The Impact of Marx on the Bolshevik Revolution: A History Analysis

This assignment examines the historical context of the Bolshevik Revolution, beginning with the problems within the Russian monarchy, including economic hardships and loss of faith in the leadership. It then analyzes the failures of the Provisional Government, such as its reliance on capitalism and disregard for minority groups, and its continuation of the war. The assignment also compares and contrasts key figures like Lenin and Trotsky, highlighting their similarities and differences in background and approach. It further distinguishes between the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks, explaining their differing ideologies and roles in the revolution. Finally, it details Lenin's rise to power, emphasizing his strategic use of revolutionary theory, his alliance with the Germans, and his ability to capitalize on the discontent of the masses through the slogan "peace, land, and bread."

Running head: MARX AND BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION 1
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MARX AND BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION 2
Marx and the Bolshevik Revolution
1. Explain the problems that existed with the Russian monarch prior to the Bolshevik
Revolution.
The collapse of the home front began by 1916 because many shops were empty, and the value
of the money had diminished, not forgetting the hunger and cold, which stalked the working
quarters of towns and cities (pg. 426). Women started doing factory jobs because their husbands,
brothers, and sons joined the front. Therefore, these women worked for many hours to get wages
that could not sustain the increasing inflation, and they could not protest because the government
would reply with heavy-handed repression. In the dawn of January 1917, the Russian soldiers,
and the civilians had lost hope in the autocratic leadership. Notably, the minister of war even
wrote a letter in July 1950 citing the exhaustion of soldiers attributed to continued defeats in
battle (pg. 426).
2. After the Romanov dynasty collapsed the Provisional Government was put into
place. What were the problems that occurred with the Provisional Government?
Notably, the provisional government was operated by the liberals who joined the revolution
reluctantly in fear of the violence he masses would bring to the streets. This government believed
in capitalism who utilized private enterprise as a means to promote economic success (pg. 426).
This leadership was only meant for the educated and few individuals who were familiar with
statecraft essentials. Unfortunately, this government went far by engaging other nations,
including the United States, for political and financial support. They allied with other states to
continue the war, which had stopped for some time. The approach angered the soldiers and the
masses, together with the poor in society. They failed to confiscate and redistribute lands of the
landlords free of charge (pg. 427). Significantly, the provisional government even forgot even

MARX AND BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION 3
the industrial workers whose economic status remained shambolic. Moreover, there was some
Russian nationalist who wanted the nation to stay united; however, the liberals disregarded the
minorities like the Finns, Ukrainians, and Georgians, among others (pg. 427).
3. Compare and contrast Lenin to Trotsky.
Lenin and Trotsky were all victims of arrests, imprisonment, and exile to Siberia, which made
the very tough. The two individuals always stayed abroad away from Russia, unlike their
counterpart Stalin who remained behind (pg. 428). Despite those similarities, Lenin was the son
of a teacher and a teacher and school administrator who got the privilege to become a nobleman.
Lenin went ahead to study law but ended up engaging in revolutionary practices. Trotsky, on the
other hand, was a son of a successful Jewish farmer who lived in southern Russia. He was good
at penning down his ideas to bring out an argument (pg. 428).
4. Compare and contrast the Mensheviks to the Bolsheviks. Explain their roles in the
Bolshevik Revolution.
These two movements arose from the Russian Marxism in 1903 but had different ideologies.
The Mensheviks represented the minority groups in an unrepresentative vote at the second party
congress because they were considered to be soft (pg. 428). They could not engage in crime or
any approach which was undemocratic in a move to get political success. Bolsheviks, on the
other hand, were fierce and represented the majority group. They considered the Mensheviks as
weak, dead, and imprisoned and based their revolutionary as unsuccessful (pg. 429).
5. Detail how Lenin finally came to power.
Lenin perfected the Bolsheviks theory of revolution and violated some traditions in the
Marxism by targeting the peasants as a tool to drive a successful revolution. Significantly, he
carefully assessed the individuals in Asia who had succumbed to the domination of western

MARX AND BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION 4
imperialists (pg. 429). He had a feeling the victims had the potential to influence a revolutionary
force, and so it was only prudent to ally to overthrow the capitalist authority. Lenin got an
opportunity to come to power with the help of the Germans and capitalized on the anger of the
soldiers, factory workers, and the peasants who were willing to overthrow the provisional
government to get peace and land in return (pg. 429). When he launched his second stage of
revolution in 1917, he used the slogan “peace, land and bread” attracted a lot of masses in the
revolution (pg. 430).