Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Opposition to the Provisional government: conflicting attitudes on the…
Full specification wording
The Provisional government and its opponents, February– October 1917: Opposition to the Provisional government: conflicting attitudes on the continuation of the war; Lenin’s return to Russia and the April Theses; the Milyukov crisis; the June Offensive and the July Days.
Opposition to the Provisional Government grew from divisions over the First World War.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Opposition to the Provisional Government grew from divisions over the First World War. Liberals and many socialists initially supported continuing the war to defend the revolution, while soldiers and workers increasingly demanded peace. Lenin returned in April 1917 and issued the April Theses, rejecting cooperation with the government and calling for soviet power. The Milyukov crisis in April, over foreign minister Milyukov's pledge to fight to victory, forced his resignation and weakened the government. In June the government launched the June Offensive, which failed and fuelled unrest. The July Days saw armed demonstrations in Petrograd; the government suppressed them and blamed the Bolsheviks, forcing Lenin into hiding.
What earns the marks
- Explains the conflicting attitudes towards the war: liberal and some socialist support for continuing it against growing popular demands for peace.
- Describes Lenin's return to Russia and the April Theses, including his rejection of the Provisional Government and call for soviet power.
- Analyses the Milyukov crisis as a turning point that exposed the government's vulnerability over the war and led to Milyukov's resignation.
- Explains the June Offensive and its failure, and how this intensified opposition and unrest.
- Describes the July Days as armed demonstrations that were suppressed, with blame placed on the Bolsheviks and Lenin forced into hiding.
- Evaluates how these events eroded the Provisional Government's authority and strengthened revolutionary opposition.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the April Theses with a call for immediate armed uprising.
Put it right: Lenin called for soviet power and an end to cooperation, not an immediate insurrection.
Treating the July Days as a Bolshevik coup.
Put it right: They were spontaneous armed demonstrations that the Bolsheviks initially hesitated to lead.
Describing the Milyukov crisis without linking it to the war.
Put it right: The crisis arose directly from Milyukov's commitment to continuing the war.
Exam tips
- Link each event to the theme of opposition and the government's declining authority rather than narrating events in isolation.
- Use precise dates and names, such as April 1917 for the Theses and July 1917 for the July Days, to show secure knowledge.
- Compare the significance of the Milyukov crisis, the June Offensive and the July Days in weakening the government.
Try the lesson
The start of the The Provisional government and its opponents, February– October 1917: Opposition to the Provisional government: conflicting attitudes on the continuation of the war; Lenin’s return to Russia and the April Theses; the Milyukov crisis; the June Offensive and the July Days. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the main political demand of Lenin's April Theses in 1917?
Listen
Opposition to the Provisional Government grew from divisions over the First World War. Liberals and many socialists initially supported continuing the war to defend the revolution, while soldiers and workers increasingly demanded peace. Lenin returned in April 1917 and issued the April Theses, rejecting cooperation with the government and calling for soviet power. The Milyukov crisis in April, over foreign minister Milyukov's pledge to fight to victory, forced his resignation and weakened the government. In June the government launched the June Offensive, which failed and fuelled unrest. The July Days saw armed demonstrations in Petrograd; the government suppressed them and blamed the Bolsheviks, forcing Lenin into hiding. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the conflicting attitudes towards the war: liberal and some socialist support for continuing it against growing popular demands for peace. Describes Lenin's return to Russia and the April Theses, including his rejection of the Provisional Government and call for soviet power. Analyses the Milyukov crisis as a turning point that exposed the government's vulnerability over the war and led to Milyukov's resignation. Explains the June Offensive and its failure, and how this intensified opposition and unrest. A common slip: Confusing the April Theses with a call for immediate armed uprising. Instead, Lenin called for soviet power and an end to cooperation, not an immediate insurrection. Exam tip: Link each event to the theme of opposition and the government's declining authority rather than narrating events in isolation.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
War and revolution
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Bolshevik strategy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Protest and repression
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Political crisis
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- War and revolution
- Conflicting attitudes on the continuation of the war generated opposition to the Provisional government, as liberals and many socialists initially supported continuing it while soldiers and workers increasingly demanded peace.
- Bolshevik strategy
- Lenin returned in April 1917 and issued the April Theses, rejecting cooperation with the government and calling for soviet power rather than an immediate armed uprising.
- Protest and repression
- The July Days saw armed demonstrations in Petrograd which the government suppressed, blaming the Bolsheviks and forcing Lenin into hiding.
- Political crisis
- The Milyukov crisis in April, over the foreign minister's pledge to fight to victory, forced his resignation and weakened the government.
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