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90 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Grand duke |
NII abdication named his uncle grand duke mikhail the new tsar- milyukov n right wing kadets welcomed this outcome but workers of Petrograd refused to accept a constitutional monarchy Grand duke abdicated 3 March ending power of Romanov rule but feb rev failed to establish a legitimate government- overthrow of tsarist led to what Trotsky called ‘dual power’ |
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Dual power |
Not formal constitutional relationship- relationship changed over time Saw themselves as having different roles PG= claimed sole legal government. But role was to govern temporarily until new constitution established by democratically elected constituent assembly PS= democratically elected body representing workers and soldiers of Petrograd. Did not claim to govern but still had support of vast majority of the capital therefore controlled garrisons factories n railways of Petrograd |
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Make up of PG |
Dominated by former members of progressive bloc. Prince lvov n other leading kadets played leading roles + Alexander kerensky a socialist elected to 4th duma |
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Power of PG |
Couldn’t rely on support of the army due to order no 1 thus dependent on soviet to ensure measures were carried out |
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Support for PG early support |
Threat of further rebellions forced PG to guarantee basic rights: Freedom of expression assembly n conscience Universal suffrage for all adults Equal rights for minorities Wining over majority of working people in Petrograd Early March |
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Support for PG radical parties n soviet |
Mensheviks SRs n even bolsheviks offered degrees of support for new gov- agreeing Russia needed period of parliamentary democracy n capitalism before socialist revolution March n April pg n soviets in agreement over major issues + leading members favoured ‘revolutionary defencism’ |
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PS |
Established late feb 1917 to coordinate strikes n in many ways similar to st Petersburg soviet of 1905: Elected regularly n directly by factory workers n soldiers Delegates could be recalled by units that elected them Delegates received same pay as ordinary workers But unlike 1905 intellectuals could become full members |
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Aims n spread of Soviet’s |
Defend the rights of the workers under new ‘bourgeois government’ making sure to protect rights of the working class Soviets n PGs emerged all over Russia causing dual power all over |
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Aims n spread of Soviet’s |
Defend the rights of the workers under new ‘bourgeois government’ making sure to protect rights of the working class Soviets n PGs emerged all over Russia causing dual power all over |
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Congresses n Lenin n the soviets |
Soviets collaborated with each other- June reps from all soviets met for first all Russian congress of soviets- of all 1,090 delegates majority were SRs n Mensheviks From April Lenin argued soviets should take over government replacing undemocratic bourgeois PG - by late 1917 this was very popular Lenin’s book state n revolution written late 1917 win bolsheviks considerable support due to vision of democratic Russia in which workers n peasants ruled themselves |
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Aims n spread of Soviet’s |
Defend the rights of the workers under new ‘bourgeois government’ making sure to protect rights of the working class Soviets n PGs emerged all over Russia causing dual power all over |
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Congresses n Lenin n the soviets |
Soviets collaborated with each other- June reps from all soviets met for first all Russian congress of soviets- of all 1,090 delegates majority were SRs n Mensheviks From April Lenin argued soviets should take over government replacing undemocratic bourgeois PG - by late 1917 this was very popular Lenin’s book state n revolution written late 1917 win bolsheviks considerable support due to vision of democratic Russia in which workers n peasants ruled themselves |
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Early soviet political reforms |
Guaranteed fundamental freedoms= expression, press, assembly, protest Legal system= equal political n legal rights guaranteed for all people Promised universal suffrage for all adults Okhrana + death penalty abolished Amnesty for political prisoners |
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Aims n spread of Soviet’s |
Defend the rights of the workers under new ‘bourgeois government’ making sure to protect rights of the working class Soviets n PGs emerged all over Russia causing dual power all over |
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Congresses n Lenin n the soviets |
Soviets collaborated with each other- June reps from all soviets met for first all Russian congress of soviets- of all 1,090 delegates majority were SRs n Mensheviks From April Lenin argued soviets should take over government replacing undemocratic bourgeois PG - by late 1917 this was very popular Lenin’s book state n revolution written late 1917 win bolsheviks considerable support due to vision of democratic Russia in which workers n peasants ruled themselves |
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Early soviet political reforms |
Guaranteed fundamental freedoms= expression, press, assembly, protest Legal system= equal political n legal rights guaranteed for all people Promised universal suffrage for all adults Okhrana + death penalty abolished Amnesty for political prisoners |
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Limits of soviet reform |
As soviets pushed for greater reform PG argued reforms to working n property to wait until constituent assembly for genuine mandate |
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Aims n spread of Soviet’s |
Defend the rights of the workers under new ‘bourgeois government’ making sure to protect rights of the working class Soviets n PGs emerged all over Russia causing dual power all over |
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Congresses n Lenin n the soviets |
Soviets collaborated with each other- June reps from all soviets met for first all Russian congress of soviets- of all 1,090 delegates majority were SRs n Mensheviks From April Lenin argued soviets should take over government replacing undemocratic bourgeois PG - by late 1917 this was very popular Lenin’s book state n revolution written late 1917 win bolsheviks considerable support due to vision of democratic Russia in which workers n peasants ruled themselves |
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Early soviet political reforms |
Guaranteed fundamental freedoms= expression, press, assembly, protest Legal system= equal political n legal rights guaranteed for all people Promised universal suffrage for all adults Okhrana + death penalty abolished Amnesty for political prisoners |
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Limits of soviet reform |
As soviets pushed for greater reform PG argued reforms to working n property to wait until constituent assembly for genuine mandate |
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Impact of soviet reforms |
Political leaders were free to return = Stalin in March, Lenin In April n Nikolai bukharin in may Returning revolutionaries free to organise against government= from March leading Bolsheviks campaigned against continuation of the war n from April called for second revolution Thus early political reforms helped destabilise the government |
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Aims n spread of Soviet’s |
Defend the rights of the workers under new ‘bourgeois government’ making sure to protect rights of the working class Soviets n PGs emerged all over Russia causing dual power all over |
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Congresses n Lenin n the soviets |
Soviets collaborated with each other- June reps from all soviets met for first all Russian congress of soviets- of all 1,090 delegates majority were SRs n Mensheviks From April Lenin argued soviets should take over government replacing undemocratic bourgeois PG - by late 1917 this was very popular Lenin’s book state n revolution written late 1917 win bolsheviks considerable support due to vision of democratic Russia in which workers n peasants ruled themselves |
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Early soviet political reforms |
Guaranteed fundamental freedoms= expression, press, assembly, protest Legal system= equal political n legal rights guaranteed for all people Promised universal suffrage for all adults Okhrana + death penalty abolished Amnesty for political prisoners |
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Limits of soviet reform |
As soviets pushed for greater reform PG argued reforms to working n property to wait until constituent assembly for genuine mandate |
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Impact of soviet reforms |
Political leaders were free to return = Stalin in March, Lenin In April n Nikolai bukharin in may Returning revolutionaries free to organise against government= from March leading Bolsheviks campaigned against continuation of the war n from April called for second revolution Thus early political reforms helped destabilise the government |
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Opposition to PG- attitudes to the war |
- liberals wanted to continue war to ensure Russian victory- milyukovs appointment as foreign n guchkovs minister of war = commitment to fighting the war -1914-18 bolsheviks n some SRs argued for war to end- Lenin WW1 was imperialist war which sacrificed lives of working people in order to provide more land and resources to capitalists. 1917 bols campaigned for ‘democratic peace’ - majority of Mensheviks adopted ‘revolutionary defencism’ first by Georgian Menshevik irakli tsereteli argued workers had duty to continue fighting in order to defend revolution
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Milyukov crisis |
First major test of rel between PG + PS. In April reached agreement on aims of war = ‘declaration of war aims’ committed gov to revolutionary defencism allowing milyukov to restructure war economy n aim for victory |
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Kerensky as PM -2nd PG |
His appointment of PM persuaded Bols they were beaten- he was charisma n gifted orator= contemporary reports he was adept at winning support of women Importance of propaganda- public appearances filmed n played in cinemas Cultivated good rels with Mensheviks n liberals + before revolution he was a lawyer specialised in defending revolutionaries= knew many soviet leaders |
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Kerenskys weaknesses |
Very little administrative experience Addicted to cocaine n morphine |
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Kerenskys policies |
Wanted to restore domestic order- imposed repression: Press censorship Establishment of military courts to punish deserters n bols spreading anti war propaganda in army Death penalty for insubordination in army Promised more effective grain distribution to urban workers but unable to persuade peasants to trade grain as he refused price the gov would pay = bread available in late 1917 just over half that was available year before Failure of June offensive = abandoned plans to launch new military campaigns- Russian army disintegrated due to mass desertions Germans n Austrians captured Russian territory = riga in August - caused panic Russia’s enemy’s were preparing to conquer Petrograd |
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Membership of new gov |
Kerensky became PM at time of crisis many socialists lost faith in gov n kadet leaders refused to serve in socialist led gov = struggled to assemble coalition Kerensky cabinet contained 3 kadets (majority abandoned liberalism believing in military dictatorship) + SRs n Mensheviks but these parties were also split + suspicious of kadets |
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Economic n political problems - problems in agriculture |
Inflation became worse in 1917= Russian paper money lost half its value in latter 1917 = peasants refused to accept this payment- coupled with transport problems = fall of amount of bread in cities - October gov able to purchase only 56% of grain it purchased the year before By mid 1917 countryside experiencing new revolution- peasants refused to wait for new gov to authorise land reform n just seized it from landlords |
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Problems in industry |
Between jan n July production of fuel fell by more than 1/3 + factory production dropped 36% Workers launched strikes- from Feb to Oct 2.5 million went on strike going further from July democratising their factories= elected every factory committee that took control of production n wages In response to this managers of large factories n mines in urals n the Donbas closed operation locking workers out |
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Kornilov affair |
Kerensky appointed general lavr kornilov to take control of Russian army- no sympathy for revolutionaries n was keen to assert gov authority over soviets trade unions n unruly peasants Demanded gov implement harsh repressive policies: Strikes were banned for duration of war- punishable by death Railway workers under military control Desertion punishable by death |
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Kornilov revolt |
Kornilov apparently demanded to place Petrograd under military control- kerensky refused knowing workers would resist thus dismissing kornilov Responded by ordering detachment of troops to march on Petrograd-kerensky assumes he was attempting military take over |
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Arming bolsheviks |
Kerensky forced to ask PS to defend capital- agreed to arm the red guards (Bol dominated militia) strengthening bol as Trotsky was chairman of PS n by end of August bols had 1/3 of seats + kerensky agreed to release of bols from prison to defend capital |
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Kornilov defeated |
Trotsky ordered railway unions to prevent train carrying kornilov troops from entering the city Bols infiltrated troops n persuaded many to abandon attack |
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Milyukovs fall |
Believed revolutionary defencism was a feeble policy which failed to take advantage of opportunity to win war that fall of NII created April 18th sent telegram to Britain n France committing Russia to fighting for ‘decisive victory’= betrayal of ‘declaration of war aims’= when public protests demanded resignation bols went further demanding overthrow of PG |
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Consequences of kornilov affair |
Seriously weakened PG : Vast majority of Russian workers lost faith in PG Discipline in army deteriorated further Support for bols grew as credited with saving the revolution- by sep bols had won majorities in Moscow n Petrograd soviets |
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October revolution |
Kornilov affair n continuing economic crisis provided bols with opportunity to overthrow kerensky + Lenin posted decisive role in persuading bols to take power |
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Lenin’s influence on central committee |
PG announced elections for constituent assembly held in November - Lenin knew socialist revolutionaries would win n that assembly would have mandate to create democratic gov= determined to seize power before November Secretly returned to Petrograd 10oct to persuade bol central committee to support armed seizure of power in Petrograd |
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Divisions in central committee |
Lenin’s plan did not have support of the whole committee - as he wanted to seize power immediately prior to the second all Russia congress of soviets hoping the congress would authorise creation of Bol gov Trotsky argued action should be authorised by congress of soviets. Lenin disagreed arguing for element surprise- 2 main supporters of Lenin (zinoviev n kamenev) opposed uprising arguing coalition government with radical Mensheviks n SRs |
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Trotsky n military revolutionary committee |
Trotsky was chair of PS therefore could organise uprising through the soviet= making uprising look the PS seizing power MRC (formed by Mensheviks after kornilov affair) crucial to plan = armed group organised along military-lines formed to protect Petrograd from attempted military take over By Oct under Bol control |
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Pretext for action |
Mid Oct PG announced Petrograd troops being moved from city= soviet were horrified- assuming troops loyal to soviets were being moved so gov could take control of the soviet Trotsky used fears to ready the MRC for ‘defensive action’. Speaking on behalf of the soviet argued no troop to be moved fro Petrograd without authorisation from MRC |
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MRC+ Petrograds soldiers |
MRC has great authority in Petrograd = soldiers n sailors respected MRC as true guardian of the revolution Mid Oct Trotsky made sure MRC formed close links with all units of soldiers in Petrograd |
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Fall of PG |
24th -26th Lenin n Trotsky overthrew PG First phase= soldiers loyal to MRC occupied post n telegraph offices n railway stations = Bol control over city infrastructure preventing PG calling help |
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Fall of PG- storming winter palace + declaration |
Battleship aurora |
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Consequences of crisis |
Milyukov resigned 2 May but telegram seriously undermined faith in government- to reestablish trust between PG n PS prince lvov invited six leading soviets to join government- tsereteli was one However Mensheviks n SRs undermined authority of moderate socialist parties= following May workers n soldiers lost faith as believed they had joined alliance with untrustworthy capitalist dominated gov |
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Lenin’s return n April thesis |
Lenin rejected consensus of all major Marxist parties Russia wasn’t ready for socialist revolution arguing socialist revolution was essential April theses: -peace - land - bread Also ‘all power to the soviets’ n as people trusted them it became increasingly popular |
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Lenin’s impact |
Initially had little impact. Marxists like tsereteli believed Lenin was simply out of touch some Mensheviks even claimed theses indicated he’d gone mad But still attracted support of some revolutionaries like Trotsky |
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June offensive |
Resignation of milyukov= Alexander kerensky minister of war determined to help bring about allied victory n restore authority of PG= June offensive Attack was a disaster as German reinforcements strengthened Austro Hungarian troops+ 48 Russian battalions refused to fight Over 150,000 Russian soldiers lost their lives n more deserted the front line |
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Consequences of the offensive |
Weakened PG= appeared weak n ineffective + criticisms of way in which bourgeois sent peasants to die while factory owners didn’t fight Also weakened Mensheviks n SRs as joining gov in May promising to work to bring about peace = hypocrisy |
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The July days |
3 July kadet ministers resigned from government provoking military uprising = 70,000 soldiers n armed workers surrounded Tauride palace (housing PG n PS) demanded PS seize power- supported by bols But soviet leaders refused n Lenin backed down when PG sent in troops= tried to disperse armed protestors - 2 days of riots |
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Impact of July days |
Leaders of PG denounced bols as threat to stability of Russia July 6 soldiers surrounded bols headquarters at kshesinskia mansion n 500 bols surrendered. Gov began propaganda calling Lenin a German spy- fled to Finland to escape arrest |
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Second PG |
July days threatens to overthrow gov- prince lvov resigned n kerensky formed ‘gov of salvation of the revolution’ 2nd PG based on new coalition between moderate socialists n kadets |
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Milyukov crisis |
First major test of rel between PG + PS. In April reached agreement on aims of war = ‘declaration of war aims’ committed gov to revolutionary defencism allowing milyukov to restructure war economy n aim for victory |
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Kerensky as PM -2nd PG |
His appointment of PM persuaded Bols they were beaten- he was charisma n gifted orator= contemporary reports he was adept at winning support of women Importance of propaganda- public appearances filmed n played in cinemas Cultivated good rels with Mensheviks n liberals + before revolution he was a lawyer specialised in defending revolutionaries= knew many soviet leaders |
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Kerenskys weaknesses |
Very little administrative experience Addicted to cocaine n morphine |
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Kerenskys policies |
Wanted to restore domestic order- imposed repression: Press censorship Establishment of military courts to punish deserters n bols spreading anti war propaganda in army Death penalty for insubordination in army Promised more effective grain distribution to urban workers but unable to persuade peasants to trade grain as he refused price the gov would pay = bread available in late 1917 just over half that was available year before Failure of June offensive = abandoned plans to launch new military campaigns- Russian army disintegrated due to mass desertions Germans n Austrians captured Russian territory = riga in August - caused panic Russia’s enemy’s were preparing to conquer Petrograd |
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Membership of new gov |
Kerensky became PM at time of crisis many socialists lost faith in gov n kadet leaders refused to serve in socialist led gov = struggled to assemble coalition Kerensky cabinet contained 3 kadets (majority abandoned liberalism believing in military dictatorship) + SRs n Mensheviks but these parties were also split + suspicious of kadets |
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Economic n political problems - problems in agriculture |
Inflation became worse in 1917= Russian paper money lost half its value in latter 1917 = peasants refused to accept this payment- coupled with transport problems = fall of amount of bread in cities - October gov able to purchase only 56% of grain it purchased the year before By mid 1917 countryside experiencing new revolution- peasants refused to wait for new gov to authorise land reform n just seized it from landlords |
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Problems in industry |
Between jan n July production of fuel fell by more than 1/3 + factory production dropped 36% Workers launched strikes- from Feb to Oct 2.5 million went on strike going further from July democratising their factories= elected every factory committee that took control of production n wages In response to this managers of large factories n mines in urals n the Donbas closed operation locking workers out |
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Kornilov affair |
Kerensky appointed general lavr kornilov to take control of Russian army- no sympathy for revolutionaries n was keen to assert gov authority over soviets trade unions n unruly peasants Demanded gov implement harsh repressive policies: Strikes were banned for duration of war- punishable by death Railway workers under military control Desertion punishable by death |
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Kornilov revolt |
Kornilov apparently demanded to place Petrograd under military control- kerensky refused knowing workers would resist thus dismissing kornilov Responded by ordering detachment of troops to march on Petrograd-kerensky assumes he was attempting military take over |
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Arming bolsheviks |
Kerensky forced to ask PS to defend capital- agreed to arm the red guards (Bol dominated militia) strengthening bol as Trotsky was chairman of PS n by end of August bols had 1/3 of seats + kerensky agreed to release of bols from prison to defend capital |
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Kornilov defeated |
Trotsky ordered railway unions to prevent train carrying kornilov troops from entering the city Bols infiltrated troops n persuaded many to abandon attack |
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Milyukovs fall |
Believed revolutionary defencism was a feeble policy which failed to take advantage of opportunity to win war that fall of NII created April 18th sent telegram to Britain n France committing Russia to fighting for ‘decisive victory’= betrayal of ‘declaration of war aims’= when public protests demanded resignation bols went further demanding overthrow of PG |
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Consequences of kornilov affair |
Seriously weakened PG : Vast majority of Russian workers lost faith in PG Discipline in army deteriorated further Support for bols grew as credited with saving the revolution- by sep bols had won majorities in Moscow n Petrograd soviets |
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October revolution |
Kornilov affair n continuing economic crisis provided bols with opportunity to overthrow kerensky + Lenin posted decisive role in persuading bols to take power |
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Lenin’s influence on central committee |
PG announced elections for constituent assembly held in November - Lenin knew socialist revolutionaries would win n that assembly would have mandate to create democratic gov= determined to seize power before November Secretly returned to Petrograd 10oct to persuade bol central committee to support armed seizure of power in Petrograd |
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Divisions in central committee |
Lenin’s plan did not have support of the whole committee - as he wanted to seize power immediately prior to the second all Russia congress of soviets hoping the congress would authorise creation of Bol gov Trotsky argued action should be authorised by congress of soviets. Lenin disagreed arguing for element surprise- 2 main supporters of Lenin (zinoviev n kamenev) opposed uprising arguing coalition government with radical Mensheviks n SRs |
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Trotsky n military revolutionary committee |
Trotsky was chair of PS therefore could organise uprising through the soviet= making uprising look the PS seizing power MRC (formed by Mensheviks after kornilov affair) crucial to plan = armed group organised along military-lines formed to protect Petrograd from attempted military take over By Oct under Bol control |
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Pretext for action |
Mid Oct PG announced Petrograd troops being moved from city= soviet were horrified- assuming troops loyal to soviets were being moved so gov could take control of the soviet Trotsky used fears to ready the MRC for ‘defensive action’. Speaking on behalf of the soviet argued no troop to be moved fro Petrograd without authorisation from MRC |
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MRC+ Petrograds soldiers |
MRC has great authority in Petrograd = soldiers n sailors respected MRC as true guardian of the revolution Mid Oct Trotsky made sure MRC formed close links with all units of soldiers in Petrograd |
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Fall of PG |
24th -26th Lenin n Trotsky overthrew PG First phase= soldiers loyal to MRC occupied post n telegraph offices n railway stations = Bol control over city infrastructure preventing PG calling help |
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Fall of PG- storming winter palace + declaration |
Battleship aurora began the assault on PG by opening fire on winter palace. Trotsky n red guards successfully arrested majority of PG 25 Oct MRC announced PG had been ‘deposed’. Kerensky fled with help from American embassy |
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Lenin’s new gov + creating sovnarkom |
Storming of winter palace took place on day 2nd congress of soviets opened- bols did not have majority support of congress of soviets = only 300 of the 670 delegates supported Bol News Lenin n Trotsky successfully seized power greeted by cheers from congresss but some Mensheviks n SRs walked out in protest = reducing their representation n giving bols their majority at congress= Lenin able to get support for creation of new Bol gov Congress of soviets voted to create constitution- at top of new government was sovnarkom = Lenin chairman n overall leader |
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Consequences of crisis |
Milyukov resigned 2 May but telegram seriously undermined faith in government- to reestablish trust between PG n PS prince lvov invited six leading soviets to join government- tsereteli was one However Mensheviks n SRs undermined authority of moderate socialist parties= following May workers n soldiers lost faith as believed they had joined alliance with untrustworthy capitalist dominated gov |
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Constituent assembly elections |
Lenin claimed sovnarkom was legit gov however Bol had little control outside of the capital Faced series of obstacles in establishing new gov,1st= elections to constituent assembly- Lenin refused to cancel elections as it would make them look like hypocrites 2nd = by mid nov sovnarkom did not have power to stop elections |
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Election results |
SRs= 39.5 % Bols= 22.5% Kadets = 4.5% Tho bols only won less than 1/4 of support of country it marked a high point in Bolshevik support - from dec popular support declined |
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Consequences of election |
Demonstrated SRs most popular |
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Lenin’s return n April thesis |
Lenin rejected consensus of all major Marxist parties Russia wasn’t ready for socialist revolution arguing socialist revolution was essential April theses: -peace - land - bread Also ‘all power to the soviets’ n as people trusted them it became increasingly popular |
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Lenin’s impact |
Initially had little impact. Marxists like tsereteli believed Lenin was simply out of touch some Mensheviks even claimed theses indicated he’d gone mad But still attracted support of some revolutionaries like Trotsky |
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June offensive |
Resignation of milyukov= Alexander kerensky minister of war determined to help bring about allied victory n restore authority of PG= June offensive Attack was a disaster as German reinforcements strengthened Austro Hungarian troops+ 48 Russian battalions refused to fight Over 150,000 Russian soldiers lost their lives n more deserted the front line |
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Consequences of the offensive |
Weakened PG= appeared weak n ineffective + criticisms of way in which bourgeois sent peasants to die while factory owners didn’t fight Also weakened Mensheviks n SRs as joining gov in May promising to work to bring about peace = hypocrisy |
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The July days |
3 July kadet ministers resigned from government provoking military uprising = 70,000 soldiers n armed workers surrounded Tauride palace (housing PG n PS) demanded PS seize power- supported by bols But soviet leaders refused n Lenin backed down when PG sent in troops= tried to disperse armed protestors - 2 days of riots |
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Impact of July days |
Leaders of PG denounced bols as threat to stability of Russia July 6 soldiers surrounded bols headquarters at kshesinskia mansion n 500 bols surrendered. Gov began propaganda calling Lenin a German spy- fled to Finland to escape arrest |
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Consequences of election |
Demonstrated SRs most popular but bols still in reasonably strong position: SRs were divided- left SRs supported sovnarkom= first sovnarkom was coalition between of lest SRs and Bols- Lenin could claim sovnarkom was coalition of Russia’s two most popular parties While elections took place in November the new assembly was not due to meet until jan= allowing Lenin time to postpone conflict between Bol dominated sovnarkom and new assembly |
