Downfall of the Prov Gov Flashcards
INTRODUCTION
The provisional government fell to the Bolsheviks in the October revolution on the 25th of October. While the Bolsheviks did much to make the seizure of power successful, significant failures in both the actions and nature of the provisional created the conditions necessary for the Bolsheviks to capitilise and gain power. As argued by Adam Ulam: “The Bolsheviks did not seize power, they picked it up”.
WEAKNESSES OF THE PROV GOV
The inherent flaws of the provisional government by structure was ultimately its hamartia.
What was known as the ‘Dual Authority’ saw the PG share power with the Pertrograd soviet. This power-sharing was overwhelming one-sided, as shown by Order No 1, an order issued March 1st 191, which dictated that the orders of PS took priority over the PG.
This massive relative weakness stemmed from the fact the PS had superior legitimacy as it was democratically elected by workers and soldiers, in opposed to the PG which was derived its legitmacy due to the fact its membership were once members of the Duma
Order No 1 also showed that the PS held authority over the military, which meant that the PG was in constant threat of a coup.
STRENGTH OF THE OPPOSITION
Lenin published what was later known as his “April thesis” in April 1917, which explained his Ideology and demanded what was summarised as “Peace (Withdrawal for the war), Land (The redistribution of Land to the peasantry) and Bread(The end to the economic hardships of the war.”
These demands were also supported by the motto “All power to the Soviets”, which demanded power be taken from the PG and given entirely to the PS.
The Bolsheviks also gained massive support due to the Red guards’ prevention of potential military coup during the Kornilov coup in August 1917, becoming seen as the ‘protectors of Petrograd. As a result, the party’s membership rose from 20,000 in April to over 200,000 by October. This wave of support also saw Trotsky appointed the chairman of the PS, which allowed him to set up the Military revolution committee which was instrumental in gaining support the Petrograd garrison and executing the revolution in October.
Lenin published what was later known as his “April thesis” in April 1917, which explained his Ideology and demanded what was summarised as “Peace (Withdrawal for the war), Land (The redistribution of Land to the peasantry) and Bread(The end to the economic hardships of the war.”
These demands were also supported by the motto “All power to the Soviets”, which demanded power be taken from the PG and given entirely to the PS.
The Bolsheviks also gained massive support due to the Red guards’ prevention of potential military coup during the Kornilov coup in August 1917, becoming seen as the ‘protectors of Petrograd. As a result, the party’s membership rose from 20,000 in April to over 200,000 by October. This wave of support also saw Trotsky appointed the chairman of the PS, which allowed him to set up the Military revolution committee which was instrumental in gaining support the Petrograd garrison and executing the revolution in October.
CONTINUATION OF THE WAR
The Government was committed to ‘revolutionary defensism’, essentially meaning continuing to fight the war, this meant that the new Government faced many of the same economic and social issues that had brought down the Tsar, including rampant inflation over 200%.
April 1917 a telegram to the allied powers from Pavel Milyukov was leaked and revealed these imperialist war-aims of the PG to achieve a ‘just peace’, unleashing a storm of protest and the resignation both Guchkov and Milyukov.
The failure of the June offensive, which saw 60,000 casualties, heightened the anti-war sentiment amongst soldiers and workers alike.
CONCLUSION
the Bolshevik strengths should not be understated as it was ultimately them who planned and executed the revolution in October, however, the failure of the PG due to its actions and very nature created the necessary conditions for the revolution to happen. All opportunities grasped by the Bolsheviks before the revolution arose from the weaknesses of the PG. So while the fall of the PG was not solely the result of its own failings, it was its failure which allowed it to so easily fall.
issues with the dual authority
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- only a temporary so could not get much done
- the soviet was considerably more more powerfull, having control of the petrograd garrison, the factories and the railways
- differing views on the war
key events between the revolutions
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- Return of Lenin and April Thesis
- Failed Kerensky Offensive
- July Days riots and Lenin flees to Finland
- Kornilov Coup
What did Lenin argue in his April Theses?
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- Lenin called for ‘Peace, land and bread’.
- Peace - Lenin’s promise to end Russia’s involvement in the war appealed to war-weary soldiers, workers and peasants who had suffered due to the conflict.
- Land - this appealed to Russian peasants who wanted the revolution to lead to land reform.
- Bread - by this Lenin promised to end the hardship caused by the war.
- Also demanded ‘All power to the soviets’.
what was the kerensky offensive and its imapct
In June, the Provisional Government had launched a renewed attack on the Austro-Hungarian army. This became known as the June Offensive. It was a disaster, leading to mass desertions and a breakdown of discipline within army ranks.
Failure of the offensive led to resignations of Kadet ministers.
This provoked a military response and the Bolsheviks encouraged soldiers and workers to protest.
what were the july days and what was their impact
Around 70,000 soldiers and armed workers surrounded the Tauride Palace in Petrograd which housed the P.G. and Petrograd Soviet. It took two days to disperse.
The government started a propaganda campaign accusing Lenin of being a German spy - Lenin fled to Finland.
Prince Lvov resigned as Prime Minister leaving Kerensky in charge
what was the kornilov coup and what was its impact
- Kerensky’s government wanted to restore domestic order and appointed General Lavr Kornilov to take control of the Russian army.
- Kornilov demanded to place Petrograd under military control, but Kerensky refused.
- Kornilov responded by ordering a detachment of troops to march on Petrograd. Kerensky assumed this was an attempted coup d’etat and was forced to ask the Petrograd Soviet to defend the capital. He agreed to arm the Red Guards, who were recruited by the Soviet to defend the capital.
- Bolshevik propaganda portrayed the Soviet as heroes and many leading revolutionaries like Trotsky were released from prison, others like Lenin and Stalin returned to Russia.
