90 likes | 200 Views
VCE History: Unit 3. October Revolution. Lenin and Trotsky plan their attack. A strategic takeover. While in exile (in Finland) Lenin wrote letters attempting to continue directing the revolution.
E N D
VCE History: Unit 3 October Revolution
Lenin and Trotsky plan their attack A strategic takeover
While in exile (in Finland) Lenin wrote letters attempting to continue directing the revolution. • Two weeks of negotiation began with the Bolshevik Central Committee after Lenin’s return to Petrograd on 7th of October. • Lenin urged that the takeover must occur before the November elections for the Constituent Assembly. A strategic takeover Definitely Lenin
By 10 October, Lenin had persuaded the Congress that an armed insurrection was neededbut no date was agreed upon. • Two prominent members of the committee Zinoviev and Kamenev published articles arguing that it was the ‘wrong circumstances’ for a takeover (chickens!). • On 23 October Kerensky initiated action against the Bolsheviks, promising ‘permanent liquidation’ against any revolt. • Members of the Cadet’s, Women’s Battalion and Cossacks were sent to guard the Winter Palace. These women defended the Palace… but were crap. A strategic takeover
Kerensky’s aggression demanded a swift response and Lenin acted immediately, ordering the Bolshevik takeover for the following night, 24 October. • Trotsky must take a lot of credit for the revolution. He was administratively minded, as Chairman he had influence over the workers of the Petrograd Soviet through the Military Revolutionary Committee and led the Red Guard into battle. A strategic takeover
Were: • Stage 1: Capture the key communication centres • Stage 2: Capture key utilities, such as Electricity companies. • Stage 3: Capture key vantage points like the bridges and railway stations. • Stage 4: Capture the Provisional Government in the Winter Palace. The first three stages were completed quickly and the capture of the Winter Palace, while more difficult, but the Cossacks deserted, the Women’s Battalion surrendered (what a bunch of girls!), the battleship Aurorawas commandeered to fire on the palace. Also the back door was left open. Four stages of Revolution Opening the back door, genius.
Day 1: Trotsky distributes arms to the Red Guard. • Day 2: Red Guard storm Winter Palace. Kerensky escapes to US Embassy. PG arrested and imprisoned. Second All Russian Congress of Soviets – Trotsky dismisses Menshevik and SR opponents. • Day 3: Bolshevik’s announce ‘Government of People’s Commissars’ with Lenin as leader (surprise, surprise). Ten Days that Shook the World
Day 5: ‘day of threats’ against the Bolsheviks in the newspapers and opponents statements. • Day 6: Opposition turns into counter-revolutionary action. Cossacks enter Tsarskoye Selo on outskirts of Petrograd with Kerensky riding on a white horse. • Day 7: Red Guards fight the Cossacks at Tsarskoye Selo, but the Cossacks break rank and flee, leaving artillery. “Look I’m on a white horse” “Whatevs…” Ten Days that Shook the World
Day 8: Bolshevik victory in Moscow. • Day 9: Appeal to anti-Bolsheviks to join new government of the people. • Day 10: Minimal backlash against Bolshevik’s, who have now usurped power in Russia. Ten Days that Shook the World