The Provisional Government

Question 1

When did the first All-Russian Congress of Soviets meet

Answer 1

From the 16th of June to the 7th of July 1917.

Question 2

How many delegates were in the A-R CoS and which parties had how many seats.

Answer 2

1,090 delegates:
285-SR
105-Bols (Lenin laughably announces that they are ready to take over)

Question 3

How did the Kornlov Affair benefit the Bols

Answer 3

Bols luck changes after the Kornilov Affair as they helped to supress the right-winged takeover and portrayb themselves as heroes.

Question 4

Which form did the early success of the Provisional Government take

Answer 4

The fruits of the initial co-operation of the Dual Authority are shown via a set of progressive measures adopted by the PG

Question 5

List the early achievements/progressive policies if the PG

Answer 5

1. An amnesty for political prisoners
2. The recognition of trade unions
3. The introduction of an 8-hour day for industrial workers.
4. Replacement of tsarist police (the Okhrana) with a ‘people’s malitia’.
5. The granting of full civil and religious freedoms
6. Preperation for the election of a Constituent Assembley.

Question 6

Describe the downfall of the PG’s early policies and how this limits their success

Answer 6

Noticeably, early success of PG did not touch on critical areas of war and land. These would be the areas to destroy the always tenuous partnership of the dual authority, and it would be Lenin who would begin the process of destruction.

Question 7

Describe what is meant by a ‘People’s militia’

Answer 7

A new set of volunteer law-enforcement officers drawn from ordinary people.
Were introduced by the PG

Question 8

How can the Petrograd Soviet be regarded as a weakness for the PG

Answer 8

Dual Authority limited the PG’s authority (unofficial partnership)

Question 9

Name the most prominent way in which the Petrograd Soviet proved able to restrict the PG’s authority

Answer 9

Soviet Order Number 1 restricted PG authority as it read that the orders of the military commission of the state duma were only to be obeyed if they didn’t contradict the orders and decree of the soviet. Soviet had mass support and miltary backing from slodiers and therefore held authority and could restrict control of the PG.

Question 10

How can the relationship between the PG and Petrograd Soveit initially be described

Answer 10

Was not initially a hostile relationship and there was considerable co-operation between the 2 bodies. Some individuals were even members of both bodies, eg Alexander Kerensky was for a time chairman of the Soviet as well as a minister in the PG.

Question 11

What did the Petrograd Soviet set out to be/ what was its main objective

Answer 11

Did not set out to be an alternative government, but rather regarded its role as supervisory, aiming to ensure that the interests of the soldiers and workers were fully understood by the new gov.

Question 12

What happened with regard to soviets in the aftermath of the Feb Rev

Answer 12

Soviets were set up rapidly in all the major towns and cities of Russia.

Question 13

Describe the Bolshevik influence over the Soviets in the early stages after the Feb Rev

Answer 13

Althougbh soviets played a major role in the development of the revolution, Bols did not dominate them in early stages after Feb Rev. Therefore, they were not directly oposed to the PG. However, even before Bols influence became predominant, ability of Pet Sov to restrict Pg had been clearly revealed in the issuing of ‘Soviet Order Number 1’

Question 14

When was ‘Soveit Order Number 1’ issued

Answer 14

14 March 1917