bolsheviks rise to power
revolution on the horizon
Initially, the people were ecstatic to be free from the Tsar, but the Provisional Government neglected their responsibilities and kept many of the same policies. Continuing the fight in World War I and the failure to redistribute land to the peasants caused the people to look for alternative governance to grant them their rights. Lenin refused to compromise with the other revolutionary groups in the soviet on even the smallest matters and insisted a bloody revolution was absolutely necessary. He was extremely adamant on the timing of this revolution, and other Bolshevik leaders became restless.
"The organization by means of which the proletariat can both overthrow the old power and replace it, is the soviets." - Trotsky
What is a soviet?
july days
In July of 1917, Bolshevik Party members initiated a series of aimless riots without the approval of Lenin that were quickly suppressed by the government. The reputation of the Bolsheviks became dishonorable and many believed they were allied with the German army that was fighting against Russia in World War I. It seemed the Bolshevik party was dead.
"Bolshevism has died a sudden death" - A Kadet columnist
kornilov affair
When a military coup was attempted by General Lavr Kornilov,
the Provisional Government requested the aid of the Petrograd Soviet in defeating the armed rebellion. The Bolsheviks were at the forefront of the resistance, and thus popular opinion rose in favor of Lenin's party. Lenin decided it was time to act; the masses were behind them.
the Provisional Government requested the aid of the Petrograd Soviet in defeating the armed rebellion. The Bolsheviks were at the forefront of the resistance, and thus popular opinion rose in favor of Lenin's party. Lenin decided it was time to act; the masses were behind them.