The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991 - 3 The end of the Romanovs and the…

The idea

This topic analyses why the Bolsheviks seized power in October 1917. It examines the Petrograd Soviet's role as a rival authority, Lenin's leadership, Trotsky's organisation of the Military Revolutionary Committee, and the Provisional Government's difficulties and mistakes, including continuing the war and delaying elections. The Soviet's Order No. 1 undermined the government. Lenin's April Theses rejected cooperation. Trotsky planned the takeover. While the July Days repression temporarily weakened the Bolsheviks, the government's disastrous June Offensive and the Kornilov Affair ultimately destroyed its authority, allowing the Bolsheviks to act.

What earns the marks

• Explains the Petrograd Soviet's importance as a competing power centre, including its issue of Order No. 1 and its role in mobilising workers and soldiers.
• Analyses Lenin's contribution: his return in April 1917, the April Theses, and his insistence on soviet power and opposition to the Provisional Government.
• Assesses Trotsky's role as chairman of the Petrograd Soviet and organiser of the Military Revolutionary Committee, which coordinated the seizure of power.
• Evaluates the Provisional Government's difficulties: continuing the war, postponing land reform and elections, and failing to solve food and fuel shortages.
• Examines the mistakes of the Provisional Government, such as the June Offensive, and notes that while the July Days crackdown temporarily weakened the Bolsheviks, it failed to resolve underlying crises.
• Explains how the Kornilov Affair armed the Red Guards and discredited the Provisional Government, creating the opportunity for the October Revolution.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Attributing the October Revolution solely to Lenin.

  Put it right: The roles of Trotsky, the Petrograd Soviet and the Provisional Government's failures must be integrated.

• Assuming the Petrograd Soviet was always Bolshevik-controlled.

  Put it right: It should be noted that it became Bolshevik-majority only in September 1917.

• Ignoring the Provisional Government's mistakes.

  Put it right: These must be analysed as reasons for its loss of authority, not merely background.

• Claiming the July Days strengthened the Bolsheviks.

  Put it right: The July Days crackdown temporarily weakened them, and it was the later Kornilov Affair that revived their fortunes.

Exam tips

• Use specific evidence, such as the April Theses, Order No. 1, the June Offensive and the Kornilov Affair, to support arguments about causation.
• Compare the relative importance of Lenin, Trotsky and the Provisional Government's mistakes, reaching a substantiated judgement.