★ Provisional Government vs Bolsheviks Flashcards
When did Lenin return to Russia?
★ April 16th, 1917
Which country helped smuggle Lenin back into Russia?
★ Germany
Where was Lenin living before returning to Russia?
★ Switzerland
What did Lenin write on the train ride to Russia?
★ The April Thesis
What did the April Theses contain?
★ 1. That the Bolsheviks must abandon cooperation with all other parties
★ 2. Work for a true revolution entirely by their own efforts
★ 3. Overthrow the reactionary Provisional Government
★ 4. Struggle, not to extend freedom to all classes, but to transfer power to the workers
★ 5. Demand that authority pass to the Soviets, which based on the Petrograd model, had been set in place by workers and soldiers in many other Russian cities and towns
Why did people not like the Provisional Government?
★ Kept Russia in the war
Why did the July Days happen?
★ Provisional Government launched a renewed attack on the Austro-Hungarian Army, was a disaster and led to mass desertions
★ Caused Kadet ministers to resign from Government on 3rd July
★ Bolsheviks encouraged soldiers to protest, caused 70,000 soldiers to surround the Tauride Palace
★ Government started a propaganda campaign accusing Lenin of being a German spy
★ Prince Lvov resigned, Kerensky new leader of PG
Positives of the July Days (for the Provisional Government)
★ Bolsheviks undermined, weren’t well liked anymore
★ Lenin abandoned call of immediate overthrow of PG
★ Vote of confidence to Prov Gov, 543 to 126
★ Bolshevik newspapers closed and warrants for arrest of Bolshevik leaders
★ Trotsky and Kamenev imprisoned
★ Bolshevik propaganda burned and Lenin fell
★ Kerensky as prime minister, appeared Bolshevik party was over
★ Kornilov’s supply lines cut and coup leaders arrested
★ 8 Hour Work Day
Negatives of the July Days (for the Provisional Government)
★ June 1917, Major offensive in Galicia massive defeat
★ Kornilov appointed Commander-In-Chief
★ Death penalty reinstated
★ Kerensky’s state conference boycotted by Bolsheviks, who organised a strike
★ Mensheviks and SR spoke out against Kornilov
★ Military takeover by Kornilov caused Kerensky to release imprisoned Bolsheviks and provided Soviets with weapons
★ Prices rose and wages fell
★ Bolsheviks benefitted from disillusionment with PG
★ Bolsheviks increased in Government, Trotsky became chairman of the executive committee of the Petrograd Soviet
★ Bolsheviks played on fear that Government would support a right-wing coup
What was the Kornilov Coup?
★ August 1917, Kornilov appointed to take control of the Russian Army
★ Had no sympathy for revolutionaries and wanted Petrograd under military control but Kerensky refused and dismissed Kornilov as Commander-In-Chief
★ Kornilov ordered a detachment of troops to march on Petrograd
What was the impact of the Kornilov Coup?
★ Kerensky forced to ask Red Guards to defend them
★ Rearmed Soviets
★ Released Trotsky and other Bolsheviks from jail
What role did Trotsky play in causing the October Revolution?
★ Was the Chair of the Petrograd Soviet
★ Headed the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC), armed group that was formed to protect Petrograd after the Kornilov Coup
★ Mid-October, Kerensky attempted to shut down two Bolshevik newspapers, Trotsky used fears over Kerensky to get MRC ready for defensive action when in reality he was getting ready to prepare the MRC to seize power
Role of Lenin’s influence on the Central Committee?
★ Important role in guiding the Bolsheviks since his return in April
★ April Theses direct challenge to policies and PG
★ Encouraged establishment of 41 Bolshevik newspapers across Russia
★ By end of September, Bolsheviks dominated the Petrograd Soviet and Lenin demanded all power to the Soviets
★ In August, the PG announced they would hold elections for a new Constitutional Assembly, Lenin knew that the Bolsheviks wouldn’t do as well as the SRs in these elections so he was determined to seize power before the elections
★ Return in October to Petrograd was crucial as he was able to convince the Central Committee to endorse his plan
Weaknesses of the Provisional Government?
★ Nature of the Provisional Government (Provisional)
★ Policies
★ Kerensky’s mistakes
Why was the nature of the PG a weakness?
★ Didn’t want to make any big changes such as land reforms and taking Russia out of the war
★ Had a lack of clear policies due to Liberals and Socialists fighting
★ Most power held by Soviets due to Order No.1
