ABSTRACT
The term seizure of power aptly describes what had happened: there was no insurrection, for the democratic government had become utterly impotent, so that the Bolsheviks simply took possession of the power that no one claimed. On November 7th the Second All-Russian Soviet Congress was called to order while the winter palace still was under siege. The Presidium consisted of fourteen Bolsheviks and seven left Social Revolutionaries who occupied the seats vacated by right Social Revolutionaries. Later in the morning Lenin delivered his victory speech. He claimed that the old state apparatus would be demolished. The Bolsheviks introduced the eight-hour working day and expropriated land and certain other types of property. The Poles, Ukrainians, and Finns declared their independence. By contrast the Bolsheviks maintained their power in Russia by relying on Lettish and Chinese mercenaries. Several socialist parties and socialists from practically all groups were willing to participate in constructive work.
