IBDP paper 3 questions on the Provisional Government

 “There were two revolutions in Russia because of the weakness of the Provisional Government.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

From the May 2011 Paper 3 HL History exam

 From the markscheme:

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the factors that led to the collapse of the Provisional Government in October/November 1917. Some may argue that the Provisional Government was weakened initially because of Dual Power, but that its overthrow was the result of a coup carried out by the Bolsheviks. Other factors that may have undermined the Provisional Government were its lack of legitimacy (it was self-appointed). Additionally, its failure to implement popular policies, such as dealing with the land question and the decision to continue with the war, was in contrast to Bolshevik policies of Peace, Land and Bread. There may be consideration of the extent of popular support for the Provisional Government by October 1917; it was only able to survive the Kornilov affair with the help of the Red Guards, whereas the Bolsheviks had majorities on the Petrograd and Moscow Soviets.

Timed, in-class essay

 Explain the change in fortunes for the Bolsheviks during the time of the Provisional Government up to its takeover of power

The 'July Days' was seen as a dilemma for the Bolsheviks, while the 'Kornilov Coup' and the delay in setting up the Constituent Assembly both showed an enormous benefit to them. Due to the misfortunes in the 'July Days', the Provisional Government was given the opportunity to blame the Bolsheviks, and accuse Lenin of being a German spy. The 'Kornilov Coup' had disclosed the incapacity and futility of the Provisional Government, and with the delay of the Constituent Assembly, many peasants, and returning soldiers ran out of patience and turned their backs to the government.

The 'July Days' was the period when sailors at the naval base of Kronstadt organised their own armed demonstration under Bolshevik slogans and walked into Petrograd. The Bolshevik leaders were preoccupied by this action, and refused to attempt to overthrow the government. They believed that the provisional government was able to crush this rising with the help from Mensheviks and Social Revolutionaries. The Bolsheviks were blamed for this rising and of its casualties. This also provided Kerensky with an opportunity of discrediting Lenin. He claimed that he was a German spy. As result, many Bolshevik offices were closed, and their newspaper Pravda stopped printing. Kamenev and Trotsky were arrested.
After 'July Days', the Provisional Government appointed Kornilov as Commander in Chief to reassert discipline in the army. There had been continuous strikes afterward and there seemed to be coup organised by Kornilov himself. The Provisional Government had no other alternatives but to ask help from the Bolsheviks. Thus, the Bolsheviks came to aid Kerensky, and Kornilov was arrested. This became to be known as a great success to the Bolsheviks, while it shows great disadvantage towards the Government, Mensheviks, and Social Revolutionaries. The Provisional Government became undermined.
The Constituent Assembly was a parliament, which was to be elected, and which would have ruled according to the wishes of the people. This would have had legitimised the government's power and introduced land reform. However, Kerensky delayed the set up of this assembly. The peasants would not wait any longer, and many of those who have deserted the army returned home and seized the land from the landlords. The government was not able to control what was happening. This was disadvantageous to the Provisional government, for they had lost the support from the peasants. Instead, for the Bolsheviks it became a chance to earn their support.
To conclude, the 'July Days' did discredit the Bolsheviks, but this was only for a short period of time, since soon afterwards, in debt to the 'Kornilov Coup', they were able to show their power and the Provisional Governments futility. The delay of the Constituent Assembly, served as a fine start for the Bolsheviks, where peasants had lost their faith in the Provisional Government and joined them instead.