Account for the Bolshevik Success in October 1917.

        At the start of 1917, Russian citizens were extremely unhappy with the Tsarist regime, still led by the conservative Nicholas II, who was resented by many of his people yet still refused to begin reforms (Dukes, 1979: 87). In February of 1917, Tsar Nicholas II. was eventually overthrown, and one could argue that had he not been so out of touch with his people and had begun the reforms his people so desired, he could potentially have saved his autocracy. It was the end of an era in Russian history, though beginning the next era would prove complicated. The revolution of February 1917 was unplanned, unlike the later October revolution, however it was more successful than the also unplanned revolutionary attempts of 1905, as it succeeded in abolishing the Tsarist regime. Even the socialist groups of Russia at the time did not realise a revolution was about to occur, and were taken by surprise by how quickly a series of strikes transformed into ‘revolution’ (Schapiro, 1984: 39). The monarchic government was overthrown and a provisional government led by Kerensky was put in place until a more permanent plan could be conducted. This provisional government and its mistakes almost definitely played the largest part in securing the later Bolshevik success in 1917. These mistakes allowed the Bolshevik Party to make comparisons between the provisional regime, whose opinions were ‘bourgeois’, meaning to win public confidence they would have to denounce their own values (Acton, 1997: 391). Though not all of the Bolsheviks’ promises were actually realised when they did come to power, they were enough to gain them many followers to aid them in organising the October revolution and secure the takeover.

        The provisional government knew its rule was only a temporary measure, and this could explain why they made several poor decisions whilst in power. As Rogger states in Russia in the Age of Modernisation and Revolution, “When in March 1917 ten liberal politicians found themselves forced to pick up the reins of government by a revolution they had not made and some of them feared, the crisis of authority which had plagued the old regime was prolonged rather than solved.” Kerenksy was the only party member popular amongst the people, and at first it seemed he may well save the government (Acton, 1997: 393). It has been said that they did not want to jeopardize their power by making any large decisions (Read, 1996: 134), though the decisions they did make had a huge effect on their popularity. Firstly, the provisional government did not decide to pull out of the World War One effort started by the monarchic government, which angered Russian citizens who were becoming frustrated at Russia’s losses. The provisional government believed that free from the monarchic government, Russia would have a better chance of winning the war, which would be in the national honour and interest of its citizens (Rogger, 1984: 276). The provisional government sincerely believed Russia could win the war, and if it did, they would be the heroes. In contrast, the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, portrayed themselves as strong leaders and offered the promise to abandon this war effort, expressing explicitly anti-war views (Schapiro, 1984: 75). This gained them many followers during the months between February and March, as there were several anti-war groups forming in Russia at the time. There was a lot of discontent among the workers and peasants during this mid-time, and there were many strikes and mutinies, leading to the Bolshevik idea that the land should belong to those who worked it becoming very popular. In July of 1917 there was a revolutionary outburst, named the ‘July Days’ but it was calmed, gained the party no further popularity or stability (Rogger, 1984: 282), and nothing became of the Bolshevik Party until the October revolution, when they took power.

        After the Bolsheviks took over the government, civil war began immediately between the White Army and the Red Army, also known as the Revolutionary war, which lasted until 1921. The war is known as ‘one of the forgotten holocausts of modern history’ as around ten million people died in the conflict (Read, 1996: 191). In the end, the Bolshevik Red Army won the war and the Soviet Union formed in 1922, following the end of the civil war, lasted until 1991. The consequences of the October revolution led by the Bolshevik Party can still be seen in Russia even, and many people alive in Russia today were alive during the Soviet Union and remember it well.

        In conclusion, the Bolshevik success in October 1917 was aided by several factors, so much so it seems it was the perfect moment to stage an attempt at revolution. Russia had become sick of the Tsarist monarchy in February of the same year, and in turn become sick of the provisional government that replaced it. The previous revolutionary events of 1905 had started revolutionary ideas spreading through Russia, so played a large part in the revolution of February 1917, which led on to the October revolution. The people of Russia were crying out for a successful revolution, which fulfilled the needs of the workers and peasants, and the Bolshevik Party was able to provide one.

Bibliography:

Acton, A., Critical Companion to the Russian Revolution, 1997, London.

Burdzhalov, Russia’s Second Revolution, 1987, USA.

Dukes, P., October and the World: Perspectives on the Russian Revolution,

      1979, London.

Ferro, M., October 1917, 1980, London.

Harcave, S., First Blood: The Russian Revolution of 1905, 1965, London.

Read, C., From Tsar to Soviets: the Russian people and their revolution,

    1917-21, 1996, London.

Rogger, H., Russia in the Age of Modernisation and Revolution 1881-1917,

        1984, Essex.

Schapiro, L., 1917: The Russian Revolutions and the Origins of

         Present-Day Communism, 1984, Middlesex.