November Revolution

• Bolsheviks gained a majority in the Soviets in Petrograd, Moscow, Riga, and Saratov.
• Bolshevik membership increased from 23,000 in February to 200,000 by October.
• Lenin returned to Petrograd and held a secret meeting with the Bolshevik Central Committee to prepare for an uprising.
• Lenin gained agreement for an armed seizure of power by a small disciplined force.
• Newspapers carried stories of Bolshevik plans for takeover.
• The Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) of the Soviet was formed by Trotsky to prevent the removal of the Petrograd garrison to the frontline.
• Lenin convinced the Bolshevik Central Committee to undertake the seizure of power immediately.
• 5000 soldiers and sailors from Kronstadt moved into the city and Bolshevik Red Guards took over key government positions in Petrograd.
• Kerensky left Petrograd to rally military support.
• MRC entered the Winter Palace to arrest the remainder of the Provisional Government.
• 670 delegates of the Second All-Russian Congress of the Soviets met in Tauride Palace.
• Bolsheviks declared that power had been seized by Sovnarkom - The Council of the People's Commissars.
• Lenin declared himself Chairman of Sovnarkom.
• Mensheviks and some Socialist Revolutionaries walked out in protest.
• Winter Palace was taken with very little resistance.