Lenin’s rise to power was due to the seizing of the government by an extremist group. After the fall of the Czar the Provisional Government came into power. It was very weak and was crumbling under all the pressure. Lenin could tell this was happening, like he could smell their fear. He decided to jump on the Provisional Governments weakness so bring himself into power. When he realized that it would be harder than he thought, because he could not win the people over so easily, strong-armed tactics became his new approach.
At the beginning Lenin tried to use propaganda to win the people over. This is where is famous “Peace, Land, and Bread” line comes in (3). The people liked the thought of these things but this was not enough to win them over, they still did not believe in everything that Lenin stood for. They figured that they would play it safe and support the Social Revolutionaries. When Lenin realized this he made the executive decision that changes had to be made. He started taking matters into his own hands. When elections took place he did not win because the people favored the Social Revolutionaries. To him this was unacceptable so he changed the end results. He decided that he had won because it was in the best interest of the people and it was what they really wanted. This was not so.
Once Lenin had gotten himself into power some things changed. He split up land evenly between everybody and made sure that everyone had food. This was very good for the people because at least they were no longer starving. Then they started to realize the bad part about Lenin. Then came the concentration camps, the secret police, and the Red Army. Anyone who spoke out against Lenin and the government either was shot right on the spot, or was sent to concentration camps. In the concentration camps people were forced to do hard labor, and were often drowned or killed in other ways (3). The secret police, was not on your side, unless you were in it. They would rat out anyone who dared to speak out against Lenin. These tactics Lenin was using were scaring the people into submission.
His tactics seemed to be working because the people were so scared that they would be shot or sent away that they started to keep their mouths shut. Lenin knew what he had to do to have power and to keep people from taking it from him and he was willing to do anything it took. Therefore, the October Revolution was an overthrow from an extremist group, not the true desires of the people. If the desires of the people had met, the Social Revolutionaries would have won the election. Lenin and the Bolsheviks forcefully took power.
I disagree that Lenin "jumped on the Provisional Government's weaknesses." He did use that strategy to some extent, but he also helped them towards the end of the war during The Kornilov Affair (2 Belk notes). He helped the Provisional Government to stop Kornilov and his army from taking over the government. Although later he used what he did to show that he had more power than the Provisional Government, at the time don't you think it made him appear like he was helping them rather than trying to hurt them? Also, I disagree that none of the peoples needs were met. Examples that you stated, such as the redistribution of land, was meeting the needs of the lower class just not the bourgeoisie because they were getting their land taken away from them unfairly. It was also in the people's interest to pull out of World War I because they had been starving and tired of fighting during the Tsar and Provisional Government's rule so this was a relief for them. While their efforts weren't pleasing all of the people's needs, doesn't it seem like they were atleast somewhat helping the peasants and workers?
ReplyDeleteI think I agree with Morgan on this: while most of the needs of the people were not met, for example their continued rights of speech and the press, and religion, some of the needs of the people were at least met for a time. Lenin gave some of those needs to the people who either supported him or were too terrified to object to his rule. He gave them land and food and power. So Lenin was helping the peasants and workers to some degree. But he also created the Red Army, which carried out more of those atrocities that Lenin authorized and encouraged. This was definitely not in the interest of the peasants or workers as not only did it continue the fighting that Russia was so tired of fighting, but some of the peasants were even forced to fight in it: exactly the opposite of what they had been looking forward to with Lenin so soon before he actually got into power.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Leanne, that the Bolsheviks took advantage of the Provisional Government's weaknesses to take power. Though they did help them in the end in breaking up the Kornilov Affair, even this was an example of the Bolsheviks gaining strength from the weakness of the Provisional Government because it allowed them to display their aptitude to the people where the PG lacked. However, you make it sound as if Lenin seized the opportunity purely to put himself in power. I disagree with this. I think he largely wanted to take power because of his love of communism, and his belief that communism could help the people. Also, you say that The people begin to realize the bad side of Lenin, such as the concentration camps, etc. I feel that the relationship may have been the other way around, at least somewhat. I think he began instituting these bodies of violence after the people began resisting the Bolsheviks power. He probably felt he was acting like a wise parent, punishing his "children" for their own good, if their own good included being tortured and shot. But I guess everyone has a unique parenting style.
ReplyDeleteleanne.
ReplyDeletei must say that i agree. i believe that in the beginning lenin's intentions were good just so that he could get some support from the people. he planned on using the mistakes of the to better himself and his credibility. you said, "He decided to jump on the Provisional Governments weakness so bring himself into power" and thats exactly what happend. it would be easier to approach a situation thats failing because if its failing that means the peoples hope and faith is lowering. he used this point in time to make his move and motivate the people by telling them the things he knew the provisional government wasnt providing and the things that they wanted. where as him trying to approach the situation and become leader over a steady foundation. he knew the people wanted mainly peace land and bread so he used their needs to get what he wanted.