description The April Theses Overview
The April Theses were a series of six policy statements issued by Vladimir Lenin in March 1917. They outlined his strategy for the Bolshevik party during Russia’s revolutionary period. Notably, Lenin argued for immediate socialist revolution, advocating that the Bolsheviks should actively oppose the Provisional Government and pursue an end to World War I. These theses provided a clear direction for the movement and were crucial in mobilizing support among workers and soldiers, primarily benefiting those seeking radical social change within Russia.
help The April Theses FAQ
How many April Theses did Lenin present?
Lenin's text contained ten numbered theses, not six. He presented them after returning to Petrograd in April 1917 and published them in Pravda under the title The Tasks of the Proletariat in the Present Revolution.
Why do some sources give two dates for the April Theses?
Russia still used the Julian calendar in 1917, while Western Europe used the Gregorian calendar. Lenin spoke on April 4 in the Russian calendar, corresponding to April 17 in the Gregorian calendar.
What did Lenin mean by "All power to the Soviets"?
He argued that power should pass from the Provisional Government to councils of workers' and soldiers' deputies. This rejected parliamentary support for the existing government and pushed the Bolsheviks toward a second revolutionary transfer of power.
Did the April Theses call for Russia to continue fighting World War I?
No, Lenin rejected support for what he characterized as an imperialist war under the Provisional Government. He called for exposing its war aims and linking peace to a transfer of political power.
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