The October Revolution: a coup d'état by Lenin and the Bolshevik party.
Took place quietly at night in Petrograd.
Power was seized effortlessly as described by Lenin, who metaphorically picked it up off the ground.
Background
Central Powers' Expectation: Hoped Russia would collapse in WWI due to revolution.
1917 Decline: Collapse of Russian society, military, and political instability fueled expectations.
Outcome: The revolution ended pro-war Russian governments and empowered a party committed to peace negotiations.
Lenin's Role
German Involvement: German secret police helped Lenin travel from Zürich to Petrograd in a sealed train.
April Thesis: Lenin's arrival in April 1917 with a plan:
Oppose cooperation with the Provisional Government.
Prepare to seize power by force.
September 1917: Right time to act as Bolsheviks gained control in Soviets, formed Red Guards, and saw the Provisional Government's popularity hit record lows.
Pivotal Role: Lenin urged immediate action.
The October Revolution
Date: 7 November 1917.
Action: While Petrograd residents dined and enjoyed the arts, Bolsheviks seized strategic points quietly.
Key Points: Telegraph, army garrisons, railway stations.
Coordination: Led by Leon Trotsky and the Military Revolutionary Committee from Smolny.
Outcome:
Winter Palace taken over peacefully the next morning.
Battleship Aurora fired blanks; Provisional Government members arrested.
Provisional Government leader, Kerensky, escaped.
Soviet Congress
Timing: Lenin hurried to complete the coup before the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets on 7 November 1917.
Delegation: Bolsheviks had the largest delegation but lacked a majority.
Assumption: A multi-party government expected.
Mensheviks and Socialist-Revolutionaries walked out of Congress.
Outcome: Left Bolsheviks to form the new government alone.