Short+Term+Causes+&+Triggers+(Topic+2+October+Revolution)


 * __ Short Term Causes and Triggers – October Revolution __**
 * __ The provisional government: __**
 * In the wake of the February Revolution and the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, a new government was to be instated to govern the country.
 * The ministers had been previously elected into the Duma and had earlier attempted to persuade the Tsar to introduce reforms – most of them had been in the provisional committee when the Dumas had been dissolved.
 * However, in the period of March to October in 1917, the provisional government was in a difficult situation in the atmosphere of Russia at the time.


 * __ The Petrograd Soviet: __**
 * The soviet based in the city of Petrograd had posed to the most significant threat to the provisional government.
 * The soviet had elected an executive committee that was led by Chkheidze, Skobelev, who were Mensheviks and Alexander Kerensky, a SR.
 * In one of their policies passed in relevance to the military ( in preparation of Tsarists counter-attack) had included a term that specified that the orders of the Petrograd Soviet was to take priority and precedence over the orders of the provisional government.
 * This showed the distrust of the provisional government felt by the workers and soldiers in the capital from the beginning.
 * The general feeling was suspicion towards the self-instated government which had not been elected by the people.
 * This begins a period of “dual authority” – with the leadership of the provisional government and the soviet existing at the same time.
 * As the effects of the Tsars abdication and removal spread, more and more soviets were elected in representation of the different regions all over Russia – which had cooperated with the Petrograd Soviet.
 * The Soviets appeared to have had more representation of the Russian people than the Provisional government did.


 * __ The Return of political exiles: __**
 * The first policy instated by the provisional government was to provide amnesty for all political prisoners and exiles that were prosecuted during the Tsars reign.
 * This had brought about the return of previously exiled and imprisoned leaders of left-wing parties back to the Russian capital – with positive public response and support.
 * This played a significant role as in had brought the return of Lenin.


 * __ Issues facing the Provisional Government __**__ : __
 * Lack of authority – the provisional government had not been elected to power by the people of Russia. As it had been acting a temporary government, elections by all Russian of a constituent assembly was to be held to replace the provisional government. The delays to the elections was seen as an attempt to hold on to power
 * Distribution of land – the ownership and fair distribution of land has always been a central problem in Russia. Due to the revolution, the peasants expected the government to handle this issue, however, it had been put forth that only the elected Constituent assembly to come could make policies.
 * Urban discontent – in the wake of the February revolution poverty was wide spread across Russia. Inflation increased significantly during this period and wages could not support the people. There was growing discontent and the factory order and discipline had broken down due to the revolution which needed restoring.
 * The war – Russia had entered the war under the leadership of the monarchist government and the Tsar. With the introduction of the new provisional government, the war was still being dreadfully fought. There was a mix opinions on the status of war, the Petrograd Soviet aimed for a peace without compromising sovereignty and indemnity as well as a war of defense for to preserve the revolution gains. For the most part, the provisional government agreed, however they also guaranteed their allies that they will continue the war until a decisive conclusion. The response was outrage, soldiers and workers fought in demonstrations against war supports, almost igniting a civil war.
 * The first coalition government – due to the protest and response to the declarations on the war status, Guchkov, the Minister of War, was forced to resign and a new government was set up by Prince Lov – who recognized the Petrograd Soviet as important and invited their leaders into the government.

The new government had been just as worst of a position as the provisional government, it faced many problems and even caused issues:
 * It further delayed national elections to form a constituent assemble, aggravating the unrest stirring in throughout the nation.
 * It had not been able to resolve the issue of land distribution, to the distress of the peasants, there was reluctance to tackling this issue until elections was held.
 * Attempted to limit the activities of the workers committee who controlled some of the factories, demoting relations.
 * It had continued fighting the in the Fist World War, which was hugely unpopular – soldiers and sailor were forming committees and becoming increasingly independent.


 * __ The Triggers __**
 * __ The Kerensky Offensive – June 1917 __**
 * In June 1917, support for the Provisional Government had been diminishing rapidly.
 * The economy was in ruins and unemployment increased – resulting in a Soviets springing up throughout the nations – which were acting independently.
 * Worker committee was demanding control over the factories. As a result, Kerensky had believed a successful war was needed to stop the collapse of Russia. However, the Russian army had been poorly equipped and morale was dwindling. Despite this, the offensive against the Austrians began – after some initial success the offensive had failed and was defeated.
 * Russian losses were high, nearing 400,000, with many dissertations and mutinies in addition to those prior to the offensive. Russia was in the brink of chaos.


 * __ The July days: __**
 * Following the failure of the offensive in June, the Bolsheviks made an attempt to seize power in Petrograd in July.
 * Lenin made a serious misjudgment which could have led to disaster for the Bolsheviks – no clear leadership was given from him as he probably thought that the revolution was premature.
 * Only small numbers of soldiers and sailors actively supported the Bolsheviks and the uprising was suppressed by loyal troops.
 * A number of Bolshevik leaders were arrested and Lenin fled to Finland.
 * __ The Kornilov revol __****__ t __**


 * In August 1917, a Russian General, Lavr Kornilov, made an attempt to seizepower for
 * himself.
 * His army advanced on Petrograd, with the Provisional Government under the leadership of Alexander Kerensky, seemingly powerless to stop him. This gave an opportunity for the Bolsheviks to take the lead in the saving Petrograd from Kornilov.
 * The Red Guards, under Trotsky's direction, organised the defence of the city. Bolshevik agents infiltrated Kornilov's troops and encouraged them to desert.
 * The Bolsheviks also organised strikes by railway workers which caused chaos to Kornilov's supplies and communications. Within a few days, Kornilov's attempt at seizing power was over.


 * __ Increased support for the Bolsheviks __**
 * An important result of the Kornilov Revolt was a big increase in support for the Bolsheviks.
 * Their popularity increased as a direct result of their actions in defeating Kornilov and saving Petrograd from his troops.
 * By September, the Bolsheviks had gained control of the Petrograd Soviet.