To What Extent Would You Consider the Failure of the Provisional Government and the Success of the Bolsheviks in October 1917 to Be a Direct Consequence of Russia’s Involvement in World War 1?
To what extent would you consider the failure of the Provisional Government and the success of the Bolsheviks in October 1917 to be a direct consequence of Russia’s involvement in World War 1?
Russia’s involvement in World War One had been a topic of much bitterness within Russia for a number of years and continued to be a source of much resentment. The working class and peasantry had suffered greatly, thousands of soldiers had been lost in the war and a general feeling of military humiliation overcame Russia with the army beginning to desert the government, unwilling to fight for territory when people simply wanted peace. Domestically, practically every family had lost a loved one as a result of war and the resentment amongst the people towards the Provisional Government grew swiftly and unforgivingly.
Nevertheless, it is important to consider the other key factors that led to the ultimate failure of the Provisional Government and the success of the Bolsheviks, which may or may not have linked to the role of war.
The Summer Offensive of 1917 when the Provisional Government decided to launch a major offensive against the Germans in response to its treaty obligations concerning World War to the allies was a key element of war that led to the ultimate disintegration of the Provisional Government. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were killed and territory was lost. Domestically, the episode shattered the people’s moral and the offensives allowed Lenin’s fast paced propaganda to gain more of an audience and increase his confidence and popularity. It was also the reason that the July Days sparked up leaving the capital defenseless for two whole days. The July Days though could be seen as a controversial topic. Initially it could be seen that this incident had worked to the benefit of the Provisional Government as some historians had seen the incident as an early attempt by the Bolsheviks to take power. But, because of lack of coherent leadership and precise
Russia’s involvement in World War One had been a topic of much bitterness within Russia for a number of years and continued to be a source of much resentment. The working class and peasantry had suffered greatly, thousands of soldiers had been lost in the war and a general feeling of military humiliation overcame Russia with the army beginning to desert the government, unwilling to fight for territory when people simply wanted peace. Domestically, practically every family had lost a loved one as a result of war and the resentment amongst the people towards the Provisional Government grew swiftly and unforgivingly.
Nevertheless, it is important to consider the other key factors that led to the ultimate failure of the Provisional Government and the success of the Bolsheviks, which may or may not have linked to the role of war.
The Summer Offensive of 1917 when the Provisional Government decided to launch a major offensive against the Germans in response to its treaty obligations concerning World War to the allies was a key element of war that led to the ultimate disintegration of the Provisional Government. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were killed and territory was lost. Domestically, the episode shattered the people’s moral and the offensives allowed Lenin’s fast paced propaganda to gain more of an audience and increase his confidence and popularity. It was also the reason that the July Days sparked up leaving the capital defenseless for two whole days. The July Days though could be seen as a controversial topic. Initially it could be seen that this incident had worked to the benefit of the Provisional Government as some historians had seen the incident as an early attempt by the Bolsheviks to take power. But, because of lack of coherent leadership and precise