Lenin's rise to power was the result of a radical takeover although it didnt appear so to the Russian's

After the fall of the Tzar Russia was left in turmoil. Russia faced many questions such as "If noone claims the throne who should rule?" and "If we dont have a monarchy then what type of Government should we have?" Unfortunately for Russia, the answers to these questions and thousands more like them were extremely unclear. Through the murkiness of the situation the Provisional Gov. consisting mainly of members from the former Duma assumed responsibility for the country and began to lead it down the path of Democracy (cn). Sadly, despite the best of intentions the Provisional Gov. failed to follow through on all the promises that they made to the Russian people (cn). Had they been given more time maybe their dreams for Russia could have come to fruition. We will never know, but what we do know is that Vladimir Lenin, a social outcast and radical Liberal leader, saw the stumblings of the Provisional Government as his chance to bring the Bolshevik party to power in Russia with himself at the head(cn). To accomplish his radical agenda he would have to use strong armed tactics, but sugar coat them to win over the support of the Russian people.

Lenins first promise to the people of Russia was that of "Peace, land and bread."(cn) Three things that due to WWI and the power of the upperclass were, at the time, unavailable to the average Russian citizen(cn). However, out of these three things the one promise that won over the most support was "the pledge to end the war"(3). These things sound great dont they? Who wouldn't want a full belly, a place to call home, and not have to worry about anyone invading it?
What the Russians failed to realize though, is the fact that Lenin couldnt make this magically happen. To Provide these things he was 1) going to have to take on full control of the government (interesting because an autocratic gov. is the very thing he preached against during the Tzarist rule and which won him alot of support (cn)). 2) Seize the land that the people already owned for himself and redistribute it as he saw fit(3). And 3) give huge concessions of land to Germany in their peace treaty(3). So, even in Lenin's earliest attempts at power it can be seen how he is bending the needs of the Russian people to attain his radical goals, although he tries not to show it overtly.

Lenin's second sleight of hand occurs with the way he structures the new government. He tells people that they, the majority, will have the power(cn). That the government will be run by the soviets (unions of workers), and that government officials will be"ELECTED and be subject to recall at any time, their salaries not to exceed the average wage of a competent worker(3)." He also promises the formation of a consituent assembly (3). Lenin, then goes on the attack. He says his form of government is the only way Russia will ever be succesfull(3), and begins to call for the publishing of Russia's treaties with other nations to show the corruptedness of the current government(3). This gets the Russians up in arms against the provisional government. If everything Lenin says is true, then why would they continue to follow a government that isn't following through on their promises and where they are still ruled by the rich? This is why they choose Lenin's communist regime over the democratic one of the Provisonal government. Sadly, Lenin has tricked them again. What he fails to mention in his speeches is that HE will be at the head of the government, HE will choose the directors of the soviets, and HE will personally make sure that the constiuent assembly never meets(3). Unfortunatley, by the time the Russians realized this, Lenin already had an iron grip on Russia's throat and didnt plan to let go any time soon. Once again Lenin, used the wishes of the people to cover his radical ambitions.

Lenin himself knew that he wasnt representing the true wants of the people. In the sources he is quoted saying things like "We must always be in advance of the people and provide slogans as beacons to show them the shortest and most direct route to complete absolute and decisive victory(3)." and that "[I] denounce all compromise(3)." as well as "Our party constitutes a small minority(3)." and that his views were to be "widely propagated among the armed forces(3)." Also Russian citizens were quoted as saying things like "who is the oppressed now? cannibal!(3)" And that the "Revolution was in full defiance of the will of the people(3)." and also that Lenin would "lead Russia down a road of greater suffering and misery than anything in their worst nightmares(3)." These quotes are the best evidence for my point. Lenin was smart and knew that his views would never be shared by the majority of Russians. So, to accomplish thise had to decieve the people and use their own hopes to blind them to his true intentions. This is shown by the fact that he knew he had to come up with slogans and false promises to win them over and keep them motivated to his cause. Also the quotes of the people after Lenin's take over blatantly shows the people's displeasure at Lenin's rule, sadly by the time they realized what was going on he was much to strong to stop.

Lenin was able to use the peasant's aspirations for their country as a cloaking device for his true intentions. He did not represent their true needs and wants, but he used these as a means to his end. Luckily for him he was successful in doing so, and was able to create the communist Utopia of his dreams no matter how far from it Russia was inreality.