The October Russian Revolution - A Spontaneous Popular Workers' Revolution or a Coup d'etat?

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Sam James                History

The October Russian Revolution – A Spontaneous Popular Workers’ Revolution or a Coup d’etat?

After the abdication of the Tsar in February 1917, it became inevitable there would be another revolution to follow. Under Lenin the Bolsheviks became one of the strongest political parties in Russia. After the September elections the Bolsheviks gained a majority vote totalling over 50%. With this and other contributing factors it became possible for the Bolsheviks to overthrow the Provisional Government and create another revolution. They eventually did this, however it is difficult to say whether this was a spontaneous popular workers’ revolution or a coup d’etat.

There is a majority of evidence that goes to support the idea that the Bolshevik revolution was a coup d’etat. In early October, Lenin convinced the Bolshevik Party to form an immediate insurrection against the Provisional Government. The Bolshevik leaders felt it was of the utmost importance to act quickly while they had the momentum to do so. A meeting was held between the Bolsheviks, where only 12 men were present. At this meeting 10 voted for an immediate revolution, against a minority of 2 who voted against. This shows that there were prior discussions between the Bolshevik leaders before the revolution took place. This supports the idea of the revolution being a Coup d’etat. Following this meeting the armed workers known as Red Guards and other revolutionary groups moved on the night of 6th November under the orders of the Soviet's Military Revolutionary Committee. The Soviets worked very closely with the Bolsheviks. This shows there must have been some Bolshevik influence in this movement after the October meeting. These forces seized post and telegraph offices, electric works, railroad stations, and the state bank. All these areas, being key points in the city. This shows again that there was prior planning by the Bolsheviks before the revolution took place. Once the shot rang out from the Battleship Aurora, the thousands of people in the Red Guard stormed the Winter Palace. Following this the Bolsheviks took control from the Provisional Government. The new Government would be made up of the various Soviets and led by the Bolsheviks. The fact that the thousands of people in the Red Guard knew to storm the Winter Palace after the shot was fired from the Battleship Aurora again shows some planning was involved, which supports the idea that the revolution was indeed a Coup d’etat.

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There are many events leading up to November 1917 that contribute to the argument that it was a spontaneous revolution. After the Tsar’s abdication it was apparent that the Provisional Government was going to have to change a number of things to win support. Initially they gained some with the introduction of freedom of speech and less strict laws. However the two things that people wanted sorting most, was the withdrawal of Russia from the war, and the redistribution of the land. The Government failed to deal with both of these factors. As time went on it became inevitable that these ...

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