What was the primary reason for the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly?

The dissolution of the Constituent Assembly primarily occurred because the Social Revolutionaries (SR) won the most seats in the election held in November 1917, reflecting their popularity among the peasantry and rural population. The Bolsheviks, who had seized power in the October Revolution, recognized that the SR's leadership contradicted their aims and control over the newly established government. The Bolsheviks intended to implement their vision of a communist state, which conflicted with the SR's agenda, particularly regarding land reforms and the broader socio-economic structure.

When the Constituent Assembly met for its first session in January 1918, the Bolsheviks found themselves in a minority position. To maintain their control, they justified the dissolution on the grounds that the assembly did not align with the will of the people as they interpreted it, especially after claiming to represent the urban workers. This action was a critical moment in the Bolsheviks' consolidation of power, demonstrating their willingness to bypass democratic institutions that did not favor their agenda.

The other factors mentioned, such as failures to address specific reforms or foreign interference, while relevant in the broader context of post-revolutionary Russia, do not encapsulate the primary impetus for the assembly's dissolution, which was rooted