The Rise of the Bolshevik Party

The Rise of the Bolshevik Party

On the night of October 25, 1917, the Bolshevik Party of Russia seized

control of the Winter Palace in Petrograd without firing a single

shot. However, this silent successful opportunity had been in the

works for many years. The Bolshevik party rose to power in Russia by

giving in to the needs of the people, having superb organizational

skills, and their ability to take advantage of a weak provisional

government, especially after the Kornilov Affair took place. The

combination of all of these conditions enabled the Bolsheviks to take

control of Russia and keep her in its iron fist for years to come.

The Bolshevik party gained popularity and support by giving in to the

needs and wants of the people of Russia. In the early stages of the

Bolshevik’s rise to power, Russia was fighting a losing battle in

World War One. A majority of the people in Russia wanted Russia to

stop fighting, for the war was draining economic sources and reducing

Russia’s population due to the death of millions of Russian soldiers.

But despite the pleas of the people, the provisional government

refused to withdraw from the war. Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik

party, realized that the Russian people desired peace. In December

1917, an armistice known as the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed

with Germany, and despite some harsh agreements within the treaty,

Russia was out of the war. Furthermore, Lenin passed decrees that

immediately satisfied the people. For example, Lenin passed the Land

Decree, which called for all land to be withdrawn from commerce and

transferred to peasant communities. He also passed the Decree on

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...ussia and accused Kornilov of treason. Kornilov, along

with other prominent generals, was tried in court.

The Kornilov affair shattered Kerensky’s relationship with the army

and gave the Bolsheviks fresh hope for a takeover. In October, when

the Bolsheviks seized power, Kerensky pleaded with the military to

help him defeat the oncoming Bolsheviks. But Kerensky would receive no

help from the army, allowing the Bolsheviks to take control of Russia

unopposed.

The peaceful takeover on October 25, 1917 was a victory for the

Bolshevik party. With their excellent organizational skills, their

understanding of the people of Russia, and the opportunity created by

the Kornilov affair, enabled the Bolshevik party to rise to power in

Russia, a power that would become infamous for its corruption and

fatalities in the future.