Anniversary of Red October

It is 99 years since the Bolsheviks led by Lenin and Trotsky seized power in Saint Petersburg and proceeded to create a one party state under the rule of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

A few months later elections were held and the Bolsheviks could only get about 25% of the vote. This included the majority of voters in Saint Petersburg and Moscow. The Socialist Revolutionaries, a left wing party that catered to rural voters, gained about 50% of the vote. Unfortunately this result was eventually ignored by the Bolsheviks led by Lenin and they simply held onto power. The Communist Party would rule over the Soviet Union until 1991.

Looking back with hindsight it is very unfortunate that Russia became so authoritarian. This allowed for abuses of power to be inflicted upon the peoples of the Soviet Union that has caused much pain and suffering.

One resource discussing this event and its consequences may be seen in the following link: Lenin and the First Communist Revolutions.