3. The July Days

Front 1

Mass Demonstration

Back 1

• April 21st: Lenin's first bid for power
  
• Organised mass demonstration but only small number actively demonstrated
  
• Easily dispersed by police
  

Front 2

June Offensive

Back 2

• June 9th: Lenin tried to exploit unpopularity of renewed fighting
  
• Offensive was disaster and led to mass desertions and breakdown of discipline in Army
  
• Attempt failed as Bolshevik's were only group advocating immediate end to war
  

Front 3

July Days

Back 3

• July 2nd: Frustrated soldiers, sailors, and workers poured onto streets of Petrograd in what developed into anti-government rally
• Demands all political power should be handed to the PS
• Petrograd defenceless for two days
• Demonstration lacked leadership

Front 4

PG and PS' response

Back 4

• Joined forces to restore order
  
• Both assumed Bolsheviks were behind demonstrations
  
• Loyal soldiers, with armoured cars and heavy artillery, cleared streets and surrounded Bolshevik HQ
• 500 inside surrendered and were arrested, including Trotsky

Front 5

Effect on Bolsheviks

Back 5

• Lenin branded a traitor and accused of high treason
  
• Warrant for his arrest issued but he had fled to Finland
• Bolshevik organisation was in tatters by end of July
• Representation in Soviets plummeted to 9% nationwide