Which of the following had a greater impact on the collapse of the Provisional Government in November 1917? (i) The actions of Kerensky; (ii) The role of Trotsky. Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii).
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2021
Topic
Russia 1894-1941
👑Complete Model Essay
Which of the following had a greater impact on the collapse of the Provisional Government in November 1917? (i) The actions of Kerensky; (ii) The role of Trotsky. Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii).
The Collapse of the Provisional Government: Kerensky vs. Trotsky
The collapse of the Provisional Government in November 1917 was a pivotal moment in Russian history, marking the end of the old order and the rise of the Bolsheviks. Two figures stand out as key players in this process: Alexander Kerensky, the last Prime Minister of the Provisional Government, and Leon Trotsky, the Bolshevik leader. While both played significant roles, this essay argues that Trotsky's influence was ultimately more decisive in accelerating the demise of the Provisional Government.
Kerensky: A Troubled Legacy
Kerensky, a charismatic figure who embodied the liberal ideals of the revolution, initially enjoyed popular support. However, his actions ultimately undermined his authority and paved the way for the Bolshevik takeover.
Kerensky's decision to release the Bolsheviks from imprisonment and arm them during the Kornilov Uprising proved to be a fatal miscalculation. He believed that by uniting with the Bolsheviks against the threat of Kornilov's counter-revolution, he could strengthen the Provisional Government. Instead, he inadvertently legitimized the Bolsheviks and provided them with the military resources they needed to seize power.
Kerensky's "July Offensive" also contributed to the Provisional Government's downfall. The offensive, aimed at achieving a decisive victory in World War I, proved disastrous. The army was ill-equipped and demoralized, and the offensive was a costly failure. The failure not only highlighted the Provisional Government's incompetence but also further alienated the weary population who were eager for peace.
While Kerensky successfully suppressed the July Days and Lenin's temporary departure for Finland might have prolonged the Provisional Government's existence, his actions in the months leading up to the November Revolution, such as closing down Bolshevik newspapers and arresting Bolshevik leaders, ultimately backfired. These actions only served to increase popular resentment towards the Provisional Government and provided the Bolsheviks with a rallying cry.
Trotsky: A Master of Revolution
Trotsky, a brilliant strategist and orator, played a pivotal role in mobilizing the Bolsheviks and undermining the Provisional Government. His influence was particularly strong in Petrograd, where he served as Chairman of the Petrograd Soviet.
As Chairman of the Petrograd Soviet, Trotsky was a leading voice of opposition to the Provisional Government. He skillfully used the Soviet as a platform to criticize the government's policies and mobilize support for the Bolsheviks.
Trotsky's oratorical skills proved invaluable in winning over the garrison of the Peter and Paul Fortress, a key strategic location that ultimately sided with the Bolsheviks in November 1917. This act was crucial in allowing the Bolsheviks to seize control of vital government buildings and institutions.
Trotsky's position as head of the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) further cemented his role in the Bolshevik takeover. The MRC, established to prepare for the revolution, played a critical role in coordinating military operations and mobilizing the Bolshevik forces. Trotsky's experience and leadership were indispensable in orchestrating the November Revolution.
While Trotsky's influence was limited during his imprisonment after the July Days, his time in prison did not diminish his commitment to the Bolshevik cause. He returned to the forefront of the revolution with renewed vigor and continued to play a critical role in its success.
It is important to note that Lenin's ultimate decision to launch the November Revolution was crucial. However, without Trotsky's tireless work in mobilizing the Bolsheviks, organizing the MRC, and securing vital support in Petrograd, Lenin's vision might not have come to fruition.
Conclusion
While Kerensky's actions contributed to the Provisional Government's downfall, Trotsky's leadership and influence were ultimately more decisive in accelerating its collapse. Trotsky's strategic planning, organizational skills, and command of rhetoric proved instrumental in mobilizing the Bolsheviks, securing key support, and orchestrating the November Revolution. His role in the downfall of the Provisional Government solidified his position as a key architect of the Bolshevik revolution.
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Introduction
The collapse of Russia's Provisional Government in November 1917 was a pivotal moment in the nation's history, ushering in Bolshevik rule. While numerous factors contributed to this event, the actions of Alexander Kerensky, the Provisional Government's most prominent leader, and Leon Trotsky, a key Bolshevik figure, were particularly significant. This essay posits that while Kerensky's actions created a fertile ground for revolution, ultimately Trotsky's strategic leadership played a more decisive role in the Provisional Government's demise.
Kerensky's Role: Seeds of Discontent
Kerensky's leadership, while initially marked by attempts to stabilize Russia, was riddled with decisions that inadvertently weakened the Provisional Government and fueled dissent. The disastrous "July Offensive," launched under his direction, epitomized the government's commitment to an unpopular war, exposing the army's weakness and eroding public trust.
Furthermore, Kerensky's vacillation in dealing with the Bolsheviks proved fatal. His decision to release Bolsheviks from prison and arm them during the Kornilov Affair backfired spectacularly. This move, intended to counter a right-wing threat, ironically empowered the very force that would orchestrate his downfall.
However, it's crucial to acknowledge Kerensky's successes in prolonging the Provisional Government's lifespan. His suppression of the July Days uprising and the subsequent exile of Lenin to Finland temporarily quelled Bolshevik threats.
Trotsky's Role: Architect of Revolution
While Kerensky's actions inadvertently facilitated the revolution, it was Trotsky who effectively capitalized on the mounting unrest. As Chairman of the Petrograd Soviet, he became a galvanizing figure of opposition, using his exceptional oratory skills to sway public opinion against the Provisional Government.
Crucially, Trotsky played a pivotal role in securing the Peter and Paul Fortress, a strategic asset in Petrograd. His influence over the garrison ensured its support for the Bolsheviks, significantly weakening the Provisional Government's control over the city.
Moreover, Trotsky's leadership within the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) proved instrumental in planning and executing the November Revolution. His organizational abilities and strategic acumen were essential in coordinating the Bolshevik takeover.
Conclusion: A Delicate Interplay
The collapse of the Provisional Government resulted from a complex interplay of factors. While Kerensky's missteps and inconsistencies undoubtedly weakened the government and fostered an environment conducive to revolution, it was Trotsky's astute leadership, strategic planning, and influence within key revolutionary bodies that dealt the decisive blow. His ability to exploit the instability created by Kerensky's actions ultimately tipped the scales, ushering in the Bolshevik era.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Kerensky's Role in the Collapse of the Provisional Government
Answers might argue that Kerensky’s decision to release the Bolsheviks from imprisonment and arm them during the Kornilov Uprising created the very force that would topple the Provisional Government in November 1917.
Answers might argue that Kerensky’s ‘July Offensive’ demonstrated both the Provisional Government’s determination to continue with an unpopular war and the army’s inability to win that war, weakening the provisional Government’s credibility.
Answers might argue that Kerensky’s decision to close down Bolshevik newspapers and arrest Bolshevik leaders left Lenin with little alternative but – or the pretext - to launch the action to destroy the Provisional Government.
Answers might refer to Kerensky’s relatively limited role in the earlier months of the Provisional Government.
Answers might consider Kerensky’s successful suppression of the July Days and Lenin’s departure for Finland as successfully prolonging the Provisional Government rather than engineering its collapse.
Trotsky's Role in the Collapse of the Provisional Government
In dealing with the role of Trotsky, answers might argue that as Chairman of the Petrograd Soviet, Trotsky was a leading focus of opposition to the Provisional Government in the weeks leading up to its collapse.
Answers might argue that Trotsky’s skills as an orator influenced the garrison of the Peter and Paul Fortress to side with the Bolsheviks in November 1917, playing a key role in the downfall of the Provisional Government.
Answers might argue that Trotsky played a leading role in creating the means to topple the Provisional Government given his position leading the MRC and in the planning of the November Revolution itself.
Answers might refer to Trotsky’s imprisonment after the July Days and how this limited his influence over events in a crucial month.
Answers might consider that it was Lenin rather than Trotsky who made the final decision to launch the Revolution in November 1917 and without his influence over the Central Committee Trotsky’s contribution could not have been realised.