Response#2: The Russian Revolution by Fritzpatrick, State and Revolution by Lenin

Part 1: The introduction and chapters 2 and 3 of Fritzpatrick’s The Russian Revolution aims to show the realities behind the Russian Revolution of 1917. The true strength of the Bolshevik Party came not from a small Central Committee, but the workers, soldiers, and sailors that gave the Bolshevik Party its base of support. After taking power, the Bolsheviks had to deal with issue of governance. The move towards authoritarianism reflected the party’s military makeup as well as Lenin’s push for one party rule. Lenin’s philosophy is highlighted in his State and Revolution, where he boldly asserts the requirement of violence in a revolution.

Part 2: During the First World War Imperial Russia came to an end. The February Revolution led to a Provisional Government that came to share power with the Petrograd Soviet. The duality of power did not last as the Bolsheviks seized power in the second October revolution. The often-quoted reason for Bolshevik success was the party’s central organization and strict party discipline. However as Fritzpatrick points out, the Bolshevik party was swamped by new memberships. Rather than being a small group compromised of old elite members (Lenin & Co.), the Bolshevik Party was becoming a large group. Even more important, the failure of the Provisional Government was instrumental in the rise of the Bolsheviks.

The Provisional Government failed to forge a connection between the government and the population. The fall of the autocracy was brought on by the army’s defeats in war. Thus continuing the war, although done to retain face internationally, almost guaranteed negative feedback from the populace. Further defeats and enemy invasions discredited the Provincial Government as incapable of rule. Stacked on top of that was the lack of reforms. The fervor of popular support behind the first revolution, gave way to disillusionment, as the promised “changes” never occurred. The Bolshevik Party was in the optimal place and time to take advantage of the population mood.

Popular grassroots is often forgotten in political history where key figures and major players are often played up. The grassroots behind the Bolsheviks was evident in the July Days protest. Thousands took to the streets to protest against the war. Surprising Lenin was quite meek during the July Days, damaging his own reputation as a hardliner. He would not make the same mistake again as he later advocated for an armed insurrection. This strong stance of the Bolsheviks provided a great beacon for those disillusioned by the Provisional Government. Radicalized, the workers, soldiers, and sailors advocated for more drastic measures. A similar type of radicalization can be witness in the general public dissatisfaction with the Weimar Republic in Germany prior to World War II. When changes and improvements are promised, but are not felt the public can turn very quickly. By the time of the October Revolution occurred the Provisional Government was already on its knees. Both the Reds and Whites, however, ensured that the coming Civil War was going to be bloody and violent just as Lenin foretold.