Opposition from Various Groups

The workers, peasants, army, and national minorities each contributed distinctively to opposing the Provisional Government.

Quote: "1169 peasant riots in October alone" demonstrates the scale of rural unrest.

Highlight: National minorities, particularly in Ukraine, Finland, and the Transcaucasus region, established autonomous governing bodies that challenged central authority.

Example: The Ukrainian Central Rada and Finnish Sejm represented significant attempts at regional autonomy.

The army's position evolved throughout 1917, initially defending the Provisional Government during the July Days but later supporting the Bolsheviks during the October Revolution.

Definition: The Constituent Assembly, which never materialized under the Provisional Government, was meant to be Russia's democratically elected parliament.

The Bolsheviks and Petrograd Soviet

The Bolsheviks underwent a significant transformation in their opposition tactics throughout 1917. Initially led by Lenin from Switzerland, they adopted a more radical stance with the April Theses, rejecting cooperation with other parties.

Highlight: The Bolsheviks' key slogans "All Power to the Soviets" and "Peace, Bread, and Land" became powerful rallying cries.

Example: The July Days proved a temporary setback when Lenin was accused of being a German spy, but the Kornilov Affair later rehabilitated the Bolsheviks' reputation.

The Petrograd Soviet operated alongside the Provisional Government in a system of dual authority.

Definition: Soviet Order Number One was a crucial decree that undermined the Provisional Government's control over the military and law enforcement.

Vocabulary: The Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) was established by the Bolsheviks to coordinate with the Petrograd Garrison, proving instrumental in the October Revolution.