To what extent was Lenin the key to the Bolshevik success of 1917?

by njerimuhia (student)

AS and A Level History

Njeri Muhia

Mr. Kizito

History-Russia

To what extent was Lenin the key to the Bolshevik success of 1917?

In 1917 Russia was in a very precarious place socially, economically and most prominently politically. It was in this same year that two revolutions took place, changing the political regime of Russia dramatically. Lenin was a major factor that contributed to the Bolshevik take over in late 1917. His decisive leadership, radical plans, as well as influence and power all were essential to the Bolshevik success, however other factors were key and integral parts of this as well, including the failures of the provisional government, involvement of Trotsky, and more. Therefore questioning how far Lenin was part of the Bolshevik take over.

Lenin fore mostly, was an influential figure, his April Theses were radical, controversial but were the beginning of his widespread support by the Russians. He firstly stated that the Provisional government was to be overthrown and that Bolshevik take-over to be put in place. This was brilliant in the eyes of the Russians because of the growing discontent and ineffectiveness they had seen in the Provisional government. Furthermore Lenin was stated that power was to go to the Soviets, this position made the working class, the power base, support the Bolsheviks and their ideas and notions towards the change in government. Furthermore Lenin was tactical, recognizing the distress all Russians used emotive slogans such as “Peace, Bread and Land” to attract the support that would be vital to take over control. These slogans—facing Russia’s current issues of chronic food shortages, the irrelevant and damaging continuance of the war n Germany, and the issue of land distribution in the rural areas—seemed to create a solution to everyone’s issues quite neatly. The provisional government had slowed solutions to these very prominent issues and Lenin’s decisiveness managed to create a party that seemed to understand the needs of the population better and therefore gained more support. Furthermore, the urgency in which Lenin led the Bolshevik attack helped the party evade road blocks that would have slowed their progression to power, such as the meeting of the All Russian Congress of Soviets, and the elections. Basically Lenin planning, scheming and the development of such a powerful party were key reasons as to why the Bolshevik party was able to take over in 1917 without much disruption and opposition.

However, Lenin is not the only reason for this, it was half his tactic, and half the failures of the provisional government and its vulnerable position of the time. The interim government was quickly losing the support of the people for various reasons. One prominent cause of this was that they were still involved in a losing war that was damaging the economy and social welfare of Russia. The war also caused a division between the provisional government and the Petrograd Soviet, the soviet which had the support of most of the working class. This strife lead to Russians beginning ...

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However, Lenin is not the only reason for this, it was half his tactic, and half the failures of the provisional government and its vulnerable position of the time. The interim government was quickly losing the support of the people for various reasons. One prominent cause of this was that they were still involved in a losing war that was damaging the economy and social welfare of Russia. The war also caused a division between the provisional government and the Petrograd Soviet, the soviet which had the support of most of the working class. This strife lead to Russians beginning to lose support for the government in place. They felt betrayed seeing as the government regarded the Soviets Address to the people of the whole world as nonsense. Making their views feel unheard and rejected. Furthermore, the provisional government had failed to satisfy the Russians when it came to the issue of land among other things. This was a sensitive area, and the fact that Lenin had been able to develop, or at least a position, unlike the government, made it very easy for the Bolsheviks to swoop in and take the power. The Kornilov Affair also contributed to the Bolshevik success, Kerensky having to release the imprisoned Bolsheviks and provide them arms to defend the nation basically made them viewed as the protectors of the capital and the Revolution. This also further revealed the weaknesses of the Provisional government and presented the Bolsheviks as the right party to rule.

Another individual also participated in the Bolshevik success and this was Trotsky, Lenin’s right hand man. Trotsky managed to become a leader of the Military Revolutionary Committee and thus was able to organize, lead and mobilize the only effective military force in Petrograd. Trotsky also helped Lenin draft plans in overthrowing the Provisional government, enabling the Red Guards to go out and begin the Bolshevik take over. Without Trotsky, Lenin would not have had an inside eye and hand in Russia being capable of protecting the Bolshevik position and power in Petrograd.

Lastly, because many other revolutionary had regarded the February revolution as the main revolution and had supported the Provisional government seeing as they had promised to uphold the interests of Russians, such as the Social Revolutionaries, had firstly, lost support of the population because of their support, and furthermore had no plans in uprising against the prominent Bolshevik power and presence.

Therefore as much as Lenin and his leadership were real reasons in the success of the Bolsheviks in 1917, these other reasons contributed to the same. The take over of the Bolsheviks, was one that was tactical decisive, but also very lucky in terms of timing and place.