The Provisional Gov of 1917- Unit 2

Question 1

Who was the Duma lead by?

Answer 1

• Prince Lvov (old Duma, in new form).

Question 2

What were the weaknesses of the PG?

Answer 2

• Not an elected body, lacking legitimate authority.
• Authority limited by partnership with Petrograd Soviet, could veto against PG (Soviet Order Number 1).

Question 3

What were the early achievements of the PG?

Answer 3

• Amnesty for political prisoners.
• Trade Unions legally recognised.
• Eight-hour day for Industrial workers.
• Civil and religious freedoms.
• Preparations for election of constituent assembly.

Question 4

Return of Stalin and Kamenev:

Answer 4

• Exiled Bolsheviks rush to Petrograd after hearing of abdication.
• Stalin returns March 1917. He and Kamenev= leading voices in Petrograd Bolsheviks.
• Take anti-Lenin line.

Question 5

‘Letters from afar’:

Answer 5

• Urge war should be turned into a class war, Bolsheviks should turn soldiers against officers and take over government. Bolsheviks should not co-operate with PG.
• Stalin and Kamenev ignore Lenin, saying best policy was to push for international negotiations.
• Want peace talks and co-operation with PG (accommodationism).

Question 6

Lenin’s return:

Answer 6

• 3 April, 1917.
• Had been accused of being a German agent, not unreasonable, as German Foreign Office had given him regular financial support hoping if they achieved a revolutionary aim, Russia pulled out of war.
• Arrives Petrograd’s Finland station, said revolution created a ‘revolutionary bourgeois republic’, overthrowal of PG.

Question 7

What does Lenin publish?

Answer 7

• April Theses.
• Said to:
• Abandon co-operation with other parties.
• Overthrow PG.
• Struggle, power to workers, not all classes.
• Demand power be given to Soviets.

Question 8

Lenin and the Soviets:

Answer 8

• Rejected what Soviets had done, but saw them as a ‘power base’.
• ‘Peace, bread, land’ and ‘All Power to the Soviets’.