InNo+10+Sean+2013+10.23.2010

The Process chart of how the Bolsheviks gained control over Petrograd, from the period of the Tsar. It shows the various events that happened that ultimately helped the Bolsheviks gain control of Russia.



This picture was taken during the 1917 November revolution, where the Red Guards are storming major government buildings, one such as the Winter Palace. After they took control, Lenin announced that he would set up a new government. The Bolsheviks are now in power, marks a new turning point in Russia's government.


 * Chapter 7 - Russia at War, 1914-17 **

Russia went to war August 1914 Very popular news, demonstrations to supposrt Tsar. St Petersburg now named Petrograd.

There was defeats against the Germans, Russians were badly equipped Wiped out in battles at **Tannesberg** and **Masurian Lakes** Lost 1 million casualties
 * Early defeats **

Russian economy began to collapse. lack of workers, many men were taken to fight. 600 factories closed because the lack of workers Many food rotted because there wasn't enough trains to transport them. Russia had many defeats.
 * The collapse of the economy **
 * Transport problem**, not enough trains to keep armies well as towns people supplied with food and raw materials.
 * Power failure**
 * Inflation,** food prices rose.

August 1915 Tsar Nicholas decided to take personal command of his armies. Left Alexandra in charge who was influenced by Rasputin. She did what she liked and sacked ministers that she did not like and replaced with ones that they both liked There was rumors about Alexandra and Rasputin were both dark forces destroying Russia Rasputin was murdered. Public rejoice of his death, there was freezing temperature,
 * Dark forces destroying the throne **
 * Government work stopped.**

Chapter 8 - The Revolution of March 1917
 * During the month of March 1917 conditions in Russia grew worse.
 * In Petrograd discontent turned into a full revolution which overthrew the Tsar.


 * March 7 Wednesday **
 * Managers of giant Putilov steel works locked out 20,000 workers
 * These workers were on the streets for **trouble**, other factory workers supported them


 * Thursday 8 March **
 * 50 factories closed down and 90,000 workers **striked**
 * This was **International Women's Day, socialist women were demonstrating,** asking for bread


 * Friday 9 March **
 * 200,000 workers on strike


 * Saturday 10 March **
 * 250,000 workers on strike, no public transport, no newspaper, food shortages continued
 * Cossacks refused to attack strikers when they were ordered


 * Sunday 11 March **
 * The President of the Duma sent a telegram to the Tsar, warning him about the situation
 * Tsar ordered to stop Duma meeting


 * Monday 12 March **
 * Six oclock in the morning a mutiny began in the Volinsky regiment of the army
 * Seargent shot commanding officer dead, soldiers left their barracks and marched into centre of Petrograd
 * Duma held meeting
 * Set up twelve man committee called Provisional Comittee to take over government
 * Revolutionaries set up a soviet, or council, workers/soldiers in Petrograd.
 * Petrograd Soviet intended to take over government and immediately began to organize food supplies for the city.


 * Tuesday 13 March **
 * Tsar Nicholas sent a telegram to Duma, saying he would share power with the Duma, but it was too late


 * Wednesday 14 March **
 * Leading army army generals sent telegrams to Nicholas.
 * Telling him none of the army supported him.
 * He tried to return to Petrograd to take control of the situtation.


 * Thursday 15 March **
 * Nicholas, 250km from Petrograd, agreed to give throne to Alexis
 * Alexis was too ill and gave it to his brother, Duke Miachel
 * Duke Michael feared he would be as unpopular, and resigned.
 * **Russia became republic**, who was going to be elected?

Chapter 9 - The Provisional Government


 * Two new governments **
 * Russia's new government was the new 120man committee that the Duma had set up on 12 March.
 * It was called **Provisional Government,** meaning they would govern until someone is elected.
 * Across them was the **Patrograd Soviet,** which was made of workers and soldiers Deputies.
 * This council aimed to be elected in the interests of workers and soldiers.
 * Other soviets from other towns took lead of Petrograd Soviet.
 * Gave them great power
 * **Order No. 1 Established** said to make soldiers and sailors set up committee to take control of all arms, ammunition and eqipment.
 * Order No. 1 was obeyed by everyone and off-duty soldiers were to salute their officers with Mister General
 * They controlled armed forces.
 * Many of the Petrograd Soviet were revolutionaries, SRs and Mensheviks Bolsheviks were all in it
 * They co-operated with the Provisional Government and waited for the changes they wanted


 * Lenin and the April Theses **
 * During March revolution Lenin, leader of the Bolsheviks were in exile in Switzerland.
 * Disagreed on the revolutionaries cooperating with the Provisional Government
 * He wanted to go back to Russia and organize a second revolution
 * Germans helped Russia to get Lenin back because it would help to make trouble for the provisional government.
 * That would help Germany in the war.
 * Provided Lenin food, money, and a special train in Germany.
 * Reached Petrograd on 16 April 1917
 * Made speech to Bolsheviks stating must have end to the war in Germany
 * All land given to the peasants, nationalized banks, Bolsheviks change name to communists.
 * No support must be given to the Provisional Government, Instead soviets should form a new government.
 * Ideas were known as **April These**
 * April These were great surprise to the Bolsheviks.
 * Lenin wanted second revolution, but many doubted its effectiveness at that time
 * Second revolution started and they **attacked Austria but it failed and they retreated.**
 * Many joined up with the Bolsheviks to demand end to the Provisional Government.
 * More than 100,000 soldiers and Bolsheviks roamed the streets shouting all power to the soviets **demanding power.**
 * After three days of rioting known as July Days, Alexander, Minister of War sent loyal troops into Petrograd.
 * On 16, 17 those troops broke up the mobs, killing/wounding 400.
 * Saying Bolsheviks were working for the Germans, and Lenin was a German agent, again, he fled to **Finland and put into exile.**


 * The Kornilov Revolt **
 * Alexander became Prime Minister of the Provisional Government. Faced with challenges against General Kornilov
 * Kornilov believed Russia needed a strong man, that he should be in charge
 * **Planned to get rid of the Petrograd Soviet**, and arrest revolutionaries and take control of Provisional Government.
 * So he could fight on with Germany without interferance.
 * Kornilov rebel troops were some of the best in Russia, the Savage Division and the Cossacks.
 * They sent them to take over, but **Bolsheviks Red Guards came to defend** them.
 * Kornilov refused to fight against their fellow workers and Kornilov was arrested
 * Bolsheviks become heros
 * Became more powerful and they wanted to lead a second success.


 * Chapter 10 - The Bolshevik Revolution of November 1917 **
 * During September and October 1917 Kerensky and Provisional Government started losing authority
 * Peasants in the countryside rebelled
 * Soldiers refused to fight Germans, Bolsheviks ready for second revolution


 * The state of Russia in September in September 1917 **
 * During 1917 peasants began to take control of the land where they grew food
 * Waited long time for government to give them land, failed.
 * Farmers killed landlords and distributed land.
 * Seized lands of the church and Tsar.
 * Kerensky tried to stop by sending troops to contain situation
 * But there was not enough loyal troops
 * Faced with threat of famine
 * Armies discipline breaking down, Order No,1 led soldiered to disobey orders.
 * Soldiers resigned to get their share of land
 * There was chaos, drunkness and violence in the army.


 * The November Revolution **
 * October 1917 Lenin returned to Petrograd from Finland
 * **Begin Revolution**
 * Bolshevik leaders agreed,
 * Trotsky drew up plans in headquarters in the Smolny Institute.
 * Armory was given to the Bolsheviks.
 * November 6, Red Guards were ready for action.
 * **Took control of Petrograd.**
 * Provisional Government had its HQ at winter Palace
 * The Aurora was a cruiser captured by Bolsheviks, fired at Winter Palace.
 * Provisional Government surrendered.
 * Bolsheviks takes control of Petrograd
 * **Lenin announces the setting up of a new government.**

Summary: Because Tsar was not in Russia, and the Tsar lost many wars there was a lot of rioting, and two committees were set up, the Provisional Committee and the Petrograd Soviets. Then, there was a series of events and revolutions that slowly made the Provisional Committee lose power, and Lenin leading the Communists took power in Petrograd.

Questions : What were the two new governments after Russia became republic? What was the cruiser that fired at the Winter Palace called? Why did German help Lenin back to Russia? How was it beneficial to Germany? What ended up happening to Lenin? What has Kerensky allowed the Bolsheviks do to defend against Kornilov? How has this changed Bolsheviks position? and what did they consider doing after? What was the state of Russia during September 1917? What event happened because of the state of Russia? How was this event significant to Russia?

Citation:

"Group of Men Storming the Winter Palace, October Revolution, Russia, November 7, 1917." //SuperStock//. June-July 2006. Web. Oct.-Nov. 2010. .