How far was Lenin responsible for the Bolsheviks growing hold on power in the years 1917-24?

How far was Lenin responsible for the Bolsheviks growing hold on power in the years 1917-24?

1. Red Strengths

   • Trotsky
     • Commissar for war in Bolshevik Government
     • Brilliant organiser and improviser
     • Created Red Army from remnants of old Tsarist army
     • Tough discipline and control. Cowards Executed
     • Initiative and courage won promotions
   • Lenin
     • Lenin's leaderhsip never challenged
     • Lenin had a strong view and vision for his Russia
       • Energy and drive helped to motivate
     • Lenin had seen Bolsheviks to victory in October Revolution
   • Geography
     • Bolsheviks controlled central area of Russia - Between Petrograd and Moscow
       • Russia's railways in this area
       • Communication easier between battlefronts
       • Large population meant lots of recruitment
       • Supplies moved to endangered battlefront far more easily
     • Much of Russia's Industry and raw materials located in this area
       • Kept troops supplied with weapons, ammo and supplies

2. White Weaknesses

   • Dvivided Leadership
     • No one person in charge
     • Yudenich, Wrangel, Kolchak and Denikin ambitious and fighting for control
     • Little co-operation between white armies - They fought independently
   • Geography
     • Supplies and forces had to be moved over large distances
     • Lack of effective railways meant added communication difficulties
   • Morale
     • Whites had problems motivating troops
       • What were they fighting for? Just to make Kolchak or Yudenich Master?
     • Many soldiers deserted
   • Brutality
     • Towns burned, property stolen & destroyed
       • Very poor image in the peoples' eyes
     • Crops and livestock seized
       • Objection meant torture and execution
     • Bolshevik propaganda highlighted the Whites' inability to get the people on side