At the beginning of the War many new organisations were set up to solve amongst the political front. As the political problems began to rise, many criticisms were made clear; it was obvious that the people of Russia were not happy. These parties became more known to voice their opinions and criticisms about the government; these parties included; The Central War Industries Committee, who organised and maintained war production, The All Russian Union of Towns, who provided relief for the wounded and supplies for the soldiers; The All Russian Union of Zemstva also supported these actions. These parties also supported the ‘Progressive Bloc’, which was formed by members of the Duma in 1915. In the Council of Ministers the Progressive Bloc had won a majority vote. The basic aim of the Progressive Bloc was to improve Tsarist stability of by passing a variety of reforms to change certain aspects of the way in which the country was run. The Tsar soon realised that any form of change would be undermining his authority, so he dissolved the Duma in late August 1915, resulting in a huge loss of support from the elite.
Even though there was a huge sense of anger towards the Tsar, things remained peaceful. Until the 23rd February 1917, When a simple march took place to celebrate International Women’s Day turned into a full revolution. Various other strikers from factories joined the march. After only a short period of time the march had moved into Petrograd, gradually gathering more and more supporters as they travelled. Many authoritive figures that could not stop them joined them, ‘if you can’t beat them, join them!’
The Tsar could only think of one alternative to solve this situation, he ordered the crowds to be dispersed by using armed resistance and later dissolved them Duma. A temporary committee was set up in place of the Duma to monitor situations and developments.
These demonstrations quickly turned into a full-blown revolution. Various leaders arose from the midst such as, Alexander Kerensky, with these newer leaders emerging, various military regiments changed sides to support the promising revolution. Some 150,000 troops changed sides. Many revolutionaries broke into barracks, arsenals, and prisons until finally seized the Winter Palace. At this time the Tsar was still at the Front, various revolutionaries prevented his return, by blocking his route. Tsar Nicholas never managed to return to Petrograd; instead he signed the documents for his abdication. Firstly, before he abdicated he re-allowed the formation of the Duma. Afterwards he tried to pass his title across to his fathered brother, Grand Duke Michael, rather his brother than his son, due to the fact he had haemophilia. However, the Grand Duke rejected the Tsar’s offer, ending the 300 years of the Romanov rule. The Duma on March 2nd reluctantly declared themselves the new government. This was decided by a meeting between the Temporary Committee and the leaders of the soviet.
In the view of the public there was a new hope for Russia’s future. The Duma had originally started in 1912 after the first revolution, of which all members had been elected, and originally tried to persuade the Tsar to bring in reforms. The Duma now needed now, to end the poverty and achieve a government of national unity. Eight Principles were produced to try and put an end to the restlessness. These Involved; “Freedom of Speech, Assembly and Right to strike, No religious, national or social privileges, organising a Constituent Assembly and elections for local councils and Zemstva and the abolition of police units.
The results of these Eight Principles were successful, and were immediately put into action. Trotsky and Lenin were re-instated, and their names were cleared. Plans for the Constituent Assembly were to be arranged by a committee of legal experts.
At this time in particular, Russia’s capital was in the crisis stages, with it’s public’s uncertainty and it’s political activity. Trade Unions were now legalised (previously banned by the Tsar.) The Unions members had grown above 2 million and popularity towards the Petrograd soviet had grown largely, this was now the biggest threat towards the Provisional Government.
Adding to the restoration of Russia, the Soviet produced ‘Order No.1’, this was to stop or prevent a return of White Russians/ Tsarist followers rebelling against the Provisional Government. This described how, although the Provisional Government were in charge, the orders of the Petrograd Soviet would take priority over those of the Provisional Government.
The introduction of Order No.1 proved that there was no bond of trust between the soldiers/ peasants to the Provisional Government. The size of the Soviet party had grown dramatically. The numbers of party representatives were continually on the increase. This meant that they could gain more of a majority over the Provisional Government.
In March 1917, the idea of ‘Dual Power’ came into action. This meant that both the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviets would accept joint responsibility of running Russia together. However, the Provisional Government took charge but could not make any drastic changes, unless first consulting and gaining the approval of the Petrograd Soviet. This gave the impression that the Soviet had more power over the running of Russia.
On 3rd April 1917, Lenin returned to Petrograd, and on the 4th he issued his ‘April Theses,’ He urged the faithful Bolsheviks to follow his Theses, the initial idea of Lenin’s ‘April These,’ was to add to the campaign for ‘Peace, Bread and Land,’ and ‘All Power to the Soviet,’ although Lenin wanted this new revolutionary government, as did the Bolsheviks, some became annoyed that Lenin had returned to Russia after eleven years of exile, and running things. They felt that Lenin had been forgotten, and was no help because he had no authority. In his Theses Lenin described how this war was a ‘Predatory Capitalist War,’ because the Provisional Government are capitalists and therefore imperialists. In order for ‘Revolutionary Defencism’ to be justified; all power would have to be passed to the workers/ peasants, all annexations would have o be renounced and how peace could only emerge if the Provisional Government was overthrown.
The Provisional Government, had suffered from many problems from its very beginnings, this was mainly due to the fact that the Tsar had left many of the problems. If these problems were not solved immediately it would result in the end of the Provisional Government and further downfall of Russia. Another main factor for why the Provisional Government wasn’t so successful was down to the fact that they lacked an Authoritive figure and Authority over Russia in general; they had been drawn into their current position by default. Unlike the previous Duma that had been elected and were loved by the people. Possibly because they were not elected the people may not feel that their opinions could be heard and may not accept them as their leaders. One of the other major factors was the war. The Provisional Government had the choice on whether to continue fighting or whether they should withdraw. With the issue of inflation still heavily on the heels of the new government, causing more suffering through all classes of Russian society, they needed to decide. They decided to meet various demands of the workers, giving them eight-hour working days, and increasing wages, however, this did not maintain discipline in the factories, and secondly, the issue of land problems with the peasants and landowners had still not been solved.
In May 1917, a new government was set up, known as the ‘First Coalition Government’, This government appointed Socialist Revolutionaries (SR’s), and Mensheviks as ministers. Many people saw this as a risky step on behalf of the Provisional Government because supporters of the soviets were now able to voice their opinions on how to run Russia.
To show the amount of public support in the Soviets involvement in the new government, the Soviets set up a demonstration. Most posters showed Lenin’s later radical slogan “All Power to the Soviets.’
In the Month of June 1917, Russia witnessed a surprise attack from the Russian Soldiers at the Front on the Austrian borders. This was arranged by Kerensky, and appropriately named the ‘Kerensky Offensive.’ Kerensky felt he had to do this because the Provisional Government was quickly losing support, and that unemployment figures were steadily on the increase, Russian economy was drowning in its own problems. Workers committees were becoming impatient with the government and were demanding control of the factories.
Also in June 1917, the ‘First All Russian Congress of Soviets,’ and other socialist parties formed, where over one thousand delegates of the soviet met from all over Russia. It was this very time that Lenin declared that he felt that the Bolsheviks were ready to take over the government. Bolsheviks support grew, due to the fact that they had no representatives in the Provisional Government, which made them independent, and possibly the only party still loyal to the working class. When the working class realised this they were in full support of the Bolsheviks increasing demands of the government.
After the Kerensky Offensive, he felt that if the war was successful, Russia’s downfall would come to an end, but with the army still suffering many defeats, Russia was still on a steep decline. Could things get any worse?
By July, Russia had more problems yet to come. On the 3rd of July the majority of the Kadet ministers resigned their posts within the government. The government still met further resistance; more demonstrations arose against the government and against the war. Mutinies around Russia were beginning to take place, sailors from Kronstadt, and the local naval base, support these demonstrations. The demands of the Demonstrators were obvious, they wanted Soviet takeover, however, the Mensheviks and SR’s refused. Soviets had failed to takeover…for now.
The government was saved by Russian troops on the 5th by putting an end to the demonstrations. The government’s solution or retaliation was to ban Bolshevik newspapers and to arrest party leaders, tried to restrict the influence of the MRC (Military Revolutionary Committee.) To avoid the complete collapse of Bolshevism, Lenin fled to Finland, to hope to return and start from where he left off. The government also printed false documents, supposedly from the Bolshevik HQ, stating that funding was coming from Germany, the government were trying to create the impression that the Bolsheviks were traitors of Russia, at this period in time there was much conflict and hatred between Russia and Germany, due to the war, something like this would have infuriated Russia’s public. Was this the end of the Bolsheviks?
On July 8th, Kerensky became Prime minister. He tried to form an alliance between the government and the moderate socialists within the Soviet. Kerensky felt this might be possible because the Kadets supported him.
The ‘July Days,’ were generally a great success for the Bolsheviks because by not backing the demonstrations and remaining separate from the Provisional government, whilst staying away from the political scene, they could not be held responsible for any mistakes made in the running of Russia. The Bolsheviks gradually became more and more of an influence over the military, factory workers and peasants. Many Mensheviks switched sides, or allegiance. With the SR’s originally the voice of the peasants, were now split, the Bolsheviks now no longer isolated as an independent party.
The main reason or factor for why the Bolsheviks succeeded in seizing power in 1917, because of the lack of support and faith in the Provisional Government, there was no sense of authority, and they failed to reach for their chances when handed to them. Originally the Bolsheviks were only a small party and not even a threat in the slightest to any other party. With a mere 10,000 members there was not a chance that they could’ve been heard. The Bolsheviks also lacked the leader of the October Revolution, Trotsky as a member of their party.
The Kornilov Revolt was a ‘coup’ in which, General Kornilov, the new commander-in-chief of the army thought that there might still be a slight threat from the extreme left. Kornilov sent his troops into Petrograd to deal with the German spies, accused by the false documents produced by the Provisional Government. Again another attempted coup had failed. Kerensky and the Soviet had issued weapons, guns etc. to the workers throughout Petrograd. The Bolsheviks were now involved and committed without a doubt into defeating the government. Without lack of support through Petrograd workers Kornilov could not continue, no one to move his trains etc. It had now been shown; the weaknesses of the Provisional Government were out in the open. With assembly elections set for November, and Bolshevik propaganda becoming increasingly influential, Russia needed some new political replacement to ensure a better future.
The Bolsheviks were the only party of the time in favour of a second revolution. The SR’s were confident of a majority in the Constituent Assembly, and so, were happy with the situation, and the Mensheviks felt that a revolution too soon would fail.
Eventually the Bolshevik Central Committee were over won, led by Trotsky, the new MRC, of the Petrograd Soviets organised the rising. October 24th, Bolsheviks newspapers became banned in name of Kerensky. The MRC used this as an excuse to inflame the idea of a coup in self- defence.
On the 23rd October 1917, the second revolution began. It continued until 25th October, similar to the revolution that took place in February it was very well planned. Within only three days the capital had been over run and captured. Kerensky was on his own, no soldiers supported him, the Red Guards continued to take over railways stations and buildings in the capital. Eventually the Winter Palace had been seized.
The ‘Second All- Russian Congress of Soviets’ was held on the 25th October. Lenin wanted approval of his new government from the Congress. Lenin was not guaranteed a majority approval, when the entirely Bolsheviks government was presented, however when the Capital was seized this infuriated the Mensheviks and SR’s, who left voluntarily. The Bolsheviks were left to run Russia alone.
With the former Romanov rule and the Provisional Government, by taking and continuing leadership of Russia, had they accepted the same fate? Both leading powers had failed to please all classes within Russia. They both lost the faith and support of the Russian people, and with the gradual loss of authority they had perished as the dominant figure. Both had failed to solve the crisis in Russia. As the various different parties grew in size, their support grew too. The unity of the parties joining in the ‘Popular’ February Revolution cleared the 300years of Romanov rules ending the rule of the Tsar, this left rule open. As it had not been highly planned, there was the issue of what to do next? Once the Provisional Government had taken the place of Tsar, then failing to meet the country’s issue and demands, the Bolsheviks as a new party gained more and more support from the people, seized the moment to take power. The Bolsheviks had succeeded in the takeover of Russia.