The Provisional Government, Red October and Civil War
The Provisional Government
 Eventually lead by Alexander Kerensky
 Never meant to be a real government, only temporary until a general election, felt compelled
not to make major decisions.
 Didn’t end the war or solve any major problems
 Idealistic – General Order #1: officers did not rule, rather soldiers voted on major decisions.
Army completely collapsed
 Unpopular – needed the support of the Petrograd Soviet (a committee of soldiers and workers
who took control of the city just after the Feb. Rev.) The Petrograd Soviet was lead by the
Bolshevik Party (Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky and Company)
The Second Russian Revolution
 The Bolsheviks already tried to overthrow the provisional gov’t once (July days) but failed.
 Kornilov Revolt – A Russian General believed Kerensky was plotting to take over and tried
to arrest him, Kerensky asked the Petrograd Soviet to protect him.
 The Bolsheviks realized how weak Kerensky was and turned on him. Were able to seize
power
V. I. Lenin: The Dictator
 Lenin acted immediately to help solve Russia’s most pressing problems.
 The “Land Decree” stated that land belonged to whoever farmed it.
 The “Peace Decree” stated the war was over (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, 1918)
 Lenin believed he had won over the people and called an election. Bolsheiks came in 2nd.
 Lenin abolished parliament and began to rule as dictator.
 He banned all other political parties, censored newspapers, took over all businesses and
banks, set up a secret police (the CHEKA), and murdered thousands of people.
Civil War
 Lenin made enemies both inside and outside of Russia.
 The Poles, Ukrainians and Cossacks began nationalist revolts.
 Military leaders who supported the Tsar or the provisional government rallied troops against
them, Britain, Canada, France and the USA sent in troops as well.
 Reds (Bolsheviks) vs. Whites (everyone else)
 Believing a white victory meant the return of the Tsar, most people and military commanders
supported the Bolsheviks.
 Bolsheviks were better organized, had greater numbers and superior equipment.
 Tsar Nicholas and his family (who had previously been under house arrest away from the
capital) were executed
 Bolsheviks won the war in 1920.
 So began the Communist dictatorship of Russia