective at attracting possible revolutionaries using simple yet highly affective slogans. He brought to the Bolshevik movement a programme distinct from all other parties in Russia, which had an unstoppable drive to grab power. Lenin to enhance his oratory skills in April 1917 produced April Theses. Within this he set out his effective slogans ‘peace, land and bread’ and ‘all power to the Soviets’. These slogans evoked a response from the Russian public as they coincided with the views of the masses.
Lenin promised to end all their hardships and sufferings and this gained additional support for the Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks did not create the people’s plan, they merely articulated it and Lenin utilised it to gain power. Lenin furthermore manipulated some fundamental ideas of Marxism to gain further support. Karl Marx deliberated that the land should be under state control, however the public believed this was un-due so Lenin said the people would have their own individual land. Lenin also had a similar personality to that of the Russian public. He was a well liked man, and the public identified with him because Lenin shared the same views as the lower and working classes as he had a similar upbringing to them.
Popular support for change and the failing effects of the First World War led to Marxism appealing more to the Russian people. The war caused severe food shortages, the peasants
wanted land privatised and the public did not want war to continue. These effects made Marxism more popular with the public and Lenin’s April Theses appealed directly to what the people urgently wanted. Marxism became more popular. The abdication of the Tsar showed Lenin to be a strong and effective leader of the people and consequently he gained increasing support.
The appeal of Marxism, to the majority of the Russian public was strong. Marxism advocated additional rights and supplementary freedoms to the public. However, for Marxism to occur Russia would have to be in a state of industrialisation as Marx predicted. Lenin using the many skills he was gifted with was able to make Marxism comprehensible to the ordinary Russian public in Russia. In effect this made him and the Bolsheviks more popular. A difficulty for Lenin was while he was in exile in Zurich, Switzerland. However, he was still able to express his views towards the war which were very satisfying to the workers and proletariat of Russia. In his five letters entitled ‘Letters from Afar’ he ridiculed the Provisional government and urged the Bolsheviks not to obey regulations. He emphasised that the war was a war of Capitalist Imperialism, and that the government were participating in the slaughter of millions of Russian men in the war.
Lenin was also able to get Trotsky on his side, and through Trotsky’s fast organisation of the Red Guard he made it possible for a Bolshevik Revolution to occur quickly and effectively. However it has to be argued that the action undertaken by Lenin inevitably led to the revolution and not the Kornilov revolt as Kerensy claimed. The results of the municipal elections in Moscow show that the Bolsheviks cumulated 49.6% of the seats, occurring in 1917, before the Kornilov revolt. Lenin’s written works ‘fskra’ about a Marxist revolution and all of his revolutionary ideas made a Bolshevik revolution inevitable before the Kornilov revolt.
A long-term problem constantly led to a number of short-term problems which acted as a powerful catalyst to a further revolution. Lenin’s oratory, personality and leadership skills led to triggers leading to the Bolshevik revolution. Trotsky’s organisation and use of the Red Guards, and the effects of the Kornilov Revolt, August 1917 were the triggers. As Lenin’s political acumen acerbated these factors Kerensky thought of a plan to get people on his side which was the Kornilov Revolt but unfortunately it ended up backfiring on him. After the Kornilov Revolt change was inevitable, though Kerensky could have taken more effective action in stopping a Bolshevik Revolution. He could have discredited Lenin but Kerensky did not even attempt to do this. The support of the Bolsheviks was great enough to take power.
Many people knew revolution was certain, but it specifically came in the shape of a Bolshevik Revolution because Lenin with his excellent oratory, personality and leadership skills was the only person who stood up and took control. Lenin gained the support of the public and got their mood of the time correct and so epitomised powerfully what the public wanted. Their needs were exemplified in his April Theses which was ‘peace, bread and land’.