What Led To The Rise Of The Bolsheviks In The October Revolution |
Posted: December 21, 2016 |
The turmoil in the Russian political scenario after the February Revolution of 1917 and the abdication of the last Tsar, Nicholas II created fertile ground for the rise of the Bolsheviks in the country under by its charismatic leader Vladimir Ilyich Ulianov. The members of this radical revolutionary political party believed in the principles of Karl Marx. They held the view that the working classes had to emancipate themselves from the subjugation of the aristocratic classes to gain economic and political control. Only then was it possible for the individuals of this socio-economic group to fulfill their dream of establishing an egalitarian society based on the ideals of socialism. Orlando Figes , an eminent historian and expert on the Russian Revolution of 1917 says that prior to the onset of the popular mass uprising in February of that year the Bolsheviks were minority party in the country’s political landscape. The systematic crackdown of all radical political organizations in the country by the corrupt and autocratic Romanov regime had forced many of the party’s prominent leaders to go into hiding or exile. Even the party’s most influential leader Vladimir Ilyich Ulianov alias Lenin was living in Switzerland at that time. Many of the country’s intellectuals were the opinion that the probability of the Bolsheviks coming to power to govern their vast nation seemed remote. However, certain important events had occurred in the intervening months that gave an impetus to their chances of forming the government in the country. The following factors attributed to the rise of Bolsheviks in Russia:
With the downfall of the last Romanov Emperor, Tsar Tsar, Nicholas II, the Provisional Government was in charge of governing the country until it was possible to hold free and fair election in the country. However, many of the decisions that the members for this administration took were unpopular among the masses especially the postponement of necessary land reforms. Moreover, the resolution to commit the country’s armed forces to the First World War further alienated the common masses.
With success of the February Revolution, the Soviets, who were members of a council that industrial workers and military personnel had chosen to represent them, appeared on the political scene. Unlike the politicians of the Provisional Government, they were rowdy and chaotic but Lenin was able to form an alliance with them under the slogan “All power to the Soviets”.
Problems relating to the economy such rising inflation, severe food shortage and agriculturists’ desire for greater control of their land had played a significant role in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. Unfortunately, the Provisional Government was just as ineffective in tackling the issues plaguing the economy that went a long way in strengthening the political base of the Bolsheviks.
The people of the country were weary of war following the humiliating defeat in hand of the armed forces of the Empire of Japan in the Russo-Japanese conflict and in the early stages of the First World War. However, the Provisional Government failed to recognize this. Orlando Figes explains that the above factors were instrumental in the rapid rise of Bolsheviks in the October Revolution of 1917.
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