Option 30: Key topic 1: The revolutions of 1917 - 3 The Provisional Government — Edexcel GCSE History
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Option 30: Key topic 1: The revolutions of 1917 - 3 The Provisional Government explained
Following the Tsar's abdication, the Provisional Government was established to run Russia temporarily.
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It immediately faced severe problems, most notably 'Dual Control' shared with the Petrograd Soviet. The Soviet's power was cemented by Order Number 1, instructing soldiers to obey the Provisional Government only if orders did not contradict the Soviet, effectively stripping the government of military control. The government also struggled with insurmountable issues: continuing the unpopular war, solving the land crisis, and managing a collapsing economy. Alexander Kerensky, a member of both bodies and later Prime Minister, played a pivotal role in attempting to bridge the divide, but ultimately failed to resolve these fundamental crises.
The weaknesses and failures of the Provisional Government.
The Provisional Government, formed after the Tsar's abdication in 1917, faced inherent weaknesses and made critical failures leading to its downfall. Its primary weakness was a lack of democratic legitimacy, being unelected and sharing power with the Petrograd Soviet in 'Dual Power'. The Soviet controlled the army through Order Number 1, limiting the government's authority. Crucially, the Provisional Government failed to address pressing issues: it delayed land reforms, alienating the peasantry, and disastrously chose to continue fighting in the First World War. The June Offensive resulted in catastrophic losses, destroying the government's credibility and highlighting its inability to govern effectively amidst growing unrest.
The significance of the Kornilov Revolt.
The Kornilov Revolt of August 1917 was a highly significant turning point that fatally weakened the Provisional Government and revived Bolshevik fortunes. General Kornilov ordered troops to march on Petrograd, ostensibly to restore order and crush the Soviet. Prime Minister Kerensky, fearing a military coup, panicked and armed the Bolshevik Red Guards to defend the city. The revolt collapsed when railway workers halted Kornilov's trains, but the consequences were profound. The Provisional Government appeared weak and reliant on radical forces for survival. Conversely, the Bolsheviks emerged as the armed saviours of Petrograd, significantly boosting their popularity, securing weapons, and paving the way for their October seizure of power.
Your focus
- Describe the formation and nature of the Provisional Government.
- Explain how 'Dual Control' and Soviet Order Number 1 limited the government's power.
- Assess the role and effectiveness of Alexander Kerensky within the Provisional Government.
Show all 9 objectives
- Identify the structural weaknesses of the Provisional Government, including Dual Power.
- Explain the reasons for and consequences of the Provisional Government's key failures, such as continuing the war.
- Assess the impact of these weaknesses and failures on the stability of Russia in 1917.
- Describe the events of the Kornilov Revolt and Kerensky's response.
- Explain how the revolt weakened the Provisional Government's authority.
- Analyse the significance of the revolt in strengthening the Bolshevik Party's position.
Option 30: Key topic 1: The revolutions of 1917 - 3 The Provisional Government exam tips
Marking Points
- Define the Provisional Government and its temporary, unelected nature.
- Explain the concept of 'Dual Control' and how power was divided with the Petrograd Soviet.
- Analyse the impact of Soviet Order Number 1 on the Provisional Government's authority over the armed forces.
- Evaluate the role of Alexander Kerensky in managing the relationship between the government and the Soviet.
- Identify the structural weakness of Dual Power and the Petrograd Soviet's control over the military via Order Number 1.
- Explain the failure to withdraw from the First World War and the disastrous impact of the June Offensive.
- Describe the failure to enact land reform, which led to peasant uprisings and loss of rural support.
- Analyse how the lack of an electoral mandate undermined the Provisional Government's authority to make major decisions.
- Explain Kerensky's decision to arm the Bolshevik Red Guards to defend Petrograd against Kornilov's advancing troops.
- Analyse how the revolt exposed the military weakness and political vulnerability of the Provisional Government.
- Describe the transformation of the Bolsheviks' reputation from traitors to the armed defenders of the revolution.
- Evaluate the long-term significance of the Bolsheviks retaining the weapons provided by Kerensky, which were later used in the October Revolution.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use 'Dual Control' to explain why the Provisional Government was inherently weak from its inception.
- 💡When discussing the problems faced, always mention the decision to continue the First World War as their most fatal error.
- 💡Highlight Kerensky's unique position as a member of both the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet.
- 💡Link specific failures, such as the June Offensive, directly to the growing support for opposition groups like the Bolsheviks.
- 💡Use the term 'Dual Power' to explain the structural weakness of the government from its inception.
- 💡When evaluating failures, consider both the inherited problems and the government's own poor decisions.
- 💡Focus on the consequences of the revolt rather than just the narrative of what happened.
- 💡Highlight the contrast between the Provisional Government's loss of authority and the Bolsheviks' surge in popularity.
- 💡Use the Kornilov Revolt as a key factor when explaining why the Bolsheviks were able to seize power in October.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming the Provisional Government was elected; correction: emphasise that it was a temporary committee formed from the old Duma, lacking democratic legitimacy.
- Misunderstanding Order Number 1; correction: clarify that it didn't give the Soviet direct command, but gave them veto power over military orders.
- Blaming Kerensky for everything from the start; correction: note that he initially helped hold the dual system together before his later failures as Prime Minister.
- Confusing the Provisional Government with the Petrograd Soviet; correct by identifying the Provisional Government as the formal state authority and the Soviet as the workers' council.
- Stating that the Provisional Government ended the war; correct by explaining that they chose to continue fighting to honour alliances, which was a major failure.
- Believing the Provisional Government was elected; correct by noting it was a temporary, unelected body formed from the old Duma.
- Claiming Kornilov successfully overthrew the government; correct by stating his advance was halted by railway workers and Bolshevik agitators before reaching Petrograd.
- Confusing Kornilov with a Bolshevik leader; correct by identifying him as a right-wing general seeking to establish military discipline.
- Stating the Bolsheviks started the revolt; correct by explaining they were the ones armed by Kerensky to stop Kornilov's attempted coup.