The Provisional Governments unwillingness to take risks and make real decisions extended to all areas of society. The war with Germany was ruining Russia. The Tsar had led the army poorly and the army was in bad condition. With problems on the home front as well, the public was shocked that the Provisional Government did not end the war and revitalise the country. The Provisional Government feared the surrendering cost from Germany and wanted to keep Britain and France as close allies. They feared international powers, overlooking the national discontent. The “April Theses” called for the end of the war and the Bolsheviks had always been adamantly against the war.
The Tsar had relied on the army to enforce his authority but, on the 14th March the Provisional Government received a heavy blow. The soviet; the alternative body released Order No.1, which gave them control of the Russian armed forces. They had no way of preventing and stopping any soviet uprisings that were sure to come.
As the Provisional Government was being formed the soviets were formed by soldiers and workers, shown direction by the social revolutionaries; the Bolsheviks amongst these, that also participated in the soviets. This collaboration was very successful and soon the social revolutionaries had the majority of the peasants support, also the majority of the population. The soviet soon gained authority by harnessing the support of the army, also taking control of communications, including the railway lines. The soviet undermined the Provisional Government, almost ridiculing them by their lack of control over the country. Their lack of co-operation with the Provisional Government meant they were never linked to their failures and were seen in a better light.
The failures of the Provisional Government made the Bolsheviks shine. Not only were the Bolsheviks providing good alternatives and promises for the future but, they were associated and apart of the soviets, the people.
Rumours of the Bolsheviks being linked with the Germans circulated and Lenin escaped to Finland. This temporarily tarnished their reputation in the summer 1917, but soon evaporated such claims by September. The Commander in Chief of the armies, General Kornilov, believed he should rule Russia himself as a military dictatorship. His threats were feared by the Provisional Government and could not protect themselves as they had no armed forces. The Bolsheviks came to the rescue establishing the “red guards”. Cleverly the Bolsheviks were able to manipulate the situation so that they were not involved in any conflict; the Kornilov forces withdrew from fighting and managed to arm themselves. Even better the Bolsheviks were seen as heroes and held the majority in all the most important cities. The Provisional Government has supplied the Bolsheviks with the weapons to destroy them.
Lenin returned from Finland on the 23rd October, once again urging drastic action. It was time to seize power. Trotsky planned the revolution and it was underway by 6th November. The following day the Provisional Government headquarters were under attack and on the 8th of November Lenin announced victory in name of the Soviets and the end of the Provisional Government.
The revolution was unexpected and took the Provisional Government off guard and was even doubted by some of the Bolshevik leaders. Lenin once again showed excellent judgement that the time was right and his swift decision and Trotsky’s quick planning ensured success. Lenin was the inspiration and visionary. Trotsky was the man who made it happen as head of the revolutionary military commission. He organised troops and arms expertly.
The Bolsheviks domination of the Petrograd Soviet was partially due to the drop out of other parties who were not prepared to become long term opponents. The elections that would make the provisional government into the permanent government were set in late November, so conducting the revolution before these elections was ideal and the prime time to conquer.
The failure of the provisional government was inevitable. As the successors of the Tsar they faced a wide array of problems with no clear place to start. The Provisional Government were very conscious that they were temporary and made no attempt to make long term changes and improvement, and failed to make concrete plans which in actual fact gave them a shorter shelf life. They seemed unable to relate to the public and give them what they wanted, forcing the nation to other potential leaders after it became clear they had no intentions to make any such changes.
Here the Bolsheviks trumped. They appealed to the masses with simple slogans, banging home their messages with this propaganda. The Bolsheviks had spent time doing lots of leg work and had firm policies, able to out think other parties. They had cleverly not associated themselves with the Provisional Government so they could bear no blame and had worked within the soviets to gain the support of masses helping the people. By seeming to be working in efforts for the soviets they received much more support. The true genius allowed them to kill two birds with one stone and still come out victorious. The versatility of the Bolshevik party, especially Trotsky and Lenin meant that they were able to combine their abilities to make an ultimate revolution. Other parties failed to work and co-operate with each other in such a way and this partnership took advantage of others failure. The Bolsheviks once again perceived the social situation skilfully and took advantage of the failures of the Provisional Government, harnessing this to victory.