1. The aims of membership of the PG

Question 1

How was the PS elected?

Answer 1

• By city’s factory workers and soldiers of the Petrograd garrison
• One representative from each battalion of soldiers (250 men) - 1 for every 1,000 workers

Garrison over-represented - 2/3 of its 3,000 members were soldiers’ representatives - despite fewer soldiers in Petrograd than workers in 1917

Question 2

Why were PS elections a rough-and-ready affair?

Answer 2

• Few set procedures
• Much decided at grassroots level
• No fixed terms but could be recalled by their electors and replaced at any time

Therefore - political complexion of PS constantly fluctuating

Question 3

Who decided PS policies?

Answer 3

• Not at meetings of its 3,000 members - but by its Executive Committee - inner group made up of seasoned political activists and professional revolutionaries - ordinary workers and soldiers absent

Question 4

Who dominated the PS committee?

Answer 4

Early months of existence: Mensheviks and SRs

• Mensheviks built up following among capital’s trade unionists before 1914
• Peasant conscripts of garrison also had an affinity with SRs

Question 5

Who was the most influential figure on the Executive Committee?

Answer 5

Irakli Tsereteli - Menshevik - former Duma member + return from Siberian exile in mid-March 1917

Question 6

How did socialists intellectuals who led the PS see its role?

Answer 6

• As temporary and limited

- To protect interests of workers and soldiers until deliberations of Constituent Assembly established full democracy

Question 7

What was the role of the leaders of the PS?

Answer 7

• Monitored activities of PG - ensuring it didn’t abuse its authority
• Soon began to adopt more wide-ranging role than originally envisaged

Assumed command of Petrograd army garrison - took over responsibility for administering the capital’s affairs - became, effectively, a local govt body

Began to interest itself in foreign policy issues - led to conflict with PG