1.3 The Provisional Government Flashcards
Why was the Provisional Government set up?
After the Tsar had abdicated, the Pro Go acted as a temporary form of goverment until the next Constiuent Assembly.
What were the Pro Go’s first acts?
Release political and religous prisoners, promise full democratic elections, take over land belonging to the Tsar.
Why did the Pro Go carry on the war?
They needed the support of their western allies and they should fight on to achieve victory.
What was the ‘‘dual control”
When there were in fact two goverment in Russia the Pro Go and the Petrograd Soviet where they competed for power and stay in control.
How did the Petrograd Soviet interfere with the Pro Go.
The Petrograd controlled the railway system postal and telegraph services. These were key areas out of the PG’s control. Also through order number 1 which prevented full military control.
What was order number 1?
It is said that the army and the navy would only obey orders from the PG if the Petrograde Soviet approved.
Who was Kerensky?
Kerensky was in charge of the PG (along with Prince Lvov) until it was overthrown by the Bolsheviks.
What problems did the PG face?
They lacked legitmacy, the war crippled the economy and the dual power undermined their authority, failure to hold an election led to distrust.
How did order number one affect the PG ability to govern?
It meant that they could not impose their own rule or law without acceptance from the Petrograd Soviet and that they would have final say on all military matters.
What was the June offensive?
This was a huge failure for the PG and a failure for kKrensky and blow to Russian morale where there were over 200,000 Russian casualities and the Russian army driven backwards by the German forces.
What was the Kornilov revolt?
A point were Kornilov attempted to sieze power by invading Petrograd with brute force to restore discipline by destroying the Petrograd Soviet.
What were the efects of the Kornilov revolt?
Inceased popularity and influence of the Bolsheviks and people saw the Red Guard as protecting the revolution. Kerensky panicked and gave the Red Guard guns, Kerensky also released some important Bolshevik prisoners. Finally, many unhappy soldiers joined the Bolsheviks. The revolt and Kerensky’s reaction had given the Bolsheviks an army.
Why did the Kornilov Revolt fail?
Soliders were persuaded to desert and were no longer following orders, Petrograd workers defended the Petrograd Soviet. Railway workers disrupted the trains carrying soldiers to prevent Kornilov reaching the city.
What were the July days?
It was a protest againest the PG due to the June Offensive. On 3rd July, army units refusing to go to the front, supported by Petrograd factory workers and Kronstadt sailors marched on the Tauride Palace and demanded that the Petrograd Soviet take charge.
What was the Duma committee?
Tsar had ordered the duma to cease meeting and not re assemble until April. However, they ignored him and formed the Duma committee to work for political change and had formally established the PG after the abdication.
