The Bolsheviks acted in a brutal manner during the year 1917-1924; however this was why they remained in power after the October/November revolution. However their survival can also be attributed to the weakness of their opposition, who displayed a lack of organisation and unification. There were other reasons for the Bolsheviks' remaining in power after the revolution, such as the efficiency and strong leadership of the Bolsheviks, and their geographical advantages; but these were ultimately not as significant as the weaknesses of their opposition, as their survival was dictated by how they exploited their enemies' flaws.

The brutal methods of violence employed by the Bolsheviks certainly helped the Bolsheviks to remain in power. The use of the Cheka was one such brutal method; it ensured that the Bolsheviks remained the dominant authority, by suppressing their opponent’s activity through the use of terror. However the Bolsheviks were only able to do this because their opposition was too weak to rebel; the Bolsheviks had gained dominance, while all others were clearly weak and submissive. This meant that the Bolsheviks use of terror only had the effect of making a weak opposition even weaker, therefore this form of brutality was only successful due to an already weak opposition. Violence was also seen as key for maintaining power as the freely elected Constituent Assembly was dissolved at gunpoint in January 1918. This showed that the Bolsheviks were prepared to go to brutal means to stay in power and fight off any of those, which would oppose them. The Bolsheviks faced opposition from some left-wing SRs who were conspiring within Cheka itself. They managed to capture the Cheka headquarters and its leader Felix Dzerzhinsky, and were supported by some 2000 Cheka combat troops, arguably they could have tried rising to power, but did not since they simply wanted