Why Were the Bolsheviks Successful in the October Revolution of 1917?
Why were the Bolsheviks successful in the October Revolution of 1917?
During the October revolution of 1917, The Bolsheviks were substantially strengthened by the weaknesses of the Provisional government and how it appealed to them as well as through their own methodical and carefully constructed policies and layout.
One of its weaknesses was the futile leadership of Kerensky enforced by his costly mistakes. He not only undermined the prevalent growth in strength of the Bolsheviks but also the passionate desire and demand from the Russian people to ‘modernize’ or adapt a modern democratic or socialist/communist system. He also wanted to continue the war with Germany and launch a new offensive. He didn’t take into account the opposition to the war, the dissatisfaction of the army due to the costly and devastating defeats and the fighting conditions, the desertion of soldiers and the economic problems that came with it and the deflection of many to the opposition.
In turn, the leadership of Kerensky would seem weak in contrast to the strong, determined leadership of Lenin and then Trotsky. The Bolsheviks were also the only party who opposed the capitalist war; this would evidently generate popularity as many wanted peace. He also lost support from the army officers after the commander-in-chief; General Komilov was accused by Kerensky for trying to establish a military dictatorship. This was damaging for Kerensky because it left him discredited and the army officers refused to fight for him and the Provisional Government. They felt that he had betrayed Komilov and he would do the same to them. He also underestimated the strength of the Bolsheviks. Their popularity substantially increased when he moved against them and thereby gave them the excuse to seize power.
Another weakness that complemented the Bolsheviks was the Provisional Government’s policies that were met with opposition and failure. A huge amount of opposition was created through the decision to
During the October revolution of 1917, The Bolsheviks were substantially strengthened by the weaknesses of the Provisional government and how it appealed to them as well as through their own methodical and carefully constructed policies and layout.
One of its weaknesses was the futile leadership of Kerensky enforced by his costly mistakes. He not only undermined the prevalent growth in strength of the Bolsheviks but also the passionate desire and demand from the Russian people to ‘modernize’ or adapt a modern democratic or socialist/communist system. He also wanted to continue the war with Germany and launch a new offensive. He didn’t take into account the opposition to the war, the dissatisfaction of the army due to the costly and devastating defeats and the fighting conditions, the desertion of soldiers and the economic problems that came with it and the deflection of many to the opposition.
In turn, the leadership of Kerensky would seem weak in contrast to the strong, determined leadership of Lenin and then Trotsky. The Bolsheviks were also the only party who opposed the capitalist war; this would evidently generate popularity as many wanted peace. He also lost support from the army officers after the commander-in-chief; General Komilov was accused by Kerensky for trying to establish a military dictatorship. This was damaging for Kerensky because it left him discredited and the army officers refused to fight for him and the Provisional Government. They felt that he had betrayed Komilov and he would do the same to them. He also underestimated the strength of the Bolsheviks. Their popularity substantially increased when he moved against them and thereby gave them the excuse to seize power.
Another weakness that complemented the Bolsheviks was the Provisional Government’s policies that were met with opposition and failure. A huge amount of opposition was created through the decision to