Who Took Control After the February Revolution?

1. Who Took Control After the February Revolution?

2. Overview • Nicholas II’s downfall had been swift • Most argue that the February Revolution was spontaneous with minimal involvement from revolutionary leaders (e.g. W.H Chamberlain) • A Provisional Government was formed by the Liberals until a Constituent Assembly could be voted for • The Provisional Govt. had little power in Petrograd

3. Continued • The power lay with the Petrograd Soviet as it controlled the armed forces, industries and services in the capital • The Provisional Govt. was initially popular, announcing elections and civil rights for the Russian people • Soviets were the most important bodies of government at local levels (like councils) • Things did not immediately improve for most Russians – the war continued and food/fuel still in short supply

4. How Popular was the Revolution?

5. Spontaneous? • News of bread rationing led to riots • International Women’s Day march (23 February) led to demonstrations and strikes • Revolutionary parties were still in exile • Soldiers did not want to fire on their own people anymore • When Nicholas II ordered troops to fire on 26 February some mutinied • Criminals were freed from jails

6. Popular? • There were 10 full days of popular demonstrations • Substantial military involvement • The Bolsheviks had already planned a big demonstration for May Day • The Duma had suggested they should gain more powers through the War - some stayed in the Tauride Palace even after the Tsar suspended them

7. A Bolshevik Revolution? • Socialist cells from the Bolsheviks gave out red flags and banners • Many of the workers involved were educated in Lenin’s doctrines – Trotsky argued the worker would not have revolted had they not come into contact with Lenin’s ideas • The Bolsheviks planned demonstrations for May Day • BUT the women ignored the views of the Bolsheviks to keep up momentum of protest

8. The Role of the Army • Hugely important in the February Revolution • Previously disturbances had been quashed by the military and groups such as the Cossacks remained loyal to the Tsar • In February 1917 most protests were allowed to continue • On 26 February the Tsar orders troops to fire on crowds: some do, most do not • When the military told Nicholas II they would not march on Petrograd he abdicated (3 March)

9. Reasons for Success • Shock factor: the establishment had not expected such large scale demonstrations • Determination of ‘normal’ people – the sheer number of people involved was impressive • Mutiny of the army – refusal to obey orders of the Tsar mean he could not rule. His abdication was then inevitable • Growth of the trade unions had encouraged workers to believe they deserved better • Political parties had been forming so there was already an alternative to the Tsar • Duma already existed

10. After the Revolution

11. The Provisional Government • Dominated by the Liberal Kadets: Milukov was Foreign Minister; Kerensky was Minister of Justice; Prince Lvov was Prime Minister • Members were chosen by a committee of the Duma • Ran the country via communications with the Soviet until an election could be organised

12. The Petrograd Soviet • Members consisted of working class, soldiers, Mensheviks, SR groups • First chairman was Chkheidze – Kerensky initially acted as a go-between • Socialist intellectuals formed the leadership but it was run by an executive committee • Controlled the railways, soldiers in the Petrograd garrison, factories, power supplies and telegraph station

13. Why did the Soviet not seize control? • Members lacked political experience • If they made errors the masses would blame the socialists • Mensheviks believed in Marx’s ideology that there had to be a Bourgoise revolution before a socialist one • Now should be the time to concentrate on getting a fair deal for workers and to educate the proletariat • It was happy to act like a watch dog over the Provisional Government

14. The Honeymoon Period • Workers received better conditions such as an 8 hour working day • Provisional government promised there would be free elections and universal suffrage • Civil rights such as freedom of speech, religion and press were introduced • Political and religious prisoners were released • Death penalty was outlawed and Okhrana banned • Tsarist ministers and officials were imprisoned

15. Outside Petrograd • Provisional Government dismissed Tsarist governors and replaced them with commissars • As news of the revolution spread to the countryside peasants started up committees • Prince Lvov encouraged localities to run their own affairs (de-centralisation) • In other towns and districts soviets were set up to represent workers’ interests.

16. Was the Provisional Government doomed? • In the summer of 1917 Lenin described Russia as the freest country in the world, but… • Did the Provisional Government give away too many concessions too soon? • Should the Provisional Government have ended the War? • Should the powers of the Soviets been curbed? • Should a Constituent Assembly have been elected sooner?