1.8) Causes of the 1917 revolution

Question 1

How was Russia governed after 1917?

Answer 1

• A Duel Power governed Russia
• Split between the Provisional Governtment (PG) and the Petrograd Soviet (PS)

Question 2

What are 3 reasons that the Provisional Governtment failed?

Answer 2

1. The PG imposed liberal reforms that gave drastic freedom to people. The Army were loyal to the PS and only obeyed them
2. Conflicting ideologies about the war, PG wanted to stay in WWI and PS wanted to leave. February 1917 there were 195,000 desertions rising to 365,000 from March to May.
3. Conflicting ideologies -PG were moderates and PS were radicals. Despite temporary cooperation from March-April the alliance collapsed.

Question 3

Why were the Bolsheviks able to sieze power?

Answer 3

• Lenin and Stalin returned from exile in April 1917
• Lenin was a charasmatic leader and attracted peasant support. “peace, bread, land and power to the soviets” a common propaganda message.
• Lenin understood that peasants were the key to the revolution- powerful revolutionary force
• Kornilov coup exposed the weaknesses of the PG and strengthened the Bolsheviks
• Significant growth in support- Feb-Oct 1917 23,000-200,000 members. Bolsheviks owned 41 newspapers and had 10,000 red guards

Question 4

What did the Oct Revolution mean for Russia?

Answer 4

• Dictatorship under Lenin and Bolsheviks
• A new constitution in July 1918
• A Decree on Peace (leave WWI) and a Decree on Land (peasant land siezures)
• Outbreak of Civil war until 1921
• Murder of the Romanovs