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Running head: THE BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION

Factors Contributed to the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917

Saint John’s College Junior College

Jodi S. Pott
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Running head: THE BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION

After World War I many countries were negatively affected, but Russia is arguably one of the

most affected countries. Russia in 1917 was a place of governmental corruption and inefficiency.

The condition of Russia after World War I left the country ripe for revolution because the people

were frustrated with the government and the conditions of living[ CITATION Ell \l 1033 ]. The

conditions in Russia gave rise to the Bolshevik revolution which was a coup planned in six

months to overturn the Provisional government. Factors contributed to the Bolshevik Revolution

of 1917 are the formation of poor economic conditions, weakness of the provisional government

and the formation of soviets.

Poor economic conditions in Russia was one main causes of the Bolshevik revolution. World

War I had strained Russia’s resources leaving the country in dire economic conditions. World

War I was responsible for over two million casualties in Russia leaving factories crippled and

unable to produce enough supply for the demand of goods[ CITATION Eva05 \l 1033 ].

Additionally, in March 1917 food and fuel shortages caused tensions to rise between the workers

and government. Worsening the situation was the peasantry class becoming frustrated with lack

of land and land being distributed by the Tzar as deemed fit with capitalist intentions[ CITATION

Tan98 \l 1033 ]. The frustration and desperation of the people acted as a driving force to support

the uprising of the Bolsheviks.

Moreover, the weakness of the Provisional government also contributed to the Bolshevik

revolution. It is first important to note the members of the provisional government were upper

class citizens who had many different views and were self-serving. The Provisional Government

were not elected but served as a dictatorial body. Additionally, the Provisional Government had a

plan which included policy of continuing the war in order to “keep faith with its allies and in
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Running head: THE BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION

hopes of fruits of victory”. The plan created by the Provisional Government did not have many

supporters because people were tired of war and the impacts of it [ CITATION Rog05 \l 1033 ].

Since the Provisional Government was not widely supported by the Russian population it was

relatively easy for Bolsheviks to gain support of the peasants by promoting the exact opposite of

the Provisional government such as equal rights to land and improvement of working conditions.

Lastly, the formation of Soviets also contributed to the Bolshevik revolution. The Soviets

were groups of elected workers who represented the working class. The Soviets were popular

with the masses since they represented the working classes and wanted to give democratic power

to the working classes. Despite the provisional government being in control the Soviets had the

actual control because the Soviets were backed by the people. The Soviets were seen as heroic in

many eyes since they fought for the end of the war and seemingly fought to improve the

economic conditions of Russia. Having the Soviets on the Bolshevik side was also advantageous

for military purposes. The Soviets who were also militias made it easy for the Bolsheviks to

seize control of key points of the capital and successfully take control of the government

[ CITATION Con11 \l 1033 ]

Therefore, factors contributed to the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 are the formation of poor

economic conditions, weakness of the provisional government and the formation of soviets. Poor

economic conditions caused frustration and desperation which motivated the people to join

forces and supported the Bolshevik party. Additionally, the weakness of the provisional

government also caused the Bolshevik revolution because it lead to the easy rise of Bolsheviks

in the public eye. Lastly, the formation of Soviets contributed to the Bolshevik Revolution

because Soviets were the main supporters of the Bolsheviks and also made up a large percentage
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Running head: THE BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION

of the army which physically seized control of the government. Had it not been for these factors

the Bolsheviks would not be able to gain power in Russia and lead the government in a new way.

Bibliography

Mawdsley, E. (2005). The Russian Civil War. New York: First Pegasus Books.

Tania Rose, M. P. (1998). Dispatches From The Revolution Russia 1916-1928. United

Kingdom : Duke University Press.

Bartlett, R. (2005). A History of Russia. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Fischer, C. (2011). Europe Between Democracy and Dictatorship 1900-1945. United Kingdom:

Blackwell Publishing.

Esler, E. (2009). World History. Pearson.