Lenin's April Thesis
- His policy made it clear that the party's job was to lead the people forward to another revolution. - Explained his ideology
- Made demands that the war
- At the time, the Petrograd Soviet, all Mensheviks and most Bolsheviks believed in the need for a should be brought to an
'bourgeois stage' of rebellion - Lenin disagreed, he thought the middle class was too weak and only held immediate end.
back the inevitable proletariat revolution. - Power should be transferred to
the Soviets.
- He believed socialist Europe was on the brink of revolution anyway - permanent revolution.
- All land should be taken over by
- His political program was reissued as his 'April Thesis'. the State & re-allocated to
- People were hesitant to follow Lenin, thought he had grown out of touch, was unrealistic, would peasants by local Soviets.
undermine the work that had already been done & he was in the pay of the Germans.
- At the time of Feb revolution, Bolsheviks still only a small
- He got his way through persuasion and compromise - sought converts at party & factory meetings
party of 23,000 members. (major leaders in exile) Only had
(wore a workers cap) & abandoned his call for immediate overthrow of prov. gov.
40 representatives out of 1500 in the Soviet.
- First Bv to reach Petrograd were Kamenev & Stalin (took
- By end of April, he had won over majority of Central Committee of the Bv Party. Peace, 'All power
control of party newspaper, Pravda). Bread, to the
- Lenin returned to Russia from Switzerland on 3rd April
1917. Assisted to Germans (wanted the anti-war Lenin to stir Land Soviets'
Outcome:
up trouble in Russia). - Lenin couldn't support or condemn the protestors,
but their violence threatened his credibility. Situation in Summer 1917
Course: - He also knew a premature revolution risked defeat so -Little support for prov. gov.
- Tsar Nicholas II came to power in 1894. - 20,000 armed sailors from the Bv's helped the prov. gov., mensheviks & SRs to - Real wages falling, by October
- Part of the Romanov Dynasty that had ruled since 1613 Causes: Krondstadt protested, stop them.
prices were c755% above pre-
- Autocratic emperor and titular head of Russian Orthodox Church. - Between Feb & June, grain using Bv slogans. - Lenin & Bv's were blamed, Pravda closed & warrants
for the arrest of the leaders (Trotsky & Kamenev
war levels.
prices had doubled in PG.
- His grandfather, Tsar Alexander II had been blown up by a revolutionary bomb. - Workers & soldiers joined - Meetings of factory soviets in
- Shortages of fuel & raw imprisoned, Stalin & Lenin fled)
- Convinced of his divine right to rule but his personality was ill-suited to rule - bored by political affairs - awkward, shy, materials had closed 586
them, chanting Bv slogans, - Lenin's reputation fell for fleeing and on 8th July working hours forbidden.
stubborn. factories (loss of 100,000 jobs) looting, seizing key Kerensky replaced Lvov as Prime Minister - Bv moment - Much suspicion that 'bourgeois'
- Workers demanded price buildings. seemed to have passed.
- Liked to think of himself as ruling in the tradition of Muscovite Rulers (strong bond with masses), but his political authority Lenin's ideology and the April Theses gov was delaying move to
controls, but prob. gov. was too
was weakened by 1917. scared to act against democracy for selfish gains.
- Reputation was weakened with his association with Rasputin. industrialists.
- In 1913 him and his wife Alexandra celebrated the tercentenary The return of Lenin
of Romanov Rule, they were convinced the people loved them, but it had been a year of violent strikes. IMPACT - Bv praised & organised
- 1905 January Bloody Sunday, Tsarist Army shot at protesters striking after the loss against Japan in 1904/05. Had to the Red Guards (volunteer
establish a State Duma but restricted its powers and used Okhrana to crush opposition. The July Days
soldiers - mostly factory
workers). Milked it in
Tsar and political authority
Kornilov Coup propoganda. Bv's elected in
- 1914 Russia dragged into war. - Failure of Brusilov offensive (June 1917) meant desertions escalated & anti-war increased numbers to Russian
- Russia had long held ambitions to dominate Balkan area, identified with Serbia, fellow Slav nation (Pan-Slavism strong in Russia). Week 3 - Developments between the revolutions sentiment grew stronger.
- July 1914, Tsar mobilised his armies to support Serbia, Russia had to fight alone against Germany and Austro-Hungarians on Eastern Front.
Soviets. Bv membership reached
- So, Kerensky appointed Kornilov as Commander-in-Chief of army to restore discipline
- Decision to go to war popular initially (anti-German sentiment), State Duma dissolved itself (didn't want to burden Russia with politics in war-time). 200,000 in October. Won a
The war effort (death penalty reinstated)
- Morale dampened when Russia lost Battle of Tannenburg in Aug 1914, left 300,000 dead or wounded. - Those on left (Bvs, Mvs SRs) hated him, those on right liked him. majority in the PG & Moscow
- Another defeat at Masurian Lakes in Sep. - End of August, Kornilov ordered troops to march on PG to crush Soviet & establish a Soviets in Sep. More distrust in
- Gov had managed to mobilise c.12 million men between 1914-17 (conscript peasants) but couldn't provide for them: in 1914, only 2 rifles for every 3 soldiers. Week 1 - Condition of Russia before the revolution Kornilov coup & roles of Provisional Gov & Trotsky military dictatorship. Kerensky got scared & released imprisoned Bvs to generate public Provisional Gov.
- By time of Brusilov offensive, 1.5 million desertions by end of year (death of experienced officers, deteriorating economic & political state of Russia, fall in morale). support & armed them to defeat K. COUP FAILED
- Lots of dispute over organisation of war effort, of which Tsar ignored all. June 1915 zemstva & municipal dumas formed Zemgor (chaired by Prince Lvov) - claimed the right to
help gov in the war effort. Progressive bloc demanded he change his ministers & establish a 'gov of public confidence' (constitutional monarchy). Still refused. The economic and social state of Russia
- September 1915 - Tsar takes role of Commander-in-Chief of Russian Army & Navy and went to front line. BAD - just made him appear more responsible for the disaster war had
been.
- By Feb 1917, discontent with the Tsar felt at all levels of society.
- Rasputin accused of sabotaging the war effort (german) and having an affair with Alexandra. Tsar didn't listen, Rasputin killed in 1916 in an attempt to save the image of the
- Most ordinary men & women still patriotic at heart, but the Lenin & the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party
monarchy.
everyday struggle for survival increased their indifference to - From mid-September, Lenin (in exile in Finland) was trying to rally the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party to prepare for revolution.
- To pay for war, gov increased taxes, raised huge loans at home & abroad. Discontent Tsar's fate. - 15th September - Committee voted against a coup. 2 most prominent members (Kamenev & Zinoviev) urged against it - Russia not
- Given damage done to industrial & grain exports by war, massive inflation (money virtually worthless by 1917) - Anger directed at those directly above them (employers, economically ready. Believed they shouldn't act before Constituent Assembly elections (attempt to create a democratically-elected gov after
- Conscription left shortage of men in countryside, less food, people hoarded instead of selling. landlords...) lots of strikes, riots, violence. Russia Booklet 1 march rev) - date still undecided.
- Poland & other parts of western Russia overrun by Germans - removed important industrial capacity and naval blockades brought trade to a - Desertions in the army. - A frustrated Lenin slipped back into Russia on 10th Oct and harassed the CC of the Bv party all night.
virtual standstill. - Political discontent strong: Guchkov (a founder of the - He finally succeeded (vote of 10 to 2), Trotsky supported Lenin.
Key
- Railway system virtually collapsed - taken over to transport men and goods to the front while railways locomotive production halved between progressive bloc) talked to senior army officers in 1916 about a terms - Left to Trotsky to organise the revolution. SRs & Mvs refused. He set up a 'Military Revolutionary Committee' (16th Oct)
1913-16 & severe fuel shortages. potential coup to force Tsar's abdication.
evidence
- 15 out of 18 Commissars declared their allegiance to Soviet, not prov. gov
people
- Discontent caused by long queues to buy bread in Petrograd was an important factor in the 1905 revolution - foreshadow 1917 - Less direct challenge on the left - in exile - socialists disagreed ab - Committee came to control 200,000 Red Guards, 60,000 Baltic sailors & 150,000 soldiers. PREPARED FOR OCT REVOLUTION
revolution? Trend? supporting the war. (Lenin wanted to turn it into a civil war of
- 300% rise in cost of living, unemployment soared, diet inadequacies, unsanitary lodgings meant rising death rates. proletariat vs government, but didn't have the support yet).
- Sovnarkom (Soviet of People's Commissars) undermined power of the PG Soviet, who had shared power with prov. gov. before and
- Caused riots - January 1917, 30,000 in Moscow, 145,000 in Petrograd.
Week 4 - October/November 1917 revolution whose name the Bv's had claimed to act.
- Sovnarkom ruled by decree, with Lenin as the Chairman - he started peace talks with Germany without seeking Soviet's approval.
- Met once or twice a day, soviet less and less frequently (but operated until 1930s).
bad working
CATALYST Week 2 - February/March revolution of 1917 - Local soviets kept their importance, but brought into new Bv-dominated power structure. ALL POWER TO THE SOVIETS???
conditions--> pay, ORDER NO. 1
hours, lack of support bread rations-social discontent Charter of soldiers' rights (1st March)
Leadership and the establishment/consolidation of Bolshevik authority
It promised...
All units to elect a deputy to the Soviet & agree to its political control
Demonstration by 150,000 PG Impact of ww1 Military commission of Duma only to be obeyed if it matched Soviet's orders Establishment of Bv authority under Sovnarkom
All weapons under control of soldiers, not officers
B
workers on the anniversary of - First session of 'All-Russian Congress of Soviets' which had met 25th October was far from
All soldiers to enjoy full citizens' rights when off duty, no requirement to salute/stand to attention The time between Bv seizure of power & end of 1917
Bloody Sunday was a hint of No honorific titles for officers, only Mr General etc... united in approval of the insurrection (even Bv's Kamenev & Zinoviev spoke out against it) -
1905 revolution known as 'utopian phase' of Bv rule.
things to come. Officers not to adress soldiers with 'ty' - like informal 'tu' in French 1. Mv's predicted Bv power wouldn't last Sta
lost faith in Tsar 2. Left-wing SR's congratulated Lenin on
Petrograd Soviet Primarily Mv's, SR's, radical socialist intellectuals, & small no. of Bv's
Claimed direct democratic authroity bc its members were elected by various lesser St Petersburg Soviets. Decrees and actions to December -B
3. Right-wing SR's accused him of illegal seizure of power
Russo-japanese war
General discontent By 10th March it had - 500/670 delegates voted for a socialist gov, but Mv's & right-wing SR's (moderates) walked -
Outcomes 3,000 members
out when they learned majority of seats in Sovnarkom would go to Bv's (left-wing SR's refused
Causes Co
dislike for Tsar (link to wars) to join) - simply played into Bv hands, they had all the power. Le
overview of 1905 revolution Tsar Nicholas II abdicated 15th End of Tsarism
March 1917. Negotiated by Kerensky (only member of both organisations)
Tsar tried to name his brother Dual authority
Not a smooth relationship (proved by Order No.1)
Decree on Titles (Nov)
Prov. gov. pro war, PG soviet anti-war
Mikhail new Tsar (not Aleksei), - Abolished titles & class ranks
Russian economy struggling July 1917, Lvov replaced as Chairman by Kerensky
Decree on Peace (October)
but M relinquished political Prov. gov. dared not proceed with elections - clear that they'd lose to SR's/Bv's.
authority to prov. gov. Elections postponed & big matters like land redistribution to peasants pushed back (everyone as 'citizen' & party - Promised an end to war wihtout
Provisional government set up too.
STAGNATION members as 'comrade' 'annexation or indemnities'. Armistice
under industrialized bad trade Leaves a power struggle- what
will happen next and who will public still not happy Workers' decree (Oct) followed in Nov & official demobilisation
take control
- Established a in Dec
Political parties try to rise in - Headed by Prince Lvov (zemstva leader). End of 1917
power Political parties still want more control - Comprised liberals, moderate socialists & Kadets (those who had maximum 8 hour day MAIN DECREES - Lenin warned of danger of moving towards 'socialism' too quickly. He envisaged a long transition in which
favoured constitutional monarchy)
Decree on Workers' Control (Nov) first stage would be a form of 'state capitalism', where there would be a degree of state control over the ec
- Originally intended to be temporary, waiting for elections for a new Causes, course and extent of revolution
Constituent Assembly. - Gave workers the right to 'supervise but private markets would remain important.
wars 'backwards' Decree on Press (Oct)
- Because of Mikhail's blessing the old tsarist civil service, army 3 - Role of Lenin, Face of the management' - In December 1917, Veshenka (Council of National Economy) established to supervise & control economic
officers & police accepted it. - Banned any damaging
Bvs & revolution. Although he development.
Course of revolution press (propaganda)
hadn't been in PG for most of - Lenin remained cautious about nationalising industry (placing businesses under state control).
from opponents Decree on Land (October)
1917, he had constantly applied Decree on Banking (Dec) - Steps to combat opposition...
- Abolished private ownership of
pressure onto the Bv's to - Nationalised Banks & 1. Propaganda campaign mounted against political & class (bourgeios) enemies.
land & legitimised peasant seizure of
initiate revolution. Gained ended private flow of 2. Anti-Bv newspapers closed down.
land without compensation to
23rd Feb people's support (workers cap) 5 - Weakness of Nicholas II, Had already capital 3. Cheka established as secret police (December)
14th Feb 22nd Feb 24th Feb landlords (gained L support)
(international women's
100,000 workers (from Factory workers asked 200,000 on strike abdicated (15th March 1917). More of a 4. Leading Kadets, R-W SR's & Mv's imprisoned (December)
day)
everyone waving red flags,
CAUSES (importance ranked 1 to 5
58 diff factories) on for higher wages (to 90,000 people started the secondary cause - his weakness caused prov.
have red rosettes and red (1 most important)
strike over the plans cope with inflation) but day marching by end of the gov. to take over, prov. gov. weakness
clothing while singing
were locked out of day 240,000
for bread rations french revolutionary songs caused the revolution.
50 factories closed. 2 - Defeat in WWII, had destroyed Russia's
shows the level of their factories (La Marseillaise)
20,000 on strike
--> suggests it was a
-->organised revolution? economy, people's faith in Tsar/traditional
social discontent spontaneous revolution
gov, increased social discontent (bread 4 - Role of Trotsky, Played a massive
rations, abdications), arguments over part in organising MRC & Red Guards.
whether to leave the war had also Organised logistics of the Oct/Nov
prevented a united government - lead revolution.
26th Feb to/sped up the fractures now clearly COURSE of Revolution
25th Feb
28th Feb 27th Feb
Duma sends Tsar a evident. 27th October - Lenin's Decree
violence escalated-> MUTINY 250,000 on strike
Tsar offered to 66 soldiers from cossacks rebel warning by telegram (over 1/2 PG's workforce) 24th October - 5,000 25th October - Kerensky leaves 26th October - In early hours
on Land agreed. New 'All Russian
Central Executive Committee'
PG to try rally military support. capture of Winter Palace
share power with
against the Tsar arming the
of rebellion and there was no public 1 - Failure of the provisional Kerensky tried to prevent the sailors & soldiers from
Red Guards surround Winter announced & arrest of remaining
elected (overwhelmingly Bv -
protesting public with guns Krondstadt moved into city 62/101). Sovnarkom created to
Duma, but told it --> shows even those in power level of danger transport or newspapers government, e.g. Kornilov affair revolution - 23rd Oct, by ordering the 2 & Red Guards took over
Palace. 9:40pm blank shot from
battleship Aurora signalled start
prov. gov. members. Congress
resolved to take power into its
run gov (only Bvs). Other
and support of Tsar were not The cossacks now forced to
He ignores then was the catalyst, Bv manipulated its Bv newspapers (Pravda & Izvestia) to
key gov buildings (railway of Bv attack. Second Congress of hands. 2nd session of Congress resolutions, e.g abolition of
was 'too late' happy get involved (though some station, state bank...) Lenin Soviets conevened (without Bvs saw Lenin's Decree on death penalty at the front,
dissolves the Duma refused) failure to gain support. Kornilov cease & send troops to cut off the in hiding, but took charge or Lenin) Some were against the Peace unanimously adopted immediate arrest of Kerensky,
revolution (Mvs) appeal to Cossaks & railway
in evening
affair also originated their military working class area of PG - Vyborg (Bv workers to switch sides.
force (Red Guards) stronghold) from the city centre. But
66,000 soldiers mutinied, prevented by troops loyal to Bv's. Gave
arming protesters with 40,000 Lenin an excuse to act.
rifles.
Duma held a meeting, set up
prov. gov.
Revolutionaries set up a Soviet
intended to take over gov March 15th EXTENT of Revolution
Actually a relatively small-scale affair (Trotsky claimed 25,000-30,000 'at most'
Tsar forced were actively involved). Only c.5% of all workers & soldiers in city.
But, it suited the Bv's to claim forces were larger, as their legitimacy was based
to abdicate upon the idea of a 'popular' revolution.
In the 3 days there was actually little fighting, prov. gov. had hardly any military
resources left.
Much of PG remained unaffected by disturbances - taxis, theatres, restaurants
ran as normal.
Revolution was really a series of small operations, calculated in advance.
