Dual Authority + fall the PG Flashcards
What was dual authority?
Temporary decision makers being from 2 separate groups - PS and PG- they both ruled the country in the absence of a constitutional assembly.
What was the PG?
Was made up of leading figures from the Kadets ( and other liberal parties. The leader was Prince Lvov (March – July 1917) and then Alexander Kerensky (July – October 1917).
Its role was to run the country until a constituent assembly had been elected and the Provisional Government had been chosen by a committee of the Duma; it had not been elected by the people.
The Provisional Government (PG) was formed two days after the Petrograd Soviet (PS) in February 1917.
What was the PS?
Made up of Workers’ and soldiers’ representatives + socialist intellectuals, mainly Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries.
The chairman of the executive committee was Chkheidze. Socialist intellectuals formed leadership of the Soviet (7/42 were workers)
Its role was to protect the interests of the working classes and soldiers.
Formed 2 days before the PG.
The PS consisted of workers, soldiers, and socialists, advocating for workers’ rights, land reforms, and ending the war, while the PG favoured moderate reforms and continued Russia’s involvement in WWI.
Who was Alexander Kerensky?
Alexander Kerensky was a member of both bodies and provided the main line of communication between the line.
Why was Prince Lvov nominated as the new prime minister? What was the significance of this appointment?
He had headed the union of the Zemstva (established in 1864 by Tsar Alexander II, were local self-governments to modernise and decentralise administration.) and had been widely praised for his efforts, providing support and medical help for soldiers at the front. He was also the monarch’s son - people were upset that the monarchy would no longer be in power - keep people happy.
Why were factories asked to elect delegates? And what is the difference between the PG and PS?
The PS was the government in focus of working-class aspirations. Factories were asked to elect delegates to attend meetings to represent the factory workers- have a say and create rights.
What was Order No.1 and why was it needed?
It was the order that each regiment had to elect committees that would send representatives to the soviet. It also stated to only obey the orders of the PG it agrees with the Petrograd soviet, undermiming the authority of the Provisional Government. - March 1st 1917
Why did the soviet not take power?
1)Leaders did not think it was the right time - followed Marxist Theory - needed to go through a bourgeois revolution first.
2)Wanted to avoid civil war and counter-revolutionary groups. Needed to keeps the army and middle classes on their side The Russian high command kept their troops outside of the city as they thought the Duma (Solid-Middle-class citizens) were in control of the situation. If they thought revolutionaries were taking over then they were in control.
4)Didn’t know how to control the masses
5) Soviet leaders wanted to wait for ‘Prime Opportunity
Problems facing the PG
Economic:
Food shortages, soldiers seizing land from nobility (2.5 mi conscripted in 1917), Agreed to additional loans from GB and France to fund the war effort.
Political:
PG was not an elected body - not legitimate- PS had 3000 elected members, Dual Authority undermined its power, national minorities demanded independence, Lenin’s return and Bolshevik propaganda increased political instability.
Soviet Order Number One challenged the PG’s authority over the military.
Military:
Soviet Order Number One challenged the PG’s authority over the military, Defeats in WWI weakened morale and shifted war responsibility to the PG, Mass desertions from the army.
Peasants looted landowners’ properties in rural areas, A major military defeat in June 1917 led to 60,000 deaths and further desertions.
Soviet “Resolutions”
1) Elected representatives from all ranks should represent in the PS
2) Any company without and elected representative has a time limit to elect one
3)Orders of the military commision of the State Duma only executed if they agree with the PS.
4)All weapons must stay with the company and battalion groups, not given to officers, even if they ask.
5)Strict military discipline doesn’t have to be conformed to when off duty
6)Existing titles abolished and replaced with new ones.
