Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 1: The revolutions of 1917 - 4 The Bolshevik Revolution: The…
Full specification wording
Option 30: Key topic 1: The revolutions of 1917 - 4 The Bolshevik Revolution: The Bolshevik seizure of power in October 1917. The reasons for their success. The roles of Trotsky and Lenin.
The Bolshevik seizure of power in October 1917 was a meticulously planned coup.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The Bolshevik seizure of power in October 1917 was a meticulously planned coup. Lenin's role was crucial in providing the ideological drive and relentless pressure on the Central Committee to seize power before the Constituent Assembly elections. Trotsky's role was equally vital; as President of the Petrograd Soviet, he masterminded the tactical execution using the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) to control key infrastructure like bridges and telegraph offices. The reasons for their success included the Provisional Government's lack of military support, the discipline of the Red Guards, and the strategic brilliance of Trotsky's planning, allowing them to storm the Winter Palace and arrest the government with minimal resistance.
What earns the marks
- Evaluate Lenin's role in persuading a hesitant Bolshevik leadership that the time was right for an armed uprising.
- Detail Trotsky's practical organisation of the takeover through his control of the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC).
- Explain the tactical seizure of key logistical points in Petrograd, such as railway stations and the telephone exchange.
- Analyse the reasons for success, contrasting Bolshevik organisation with the Provisional Government's lack of defensive forces.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming the October Revolution was a massive popular uprising.
Put it right by describing it as a relatively small, well-organised coup d'état by armed detachments.
Attributing the tactical planning solely to Lenin.
Put it right by highlighting Trotsky's essential role in organising the MRC and the physical takeover.
Stating there was heavy fighting at the Winter Palace.
Put it right by noting that the takeover was largely bloodless and the defenders offered little resistance.
Exam tips
- Clearly distinguish between the roles of Lenin (the ideological driving force) and Trotsky (the tactical organiser).
- Use the term 'Military Revolutionary Committee' (MRC) to show precise knowledge of how Trotsky executed the coup.
- When discussing reasons for success, ensure you balance Bolshevik strengths with the Provisional Government's weaknesses.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option 30: Key topic 1: The revolutions of 1917 - 4 The Bolshevik Revolution: The Bolshevik seizure of power in October 1917. The reasons for their success. The roles of Trotsky and Lenin. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What crucial role did Leon Trotsky play in the Bolshevik seizure of power in October 1917?
Listen
The Bolshevik seizure of power in October 1917 was a meticulously planned coup. Lenin's role was crucial in providing the ideological drive and relentless pressure on the Central Committee to seize power before the Constituent Assembly elections. Trotsky's role was equally vital; as President of the Petrograd Soviet, he masterminded the tactical execution using the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) to control key infrastructure like bridges and telegraph offices. The reasons for their success included the Provisional Government's lack of military support, the discipline of the Red Guards, and the strategic brilliance of Trotsky's planning, allowing them to storm the Winter Palace and arrest the government with minimal resistance. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Evaluate Lenin's role in persuading a hesitant Bolshevik leadership that the time was right for an armed uprising. Detail Trotsky's practical organisation of the takeover through his control of the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC). Explain the tactical seizure of key logistical points in Petrograd, such as railway stations and the telephone exchange. Analyse the reasons for success, contrasting Bolshevik organisation with the Provisional Government's lack of defensive forces. A common slip: Claiming the October Revolution was a massive popular uprising. Instead, describing it as a relatively small, well-organised coup d'état by armed detachments. Exam tip: Clearly distinguish between the roles of Lenin (the ideological driving force) and Trotsky (the tactical organiser).
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Revolution and coup d'état
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Leadership and organisation
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Military strategy
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Collapse of authority
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See every definition
- Revolution and coup d'état
- The Bolshevik seizure of power in October 1917, described as a relatively small, well-organised coup d'état by armed detachments rather than a massive popular uprising.
- Leadership and organisation
- Lenin provided the ideological drive and pressure on the Central Committee, while Trotsky, as President of the Petrograd Soviet, masterminded the tactical execution.
- Military strategy
- Trotsky used the Military Revolutionary Committee to control key infrastructure like bridges and telegraph offices, allowing the storming of the Winter Palace with minimal resistance.
- Collapse of authority
- A reason for Bolshevik success was the Provisional Government's lack of military support and lack of defensive forces, contrasting with Bolshevik organisation.
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