Question

Make two lists: one with the main events and the effects of the February Revolution and the other with the main events and effects of the October Revolution. Write a paragraph on who was involved in each, who were the leaders, and what was the impact of each on Soviet history.

Answer 1

October Revolution – Main Events

• Lenin feared the Provisional Government would set up a dictatorship, as the conflict between the Bolsheviks and the Provisional Government grew.
• Bolshevik supporters in the factories, soviets and army were brought together, as Lenin began discussions on uprising against the Government.
• Lenin persuaded the Bolshevik Party and the Petrograd Soviet and to agree to a socialist seizure of power, on 16 October 1917.
• To organise the seizure, the Soviet under Leon Trotskii appointed a Military Revolutionary Committee. On October 24, the uprising began.
• Buildings of two Bolshevik newspapers were seized by the military which was loyal to the Government. They were sent to protect Winter Palace, and capture telegraph and telephone offices.
• Winter Palace was attacked by a ship named Aurora, supporters of the Military Revolutionary Committee were ordered to arrest ministers and capture Government offices.
• The city came under the control of the Committee by nightfall.
• By December, the Moscow-Petrograd area came under control of Bolsheviks.

October Revolution – Impact

• There was complete opposition to private property by the Bolsheviks.
• Peasants were allowed to seize the land of the nobles. There was a declaration that land was a social property.
• In November 1917, most of the banks and industries were nationalized.
• The above action meant that the management of the industries and the ownership of industries were taken over by the Government.
• As per family requirements, large houses were partitioned in the cities by the Bolsheviks.
• Usage of the old titles of aristocracy was banned.
• New uniforms were designed and introduced for officials and the army.

February Revolution – Main Events

• In the workers quarters, in February 1917, there was a deep shortage of food, due to heavy snow and exceptional frost in the very cold winter months.
• The Tsar wanted to dissolve the Duma, but the elected Parliamentarians wanted to retain the elected government.
• Duma was suspended by the Government on 25th February.
• On 26th February, there were large demonstrations on the streets, politicians were against this action of suspending the Duma.
• People were out in the streets raising slogans about democracy, better working hours, better wages and bread. Police headquarters were ransacked.
• To control the situation which was spiraling out of control, the Government summoned the cavalry. They did not want to fire on the demonstrators.
• There was mutiny by three regiments, who went on to join the workers.
• In the same building where Duma met, the striking soldiers and workers gathered together to form a ‘council’ or the ‘Soviet’. This was the Petrograd Soviet.

February Revolution – Impact

• The Tsar was advised by his Military commanders to abdicate. As a result the Tsar abdicated on 2nd March.
• To run the country, a Provisional Government was formed by the Duma leaders and Soviet leaders.
• On the basis of universal adult suffrage, Russia’s future would be decided by an elected constituent assembly.
• The Monarchy was brought down in February 1917 by the February Revolution, led by the Petrograd.