The Petrograd Soviet Flashcards
Who were members of the PS?
Worker and soldier representatives
Socialist intellectuals (mainly Mensheviks)
Socialist revolutionaries
Alexander Kerensky
How was the PS formed?
It was elected directly by soldiers and workers. Socialist intellectuals formed the leadership of the soviet
What was the PS’ aim?
To defend the rights of the workers under the new ‘Bourgeois Government’
What power did the Soviet have?
It could determine which factories would stay open and what supplies they would have
They acted as a watch dog
They represented the soldiers
They controlled the railways
Why did the Soviets not just take power?
They did not think it was the right time. They followed the classic Marxist line which said they had to be a long period in which a capitalist society developed more first. They wanted to avoid a counter revolution- didn’t want to upset middle class and commanders They were scare- could they control the masses?
What was order number 1?
It meant the PS would represent the soldiers and gave their committee control of all weapons. Soldiers would only obey the PG if the PS agreed
