Russia in Revolution: Key topic 3 (1917): Chapter 1 - The Nature of Dual Power:

When did Tsar Nicholas II abdicate and what did many Russians believe?

Tsar Nicholas II abdicated in 1917 and many Russians believed the hardest part of the Revolution was over.

What did the crowds do?

The crowds celebrated in Petrograd as people believed that Russia would not become a democratic country.

Who expected peace, food and greater freedoms?

Political prisoners.

What happened after the abdication?

Two rival organisations emerged: The Provisional Government (PG) and The Petrograd Soviet (PS).

What was the Provisional Government?

It was formed by members of the Duma. They claimed to be Russia’s official government and intended to rule until elections for a Constituent Assembly could be held.

What was the Petrograd Soviet?

It was a council representing workers and soldiers. They had no legal authority - possessed enormous popular support and controlled many of the people who actually held power on the streets.

Dual Power

Both are known as Dual Power (a situation where two organisations both claimed authority over Russia after the February Revolution. Although, the PG possessed legal authority, the PS possessed much of the real power). Both organisations claimed to be working together, they often had different aims and priorities.

Why was an effective government extremely difficult?

PG and PS were competing centres of authority that created tension.

When was the PG established?

IT was established in early March 1917 by the members of the Duma’s Progressive Bloc.

Who were the ministers of PG?

They were middle class liberals who believed that Russia should become a parliamentary democracy after free elections.

Who was Prince Lvov?

He was Prime Minister who was widely respected for his work during WWI but he lacked the forceful personality needed to dominate events.

Who was Pavel Milyukov?

He was the governments most influential minister. He was the leader of the Kadet Party and Foreign Minister.

Who was Alexander Kerensky?

He was a socialist and vice chairman of the PS, which made him the only leading politician with influence in both organisations.

What did it believe?

It believed Russia must continue fighting the WWI alongside Britian and France.

What was PG?

It was Russia’s official government but was not the only body claiming authority after the February Revolution.

Who established PS?

Workers and soldiers.

PS

Members mainly middle-class liberals chosen from the Duma, PS claimed to represent ordinary Russians.

Factory Workers:

Elected representatives from their workplaces, while soldiers elected delegates from each military unit.

How many delegates were soldiers and what does it mean?

2/3, meaning the soviet had enormous influence over the armed forces in Petrograd.

Who was the soviet dominated by? What did they believe?

Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs) - believed Russia first needed to become a democratic capitalistic country before socialism could be introduced.

What did Mensheviks and SRs agree to

They agreed to cooperate with the PG rather than overthrow it immediately.

What did the Societ control?

They controlled many of people and organisations that kept Petrograd functioning.

Who recognised the authority of the Soviet to ensure these orders were obeyed?

Railway workers, postal workers and Petrograd garrison.

What was the difference between PG and PS?

PG possessed legal authority, PS possessed real power.

PS

They represented the workers and soldiers. They were dominated by Mensheviks and SRs. They controlled much of Petrograd Garrison and could influence whether government orders were obeyed.

When was Order No 1?

1 March 1917 (issued by Soviet, important development)

What did PG attempt to do?

They attempted to restore order by instructing soldiers in Petrograd to obey its commands.

What did many soldiers do?

They distrusted officers who had served under Nicholas II and looked to the Petrograd Soviet for leadership.

What did it do?

Encouraged soldiers to elect committees within their units and limited the authority of officiers.

What did Order No 1 originally intend for?

The Petrograd Garrison, copies quickly spread throughout Russia.

How did many soldiers interpret it?

As permission to ignore officers whenever they disagreed with them - the consequences were enormous.

What could PG no longer do?

no longer rely on unquestioning obedience from the army

Why did military discipline weaken?

Weakened dramatically while PS appeared to possess more authority than PG itself.