2. In 1905 the autocracy had withstood the revolutionary movement for 12 months; in February 1917, deprived of support from the army, it survived for less than 12 days. - Steve Smith …the Romanov dynasty collapsed in just a few days. Its passing was mourned by few of its former subjects. There was no serious attempt to reinstate Nicholas II, not even by Nicholas himself! - Peter Oxley The mutineers [of 1917] were leaderless rabble. When threatened, they instantly panicked and ran for cover. But the Duma leaders convinced first themselves and then the generals that they alone could restore order. In reality, it was their pressure on Nicholas to abdicate that transformed a local mutiny into a nationwide revolution - Richard Pipes

3. Between Revolutions The Failure of the Provisional Government

4. Who ruled Russia after the February Revolution? Two institutions could be considered to be in power: The Provisional Committee of the Duma formed itself into a Provisional Govt. (Mar/Feb 15) The Petrograd Soviet was formed on Mar/Feb 12

5. The Provisional Government Key Figures: Prince Georgi Lvov (Prime Minister) Paul Miliukov (Foreign Minister) Alexander Guchkov (Interior) Alexander Kerensky (Justice) Mainly liberal politicians – administrative experience from dumas and zemstvos.

6. The Petrograd Soviet Had the support of workers and soldiers Socialist organisation – Mensheviks dominant Wielded actual power – thanks to its control over key workers – while the Provisional Government exercised responsibility – fatally divided system. Kerensky the only dual member.

7. Soviet Order No. 1 Decreed establishment of soldiers’ councils in each regiment of armed forces Responsible for increasing lack of discipline in ranks, and antagonism to officer class.

8. Why was the Provisional Govt. unable to solve the problems it faced? 1.The Land Question 2.The War 3.The Constituent Assembly

9. The Land Question The major task was to satisfy the peasant demand for land Govt. went slow on partitioning landed estates, for fear of mutiny and desertion by peasant soldiers Peasant unrest became widespread and violent, as they took the issue into their own hands

10. The War The war continued to de-stabilise Russian society and economy However, the Provisional Govt. (and the soviet) supported continuation of war Govt. and soviet divided on aims, however. Miliukov forced to resign when his support for expansionist aim became public

11. The Constituent Assembly The Provisional Government lacked the legitimacy of popular support The promised Constituent Assembly would at least bring a popular legislature into being and go some way to filling the power vacuum Prov. Govt. consistently postponed plans for such elections, however.

12. Final Crises 1.The ‘July Days’ Collapse of war effort – demands for autonomy from Ukrainian assembly – Bolsheviks planned ‘July Rising’ with sympathisers from Kronstadt naval base.

13. Final Crises 2.The Kornilov Affair General Kornilov appointed by Kerensky to head armed forces, and to assist in putting down Bolsheviks Kerensky feared Kornilov wanted to oust govt. Kornilov appeared ready to march on Petrograd – fears of counter-revolutionary coup. Kerensky now turned to Bolsheviks for support, allowing many to be armed.

14. The Fall of the Provisional Government This was a government that had never really held power or authority However, its fall was not due to spontaneous uprisings Key figure in the downfall was Lenin, who promoted a deliberate revolution – determined not to wait for the masses to act!