October Revolution

Also known as the Great October Socialist Revolution or Red October, the October Revolution occurred in 1917 as part of the Russian Revolution. However, the October Revolution is especially important, because it would lead to the creation of the largest socialist state in the world.

Until now, the Russian Revolution had wiped out the Tsar Nicholas II and had replaced his government with a provisional government. This makeshift political system was very weak and encountered much conflict from within. There was great confusion and disagreement in industry and communication which made it difficult for civilians and soldiers to obtain everyday amenities. There was much unrest within the country, and everyday life was difficult. In addition to internal struggles, World War I was still being waged and much of the population found the war to be unnecessary and the cause of their strife. Russia's national debt increased dramatically and their worker's wages decreased by almost half. The nation's population was in chaos and in serious danger of bankruptcy.

Increased tensions between workers and landowners heightened resulting in spontaneous acts of protest, demanding that power be given to the soviets. On August 31, the Bolsheviks won majority in the Petrograd Soviet and then again in the Moscow Soviet. Vladmir Lenin, who was at the time in hiding, called for another revolution to finally rid Russia of the provisional government. The government meanwhile was planning on the creation of a Constituent Assembly in hopes of a republican government. Lenin took this as a sign to speed up the revolution process.

The Bolshevik Party leaders also known as the Central Committee met in Petrograd to discuss the nature of their uprising. Although there was no clear plan in place, Lenin managed to convince 12 hesitant men to go through with the attempt to overthrow the provisional government. Most of the party was nervous, and still reluctant  due to the unclear nature of Lenin's words. In order to foster faith in the party, they created a Second Congress of Soviets, and only chose those who would support the cause. In this way, it would seem they had overwhelming support and are therefore making the correct decision.

The provisional government did not the Bolshevik's exact plans, but they knew to be prepared. They shut down Bolshevik newspapers, Prime Minister Kerensky called for every Bolshevik to be arrested, and even sent students from local military academies to guard government buildings. On October 24, Lenin disguised himself and his troops and quietly took over all strategic locations. All guards were disarmed and every government building was occupied by them. Even the army headquarters were taken. There was virtually no resistance, and absolutely no gunfire. Finally the Bolshevik troops surrounded the Winter Palace which had all the ministers of the provisional government. Prime Minister Kerensky had fleed in a car taken from the U.S. Embassy and he other ministers waited for his return. The Palace was again guarded by military cadets from academies and the Bolsheviks were unwilling to fight them. Instead, all of them were talked down and convinced to let them in. There was no recorded violence that occurred.

Although Lenin wanted to finish the revolution before the Second All-Russia Congress of Soviets, he was not able to clear out and fully capture the Winter Palace. Despite this, the congress was considered open and there was much disagreement about the purpose of the revolution, and who would be considered the leaders of Russian now. Lenin passed the Decree on Land, which distributed all the land among peasants. The Soviet of the People's Commisar's was established as a provisional government needed after the eradication of the previous provisional government. It was led by Lenin and consisted of Bolsheviks.

The Revolution caused chaos in Russia. The countryside was in literal anarchy, with no structure and people seizing land from each other. The city governments were disorganized and there was no plans for the long-term. They were improvising government policies.