why Lenin and the Bolsheviks replaced the Provisional Government as leaders by November 1917.

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B) Explain why Lenin and the Bolsheviks replaced the Provisional Government as leaders by November 1917.

The Bolsheviks recognised the social distress of Russia in 1917. They acknowledged the faults of the Provisional Government and answered the social failings and replaced them expertly in November 1917

The forced abdication of the Tsar in March 1917 meant a new era for Russia, it was now a Republic. A new Provisional Government, mainly consisting of previous Duma members took charge of the country with the intentions of resolving the problems that the Tsar had left. Despite the best attentions of the Provisional Government they were at an instant disadvantage as they had to enforce their authority, knowing that they couldn’t do anything drastic because they were only temporary. Having previously had no real power the Provisional Government were inexperienced and not used having expectations of them.

Under the tsarist autocracy the peasants had had no power and until 1861 the peasants had been serfs, slaves of their landlords with no land or freedom. When the serfdom was lifted a new system was emplaced, in which they bought their land from payments made over a period of forty-nine years. It was a false deal and the peasants wanted their own land and the Provisional Government however, was not prepared to resolve the issue because its authority would be lost in the peasants demand for land and many parties would be left unhappy. It was considered better to leave it for the official government. This was not well received and the Bolsheviks message of “peace, bread, land”, was the clear message that kept hitting home and seemed to provide the answers. “All power to the soviets”, meant power to the people, power meant land. Farming was the centre of majority of the population’s life and had been a long-term cause of discontent made stronger by the feeling of being cheated by the new government.

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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 ...

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