Key Debate 1 - To what extent was the PG doomed from the start

What system was the government

Dual power system

Why did this make the PG weak from the start

There was a lack of clear authority and conflicting interests between the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet.

What order made the PG weak

Order No.1

Order no.1

All workers and soldiers must not obey the PG without the permission from the Petrograd Soviet

How many delegates did the Petrograd soviet have?

3000 delegates

Why was this a problem?

So many delegates meant it was close to impossible to control and organize decisions effectively meaning progress was incredibly slow and the PG was unable to implement policies easily. This lack of effective organization and control ultimately hindered the PG's ability to respond to pressing issues and fulfill its promises.

What condition did the PG inherit?

A terrible condition - inflation was almost 4x the pre-war level and there was severe food and fuel shortages, along with a lack of public trust and immense dissatisfaction among the population.

How did the PG deal with deserters?

Created ‘Death squads’ which would kill deserters

Why did death squads make things worse

The death squads made the PG less popular as it was a clear act of repression against the people. Furthermore, the deserters killed landlords in fear of the death squads to secure their position - increased violence and tension towards the PG

How did the PG prevent opposition?

They didnt; not very effectively; allowed freedom of speech and press - Newspapers such as the Pravda (Bolshevik newspaper) which presented anti-pg sentiment

What was the Bolshevik newspaper?

Pravda

Opposition following the July days?

The Bolshevik attempted overthrow - PG arrested the leaders but allowed the Bolshevik party to continue - had the chance to crush their growth but unrestrained they grew in support and power.

How did the PG handle the peasant land revolts?

They used the army to retake land which had been seized by the peasants

Why did the PG’s reaction to peasant land revolts make things worse?

because the peasants grew in hatred towards the PG - it confirmed their belief that the PG was not supportive of their rights, leading to increased unrest and radicalization.