reasons for Bolshevik triumph in 1917

Question 1

the provisional government: Kerensky

Answer 1

• temporary
• Kerensky appointed war minister and wanted Russia to embrace the war and keep fighting
• June 1917 launched an offensive on Germany but it failed
• July - Prince Lvov steps down and Kerensky becomes minister.
• naval base of sailors , workers soldiers create own Gov and defy orders - KY crushes this and seen as a hero arresting Bolsh leaders Trotsky. sent Lenin to exile and were branded German traitors - he gained support for this.
• Some people despised KY for encouraging the war to go on and is blamed for his German attack that failed results in mutinying
• With July days he neutralised law making decisive decisions and gaining support.

Question 2

weaknesses of provisional government

UNFINISHED

Answer 2

• since its temporary it hasn’t got the public mandate meaning it cant make hard decisions about anything .i.e. land reforms.
• people of the PG are aristocracy
• Cant negotiate war with Germany as they’re reliant on aid from alliance (Britain) which means they cant leave as they need money and resources. Better for them to keep fighting in war.
• PG and Petrograd soviets working together but despite working well at the start
• haven’t been elected and are in place until constituent assembly (election) - which means cant negotiate peace with Germany causing people to be frustrated and angry

Question 3

Kornilov affair

Answer 3

• a new commander in chief who wanted to defeat socialist enemies before they could defeat Germany
• worried about PG and how much control they had so he planned to bring loyal troops to PetroG destroying soviets establishing military rule & removing PG.
• Big threat to Kerensky since he has an army and guns.
• As a result Kerensky gave guns to Russian citizens and released Bolsheviks to help defend PetroG
• Railway workers stop Kornilov’s train.
• KY releases those who wanted to overthrow him and stupidly arms them which was key action for Bolsheviks soon rise to power
• Now the Bolsh seen as heroes whereas Ky the opposite causing people to lose faith in PG and people start showing support to them

Question 4

Bolshevik strengths ; Lenin

Answer 4

• Wrote letters from a far - frantic and angry giving Sds instructions for them to not comply with PG however some ignored i.e Stalin who cooperated
• Germans enabled Lenin’s return to Russia making speech in Finland station
• April thesis: abandon cooperation with PG , demanding authority pass to soviets , extend power to workers - didn’t like upper class having power - slogan; peace bread land.
• Lenin put Bolsh on diff path and that they must work for Gov whereas PG are for themselves not the people.
• PG aren’t dealing with food shortages whereas Bolsh will when the war ends their will be land reform
• keeps attacking PG
  HOWEVER - sort of ignores peasants and exploits them as he had no clear land reform policy

Question 5

Bolshevik strength: Trotsky

UNFINISHED

Answer 5

• was chairman of Petrograd soviet
• leader of red guard and ordered them to take vantage points
• brings revolution to being