‘Failure to achieve peace caused the fall of the Provisional Government in October 1917.
Level
AS LEVEL
Year Examined
2021
Topic
The Russian Revolution, 1894–1921
👑Complete Model Essay
‘Failure to achieve peace caused the fall of the Provisional Government in October 1917.
Failure to Achieve Peace and the Fall of the Provisional Government in October 1917
The Provisional Government (PG) took power in Russia amidst the chaos of the February Revolution, inheriting a country ravaged by war and internal strife. While the failure to achieve peace was a significant factor in the PG's downfall, attributing their collapse solely to this issue overlooks the broader political landscape and the astute maneuvering of their opponents, particularly the Bolsheviks.
Undoubtedly, the PG's decision to continue Russia's involvement in World War I proved deeply unpopular. Military setbacks under Tsarist rule had already bred discontent, and the continuation of the war only exacerbated these issues. The war effort strained Russia's already struggling economy, leading to food shortages and further hardship for ordinary citizens. This resonated with the Bolshevik's message of "Peace, Bread, and Land," a simple yet powerful slogan that capitalized on popular grievances and offered a clear alternative to the PG's policies.
Moreover, the PG’s inability to secure peace led to a dangerous erosion of authority and military discipline. Desertions from the demoralized army increased, and soldiers became susceptible to radical ideas, including Bolshevism. The Kornilov Affair in August 1917, triggered by fears of a Bolshevik coup and the advance of German forces, exposed the fragility of the PG's hold on power. Their perceived weakness in handling the crisis further diminished their standing while bolstering the Bolsheviks' image as a decisive force.
However, blaming the fall of the PG solely on the failure to achieve peace ignores the crucial role played by the Bolsheviks themselves. Lenin, returning from exile, proved to be a shrewd and opportunistic leader. He recognized the potential of the "Peace, Bread, and Land" slogan to unite disparate groups under the Bolshevik banner. Furthermore, the Bolsheviks benefited from the existing power vacuum and the inherent weakness of the PG. The dual power structure, established by Order Number 1, meant the PG had to share authority with the Petrograd Soviet, effectively paralyzing their decision-making ability.
Furthermore, the PG's composition, a fragile coalition of various political parties with differing ideologies, made it inherently unstable. This lack of unity contrasted sharply with the Bolsheviks' more centralized and disciplined approach, allowing them to present a more coherent and appealing alternative. The PG's inability to enact significant reforms, such as land redistribution, further alienated them from the peasantry, the largest segment of Russian society, driving them towards the Bolsheviks' promises of radical change.
In conclusion, while the PG's failure to extricate Russia from World War I undoubtedly contributed to their downfall, it was not the sole cause. The war's impact, exacerbating economic hardship and fueling social unrest, created fertile ground for the Bolsheviks' rise. Lenin's leadership, the Bolsheviks' astute use of propaganda, and the PG's inherent weaknesses, stemming from their structure and indecision, were equally crucial factors in their demise. The failure to achieve peace provided the context, but it was the Bolsheviks who seized the opportunity and channeled popular discontent into a successful revolution.
Sources
Figes, Orlando. A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution 1891-1924. Penguin Books, 1998.
Pipes, Richard. The Russian Revolution. Vintage Books, 1991.
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Essay Outline: Failure to Achieve Peace Caused the Fall of the Provisional Government in October 1917
This essay will examine the extent to which the failure to achieve peace caused the fall of the Provisional Government (PG) in October 1917. It will argue that, while the continuation of the First World War undoubtedly played a significant role in the PG's downfall, other factors, including the Bolsheviks' adept political strategy and the intrinsic weaknesses of the PG itself, also contributed decisively to this outcome.
Arguments Supporting the View that Lack of Peace Caused the Fall
This section will explore the ways in which the war's continuation undermined the PG's authority and fueled popular discontent:
Military Setbacks and Discontent: The PG's decision to remain in the war led to a series of military defeats, causing widespread dissatisfaction among the population.
Food Shortages and Popular Disaffection: The war's disruptions to food supplies further exacerbated the situation, leading to severe shortages and deepening the population's alienation from the PG.
Erosion of Support and Comparison to the Tsarist Regime: The PG's inability to secure peace and address the people's needs created the perception that it was repeating the errors of the Tsarist regime, further eroding public trust and support.
Troop Desertion and Radicalization: The war's hardships led to widespread desertion among soldiers, who became susceptible to more radical ideologies, particularly those espoused by the Bolsheviks.
Bolshevik Exploitation of the Peace Issue: The Bolsheviks effectively exploited the popular desire for peace, using slogans like "Peace, Bread and Land" to garner support and undermine the PG's legitimacy.
German Advance and the Kornilov Affair: The ongoing war allowed for the German advance into Russia, culminating in the Kornilov Affair, which exposed the PG's weakness and instability.
Failure to Address Land Reform: The lack of peace prevented the PG from implementing land reform, a key demand of the peasantry, leading to further loss of support from this crucial social group.
Arguments Challenging the View that Lack of Peace Was the Sole Cause
This section will highlight the role of other factors in the PG's demise, suggesting that the lack of peace alone was insufficient to bring about its collapse:
Bolshevik Leadership and Political Strategy: The Bolsheviks' astute leadership, embodied by figures like Lenin and Trotsky, played a pivotal role in mobilizing support and undermining the PG. Their skillful use of propaganda and their ability to respond to popular grievances were significant factors in their success.
Dual Power and the Petrograd Soviet: The PG's authority was significantly hampered by the "dual power" structure established in the aftermath of the February Revolution. The Petrograd Soviet, with its own considerable power base, hindered the PG's ability to act effectively.
Internal Divisions Within the PG: The PG was a coalition of diverse political groups with often conflicting agendas, making it difficult for them to act cohesively and present a unified front.
Bolshevik Alliance With the Soviets: The Bolsheviks' ability to forge an alliance with the Soviets during the Kornilov Affair contrasted sharply with the PG's internal divisions, further demonstrating the Bolsheviks' strength and the PG's weakness.
Conclusion
This section will present a balanced assessment, acknowledging both the importance of the lack of peace in contributing to the PG's downfall while also emphasizing the significant role played by other factors. The essay will conclude by reaffirming the notion that, while the failure to achieve peace undoubtedly accelerated the PG's demise, it was not the sole cause of its fall.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
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.