October RevolutionWhile Lenin was fore filling his self-imposed exile in Finland, his letters of an immediate takeover of the government were ignored. After Lenin's secret return to Petrograd the call for negotiations over the take over of the government were held, insisting the takeover had to happen before the November elections for a Constituent Assembly or any hopes of the Bolsheviks having power were limited. With rumours spread about a Bolshevik uprising, by two central committee members, Kerensky initiated action onto the Bolsheviks calling a pre-parliament meeting on the 23rd of October declaring that "those who dare lift their hand against the state are liable to immediate, decisive and permanent liquidation". Kerensky had ordered that all Bolshevik communications would be shut down and members of the Cadets, Woman's Battalion an Cossacks were sent to guard the Winter Palace with small firearms. Kerensky's actions were acted upon immediately, beginning the take Bolsheviks takeover. the following night on the 24th of October, Trotsky had armed the Red Guard he had formed earlier in August to defend Petrograd and the takeover was completed with four steps: 1. Taking out all communications. 2. Taking out the power (electricity). 3. Blocking all entries into Petrograd. 4. Capturing the Provisinal Government. The takeover wasn't because of the acts of courage or well planned military movements, but due to the back door being left opened and the Red Guard just walking in. The Bolsheviks gained control of Petrograd and Moscow within 10 days Day 1: 24th October Kerensky becomes powerless after Trotsky distributes arms to Red Guard and becomes powerless to the uprising Bolsheviks also taking out main communications. Day 2: 25th October Red Guard storms Winter Palace, arrests Provisional Government, Kerensky escapes and Provisional Government is officially overthrown Day 3: 26th October Bolsheviks rename themselves "Government of People Commissars", there takeover described as "crime against the motherland and revolution' Day 4: 27th October Strong anti-Bolshevik opposition grows outside Petrograd while Bolshevik power remained very weak. Day 5: 28th October Bolsheviks received a day of threats where their authority and action were criticized by the several main important proletariat sources. Day 6: 29th October Strong anti-revolutionary opposition develops and Kerensky fired upon and turning soldiers against because he was just like the old regime. Day 7: 30th October The fighting between Kerensky's Cossacks and Trotsky's Red Guard continued in the town of Tsarskoye Sleo with the Cossacks eventually fleeing leaving artillery behind. Day 8: 31st October Bolsheviks gain victory in Moscow and control it after a week of fighting leaving 700 casualties. Day 9: 1st November Bolsheviks appeal to all anti-Bolsheviks to join their new government and win over the support of the Russian people. Day 10: 2nd Novemeber Bolsheviks manpower and organisation criticized. |
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