AS FP1 : Issues of Leadership after the revolution Flashcards
(17 cards)
Conceptual Awareness
Was the revolution in February spontaneous or planned?
The February revolution was leaderless and spontaneous ; leading Russian revolutionaries were absent at the time of the disturbances and were taken by surprise.
Conceptual Awareness
What was the Petrograd Soviet?
The Petrograd Soviet, established 27th February 1917, was the most important of the soviets which had sprang up during the February Revolution. It agreed that each regiment from the Russian army should elect committees and send representatives to the Soviet.
Focus of working class aspirations, its first chairman was a leading Menshevik, Chkheidze.
What and when was Order No.1?
Order No.1, produced 1st March 1917, promised that the military would obey the Duma (only if the Soviets agreed), that all soldiers had autonomy to their weapons, and that there would be the abolition of titles and the use of the informal, “ty”, used for soldiers but commonly used to refer to children.
What was significant about Order No.1?
Order No.1 was extremely signficant as, not only did it give soldiers representation and weapons, but stated that they would obey the Provisional Government, but only if the Soviets agreed.
Real power lay with the Soviets.
How many members were there in the Petrograd Soviet?
The Petrograd Soviet had over 3000 members, most of its work was done by an executive committee, lead by socialist intellectuals such as Alexander Kerensky.
How did the revolution affect Russia beyond Petrograd?
Revolutionary disturbances spread throughout the country.
- Workers took control of their factories, deposing their bosses and setting up soviets.
- In provinces such as Finland, Poland, Ukraine and the Caucuses national minorities declared their independence.
- The military disintigrated into soldiers’ soviets.
- Peasants formed peasant soviets.
- An ‘All Russian Congress of Soviets’ met in Petrograd in June 1917, with representatives from 350 towns, villages and military bases.
Describe the provisional government.
On the 2nd March 1917, a provisional government was declared, made up of largely leading political figures of the various leading liberal parties. It was dominated by the Kadets and their leader, Milyukov, there was one socialist minister - Alexander Kerensky. The new prime minister was Prince Lvov.
The PG would run Russia until an election could take place.
What did the Soviet control?
The soviet controlled the telegraph station, railways, soldiers in the Petrograd Garrison, power supplies, and factories. The Provisional Government could not move around or send a message without the soviets knowing. The Soviet could determine which factories stayed open and which services, such as electricity would be provided.
Why did the Soviet not take power?
- Soviet leaders did not think the time was right for a workers’ government ; they were following the classic marxist line.
- Wanted to avoid civil war and keep the army commanders on side.
- they were not sure that they could control the masses.
The Honeymoon of the Revolution
What three policies were immediately implemented following the fall of the Tsarist regime?
- Tsarist ministers were arrested and imprisoned, the police put themselves under arrest to stop themselves from being “literally pulled to pieces” (Corin + Fiehn).
- Secret Police were disbanded.
- Amnesty for religious + political prisoners, and the death penalty was abolished.
The Honeymoon of the Revolution
Why were the soldiers pleased?
Soldiers in the Petrograd Garrison were happy because it was agreed that they would not be sent to the front
The Honeymoon of the Revolution
Why were the workers happy?
The workers were happy because it was agreed that they would not be sent to the front. The workers were happy because they had secured the right to strike, organise trade unions, an eight-hour work day, and recognition of factory committees.
Dual Power
What was a fundamental issue with dual-power?
The fundamental issue with dual-power was the opposing ideologies of the Soviet and the PG. For instance, while the Provisional Government tried to discipline army deserters and restore orders in towns and countryside, the soviet encouraged peasants and workers to defy authority and assert their rights.
Dual Power
What is an example of the opposing ideologies of Soviet and Government?
The Provisional Government believed that the change of regime should lead an all-out effort to win the war, the Soviet view was that the war should be ended as quickly as possible without the annexation of territory.
On the whole, the Provisional Government didn’t want to make any decisions that would have a long-term impact on Russia as they hadn’t been elected.
What was the reaction to the decision to continue the war?
Milyukov’s announcement in April 1917 that the government would continue fighting the war unleashed a storm of protests forcing he and Guchkov to resign.
Dual Power
Why did the Provisional Government postpone elections?
The Provisional Government postponed elections as they knew that they would lose, however as they said that key changes should only come after elections little got done.
Dual Power
What was the overall result of dual power?
As the provisional government refused to do anything until they had been elected and the Soviet believing that theyr main task was to protect the rights of workers the result was complete paralysis.
