Abdication and Problems of the PG

Question 1

What led to the Tsar’s abdication?

Answer 1

1917 February Revolution

Question 2

What began the 1917 February Revolution?

Answer 2

A strike at Puetilov steelworks in Petrograd

Question 3

What did the workers do ?

Answer 3

They formed a council called the Soviets

Question 4

What did the Duma do?

Answer 4

The leaders of the Duma, including Alexander Kerensky, began to openly oppose the Tsar

Question 5

Why was the Tsar forced to abdicate?

Answer 5

The army which was his only support and power but they joined the rioters

Question 6

When did the Tsar abdicate?

Answer 6

3 March 1917

Question 7

Who was the head of the Provisional Government?

Answer 7

Alexander Kerensky after he replaced Prince Lvov

Question 8

Where was Lenin at the time of the abdication?

Answer 8

At the time of the abdication in February 1917, Lenin was in exile in Germany

Question 9

What did Lenin do in April 1917?

Answer 9

Lenin published the ‘April Thesis’

Question 10

What did the ‘April Thesis’ offer?

Answer 10

‘Peace, Land and Bread’

Question 11

What did the capital workers do?

Answer 11

They took control and formed councils (St Petersburg Soviet) under the leadership of Leon Trotsky

They elected by soldiers and workers and had more authority than the Provisional Government

Question 12

Why did the Provisional Government appear weak?

Answer 12

The Petrograd Soviet issued Military Order Number One. This said that orders from the PG were only to be obeyed if approved by the Soviet

The PG always had to gain the approval of the Soviet

The Soviet created a ‘shadow cabinet’ which often criticised the PG

Question 13

What was the Kornilov Revolt?

Answer 13

It was led by General Kornilov, Commander in chief of the Russian forces

He ordered his troops to march on Petrograd because he believed the PG had been taken over by Bolsheviks and Russia was about to fall into chaos

Question 14

How did the PG, Alexander Kerensky, react to the Kornilov Revolt?

Answer 14

He ordered loyal troops to stop him

He asked the Bolsheviks to support him. Leaders were let out of prison and 40,000 rifles were handed out to party members

Question 15

What were the consequences of the Kornilov Revolt?

Answer 15

The PG lost the support of the army

The PG was dependent on the Petrograd Soviet (with its strong Bolshevik influence) to run Russia

Question 16

What were the weaknesses the of the PG?

Answer 16

They continued the war out of loyalty to Russia’s allies and for supplies = more desertions for Russian armed forces

Their failure to end the war worsened food shortages in towns and cities

Their temporary nature meant that the PG could not carry out important reforms that the people of Russia wanted

They allowed opposition parties to campaign in Russia. This meant that real authority and power lay with the Petrograd Soviet