The Rise and Fall of the Provisional Government, 1917

Problems that the Provisional Government had to tackle

1.) *The Petrograd Soviet* — The PG was well aware that they had *not been elected* by the public, and recognised that they would likely be *replaced* if an election took place. Elections were promised, but were *delayed.* The much more popular *Petrograd Soviet* was a legitimate threat to the PG's stability 2) *The Land Question* — The PG were faced with the issue of satisfying the *peasants' demand for land*. Solving the problem was complex, as it meant peasant soldiers would have their land *re-distributed* while they were fighting at the front. *Disorder* was rife in the countryside as many began to take law into their own hands. The government received around *700 complaints* about *illegal attacks upon landed property* in *July 1917*. 3) *Urban discontent and economic issues* — *Inflation* shot up in 1917. The government *printed* more and more paper money, making inflation even worse. The cost of living in Petrograd had risen over *1400%* between *1913 and 1917*, and wages fell between *10-60%* between January and October 1917. *Poor livings standards* were the norm, as *wages were unstable* and *unemployment* was rising. *Unions and factory committees* were angered by *poor living and working standards*. The government hoped that a grant of an *eight hour day* would help *settle tensions* and *restore discipline*, which had completely *broken down* during 1917. 4) *War effort* — The Petrograd Soviet called for *peace without annexations or indemnities*, which implied that Russia wanted to defend the Revolution's gains without inflicting severe damage on the enemy. The Provisional Government agreed with similar terms, but *Foreign Minister, Miliukov*, promised their allies to continue fighting until they won a *decisive victory*. This was met with *immediate anger*, with a surge of soldiers and their supporters taking to the streets of Petrograd to *protest* on the streets, fighting against the *supporters of war*. This threat forced Miliukov into *resignation*.

The Kerensky Offensive — June 1917

As the government failed to tackle Russia's most significant issues, their support began to *dwindle rapidly*. The economy was in *ruins* due to *inflation*, *unemployment* was high, and the *standard of living* was *incredibly poor* due to *falling wages* and the *rising cost of living*. *Soviets* continued to spring up across the country without the government's consent, and worker committees began to demand *control* of the factories. *Kerensky*, the Minister of War in the government, believed that a *successful war* would stop Russia's complete disintegration. — Despite the *lack of morale* and *adequate equipment in the army*, along with desertions reaching a figure of around *170,000*, Kerensky began his offensive against the *Austrians in June 1917*. — Unfortunately, this offensive was a huge mistake, with Russia harshly defeated and losing around *400,000 men*. Some troops had turned against their authorities and deserted. — This failed offensive made the government *even more unpopular*, and would descend Russia into further chaos.

Growing turmoil in Russia and opposition towards the government

Both inside and outside Petrograd, the economic and political situation was *worsening*. — The Provisional Government had *still not satisfied* peasant *land hunger*. Peasants increasingly took law into their own hands and *seized land* themselves — Significant numbers of troops were deserting their original postions to *join the Bolsheviks*, many of whom wanted an *end to fighting* and wanted *peace*. Bolshevik *propaganda* helped *influence soldiers*, and the party had a force *increasing in size* that would eventually be fit for a *political Revolution* — Urban workers also looked towards *political action* to secure themselves a *better life* — The government struggled with demands for *great self-governance* amongst many of Russia's nationalities, including *Ukraine* and *Finland*.

The First Coalition Government — May 1917

Due to the power struggle between the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet, *Prince Lvov*, the Prime Minister, decided to create a Coalition Government, where he invited *6 Soviet members into the new government*. Yet despite this new government, they still failed to tackle the problems that they had recognised before — — It once again *delayed elections* for a *Constituent Assembly* — It failed to address the peasants' demands for land, and continued to *delay the problem* until a constituent assembly had been voted upon — It tried to tackle the problems in the factories, by providing an 8 hour day and limiting the actions of workers' committees, but these efforts were *minimal* — Unpopular war was *continued*, and *sailor and soldier committees* became more active due to discontent. Military discipline was unsuccessfully reintroduced into the army. Petrograd troops were also becoming increasing *independent*. Lenin commented on the Coalition Government, stating that it *consistently failed* to tackle or delayed Russia's *most prominent problems.*

The Kornilov Coup — August 1917

Following Kerensky's offensive, many army officers wanted *decisive action* against *mutinous troops* (*those who betray orders*) and those back home who were urging others to take up *arms* against the government. — Near the end of August, new army *Commander-in-Chief*, *General Kornilov*, suddenly *ordered troops to march on Petrograd* and *close down the Soviet*. He believed the Soviet was *undermining discipline in the army*, and wanted to get rid of it to restore 'peace in the capital'. Kornilov claimed to be acting upon Prime Minister *Kerensky's* orders. — In order to counter this threat to the Provisional Government and a possible *future military dictatorship*, Kerensky called *upon the Soviets*, which included Bolshevik members, to *protect Petrograd*, by *giving them arms* — Kornilov's army *failed to advance* in Petrograd mainly due his troops *refusal* to *obey orders*, and Kornilov, who was aware of the armed forces awaiting in Petrograd, *quickly gave up*. Kornilov was eventually *arrested*. — This affair was key in exposing the *weakness of the Provisional Government*, as it proved that they were *susceptible* to *military challenges* like Kornilov's. Kerensky was shown to be *weak* by *relying* on the Soviets, and seemed to *pass the power* to them by giving them *arms* — The Bolsheviks managed to gain *masses of support* after this event, as they were viewed as *heroes*, from protecting the capital from a *counter-revolutionary* military commander. This event helped them gain so much support, that by September the Bolsheviks *dominated* the Soviets in *Moscow and Petrograd.* This helped the Bolsheviks take over in *October* and seize *total control* of Petrograd

How did the Bolsheviks strengthen their position?

The Bolsheviks had mainly accepted *Lenin's theses*, including his policy of opposition to and separation from the Provisional Government. From Lenin's return onwards, the Bolsheviks *grew and grew in importance.* — At *The First All-Russian Congress of Soviets* in June 1917, where over *1000 delegates* from soviets throughout Russia met for the first time in Petrograd, the Bolsheviks only made up *10%* of the representatives, and had not yet had their *breakthrough*. At this congress however, Lenin dramatically announced that he and the Bolsheviks were *ready to take over the government alone!* — During July, the Bolsheviks had a *set-back* due to the *July Days*, where hundreds of Bolsheviks were arrested and Lenin himself *fled to Finland.* — Despite this, from July onwards support for the Bolsheviks was on the *rise*. One of these reasons was the *Kornilov Coup* in August, where people *turned to support the Bolsheviks* instead of the Provisional Government, seeing the Bolsheviks as the better alternative to the evidently *weak, and unrepresentative* Provisional Government. — As well as the Kornilov coup, the Bolsheviks managed to win the support of both peasants and workers through their *ideology and propaganda*. The Bolsheviks won peasant support by focussing on their *land-hunger*, something the Provisional Government seemed to ignore. They sported the idea of *Land to the Peasants*, making the party increasing popular amongst this part of society. — Bolshevik influence in *factories and armed forces* was significant too, as soldiers were lured by the promise of *Peace* and an end to conflict, and workers were drawn by the promise of *Bread*, especially due to *poor living conditions, unstable wages* and *unemployment* in urban areas (problems that the PG had not fixed).

The Power Struggle between the Provisional Government and Petrograd Soviet

The Petrograd Soviet (formed March 12th 1917) was the Provisional Government's most legitimate threat, especially since both bodies met in the same building. The Petrograd Soviet was a body of around *3,000*, made up of *soldiers and workers* and *not dominated by any party*. The Soviet was very powerful, with much control over the *post, railway and telegraph* services in Petrograd. — The Petrograd Soviet feared that there would be counter attack by Tsarist forces, and so in *March 1917*, the Soviet passed *Soviet Order Number 1*. — *Soviet Order Number 1* essentially stated that the *Petrograd Soviet's orders* of the armed forces should take *priority* over those of the Provisional Government. The Provisional Government was *unable to revoke this order.* — This order seemed to highlight the distrust of many workers and soldiers towards the *Provisional Government*. One worker shouted at the PG *'Who elected you?'*, referring to how the members of the PG had been *originally chosen by the Tsar* to occupy the *Duma*, implying that the members *did not represent the people*. — This atmosphere of suspicion led to a period of *Dual Authority* between the PG and Petrograd Soviet. Once news had spread that the Tsar had *abdicated*, soviets sprung up all over Russia, with representatives later coming to join the Petrograd Soviet. It seemed that the Petrograd Soviet was much more *popular and representative* amongst the Russian people than the *elite members* of the PG, who had been specifically picked by the Tsar.

The programme of the Provisional Government

The Provisional Government put forward *eight principals* that would guide their work — 1) Immediate *amnesty* for political prisoners 2) Freedom to *strike, speech* and *assembly* 3) Complete *abolition* of religious, social and national *privileges* 4) Immediate preparations for an assembly for which *everyone could vote* 5) *Abolition of all police units*, which would be replaced by a *local militia* 6) Elections for *zemstva* where everyone can vote 7) All Revolutionary military units would *keep their weapons* 8) *Maintenance* of military discipline Many of these principals were acted upon *immediately!* Political prisoners *flooded the cities* after being released from prison, all police departments had been *abolished*, *political meetings* were widespread and *newspapers and pamphlets* were everywhere.

The Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets, 25th October 1917

This meeting of the Soviets was the *mark of the Bolsheviks' legitimacy of taking power*. This second meeting had *390 Bolshevik Representatives*, who were eager to fulfil *Lenin's politics*. It wasn't *certain* that the Bolsheviks had complete power, since there were still some *Menshevik and Social Revolutionary members* of the Soviets, but they walked out during the meeting, allowing *all the power* to fall into the Bolsheviks' hands. As they left, Trotsky shouted, *"Go where you belong — to the rubbish bin of history!"*

The Bolshevik's position leading up the the October Revolution

— By the end of the summer, Bolshevik influence had *grown massively*. Soviet elections in August and September saw the Bolsheviks *win control of Soviets* in both Moscow and Petrograd. The party had grown from only *10,000 in February* to *200,000 in August*, producing *41* different newspapers and holding a striking force of *10,000* *Red Guards*, their own personal army. In elections for the *Petrograd City Duma* in August, the Bolsheviks increased their vote from *19 to 33%.* — With popular support amongst the peasants and workers, strong influence in the soviets and a loyal army, the Bolsheviks seemed fit to *take over from the Provisional Government*!

The July Days — July 1917

— Following Kerensky's failed offensive, opposition against Russia's warfare and government was becoming *more and more serious.* — In July 1917, demonstrators took to the streets of Petrograd, including soldiers and *sailors from the Konstadt naval base* nearby. — Some believed this was a *Bolshevik* backed uprising, in order to *test the political situation* in the country. This was especially believed since the protestors were chanting *Peace, Bread, Land* and *All Power to the Soviets*, both of which were *Bolshevik slogans*. However, Lenin was *not clearly leading* the demonstrators. — The protestors urged the *Petrograd Soviet to take power*, but its *Menshevik* and *Social Revolutionary* leaders refused. — Finally, the Provisional Government was saved by *loyal troops*, who cleared the streets. — Angered by this supposed Bolshevik uprising, the government *arrested* around *800* members of the party, naming them *traitors and spies*. Luckily for Lenin, he managed to escape to *Finland*. The government *seized the party's headquarters*, and *banned* Bolshevik newspapers. — It *seemed* that the Bolshevik threat was *over*. — Following this dramatic event, Kerensky became *Prime Minister*, and hoped to unify the government

How did Lenin's return to Russia affect the Bolsheviks?

— In April 1917, Lenin travelled from Switzerland, across Germany and back into Russia. His return to Petrograd saw his party members in a *pitiful state*. The Bolsheviks were a complete minority in the city, and were completely divided over whether they should support the *Provisional Government or not*. — In order to properly invigorate his party, Lenin established his *April Theses*, published in the Bolshevik Newspaper, *Pravda*. These theses were *radical*, and completely *rejected Bolshevik co-operation with the PG*, whose members Lenin believed were *elite* and *bourgeois*. The theses urged the immediate *end of war*, the *socialisation* of the economy and the transfer of all power to the *Soviets*, claiming that the soviets would make up the basis of a new revolutionary government. — Lenin proposed the slogan, *Peace, Bread, Land*, highlighting the three problems most important to the Russian public. — Almost immediately, Lenin's actions established the Bolsheviks as the *main left-wing opposition group*. At this point, the survival of the Provisional Government was down to its coalition with the Petrograd Soviet and if this coalition could help solve Russia's *most pressing issues.*

The Bolsheviks Seize Power — The October Revolution, 1917

— It only took *three days* for the Bolsheviks to completely take over Petrograd, with *no soldiers* making a serious attempt to fight for Kerensky. — Troops from the *Petrograd Soviet* and the Bolsheviks' *Red Guards* managed to *seize petrograd*, by taking over the city's *railway stations*, *public buildings* and eventually *The Winter Palace*. — The battleship *Aurora* fired blanks at the Palace, encouraging the members of the Provisional Government to *give themselves up*. Kerensky managed to flee the capital. — The day itself was *rather normal*, unlike the dramatic *Bolshevik propaganda* that shows the Provisional Government being overthrown. Shops were still open, and the opera performed as normal. — The October Revolution was more like a skilful *coup d'état*, directed mainly by *Trotsky*. Finally, the Bolsheviks had overcome the provisional government and now had *taken power.*

What kind of government ruled Russia in March 1917?

— The *Provisional Governement* was announced to the Russian public on the *2nd March 1917*, agreed upon by both the *Provisonal Commitee of the Duma* and *Petrograd Soviet*. — All members of the new provisional government were *orginally ministers that had been elected to the Duma in 1912*.

*How did the Bolsheviks manage to seize power in October 1917?* What was the Bolshevik situation in February 1917?

— The Bolsheviks had *little involvement* in the *February Revolution*, but were *very surprised* by the *dramatic events* taking place in Petrograd. — At the start of 1917, they only had around *10,000* members, and seemed out of the parties in Russia, the least likely one to take power. — *Trotsky*, the chief organiser of the October Revolution was not even a member yet! — However, around a *third* of the party was based in Petrograd, proving the party a solid base that would help them gain power. — Originally, the Bolshevik party recognised the new Provisional Government, and decided that it should be given a chance to survive.