Ep 9. Red October: How the Bolsheviks Seized Power

The Rise of Communism: From Marx to Lenin season 1 episode 9, titled Red October: How the Bolsheviks Seized Power, explores the events that led to the Bolsheviks' successful overthrow of the Provisional Government in October 1917. The episode begins by examining the political climate in Russia at the time, with the country reeling from the effects of World War I, food shortages, and economic turmoil.

The first part of the episode focuses on the role of Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Party, in planning and executing the revolution. Through archival footage and interviews with historians, viewers learn about Lenin's ideas and tactics, including his belief in the necessity of a violent overthrow of the government and his emphasis on the importance of party discipline and organization.

The episode then delves into the actual events of the October Revolution, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution or Red October. Viewers are taken through the key moments of the uprising, from the Bolsheviks' storming of the Winter Palace to the establishment of the new Soviet government. In particular, the episode highlights the role of Leon Trotsky, a key figure in the Bolshevik Party, in coordinating the various military and political factions that contributed to the success of the revolution.

Throughout the episode, viewers gain a greater understanding of the complex political and social dynamics that underpinned the Bolsheviks' rise to power. The episode also explores the consequences of the revolution, both for Russia and for the wider world. Viewers learn about the violence and turmoil that followed the revolution, as well as the establishment of the Soviet Union and the spread of communist ideology around the world.

Overall, The Rise of Communism: From Marx to Lenin season 1 episode 9 provides a comprehensive and engaging overview of one of the most significant events of the twentieth century. Through its focus on the personalities and ideologies that drove the revolution, as well as the key moments of the uprising itself, the episode offers viewers a fascinating glimpse into the origins of one of the most transformative political movements of modern times.