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

Red Strengths
1. Trotsky
  1. Commissar for war in Bolshevik Government
  2. Brilliant organiser and improviser
  3. Created Red Army from remnants of old Tsarist army
  4. Tough discipline and control. Cowards Executed
  5. Initiative and courage won promotions
2. Lenin
  1. Lenin's leaderhsip never challenged
  2. Lenin had a strong view and vision for his Russia
    1. Energy and drive helped to motivate
  3. Lenin had seen Bolsheviks to victory in October Revolution
3. Geography
  1. Bolsheviks controlled central area of Russia - Between Petrograd and Moscow
    1. Russia's railways in this area
    2. Communication easier between battlefronts
    3. Large population meant lots of recruitment
    4. Supplies moved to endangered battlefront far more easily
  2. Much of Russia's Industry and raw materials located in this area
    1. Kept troops supplied with weapons, ammo and supplies
White Weaknesses
1. Dvivided Leadership
  1. No one person in charge
  2. Yudenich, Wrangel, Kolchak and Denikin ambitious and fighting for control
  3. Little co-operation between white armies - They fought independently
2. Geography
  1. Supplies and forces had to be moved over large distances
  2. Lack of effective railways meant added communication difficulties
3. Morale
  1. Whites had problems motivating troops
    1. What were they fighting for? Just to make Kolchak or Yudenich Master?
  2. Many soldiers deserted
4. Brutality
  1. Towns burned, property stolen & destroyed
    1. Very poor image in the peoples' eyes
  2. Crops and livestock seized
    1. Objection meant torture and execution
  3. Bolshevik propaganda highlighted the Whites' inability to get the people on side

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

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