By Annissa Poon 10.3
The people who caused the short term causes of the October Revolution The provisional government 1_During the overthrow of Nicholas Tsar, a new government was to be instated to govern the country. 2_ However, in the period of March to October in 1917 the provisional government was in a difficult situation ruling over Russia. 3_The provisional government was lack in authority, since he was not elected to the power by the people of Russia he only acted as a temporary government to rule the country. 4_ The fair distribution of land has always been a central problem in Russia. Due to the revolution, the peasants expected the government to handle the issue, but it had been stated that only the elected constituent assembly to come could make policies. 5_ In the wake of the February Revolution, poverty was wide spread across Russia, food was scarce and the order in factories was a mess, discipline was broken down due to the revolution and caused Urban disconnect . 6_ Russia entered the war under the leadership of the monarchist government and Nicholas Tsar, even after he was overthrown the provisional government still made a decision to continue war ( which was dreadfully fought ). There were mixed opinions on the status of war, the Petrograd Soviet wanted peace however, since the provisional government guarantied their allies they would continue war until a decisive conclusion, that was what had to be done. 7_ The first policy that the provisional government instated was to provide pardon for all political prisoners and exiles that were prostituted under the tsar's ruling, this has brought back many leaders of the left wing parties, this event also brought back Lenin, which received many positive responses and support. The Petrograd Soviet 1_ The Petrograd Soviet posed one of the most significant threats against the provisional government. 2_The soviet elected an exclusive committee that was led by Chkheidze,Skobelev ( Mensheviks ) and Alexander Kerensk ( a SR ). 3_ In one of the policies passed in relevance to the military in order to defend Tsar's counter attack clearly specified that the orders of the Soviet Petrograd would always take priority and outweigh the orders of the provisional government which showed the distrust of the provisional government felt by the solders and workers in Russia in the first place. 4_ This began period of Dual authority- with the leadership of the Provisional Government and the Soviet Petrograd at the same time. 5_ The soviets happened to have more representation over the provisional government to the Russian citizens. Main causes 1_ Word War I brought major economic problems and social strains on the Russian Society. 2_ The Failure of Nicholas Tsar's government to end the war effort ( work that is done during a war, usually by people who are not fighting but are doing other things to help their country) effectively during 1914- 1917- The Eastern Front 3_ Behavior of Tsar Nicholas II and the way he acted around others chipped away any shred of popular legitimacy left to the monarchy 4_The peasants were not satisfied as the army took army took away all the young men and the best horses into war, making farm work difficult. 5_ Prices rose causing a deeper situation regarding poverty and hunger became widespread, workers in cities could not afford high food prices and as for wages, it had not risen nearly so fast. 6_ If workers tried to strike for better wages they would be accused for disloyalty and could be sent to prison for 25 years. 7_ Overall, the workers and solders were not happy about the way they were being treated. Triggers The Kerensky Offensive During the June of 1917, the transitional government started losing support expeditiously. The foundation economical state of Mother Russia was in ruins and unemployment levels were elevated, which resulted in the Soviets uprising throughout the nations which acted independently. The worker committees were demanding control over the factories.Consequently, Kerensky was made believe that a successful war was required to evade the collapse of Russia. However, the Russian army had been poorly equipped and their morale was collapsing. Despite this, the aggression against the Austrians (the infidels) – after some fundamental success the aggression had deteriorated and Mother Russia was eventually defeated. The Russians death count was high, soaring up to 400,000, with many exposition and revolts in reserve to those prior to the aggression. Russia was on the perimeter of chaos. The Kornilov revolt During the august of 1917, General Lavr Kornilov attempted to gain power for himself by pushing his army on Petrograd. The Provisional Government, who is under the leadership of Alexander Kerensky unable to stop the General. This allowed the Bolsheviks to spearhead the saving of Petrograd from the General, Kornilov. The defence of the city, organised by The Red Guards, who belonged to Trotsky's direction were infiltrated by General Kornilov's troops and were encouraged to desert. They too organised many strikes by with railway workers to cause chaos to General Kornilov's resourced and communications. The General's attempt of seizing power ended within a few days. The July Days After General Kornilov's failure in June, the Bolsheviks attempted to seize power in Petrograd. One of the leader of the Bolsheviks party, Lenin, miscalculated which almost resulted to the fall of the Bolsheviks as no clear leadership was given by him as at that time, he might have thought that the revolution was still in the premature stages. He too only had barely any active soldier and sailor supporters which proved crucial when the uprising was abolished by loyal troops. This led to many arrest of Bolshevik leaders and Lenin fleeing to Finland |
Workers Marching to the winter palace
Lenin giving a speech to persuade the public
A poster of workers reuniting
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