Provisional Government's Fall due to Peace Failure in 1917
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‘Failure to achieve peace caused the fall of the Provisional Government in October 1917.
ESSAY
The statement that the failure to achieve peace caused the fall of the Provisional Government in October 1917 holds merit when analyzing the events leading up to that point. The decision of the Provisional Government to remain in the First World War and not pursue peace did indeed prove to be highly unpopular among the Russian population. Military setbacks and the disruption of food supplies due to the ongoing war intensified discontent and eroded support for the government. Additionally, the PG's handling of the Kornilov Affair and its inability to respond to popular demands for land reform further weakened its position.
The Bolsheviks, under the leadership of Lenin and Trotsky, skillfully exploited the PG’s failures and implemented effective political strategies that resonated with the suffering Russian populace. Their promise of ‘Peace, Bread, and Land’ provided a clear and appealing alternative to the PG’s ineffective governance. Lenin’s decisive actions during the Kornilov Affair and his alliance with the Soviets further increased support for the Bolsheviks while diminishing support for the PG.
Furthermore, the inherent weaknesses of the Provisional Government, such as its lack of unity and inability to speak with one voice due to its diverse composition, hindered its ability to govern effectively. The dual power structure shared with the Petrograd Soviet and the general ineffectiveness of the PG only served to highlight the appeal of the Bolsheviks as a more resolute and coherent political force.
However, it is also important to consider other factors that contributed to the fall of the Provisional Government. For instance, the economic hardships faced by the Russian population, the dissatisfaction with the political system in place, and the overall instability of the country all played significant roles in shaping the events of 1917.
In conclusion, while the failure to achieve peace was a crucial factor in the fall of the Provisional Government in October 1917, it was not the sole reason for its demise. A combination of political, social, and economic circumstances, along with the strategic actions of the Bolsheviks, ultimately led to the downfall of the PG and the rise of the Bolsheviks to power.
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Failure to achieve peace caused the fall of the Provisional Government in October 1917. How far do you agree with this view? Arguments to support the statement could be as follows:
The decision of the Provisional Government (PG) to remain in the First World War and not pursue peace proved to be very unpopular, as military setbacks created discontent. Food supplies were disrupted because Russia was not at peace, and this added to discontent and further eroded support for the PG. The PG seemed to be repeating the errors of the Tsar’s regime. Troops deserted in growing numbers which made them susceptible to increasingly radical ideas. The Bolsheviks’ cry of ‘peace’ highlighted the PG’s failing and undermined support for their continued rule. The continuation of the war meant the further advance of German troops into Russian territory. By August 1917, this posed a serious threat to Petrograd and it brought about the Kornilov Affair. The PG’s handling of it illustrated the weakness of the PG. The lack of peace meant that the PG was not able to respond to popular demands for land reform and this led to loss of support amongst the peasantry, the largest group in Russian society, for the PG.
The view, however, can be challenged. Opponents such as the Bolsheviks had a politically astute and determined leadership in the form of Lenin and Trotsky. They employed clever politics, for example, the slogan of ‘Peace, Bread and Land’ proved easy for people to understand as it responded to popular grievances. While not particularly Marxist, it gave the millions of Russians who were suffering something to rally around while offering hope for improvement. In response to the Kornilov Affair, Lenin’s forging of an alliance between the Bolsheviks and the Soviets offered a telling contrast with the uncertainty of the PG, increasing Bolshevik support and eroding PG support. The position of the PG was effectively paralysed from the outset by the dual power, based on Order Number 1, it had to share with the Petrograd Soviet. In addition, the PG was not a uniform body made up as it was of a coalition of almost every political party in Russia. It could not speak with one voice, unlike the Bolsheviks. The lack of peace showed that the PG was ineffective and this only served to highlight the attraction of opponents such as the Bolsheviks. Therefore, the PG fell in October 1917. Accept any other valid responses.