October 1917: Myths & reality

The October Uprising was a major event that changed the course of modern history. There are many controversial facts and myths surrounding the revolution and its key development – the storming of the Winter Palace. Can you tell the difference between facts and common misconceptions?

1. Head of the Provisional Government Alexander Kerensky fled the Winter Palace dressed as a woman.

   
   1. False
   2. True

   Kerensky clad in a women’s dress is a Soviet propaganda myth. In reality, the prime minister left the Winter Palace in his signature coat. Spending the rest of his life in exile, Kerensky sought to debunk the slander, and even asked a Soviet journalist named Genrikh Borovik to tell the people back home he had never dressed as a woman.

2. The October Uprising was the most advanced revolution in terms of technology.

   
   1. False
   2. True

   It was the first revolution ever that came with a radio announcement.

3. Aurora made a service shot at the Winter Palace

   
   1. True
   2. False

   There was a shot, but it was a blank. It signaled the start of the assault.

4. The Winter Palace was seized after a ferocious battle.

   
   1. True
   2. False

   There was almost no resistance. Only six people were confirmed dead, and one of them had killed himself.

5. Lenin was entirely in charge of planning and preparation for the uprising.

   
   1. True
   2. False

   In fact, it was Leon Trotsky, then chairman of the Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies, who directed the better part of the preparations until Lenin arrived at Bolshevik headquarters.

6. The Winter Palace was defended by women.

   
   1. False
   2. True

   By the time of the coup, the only units still loyal to the Provisional Government who were holding the Winter Palace were a few hundred cadets and soldiers of a Women’s Battalion, who had distinguished itself at the front in World War I.

7. The Red Guards, who were the strike force of the revolution, were raised from thugs and criminals.

   
   1. True
   2. False

   The Red Guards mainly originated from armed workers’ militias, which were raised from people working at the same plant.

8. The Winter Palace was shelled with live ammunition from the Peter and Paul Fortress.

   
   1. True
   2. False

   The garrison of the fortress sided with the Bolsheviks and opened fire directly at the façade of the Winter Palace. What’s more, the majority of those suffered in the shelling were wounded soldiers hospitalized in the wards of the palace.

9. After it was taken over by the Bolsheviks, the Winter Palace was heavily vandalized.

   
   1. False
   2. True

   The damages suffered by the palace premises were insignificant – rather, the palace was in a state of disarray. Less than a month later, the palace building was used a cinema, a concert hall and a venue to house various meetings.