Prov gov vs petrograd soviet Flashcards
Nature of the prov gov
Leader: Prince Lvov; became prime minister.
Members: Octoberists or Kadets. Most members were moderates. They wanted a greater degree of democracy and reform of abuses. Did not want further revolution.
Unfortunately, members soon discovered they had little or no authority whatsoever. In any case, most Russians were far more concerned with the everyday problems that they faced, such as the price of food and the effects of the war.
It soon became clear that the prov gov was only effective inside the city of Petrograd, and even they it had a serious rival.
Eight-point programme
2nd March 1917.
The full and immediate amnesty for all political prisoners and exiles
Freedom of speech, press, assembly and strikes
The abolition of all class, group and religious restrictions
Election of a constituent assembly
Democratic elections
Retention of military units
The Petrograd Soviet
Formed on the 27th February from members of earlier committees. It was elected by the soldiers and workers of Petrograd and so had far more authority than the Prov gov.
It governed Petrograd and was controlled at first by the Socialist Revolutionaries.
Offered its support to the prov gov on the basis of the eight-point programme, but at the same time, issued Military Order Number One. This stated that orders from the prov gov were only to be obeyed if they were approved by the soviet.
Prov gov weaknesses
The existence of two separate governments in Petrograd created chaos. The provisional government believed that it had to continue to support Russia’s allies and became increasingly unpopular because it did not end the war.
The members did not believe that they had the authority to make peace.
The provisional government also made no attempt to introduce land reform, which many peasants wanted.
The prov gov did try to tackle the problems of shortages and inflation, but, during the summer of 1917, the amount of rations handed out in the Petrograd fell.
By September, rations were at starvation level.
Lenin’s return
In March 1917 Lenin was living in Switzerland. He was sent back to Russia by the Germans.
Believed that he could take advantage of the chaos caused by the February Revolution to seize power in Russia.
He was determined to stir as much trouble as possible, and to attract as much support by making extravagant promises, which he had no intention of keeping, e.g. allowing peasants to take land.
April Theses
Demanded an end to war with Germany
abolition of the prov gov
all power to the soviets
all property and land to be taken over by the state
all banks united into national bank and put under control of the soviets
army to be nationalised and all factories to come under control of the soviets
Lenin’s affect
His speeches attracted large crowds and ‘Pravda’, the Bolshevik newspaper, became very popular.
Lenin encouraged criticism of both the prov gov and the Petrograd Soviet.
When riots broke out in Petrograd in April 1917, the Bolsheviks tried to take control of the city, but were defeated.
In May, when members of the Soviet were invited to join the Prov gov, he opposed the move unsuccessfully.
Lenin was trying to take advantage of the unpopularity of the policies of the prov gov and try to force the Soviet to be more outspoken in its opposition.
By June 1917, 100,000 copies of Pravda were being printed every day and Lenin came to believe that the Bolsheviks had a real chance of seizing power.
The July Days
After Kerensky’s failed offensive in June, rioting broke out in petrograd by the workers and soldiers who were largely Bolshevik sympathisers.
Bolsheviks and Lenin did not want to claim leadership of them.
Lenin discouraged the hopeful revolutionists and it was quickly suppressed.
Many Bolshevik leaders were arrested and Lenin was forced to flee to Finland in disguise. However, the ‘July days’ did have lasting consequences
Alexander Kerensky became prime minister of the provisional Government and the bolsheviks began to win much more support within the soviet.
In August elections, they increased their support by 50%.
The Kornilov Affair
kornilov thought that the petrograd soviet was going to ruin russia and put it in the hands of the bolsheviks.
he was a former tsarist officer.
believed he had the support of kerensky and marched into petrograd.
kerensky panicked and called on the bolsheviks for help. agreed to let bolshevik prisoners out and armed them with 40,000 rifles to stop kornilov
kerensky considered a traitor; bolsheviks considered heroes
Petro. soviet policies
Held most of the control.
Controlled workers, factories, communication. Were able to figure out all of the Prov Gov’s motives.
Elected by the people.
Policies appealed more to the peasantry.
— uncontrollable
— drunkards
— large base
Wanted to fight a defensive war
order no. 1
Made it so that the army only had to obey the provisional government in the Petrograd soviet first approved.
Gave army control of ammunition
prov gov policies
Wanted to keep fighting in the war to gain more territory.
Did not want to give up land/power; kept delaying the constituent assembly
Consisted of landowners, Octoberists and kadets.
Not elected.
Less control over the people than the soviet.
Didn’t want to pursue further revolution
Lenin
Encouraged protests against the prov gov when he returned in April.
April thesis provided more favour to the soviets.
Wanted immediate revolution and the abolishment of the prov gov.
Kerensky
Became prime minister of the prov gov after the July Days.
Was in both governments; often ran back and forth to communicate between them and clear up misunderstandings.
Overreacted during the Kornilov Revolt
— depleted his authority and reputation; gave the Bolsheviks an excuse to seize power.
tried shutting down pravda and bolshevik authority in 24th october. gave them a reason to strike; painted as an anti-revolutionary
Kornilov
Believed that the prov gov had been taken over by the Bolsheviks and that Russia would soon be thrown into chaos.
Launched a coup and stormed Petrograd.
