Feb Rev → middle class took power → Duma set up 12-man Provisional Govt (PG) led by Kerensky. Moderate, faced severe problems but avoided radical policies.
Challenged by Petrograd Soviet (set up 2 March, 3k delegates, worker & soldier support) → ''.
Events
March
• PG faced major issues: inflation, hunger, peasant riots, war, Bolshevik & Tsarist threats.
• dominate but Petrograd Soviet Order No. → workers & soldiers obey PG only if Soviet agrees.
April
• Germany smuggled Lenin back → he published ‘’.
• Riots → PG included some Socialist/Mensheviks from Soviet (‘’).
• First Coalition collapsed → 24 July: Kerensky formed 'Second Coalition' w. Socialists/ Mensheviks.
• Govt confirmed free speech, unions, strikes.
September
• 10-13 Sept: Gen. ’s monarchist revolt crushed (by Bolsheviks!).
• Second Coalition collapsed → 14 Oct: Kerensky set up '' (Kadets, landowners), postponed elections & land reform, & dismissed Duma.
Sept-Oct
• Bolsheviks gained Soviet control (incl. Petrograd Soviet; = President).
6-7 Nov
• Bolshevik Rev.
Problems of the Provisional Government
Problems/Weaknesses
Action
Govt: Petrograd Soviet powerful, built nationwide Soviet network. Order No. 1 meant PG was powerless unless Soviet agreed.
PG did nothing to curb Soviet power.
Terrible conditions: Inflation, hunger worsened b/c war continued → public anger.
PG failed to resolve food shortages/inflation.
Peasants: Seized nobles' land → countryside .
PG sent troops to reclaim land → angered peasants.
War: PG continued war, June 1917 offensive failed, German counterattack, soldiers deserted, naval mutiny.
PG set up '' to execute deserters → worsened situation → by Oct 1917, mass desertions, peasant uprisings.
Bolsheviks: Lenin’s ‘April Theses’ (‘Peace, Bread, ’; ‘All power to Soviets’). July Days: Bolsheviks tried to seize power.
PG allowed free speech, press, released political prisoners. After July Days, Kerensky arrested Bolsheviks but let party continue → this helped the Bolsheviks.
Kornilov: Attempted right-wing coup (Sept 1917).
PG lacked army, relied on Bolsheviks → made PG seem weak, boosted Bolsheviks (took control of Soviet). After revolt, Kerensky formed ‘Directorate’ (Kadets, landowners), dismissed Duma.
Feb Rev → middle class took power → Duma set up 12-man Provisional Govt (PG) led by Kerensky. Moderate, faced severe problems but avoided radical policies.
Challenged by Petrograd Soviet (set up 2 March, 3k delegates, worker & soldier support) → 'DUAL GOVERNMENT'.
Events
March
• PG faced major issues: inflation, hunger, peasant riots, war, Bolshevik & Tsarist threats.
• MENSHEVIKS dominate but Petrograd Soviet Order No. 1 → workers & soldiers obey PG only if Soviet agrees.
April
• Germany smuggled Lenin back → he published ‘APRIL THESES’.
• Riots → PG included some Socialist/Mensheviks from Soviet (‘FIRST COALITION’).
Govt: Petrograd Soviet powerful, built nationwide Soviet network. Order No. 1 meant PG was powerless unless Soviet agreed.
PG did nothing to curb Soviet power.
Terrible conditions: Inflation, hunger worsened b/c war continued → public anger.
PG failed to resolve food shortages/inflation.
Peasants: Seized nobles' land → countryside ANARCHY.
PG sent troops to reclaim land → angered peasants.
War: PG continued war, June 1917 offensive failed, German counterattack, soldiers deserted, naval mutiny.
PG set up 'DEATH SQUADS' to execute deserters → worsened situation → by Oct 1917, mass desertions, peasant uprisings.
Bolsheviks: Lenin’s ‘April Theses’ (‘Peace, Bread, LAND’; ‘All power to Soviets’). July Days: Bolsheviks tried to seize power.
PG allowed free speech, press, released political prisoners. After July Days, Kerensky arrested Bolsheviks but let party continue → this helped the Bolsheviks.
Kornilov: Attempted right-wing coup (Sept 1917).
PG lacked army, relied on Bolsheviks → made PG seem weak, boosted Bolsheviks (took control of Soviet). After revolt, Kerensky formed ‘Directorate’ (Kadets, landowners), dismissed Duma.
