In 1904 to 1905 Russia was involved in a war with Japan (the Russo-Japanese War). Russia encountered a humiliating defeat. Most of their torpedoes missed and there was a time where Russia could have won the war in a day, but ceased to take advantage of the opportunity. The first big battle was at Yalu where the Russians were out-numbered by three to one and was being led by Stoessel, a man renowned for incompetence. In May 1905 the entire Russian squadron was annihilated. This was the first European defeat by an Oriental country in over 700 years. The war shook the Tsarist regime and left the Russians united in feeling disappointed and angry with Nicholas.
This discontent amongst many Russians of all classes led to an event called Bloody Sunday. In St. Petersburg an Orthadox priest named Gapon with the support of the police and Social Democrats, set up a union for industrialist workers. Gapon’s aim was to reduce the number of Marxists. In January 1905 Gapon organised a march to Winter Palace to present a petition to the Tsar. However the Tsar was not at his palace and the thousands of marchers were immediately shot down by troops. News of this event spread causing a wave of sympathy strikes across Russia and its Empire. General unhappiness led to a railway strike in October 1905. Strikes began to spread to other industries, peasant revolts were more common and troops were causing disturbances whilst in transit from Manchuria. Action needed to be taken which Nicholas did do, in the form of the October Manifesto. This brought about the Duma, freedom of speech, conscience, association and freedom from unwarranted arrest. This was known as the 1905 Revolt. The Duma created in 1906 proved unsuccessful and inadequate in that voting for the assembly was not direct or equal, the ministers would not be responsible for the Duma and it did not have the right to legislate laws. The Tsar still had the majority of power and began taking his concessions back.
Russia also became involved in World War One. The Russian economy was not strong. Russian coal production was only 10 per cent of that of Britain’s, steel production was only 50 per cent of that in Britain and one-eighth of that in the USA. A weak economy meant a weak military. The war meant many peasants and workers were conscripted, so little food was produced and industry slowed. During the war German troops penetrated into Russian territory, the Russian response was insufficient and supply of raw materials and food was severely disrupted. The war caused instability within the regime and an unstable army. The war was cracking Russia and the Bolsheviks were the only party wanting an end to the war.
Whilst this havoc overwhelmed Russia, the likes of Trotsky and Lenin began to display their potential to provoke a change in Russia. Trotsky participated in the events of 1905 and won great distinction. He gained Lenin’s respect as a great speaker and intellect. Trotsky’s skill as an orator was unrivalled by any other socialist. He was often described as having ‘the oratorical skill to set his listeners on fire’. Lenin was skilled in arguing but was unable to arouse the Proletariat causing it to follow their leadership. However, Trotsky remained with the Mensheviks until 1917. Lenin led the Bolsheviks from Germany whilst he was in exile until April 1917. On his return to Russia Lenin was ‘engulfed by the greeters’ and described as ‘a leader purely by virtue of intellect...with the power of explaining profound ideas in simple terms, of analysing a concrete situation...and the greatest intellectual audacity’. This was despite a miserable and colourless appearance, so Lenin was a unique man.
However, before Lenin’s return in April 1917 there had been a revolution in February. Many factors caused this. There was overcrowding in the countryside causing food shortages, no changes had been made since the introduction of the Duma and on February 22 a large metalworking factory in Putilov closed, forcing many into unemployment. Many riots broke out in Petrograd due to anti-government sentiments, food shortages and street demonstrations. There was a huge shortage in bread, causing long queues lining the streets in the ice-cold weather. Rodzianko, the President of the Duma, asked Nicholas to form a responsible government. Nicholas responded by destroying the Duma. More people joined the riots until violent action was called for. Troops were being sent to Petrograd by train but Rodzianko ordered it be stopped, which it was by railwaymen and managers in the ministry. However many soldiers chose to join the workers and the military lost control. This event led to Nicholas’ abdication on March 2nd and the Romanov Dynasty had ended. A Provisional Government was set up in its place, giving the Bolsheviks the perfect opportunity to seize power.
In July 1917 large angry crowds surrounded the Petrograd Soviet and demanded the Bolsheviks take power, however this revolt was crushed, many were injured or killed and Lenin went into hiding. They had made a move too soon and failed. These days were known as the ‘July Days’. However, it displayed the feelings of unhappiness within Russia, and that the Bolsheviks had some support.
Another factor aiding the Bolshevik’s Revolution was the Kornilov Affair. After the February Revolution Kerensky was made the Prime Minister of the Provisional Government. He was also vice-chairman of the Soviet. He appointed General Kornilov as Commander-in-Chief. In August Kornilov started moving away from the western front eastwards towards Petrograd to prevent an expected Bolshevik rising. This was against the wishes of Kerensky who suspected he wanted to seize power so he dismissed Kornilov who continued to advance. Kornilov and his troops were stopped by railwaymen, forced to surrender, arrested, and left humiliated. Kerensky called upon the citizens to defend the revolution and arms were given to the workers who wee to become the Red Guard. This event revived the Bolshevik Party from the embarrassment of July.
Meanwhile the Bolsheviks were gaining power due to the weak social and political conditions between February and October and the Bolsheviks’ ability to take advantage of the situation. After the abdication of the Tsar the citizens of Russia were left optimistic and with great expectations of the forthcoming Constituency. However the Russians had not experienced such freedom and power before so were in a state of flux. They swayed between the political ideas and parties that appealed to them. The Provisional Government was always in disagreement due to different wants and the problem of who was in control of the army and factories was another problem to face. Social divisions were becoming visible and Petrograd Soviets who held the majority of the power were beginning to turn towards the Bolsheviks. Trotsky joined the Bolsheviks in July also. Lenin and Trotsky together began taking advantage of the situation and the vulnerability of their opponents and the resentment of the citizens due to the war. They promised an end to the war, and Lenin adopted the quote ‘Peace, Land, Bread’, which appealed to the masses. All eyes were on the Bolsheviks. Action was expected and Kerensky used troops to close the Bolsheviks’ printing press, enabling Trotsky to claim counter-revolution. Late at night on October 25 the Bolsheviks took the Winter Palace. Kerensky had no support and it was announced that power had been passed to the Soviet and a new government was set up with Lenin as the Chairman- ‘The Council of Peoples Commissars’.
Overall, all of these factors led to the Bolshevik Revolution in October 1917. However, not all factors were as influential as others were. The particularly significant events were the February Revolution as this produced a weaker power making it easier to overthrow. Also, the wars in 1904/5 with Japan and 1914 involving the great powers were important as they shook the regime and disrupted the economy. Bloody Sunday and the 1905 Revolt were influential as they displayed mass dissatisfaction, enabling the Bolsheviks to gain power. Furthermore, Marxism played a leading role in the revolution as it formed the basis of the Bolshevik Party and its ideologies. Yet, arguably, the revolution would not have occurred without Lenin who was the mind behind the Bolshevik strategies and timing. Perhaps Trotsky was also responsible as he had the oratorical skills to persuade the citizens to support him. Factors with smaller roles in the revolution are the population and structure, the July days and the Kornilov Affair.
Bibliography
European Dictatorships 1918-1945- Stephen Lee
Endurance and Endeavour- J.N. Westwood
The Penguin Dictionary of Modern History 1780-1945
Sources from Lenin’s Russia 1917-24
Web Site- University of Northbank-http://campus.northpark.edu/history/WebChron/EastEurope/OctRev.html