The weaknesses of the PG were the reason for it’s downfall - how far do you agree?
INTRODUCTION (JUDGEMENT)
- agree with the statement because the PG’s nature was the root cause of instability and lack of
support allowed the Bolsheviks to take power.
- Factors: Nature of PG, WW1 and Lenin (would usually be nature of PG/WW1, Lenin and
Trotsky - so use that format in an exam)
THE NATURE OF THE PG
1. Order Number One (March) - The PG allowed the PS to have control over the Petrograd
garrison which determined dual power. This meant that the PG did not have authority over
soldiers and had to rely on the PS in times of crisis, such as the invasion in the Kornilov Affair
and July Days. As a result, the PG looked weak and reliant on the PS, whilst also not having
the support of soldiers (a majority in the PS). The PG’s lack of authority led them to have less
support from the army to defend them. Thus, it was relatively easy for the Bolsheviks to take
over government in the October Revolution. It could be argued that this was due to WW1
because the root cause of lack of support from soldiers was the continuous war that resulted
in many desertions. However, this disillusionment was worsened by the PG’s handling of WW1
where they enacted no reforms to achieve revolutionary defencism and thus caused further
discontent to the PG in offering peace reforms.
2. Kerensky’s Government - Although Kerensky was initially seen as a strong leader who could
unite the divided PG, he failed to create a stable government which made the PG vulnerable
to a revolution. Kerensky attempted a coalition government between the socialists and liberals
but the SRs refused to work with the Kadets. Kerensky did succeed in forming a government,
however, it was polarised between those that supported revolutionary defencism and those
that didn’t. Hence, it can be argued that the PG’s instability made it more difficult to make
decisions which led to lack of reforms, which then lost the PG support from the left-wing who
wanted radical change.
3. Lack of reforms (industry and agriculture) - The lack of reforms was the root cause for Lenin’s
rise in popularity because it made it easy for the slogan “Peace, Land and Bread” to gain
support. The PG was unwilling to make changes because they were waiting for the
Constituent Assembly elections. However, the country was in need of reforms due to rising
inflation , unemployment, violence and food shortages. The poor economic situation allowed
the radicalisation of workers that would support the Bolshevik overthrow. Furthermore, even
when they made reforms, such as one to buy grain from peasants at a fixed price, they
worsened their support. This is because a fixed prices in grain would not work due to inflation
which increased the hoarding of grain by the peasantry and increased the number of land
seizures. This caused widespread lack of support because the wealthier landowners were
discontent that the PG were not preventing violence in the countryside and the workers
suffered more food shortages.
Therefore, it can be argued that the nature of the PG and its lack of decisive leadership led to
widespread discontent and lack of support for the PG, which allowed the Bolshevik’s support to
increase for an October Revolution and overthrow of the PG.
WW1
1. June Offensive (June) - The failure of the June Offensive undermined the PG’s credibility and
authority because it led to the First Machine Gun Regiment refusing to assist the June
Offensive and its failures allowed German territory to increase by 150 miles into Russian
territory. The offensive was against the belief of revolutionary defencism because it was an
active advance against the enemy. Hence, the PG became less reliable when they promised to
begin peace negotiations. Therefore, WW1 was a source of tension and great failure for the
PG. However, it can also be argued that WW1 helped the PG and ensured it did not collapse.
This is because the June Offensive led to the July Days. The July Days was a series fo riots
organised by mid-level Bolsheviks but did not succeed in overthrowing the PG and resulted in
the imprisonment of 800 leading Bolsheviks and the disarmament of the Red Guards. This
shows that the PG could reduce the influence of the Bolshevik party through the events of the
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