developments before revolution

Question 1

What was the size of the Bolshevik Party at the time of the February/March Revolution of 1917?

Answer 1

The Bolshevik Party had only 23,000 members.

Question 2

Who dominated the soviets during the February/March Revolution of 1917?

Answer 2

The soviets were dominated by SRs and Mensheviks.

Question 3

How many Bolsheviks were in the Petrograd Soviet during the February/March Revolution?

Answer 3

There were only 40 Bolsheviks in the Petrograd Soviet.

Question 4

What was the Bolsheviks’ initial stance towards the Provisional Government?

Answer 4

The Bolsheviks agreed to support the Provisional Government while protecting workers’ rights.

Question 5

Who were the first Bolshevik leaders to return to Russia from exile?

Answer 5

Kamenev and Stalin were the first leaders to return to Russia.

Question 6

How did Lenin return to Russia?

Answer 6

Lenin was permitted to travel back to Russia via Germany on a sealed train.

Question 7

Why did the Germans allow Lenin to travel back to Russia?

Answer 7

The Germans believed Lenin and the Bolsheviks could help destabilize Russia and possibly pull it out of the war.

Question 8

When did Lenin return to Russia?

Answer 8

Lenin returned to Russia on 3 April 1917.

Question 9

What was Lenin’s approach to gaining support for his proposals?

Answer 9

Lenin gained support through persuasion, compromise, threats of resignation, and appeals to his ideology.

Question 10

What were the two main slogans of Lenin’s April Theses?

Answer 10

‘Peace, bread and land’ and ‘All power to the soviets’.

Question 11

What was the outcome of the Petrograd Soviet’s vote of confidence in the Provisional Government on 3 June?

Answer 11

The vote passed by 543 votes to 126 votes.

Question 12

What was the significance of the July Days in 1917?

Answer 12

Sailors from the Kronstadt naval base organized an armed demonstration that spread to Petrograd, leading to unrest.

Question 13

What happened to the Bolsheviks during the July Days?

Answer 13

The Bolsheviks were blamed for the violence, and many were arrested or fled.

Question 14

What was the Kornilov Affair?

Answer 14

In August 1917, General Kornilov attempted to march on Petrograd, leading to a crisis for the Provisional Government.

Question 15

What was the outcome of the Kornilov Affair?

Answer 15

The Provisional Government was weakened, and the Bolsheviks gained support as they were seen as defenders of the revolution.

Question 16

What event increased Bolshevik power during the summer and autumn of 1917?

Answer 16

The Kornilov coup

The Kornilov coup allowed the Bolsheviks to portray themselves as saviors of the revolution.

Question 17

What was the armed wing of the Bolsheviks during the Kornilov coup?

Answer 17

10,000 Red Guards

This was a direct result of the Kornilov coup.

Question 18

What caused an increase in desertions from the army in June 1917?

Answer 18

Heavy losses in the war

Question 19

What resolution did the Petrograd Soviet adopt to protect itself from right-wing attacks?

Answer 19

A resolution written by Trotsky to create a Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC)

Question 20

Who appointed Kornilov as Commander in Chief?

Answer 20

Kerensky

Question 21

What was the outcome of Kerensky’s reliance on the Bolsheviks?

Answer 21

He was weakened by Kornilov’s coup

Question 22

What did the Petrograd Soviet criticize about Kornilov?

Answer 22

His army discipline and right-wing views

Question 23

What did landowners and businessmen think of Kornilov?

Answer 23

They saw him as saving them from socialism

Question 24

What did Lenin demand from the Bolsheviks starting in mid-September?

Answer 24

To get ready to seize power

Question 25

What was Kornilov's intention when he ordered troops to march on Petrograd?

Answer 25

To establish a military dictatorship

Question 26

What did Trotsky believe about the need for an armed uprising?

Answer 26

It could be avoided if the Bolsheviks became the leading socialist party at the Congress of Soviets

Question 27

What was the date of the planned Congress of Soviets?

Answer 27

26 October

Question 28

How did Lenin return to Russia in October?

Answer 28

In disguise

Question 29

What happened to Kornilov's march?

Answer 29

It was stopped and the coup leaders were arrested

Question 30

What significant position did Trotsky attain on 26 September?

Answer 30

Chairman of the executive committee of the Petrograd Soviet

Question 31

What was the membership of the Bolshevik Party by the beginning of October?

Answer 31

200,000 members

Question 32

What were some reasons for the increase in Bolshevik membership?

Answer 32

* Promises to end food shortages * Promises to end the war * Promises of land for peasants

Question 33

What did the Provisional Government fail to improve?

Answer 33

Food supplies to the cities

Question 34

What did the Bolsheviks promise regarding the war?

Answer 34

An immediate end to the war

Question 35

What did the Provisional Government push back until after the Constituent Assembly?

Answer 35

Land redistribution

Question 36

What did Kornilov's coup demonstrate about the revolution?

Answer 36

It was under threat from the Right

Question 37

What was a turning point for the Bolshevik Party?

Answer 37

Lenin's return and his April Theses

Question 38

What was the impact of Kerensky's handling of the Kornilov coup on the Bolsheviks?

Answer 38

It gave them a major propaganda victory

Question 39

How hard did Lenin have to fight to convince the Central Committee?

Answer 39

He had to fight hard to commit to an uprising

Question 40

What was significant about Trotsky's role in the revolution?

Answer 40

His organization of troops to back the revolution