Return of Lenin - April 1917

Return of Lenin - April 1917

1. Political ideas

   • Marxist idea - history follow a pre-determined path leading to communism.
     • Russia still behind with 80% of pop. peasants.
     • Instead of industry workers leading a socialist revolution - party of professional revolutionaries (vanguard party) lead revolution.
       • Caused split in Social Democrat party - Mensheviks and Bolsheviks.
     • Bolshevik leaders lived outside Russia = B. illegal in Russia.

2. Return to Russia

   • Saw Feb. Rev. as important part of road to socialism.
     • Supported creation of the PG and Petrograd soviet.
   • Lenin delivered 90 min. speech condemning PG and demanded immediate social revolution.

3. The April Theses

   • Had to win over Bolsheviks in Russia to his view of a social revolution.
     • Realised war was unpopular and exploited idea to gain popularity.
   • Main rallying cries : 'Peace, Land & Bread' and 'All power to the Soviets'.
     • Gain support and undermine PG.
     • Peace, Bread & Land
       • Popular message in exhausted by war and food shortages.
         • Highlighted PG support for the unpopular war and failure to address land and food problems.
     • All Power to the Soviets
       • PG made entirely of landowners and middle class who were not looking in workers and peasants best interest.

4. Impact of Lenin's return

   • Had to win over his own party to his views.
     • Party's creator and main political thinker = enormous influence.
   • April 21st - Attempt to topple PG by mass demonstrations.
   • For the rest of 1917 - Lenin tried to increase popularity of the Bolsheviks and oust PG.