Patel- The October revolution: a subterfuge of Lenin and the Bolsheviks

The October revolution was undeniably a successful attempt by an extremist group because of the slowly elevating strength of the Bolsheviks and Lenin at that time. The desires of the Russian people had gotten lost somewhere when Lenin was rising into power.

Lenin’s initial entry into Russia was a major contribution of Germany for they instigated the October revolution (2). If not for Germany, then Lenin would have never had the chance to weave his way into power. Now Germany was only sponsoring Lenin’s return to Russia because of the beneficial advantages that Germany would obtain such as the end of war. Germany wanted to end the war with as many countries in order to focus on the one and the only France, and in order to do that they had to boot the Provisional government out of power. And Vladimir Lenin was more than willing to accomplish this deed for Germany. As Lenin joined more and more radical organizations, such as the intelligentsia of the 1870’s (2), he became more of an extremist idealist. He based his aims and goals for Russia from Karl Marx, the origin of Communism (2). He believed in the smashing of the social status pyramid, which meant a demolition of the bourgeoisie. His devious nature compelled him to desire for a dictatorship rule instead of a true communist rule, which indicated Lenin’s ulterior motives for gaining power over Russia. He claimed that he was to serve to the people’s needs at that present moment by writing the April Thesis (4). He claimed, “…the emphasis must be shifted to the Soviets of Agricultural Laborer’s Deputies.” (4) (Or in other words the proletariat, working class) He clearly stated in the many speeches that he made that “All power to the Soviets” and “Peace, Land, and Bread.” (2). Lenin’s speeches, although unsuccessful at times, got his message out to the public. When the public needed radical change, it seemed that Lenin took advantage of that vulnerability of Russia in order to succeed in his selfish desire of a Dictatorship of the Proletariat (2).
Lenin’s successes were advancing him to total power of Russia. October 25, the fall of the Winter Palace. (3). A significant location of the Provisional government was lost but gained by the Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks and Lenin brought about mass mayhem by misusing their power. The Bolsheviks announced the abolition of secret diplomacy, which undermined all opportunities of democracy, and no more considerations in the government only dictatorial rulings. The people of Russia were suffering by the malicious doings of the Sovnarkam (the beginnings of the dictatorship rule) (3). They were eliminating the bourgeoisie which was accepted by the Russians, but by harsh and onerous terms, which not only terrorized the wealthy class but all Russians also. Any newspaper or person that spoke against the Sovnarkam would be abolished or banished to a concentration camp (3). The death penalty was reinstated, so if anyone dared to incited resistance to the new rule, death penalty would be an option for their removal (3). Bolsheviks and the Revolutionist went as far as to created a secret police to monitor Russia’s every disturbance and resistance (3). They were to prosecute at will. Because Lenin spread the pernicious terror throughout Russia, no one understood his true goals anymore, they were all lost within the consequences of a dictatorship take over, unable to speak against the government. Hatred also spread throughout Russia, because of Lenin’s inability to keep Russia safe and instead inciting the pernicious troubles terrorizing Russia. Instead of allowing civil liberties, the wants of the people, he ended up killing over 60,000 people (3). So very far from the needs of Russia.

Therefore, Lenin associating himself with the Bolsheviks was his most lucrative move. He proceeded to succeed further until he stopped trying to be sincere with the Russians and completely formed his available power into the dictatorship he desired all along.

2- Mr. Belk's Notes
3- Lenin, Stalin, and Hitler book
4- Lenin's April Thesis