The October Revolution of 1917 was a political revolution facilitated by the Bolsheviks via an armed insurrection. It saw the demise of the Provisional Government and gave power to the Bolsheviks.  The Bolsheviks used their influence in the Soviet to organize armed forces (which became the Red Guard) under the command of the Military Revolutionary Committee. They seized government buildings and eventually the Winter Palace on the 25^th of October. There was no opposition to the takeover and thus there was no bloodshed. The Soviet CPSU however dress up the revolution as a fierce battle to highlight the bravery and glory of the Bolsheviks and the Red Guard. The Revolution itself was well planned as the Bolsheviks were able to take control of critical centres of power. This was headed by Trotsky.

Power of Russia was transferred to the Soviets of Workers’, Soldiers’ and Peasants’ Deputies. This provided legitimacy for the Revolution as being for the people and the workers. The Congress of elected a Council of People’s Commissars. This was termed a Sovnarkom which had great power and was controlled by Lenin. It acted as the new Soviet Government until the elections and passed the Decree on Peace and the Decree on Land. In addition to this, the infamous Cheka was created by decree of Vladimir Lenin. These were the beginnings of the Bolshevik’s consolidation of power over their political opponents. The actions of the Bolsheviks’ seizure caused the Civil War.