The Provisional Government

Question 1

When was the Provisional Government established?

Answer 1

After the Tsar abdicated in February 1917.

Question 2

Who formed the Provisional Government?

Answer 2

12 members of the Duma Committee.

Question 3

What kind of politicians made up the Provisional Government? -

Answer 3

A mix of parties, mostly liberals and radical Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs).

Question 4

What were some of the Provisional Government’s first actions? - 5

Answer 4

• Released political and religious prisoners

• Promised full democratic freedom

• Ended the death penalty

• Took over the Tsar’s land

• Transferred power to zemstvos (local councils)

Question 5

What was the Provisional Government’s position on World War I?

Answer 5

They were determined to continue fighting in the war, which made them unpopular.

Question 6

What was the Petrograd Soviet?

Answer 6

A council of elected representatives from workers, soldiers, and sailors across Petrograd.

Question 7

What relationship did the Petrograd Soviet have with the Provisional Government?

Answer 7

The Provisional Government was approved by the Petrograd Soviet, and both met in the same building.

Question 8

What condition did the Petrograd Soviet set for supporting the Provisional Government?

Answer 8

That the government would follow eight key principles.

Question 9

What were the 8 principles the Petrograd Soviet required the PG to follow?

Answer 9

1. Amnesty for all political prisoners
2. Freedom of speech, assembly, and right to strike
3. No privileges based on class, religion, or nationality
4. Elections for a Constituent Assembly
5. People’s militia to replace police units
6. Elected local governments
7. Military units from the revolution to remain intact, keep weapons, and not be sent to the front
8. Off-duty soldiers to have the same rights as citizens

Question 10

What important systems did the Petrograd Soviet control?

Answer 10

Communications, supplies, and transport—causing problems for the Provisional Government.

Question 11

What dual role did Alexander Kerensky hold in 1917?

Answer 11

He was a member of both the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet.

Question 12

What role did Kerensky play between the two bodies?

Answer 12

He acted as a liaison, linking the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet.

Question 13

When did Kerensky become leader of the Provisional Government?

Answer 13

July 1917.

Question 14

What were three major mistakes Kerensky made as leader?

Answer 14

• Continued support for the war, which angered soldiers

• Acted against the old ruling classes, losing conservative support

• Failed to control the Bolsheviks

Question 15

What system of government existed after the February Revolution?

Answer 15

Dual Power—shared rule between the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet.

Question 16

Why was Dual Power a problem for the Provisional Government?

Answer 16

The Petrograd Soviet had more influence over the military and key services, weakening the Provisional Government’s authority.

Question 17

What was one of the biggest leadership problems within the Provisional Government?

Answer 17

Lack of decisive leadership.

Question 18

Who had the final say on military decisions under Dual Power?

Answer 18

The Petrograd Soviet—not the Provisional Government - due to Order Number 1

Question 19

Why was continuing the war a mistake for the Provisional Government?

Answer 19

It was deeply unpopular and made the government more vulnerable.

Question 20

What key services did the Provisional Government fail to control?

Answer 20

The railways and postal services

Question 21

How did the economy affect public support for the Provisional Government?

Answer 21

The government failed to solve food and fuel shortages, worsening discontent.

Question 22

How did freedom of speech impact the Provisional Government?

Answer 22

It led to more open criticism, making it harder to govern effectively.

Question 23

What did the Provisional Government fail to deliver to the peasants?

Answer 23

Land redistribution.

Question 24

What was one key reason the Provisional Government lacked legitimacy?

Answer 24

It was not elected by the people.

Question 25

What major democratic process did the Provisional Government fail to carry out?

Answer 25

Holding a general election.

Question 26

What was Kerensky’s role in the Provisional Government before becoming its leader?

Answer 26

War Minister.

Question 27

What was the June Offensive?

Answer 27

A military campaign launched in June 1917 against German and Austrian forces.

Question 28

What was the result of the June Offensive?

Answer 28

It was a disaster with 200,000 Russian casualties and more territory lost.

Question 29

What happened to Kerensky after the June Offensive?

Answer 29

He became leader of the Provisional Government, taking over from Prince Lvov

Question 30

What did Order Number 1 say about obeying orders?

Answer 30

Said soldiers should obey only their own Soviet, not army officers, this ruined army control

Question 31

How did Order Number 1 undermine the Provisional Government?

Answer 31

It weakened military discipline and gave soldiers power to disobey government orders.

Question 32

Why was the Provisional Government seriously weakened by August 1917? -3

Answer 32

Soldiers were angry after the June Offensive, workers wanted the Petrograd Soviet in charge, and peasants wanted land.

Question 33

Who attempted to seize power during this time of unrest?

Answer 33

General Kornilov.

Question 34

What role did Kerensky give to Kornilov in July 1917?

Answer 34

He appointed Kornilov as head of the army to improve discipline.

Question 35

What did Kornilov and Kerensky initially agree on?

Answer 35

That more soldiers were needed in Petrograd to maintain order.

Question 36

What did Kornilov later decide that changed things?

Answer 36

That Russia needed military rule, which Kerensky saw as a threat to the Provisional Government.

Question 37

When did Kornilov send troops toward Petrograd?

Answer 37

24 August 1917.

Question 38

What were Kornilov’s orders for his troops?

Answer 38

To shut down the Petrograd Soviet and restore order by force.

Question 39

What did Kerensky do in response to Kornilov’s advance?

Answer 39

He armed workers and Bolsheviks to form the Red Guards to defend the city.

Question 40

Who helped stop Kornilov’s forces?

Answer 40

• Railway workers blocked his route • Bolsheviks persuaded the soldiers not to fight

Question 41

What happened to Kornilov’s plan?

Answer 41

His troops refused to follow orders, and the revolt ended without bloodshed.

Question 42

What did the Bolsheviks claim about the Kornilov Revolt?

Answer 42

That it proved their prediction of counter-revolution was correct.

Question 43

How did the revolt affect trust between soldiers and officers?

Answer 43

Trust was lost entirely—soldiers no longer obeyed their commanders.

Question 44

What military impact did the Bolsheviks gain from the revolt?

Answer 44

The establishment of the Red Guards gave them an armed force and strategic advantage.

Question 45

What political success did the Bolsheviks achieve after the revolt?

Answer 45

They won the most seats in the Petrograd Soviet on 31 August 1917.

Question 46

How did the revolt damage Kerensky personally?

Answer 46

His attempt to appear as Petrograd’s saviour backfired—people credited the Bolsheviks instead.

Question 47

What was the main reason for the failure of the Kornilov Revolt?

Answer 47

Kornilov’s soldiers stopped following his orders and the revolt collapsed.

Question 48

When was Order Number 1 issued?

Answer 48

Published by Petrograd Soviet on March 1 1917

Question 49

What is a Soviet

Answer 49

A committee of elected members - workers, soldiers, peasants