“The Bolshevik seizure of power was not based on widespread popular support.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the Bolsheviks did not have huge popular support when they seized power in Oct/Nov 1917. To agree with the statement there could be discussion of the extent of popular support for the Bolsheviks, they had majorities in the Moscow and Petrograd Soviets but only gained 25 % of the vote for the Constituent Assembly. There may also be discussion of Lenin’s decision to seize the opportunity presented by the disintegration of the Provisional Government and the careful planning of Trotsky to ensure the Bolsheviks gained political power swiftly with the help of the Red Guards. It may be argued that the Bolshevik seizure of power was a political conspiracy. Some may argue that there was popular support to some extent; the unrest in Petrograd indicated discontent with the Provisional Government and the lack of resistance to the Bolsheviks showed a measure of support for Bolshevik actions. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the Bolshevik seizure of power was not based on widespread popular support. This was a popular question and in-depth knowledge was sometimes displayed. Weaker candidates focused more on the unpopularity of Nicholas II and the reasons for the February 1917 revolution.