Depth studies info for Prov Gov Flashcards
Describe the role of the Provisional Government in Russia after the February Revolution.
The Provisional Government was created by members of the Duma to temporarily rule until elections for a Constituent Assembly could be arranged, tasked with determining the future governance and legal institutions of the country.
Explain the concept of dual power in the context of the Russian Revolution.
Dual power refers to the coexistence of the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet, where the Provisional Government had official authority but the Soviet held real power, controlling key aspects of society such as the military and workers’ interests.
Define the main composition of the Provisional Government.
The Provisional Government was primarily composed of leading liberals, with Prince Lvov as Prime Minister and the Kadets being the strongest political group.
How did the Petrograd Soviet gain control over military resources?
The Petrograd Soviet gained control over military resources through Order No. 1, which mandated that the use of the army required permission from the Soviet, effectively placing military power under its control.
Explain the significance of the ‘Honeymoon of Revolution’ period.
The ‘Honeymoon of Revolution’ refers to the initial phase after the February Revolution when the Provisional Government’s measures, such as the arrest of Tsarist officials and the abolition of the death penalty, received widespread approval from the Soviet and the public.
What were some of the key reforms implemented by the Provisional Government?
Key reforms included the disbanding of the secret police, granting amnesty to political and religious prisoners, establishing freedom of press and speech, and securing an 8-hour working day for workers.
Describe the changes in governance outside the capital after the February Revolution.
Outside the capital, symbols of imperial power were destroyed, and old tsarist governors were replaced with commissars, although these new leaders were often ignored by the local populace.
How did Lenin view the state of Russia during the summer of 1917?
Lenin remarked that Russia was the freest country in the world during the summer of 1917, highlighting the significant political freedoms that had been established after the revolution.
What was the relationship between the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet?
The relationship was one of cooperation and oversight, where the Socialist leaders of the Soviet allowed the Provisional Government to govern while closely monitoring its actions.
Identify the main political group within the Provisional Government.
The main political group within the Provisional Government was the Kadets, who were leading liberals advocating for democratic reforms.
Describe the role of zemstva in the establishment of non-party organizations.
Zemstva were local self-governing bodies in Russia that began to set up their own organizations, which were non-party and run by their members. Over time, membership expanded to include representatives from various committees and trade unions.
Explain the significance of peasants declaring themselves autonomous republics.
The declaration of autonomy by some villages indicated a growing desire among peasants for self-governance and control over their local affairs, reflecting the broader revolutionary sentiments during this period.
How did Lvov influence local governance during the period of the Provisional Government?
Lvov encouraged localities to manage their own affairs, promoting a sense of autonomy and self-determination among local populations.
Define the challenges faced by the Provisional Government regarding World War I.
The Provisional Government faced significant challenges due to its decision to continue participating in World War I, which was unpopular among the populace, strained the economy, and hindered social reforms.
What were the consequences of the July Offensive on the Provisional Government?
The July Offensive led to reluctance among soldiers to fight, resulting in heavy casualties and territorial losses. This discontent pushed many soldiers towards the Bolsheviks and culminated in the July Days uprising, damaging the credibility of moderate socialist leaders in the government.
Discuss the land redistribution demands of peasants during the revolution.
Peasants viewed the revolution as an opportunity to have land redistributed and sought government approval to legitimize their actions, reflecting their desire for land reform.
How did the Provisional Government plan to address the land question?
The Provisional Government intended for the Constituent Assembly (CA) to resolve the land question, rather than taking immediate action themselves.
Explain the conflict between liberals in the Provisional Government and the demands of peasants regarding land.
Many liberals in the Provisional Government, coming from landed and propertied classes, opposed handing land over to peasants, fearing that a free-for-all would lead to the disintegration of the army as peasant soldiers would abandon their posts.
What proposal did Chernov, the Minister of Agriculture, make regarding land use?
Chernov proposed a scheme that would allow peasants to use land from private estates, but this proposal was blocked by the liberal members of the Provisional Government.
Describe the trend of land seizures reported during the summer of the revolution.
During the summer, there was a notable increase in land seizures, with 237 cases reported in July, indicating a growing assertiveness among peasants in claiming land.
Describe the impact of violence on landowners during the period discussed.
Violence began to increase with attacks on landowners, indicating a rise in social unrest and conflict.
Explain the actions taken by the Provisional Government (PG) in response to inflation and disturbances.
The PG attempted to fix grain prices but faced rampant inflation, leading them to send the army to requisition supplies and suppress disturbances.
Define the demands of national minorities during this period.
National minorities, such as Finns and Poles, either demanded outright independence or sought more autonomy, contributing to political splits.
How did the Kadets and socialists differ in their views on national minorities?
Kadets aimed to maintain the Empire, while socialists believed that non-Russians should manage their own affairs.
Explain the Provisional Government’s stance on the breakup of the state.
The PG was unwilling to see the state break up, despite the growing demands for self-governance from various national groups.
Describe the response of Ukrainians and the consequences it had on the PG.
Ukrainians demanded self-governance, leading to concessions from moderate socialists in the government, which outraged liberals and resulted in the resignation of three Kadets.
What social reforms were being demanded by workers during this time?
Workers demanded equal pay for women and the abolition of child labor, reflecting their desire for improved working conditions.
How did the Provisional Government respond to labor militancy?
The PG struggled to handle labor militancy and was unable to mediate effectively between workers and employers.
Explain the employers’ reaction to the strikes and demands from workers.
Employers were frustrated by constant strikes and pay demands, leading them to implement lockouts as a response.
What was the economic situation like during this period?
The economic situation was deteriorating, characterized by food shortages, unemployment, and high prices.
Quantify the impact of factory closures between February and July.
A total of 568 factories shut down during this period, resulting in a loss of 100,000 jobs.
Describe the change in grain prices in Petrograd from February to June.
In Petrograd, grain prices doubled between February and June, highlighting the severe economic challenges faced.
Who became Prime Minister in July and what was his self-perception?
Kerensky became Prime Minister in July, viewing himself as the man to save Russia and moving into the Winter Palace.
What was the significance of Lenin’s return to Russia on April 3?
Lenin’s return marked the beginning of his active involvement in Russian politics, where he called for a worldwide socialist revolution and an immediate end to the war.
What was the April Thesis and its main components?
The April Thesis, presented by Lenin, called for a worldwide socialist revolution and an immediate end to the war.
Describe the main slogan used by the Bolsheviks to appeal to the masses.
The main slogan used by the Bolsheviks was ‘Bread, Peace and Land’, which appealed directly to workers, peasants, and soldiers.
Explain the impact of the Kornilov affair on Kerensky’s reputation.
The Kornilov affair damaged Kerensky’s reputation as he panicked and turned to the Soviet for help, which led to the Bolsheviks gaining popular support.
Define the situation faced by the Provisional Government by the end of August.
By the end of August, the Provisional Government faced serious problems including a disintegrating army, worsening economic conditions, rising food prices, and increasing lawlessness.
How did the Bolsheviks position themselves during the Kornilov affair?
During the Kornilov affair, the Bolsheviks positioned themselves as the saviors of the city and true defenders of the Revolution by coming to the aid of Petrograd.
Do the Bolsheviks have popular support during the October Revolution?
Yes, the Bolsheviks had popular support during the October Revolution, as they were seen as the true defenders of the Revolution.
Explain the consequences of Kerensky’s attempts to close down Bolshevik newspapers.
Kerensky’s attempts to close down Bolshevik newspapers provided the Bolsheviks with an excuse to take action against him and further solidified their position.
Describe the economic conditions in cities as the Provisional Government struggled.
The economic conditions in cities were deteriorating, with little grain being supplied, peasants being uncooperative, and the prices of food and goods rising.
How did the Bolsheviks become the main focus for the dissatisfied masses?
The Bolsheviks became the main focus for the masses dissatisfied with the government due to their promises of land to peasants and their appeal to workers and soldiers.
Define the role of the Petrograd Soviet during the power struggle.
The Petrograd Soviet played a crucial role in the power struggle by taking power alongside the Soviets and supporting the Bolsheviks during critical moments.
Explain the significance of the Bolsheviks’ establishment of a Military Revolutionary Committee.
The establishment of a Military Revolutionary Committee by the Bolsheviks was significant as it allowed them to organize and assert control during the October Revolution.
