Leslie: unclear desire of the people led to the rise to power of an extremist group

Following the overthrow of Czar Nicholas II, the Russian people welcomed the reign of the Provisional Government because it seemed to reflect the desire of the people. The government was made up of a dual authority including former members of the Duma as well as Soviet representatives. This pleased majority of the people because the Soviets represented the working class. There were also many promises made by the Provisional government that left power with the people, including civil rights and democratic elections. But as time passed and these promises remained unfulfilled, the people became restless. This was Lenin's prime opportunity to grasp power (source 2). As the people waited for the liberties promised to them, Lenin and the Bolsheviks increased the tension by emphasizing the government's flaws. He advocated ideals that the government should be promoting, which confused the people of their own desires. Though the people united together to overthrow the Czar, after his reign had ended they were unsure of what they actually wanted. The Provisional Government promised pleasing changes, but after its failure to fulfill those promises, the people were left wanting action. However, the Provisional Government wasn't acting quickly enough in their opinion. After listening to Lenin demote the ideas of civil liberties and elections, the Russian citizens began to question whether these rights were what they really wanted after all. The Provisional Government was also in support of continuing the war effort in hopes of new found success due to new management. But as the war did not arrive at a turning point and causalities continued to rise, Russia saw more years of suffrage looming ahead (source 3). The people were displeased with their leadership, so Lenin seized the opportunity. He advocated change and the people were drawn to his ideas. He preached that the war needed to come to an end, that power should be placed in the hands of the proletariat and the peasants, and that the land should be taken from its private owners and become property of the nation as a whole (source 4). Lenin and the Bolsheviks took advantage of the situation and coerced the people to believe in their ideals. Russian was left confused by the failure of the Provisional Government and therefore manipulated into desiring the changes Lenin proposed. After gaining the support of the people and rising to an efficient level of power, he was able to seize total control of Russia through strong-armed tactics. As promised, Lenin stamped out civil liberties, but did not stop at that. He then ensured that resistance was stamped out as well through three institutions: the Cheka, concentration camps, and the Red Army(source 3). In doing this, Lenin ignored the desires of the people and gained controlled through terror. Lenin and the Bolsheviks manipulated the people into believing in their cause by presenting ideals that would appeal to the people. His promise of "Peace, Land, and Bread" (source 3) drew the people in as well as his stance on bringing down the bourgeoisie. However, after he received power from the people, he resorted to strong-armed tactics to accomplish his goal of creating a communist utopia.