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The Bolsheviks were a revolutionary party, committed to the ideas of Karl Marx. They believed that the working classes would, at some point, liberate themselves from the economic and political control of the ruling classes. Once they had achieved this, a genuine socialist society based on equality, could be established.

At the time of the February Revolution, which overthrew the Tsar, the Bolsheviks were still relatively weak. Most of their leaders, including Lenin, were in exile in Switzerland. The chances of the Bolsheviks ever attaining power in Russia seemed remote.

But in late 1917, Bolshevik leader Lenin decided that the conditions in Russia were ripe for revolution.

Role of Lenin

In April 1917, assisted by Germans, Lenin returned to Russia from Switzerland. At once he took control and direction over the Bolsheviks. He began to stir up opposition to the Provisional Government. He prepared to seize power using a clear plan:

• First the Bolsheviks had to gain control of the Petrograd Soviet
• Then they would take power in the name of the Soviet
• The process would then be repeated in other cities

Lenin's energy and drive convinced the Bolsheviks to agree on this course of action.

For the plan to work, it was necessary to increase Bolshevik support within the Soviets. Lenin developed Bolshevik policies with this aim in mind. These policies were outlined in his April Theses.

The April Theses

Lenin declared “All power to the Soviets”. This showed that the Bolsheviks did not believe in the existence of the Provisional Government or an elected national assembly.

He also promised “Peace, Land and Bread” to the masses

• Peace -
  • Lenin could see that the Russian people wanted an end to the war
  • The Bolsheviks declared that they would make peace with the Germans.
• Land -
  • Bolsheviks support was concentrated in the cities
  • they had very little support among the peasants who made up the vast majority of the population
  • by offering them land, Lenin ensured that the peasants stayed neutral when the Bolsheviks made their bid for power
• Bread -
  • Lenin claimed that the Bolsheviks could solve the food shortages that existed in the towns and cities

Leon Trotsky

Lenin was actively supported by Leon Trotsky. In September, Trotsky became Chairman of the Petrograd Soviet and was head of the Military Revolutionary Committee. The MRC was established to protect Petrograd and allowed socialists to infiltrate the army.

Trotsky had superb organisational and improvisational skills. His position in the Soviet allowed him to create the Red Guard. This was a Bolshevik militia, formed from armed factory workers, soldiers and sailors.

Lenin returned to Petrograd in early October, determined to seize power quickly. The Provisional Government had announced that elections would take place in November and he was certain that the Bolsheviks would perform poorly.

Trotsky took charge of planning the Bolshevik coup that was intended for the end of October.