The October Revolution The Bolsheviks seize power

Timeline March - Petrograd Soviet issues Order No 1 April - Lenin returns issues April Theses June - Failure of the June Offensive July - The July Days - Lenin flees Aug - Kornilov Revolt Sept - Bolsheviks win control of the Soviet Oct - Trotsky become chairman of Soviet. Lenin returns Oct 24 - 26 Bolshevik revolution

Problems facing the Provisional Government Land - Peasants demand land Hunger - The workers in the cities were demanding food The war - fight on or make peace Revolutionaries - how to stop the spread of their influence The Army - needed loyalty of the army

Response of the Government The Government promised land reforms but gave no date The Government could not guarantee food supplies as the Soviets controlled railways The government promised political reform in an attempt to stop revolutionaries. They failed to take any positive action. The troops in Petrograd were now under the control of the Soviet and refused to obey the government

Peace Land Bread All power to the Soviets Lenin returns Lenin return from Switzerland with German assistance and issues his April theses This called for Overthrow of Government End to war Soviets to form new government Land given to peasants State to control factories and banks

Results Peasants angry with the Government started to seize land Workers joined the Bolsheviks The Bolsheviks and other groups gathered support The Government was losing control to the Petrograd Soviet

Events The failure of the June Offensive led to widespread mutinies The Bolsheviks supported but did not lead Results Riots quelled Bolsheviks accused of being German agents. Bolshevik leaders arrested . Lenin escapes to Finland Bolsheviks weakened but seen as main revolutionary group The July Days

Events Aug 1917 General Kornilov attempts a coup Kerensky is forced to ask the Bolsheviks for help. Bolshevik leaders are released and the Red Guard is given weapons Bolsheviks defeat Kornilov Results Bolsheviks seen as heroes. Popularity increased Became a well armed force The Kornilov Revolt

Why were the Bolsheviks successful? Role of Lenin Organised party Published Pravda Avoided capture and organised the coup. Popular slogans to raise moral and public awareness Role of Trotsky Joined Bolsheviks after July Days Masterminded the events of the coup Great military leader organised the Red Guard Provisional Government Kerensky knew of Trotsky's plan but had lost support of the army and so was helpless

The Bolsheviks take power The Bolsheviks took control of the government in an almost bloodless coup between Oct 24 and 26 1917. Land Land taken from Church, Nobility etc and given to peasants. Land not taken over by the State (yet) Peace Lenin ends the war sends Trotsky to negotiate with Germany. Treaty of Brest-Litvosk The first decrees Factories All factories put under control of workers committees Press All non -Bolshevik papers were banned