The Fall of the Provisional Government

Why did the Provisional Government fail? The decision to continue World War I proved fatal. The failed Kerensky offensive in June 1917 led to mass desertions and collapsing morale. The war prevented the government from addressing crucial domestic issues.

Vocabulary: The July Days - A period of spontaneous armed demonstrations against the Provisional Government in Petrograd, marking a crucial turning point in its declining authority.

The postponement of Constituent Assembly elections bred suspicion, while unresolved land redistribution led peasants to take matters into their own hands. Workers, frustrated by continued economic hardships and unfulfilled promises, increasingly supported the Bolsheviks. The Provisional Government officially fell to Bolshevik control in October 1917, unable to maintain authority amid mounting social and political pressures.

The Provisional Government's War Dilemma and July Days Crisis

The Provisional Government Russia 1917 faced critical decisions regarding Russia's involvement in World War I. Three main options emerged, each with significant consequences for the nation's future. The government could either cease fighting completely, adopt a defensive position, or continue offensive operations against Germany.

Ending the war offered relief from high casualties, food shortages, and devastating inflation. However, this option meant potentially losing territory, paying reparations, and alienating crucial allies like Britain and France. The defensive strategy would help retain land and avoid reparations but wouldn't address the mounting casualties or economic crisis. Continuing offensive operations promised potential gains but further strained the government's limited resources.

Highlight: The July Days uprising of 1917 marked a crucial turning point when approximately 70,000 workers and soldiers from Kronstadt marched in Petrograd demanding Soviet power.

The July Days crisis revealed deep fractures in the Provisional Government's authority. Though initially blamed on the Bolsheviks, Lenin was actually absent from the country during the uprising. The government's response included arresting socialist leaders and recalling troops from the front lines, demonstrating both its weakness and growing isolation from the people. This unrest stemmed from widespread frustration with the government's war policies and failure to address domestic concerns.

Opposition Forces and the Rise of the Bolsheviks

The opposition to the Provisional Government in Russia was led primarily by the Bolsheviks, whose influence grew significantly throughout 1917. Their membership expanded from 26,000 to 200,000 between April and June, despite initial limitations and surveillance by the Okhrana (secret police).

The Bolsheviks built their power base among industrial workers and maintained their own newspaper, Pravda. Their message resonated particularly well with those opposed to the war. However, they faced significant challenges, including absent leadership (many were in prison or exile) and limited influence outside urban areas.

Quote: Lenin's slogan "Peace, Bread, and Land" perfectly encapsulated the popular demands of the Russian people in 1917.

The party's strategic approach included extensive propaganda efforts, systematic intimidation of opponents, and careful management of factory and district elections. Despite setbacks during the July Days, when they were falsely accused of German collaboration, the Bolsheviks maintained their momentum through organized committee work and support for peasant land seizures.

Revolutionary Leadership and Military Organization in the October Revolution

Trotsky's military organizational skills proved instrumental in the revolution's success. He established and developed the Bolshevik Red Guard, taking personal responsibility for recruitment and maintaining discipline among the revolutionary forces. Through his role in the Military Revolutionary Committee, Trotsky coordinated complex military operations that would ultimately lead to the success of the October Revolution.

His exceptional oratory skills and tireless energy inspired Bolshevik supporters to action. The Provisional Government officially fell to Bolshevik control largely due to Trotsky's strategic planning and leadership. His contributions exemplified what did the Provisional Government do wrong in failing to maintain power against revolutionary forces.

Definition: The Military Revolutionary Committee was a Bolshevik-controlled organization that coordinated the armed forces and strategic planning during the October Revolution.

Trotsky's role in the revolution demonstrated how effective leadership and organization could overcome the established order. His ability to combine military strategy with revolutionary fervor proved decisive in the Bolsheviks' success, showing why studying the Russian provisional government roles and challenges remains crucial for understanding this historical period.