Change In Russia Following The 1917 Revolution
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The Russian Socialist Party, the Bolsheviks brought about dramatic changes in Russian society following the 1917 Revolution. They took advantage of the unique time and place and once they had gained control of Russia they were willing to go to any lengths to ensure they remained in power and their Socialist ideals were put into action.
The social organisation in Russia was an unjust system of autocracy, resulting in a majority of discontent. Russian society consisted of large amounts of peasants who owned a small amount of the land but made up the greatest proportion of the population. Socialism, and thus the Bolsheviks, was seen as a great attraction as dramatic change was what the majority wanted to see to change this unfair social structure. Under Marxism, for a socialist state to be implemented a Revolution must take place; there must be a dramatic change in leadership and direction in a short space of time. Karl Marxs ideal of an egalitarian socialist state where wealth and resources were divided equally appealed to the Russian masses. In March 1917, the Tsar was forced to abdicate and a Provisional Government and Soviet were established to govern the country. However they did not promise what the people wanted to hear Ð- the Bolsheviks promised what they would not, raising their own popularity in Russia. There were many opposition groups based around Marxs ideas of socialism during this time, although the Bolsheviks were unique. They knew what appealed to society, and their tightly-knit units meant they were equipped for what was to come, all they had to do was wait until the time was right to stage a takeover.
As a result of the war the Russian social climate was a mess, winter was approaching and there was a shortage of food, soldiers were deserting the front, and peasants were grabbing land. The people desperately wanted it to end. Lenin returned to Russia to promote the ideas of the Bolshevik Party in what was known as the April Theses which was to change the course of the Revolution. His ideas were turned into the slogans Bread, Peace, Land and All Power to the Soviets Ð- this was what the people wanted to hear. Events started to work in the Bolsheviks favour as they were called upon by Kerensky to help defend against Cossack troops in Petrograd. Rifles were supplied to the Bolshevik Red Guard, however the Cossack troops never arrived, yet the Red Guard kept their rifles. The Party became the saviors of Petrograd, and their support was at an all-time high. Meanwhile, the situation in the rest of Russia was deteriorating fast. Soldiers were deserting in the thousands to go to claim the land which was being seized at an increasing rate and food and supplies were constricted. Lenin saw this as the perfect time to seize control of Russia Ð- this was no secret but it was not opposed as many people believed they would be defeated as soon as Kerensky arrived with troops. Although Kerensky had left the city and did not return. Leaving them unrestricted to take control, on the storming of the Winter Palace they faced no resistance Ð- they had successfully gained complete control of Petrograd.
Prior to the takeover Lenin gathered support by promising what society wanted. He promised to give land to the peasants, end Russias involvement in World War I, and make sure all were fed. These ideas appealed to the Russian public greatly and ensured that there was little resistance when they time was right to seize power.
The Bolsheviks began to implement changes immediately, It was important that he carried out his promises: to end the war, to give land to the peasants and to get food to the cities. Otherwise his support would disappear. Lenin set up a