3 - The Provisional Government

Question 1

What did the Provisional Government introduce in their reforms?

Answer 1

• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of religion
• Recognition of trade unions / eight hour working day
• Abolishment of the Okhrana (secret police)
• Pardon for political prisoners

Question 2

What problems did the Provisional Government face?

Answer 2

• Food Crisis: Inflation, rising cost of living, bread rationing - the public were becoming frustrated as nothing changed
• War: Constant losses at the war decreased their popularity compared to other parties
• Okhrana was abolished: Opposition parties could easily plan against them
• The Bolsheviks: Growing in support, Lenin had returned, criticised everything about them
• Control of the army: Weakly claimed authority but were often ignored, vulnerable to mutinies/attacks
• The Petrograd Soviet: Became Bolshevik dominated and created orders that gave it power over the Provisional Government so that they had no authority

Question 3

What were the Petrograd Soviet soldiers called?

Answer 3

The Red Guard

Question 4

What was the role of Alexander Kerensky in the early success of the Provisional Government?

Answer 4

Made charismatic, convincing speeches, gaining the support of many initially
Managed to prevent a Bolshevik takeover in the July Days

Question 5

What was the significance of the July Days?

Answer 5

Although Kerensky managed to prevent the Bolshevik takeover, it exposed the pure vulnerability of the Provisional Government.

Question 6

What was the Kornilov Revolt?

Answer 6

General Kornilov, Supreme Commander in Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, had planned to seize power in Petrograd and set up a military dictatorship against the Bolsheviks, to ‘save’ the Provisional Government.

Question 7

What was the significance of the Kornilov Revolt?

Answer 7

• Kerensky had to call on the Bolshevik Red Guards and released prisoners from the July days to help talk down Kornilov’s troops, which established and provided power for the Bolsheviks over the Provisional Government.
• The problems the Provisional Government faced in February had not been solved, and many were starting to realise that the Bolsheviks may be capable of fixing these problems.