The Culmination of the October Revolution
As the revolution unfolded on October 25th, the Bolsheviks swiftly took control of key installations across Petrograd, including power stations and railways. Remarkably, this takeover occurred without a single shot being fired, as resistance was deemed futile or the Provisional Government not worth defending.
Highlight: The bloodless nature of the initial takeover demonstrates the lack of popular support for the Provisional Government and the strategic planning of the Bolsheviks.
Lenin announced that the power of the Provisional Government had been transferred to the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) and the Petrograd Soviet, declaring that a revolution of workers, soldiers, and peasants had taken place. This proclamation effectively marked the end of the Provisional Government's authority.
The remaining members of the Provisional Government, still in the Winter Palace, awaited Kerensky's return with military reinforcements. However, no such force materialized, leaving them vulnerable to the advancing Bolsheviks.
The battleship Aurora played a symbolic role in the revolution:
- The MRC ordered the Winter Palace to surrender immediately or face bombardment from the Aurora.
- In reality, only a single blank shot was ever fired from the ship.
Example: The Aurora's blank shot became a powerful symbol of the revolution, despite its lack of actual military impact.
The Peter and Paul Fortress, located on an island in the Neva River, opened artillery fire on the Winter Palace. Although the ammunition was live, it was wildly inaccurate, causing minimal damage.
When MRC troops finally entered the Winter Palace, they found it largely undefended:
- Most defenders had already escaped.
- The remaining defenders surrendered their arms.
- MRC troops looted and ransacked the palace, discovering and indulging in the wine cellar.
Definition: The Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) was a body formed by the Bolsheviks to organize and execute the overthrow of the Provisional Government.
In the aftermath, the Communists rewrote the event, creating the myth of a heroic storming of the Winter Palace by the people and workers. This narrative became a cornerstone of Soviet propaganda for decades to come.
The Congress of Soviets assembled on the night of October 25-26, where Lev Kamenev, a Bolshevik who had initially opposed the uprising, informed delegates that they were now the supreme authority in Russia. The Petrograd Soviet announced the formation of a new government, with all 14 members being Bolsheviks or left-leaning Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs). This new government, known as the Sovnarkom or cabinet, was led by Vladimir Lenin as Chief Minister.
Vocabulary: Sovnarkom - The Council of People's Commissars, the first government of Soviet Russia.
Not all delegates accepted this new arrangement. The Mensheviks and some right-wing SRs, led by Martov, walked out of the Congress in protest. However, this action inadvertently handed a majority to the Bolsheviks and their supporters.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the October Revolution was its lack of bloodshed. Despite the dramatic change in Russia's political landscape, not a single person died during the actual takeover of power. This fact underscores the swift and relatively peaceful nature of the Bolshevik coup, which would have far-reaching consequences for Russia and the world.
Highlight: The bloodless nature of the October Revolution contrasts sharply with the violent civil war that followed, highlighting the complex and often contradictory nature of revolutionary change.
