Why was there a revolution in October that led to the Bolsheviks?

Why was there a revolution in October that led to the Bolsheviks?

> Introduction

● ‘Bolshevik Revolution’

● The October revolution was a uprising led by Lenin and the Bolsheviks where

they stormed the Winter Palace in Petrograd and seize governmental power in

Russia

● Bolsheviks -> Lenin’s supporters, radical communist revolutionaries

● The October revolution was caused by the failure of the provisional government,

the refusal to cease fighting in World War I and the ruined economy which the Bolsheviks took advantage of.

> March Revolution and Background

● After the March revolution where the czar abdicated his throne, a provisional

government was established

● Russians became more and more radical and usually did not support this gvt

● Socialist revolutionaries who wished to have power in the gvt installed local

councils which were called Soviets

● These councils were composed of peasants, soldiers and workers

> Causes of the October Revolution

● The March revolution had a huge impact on Russia and pushed for widespread

change

● However, the installation of a provisional government and its failure did not please

the Bolsheviks, as they wanted power over Russia and they want to apply their

own communist reforms

● This pushed the Bolsheviks to pursue power and establish soviets

● The Bolsheviks could not accomplish their goal without support from Russian peasants, workers and soldiers

● The working class and lower military turned to the Bolsheviks when the provisional gvt refused to leave ww1, which was one of the demands of Russians during the March revolution

● The war cost Russia the lives of millions of civilians and soldiers

● The whole country was struggling, particularly the working class

● The angered working class then turned to Lenin and the Bolsheviks

● The economy was in ruins

● Food shortages

● The price of goods increased

● Fuel shortages made already unbearable Russian winters worse

● Shortages of resources for soldiers at the front

● The continuing economic crisis discredited the provisional gvt and strengthened

the appeal of the Bolsheviks

● The need for peace was also very impactful to Russians, as they have gone through a large period of political tension

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