Political Co-operation and the Return of the Bolsheviks

The Provisional Government, was basically the old duma, 'Appointed by the Revolution Itself' This exposed two weaknesses, they were not elected and would be judged purely on performance and its Authority was limited by the Petrograd Soviet, however at first there was considerable co-operation.


The Petrograd Soviet, regarded its role as supervisory, checking that Soldiers and Workers needs were recognised by new Provisional Government. The new government often did not know its authority, and sometimes the Soviet would have more power in certain issues. They were not opposed to the new government as they became in the later years due to the Bolsheviks return. Soviet Order 1 displays their importance over the PG, ' Orders of military commission are to be obeyed only in instances when they do not contradict Soviet decree's'. Military affairs only applied if the Soviet Agreed. A general rule is, if a government does not control the Army, it does not control the country.

People became genuinely happy over the next few weeks, and co-operation was easiest at this time. A willingness to maintain the state occured, with Moderate Socialists in control of the Soviet, and all parties maintained the PG. A number of progressive reforms were the result.
- Amnesty for political prisoners
- Trade Unions Legalised
- Eight Hour Day
- Police 'peoples militia'
- Full Civil and Religious freedom
- Election of Constituent Assembly

THE BOLSHEVIKS RETURN
The Bolsheviks learned of the Tsar's abdication and rushed back to Petrograd. Stalin and Kamenev were first to return, and became the Leading voices. Lenin directed, in letters by saying war should be turned into a class war, with Bolsh infiltrating the Armies. Stalin and Kamenev however, ignored and pushed for End-war negotiations, and put pressure of the PG to start negotiations. Kamenev 'Co-operation was essential', and even considered linking with the Bolsheviks with the Mensheviks. Stalin simply went along with this.

Lenin returned in april, smuggled in by a german train who wanted Lenin to start a revolution and therefore, Russia pulling out of the War. Lenin's opponents accused him of being a German spy because of this, and the German Foreign Office giving financial support gave weight to this claim. It just so happens, germany wanted what Lenin wanted, Withdrawing the army from the war. Lenin's return, changed all co-operation, he declared that the events so far had lead to a 'Parliamentary Bourgeois Republic' simply the new government was the old duma with bourgeois tendancies.

The following day saw the April Thesis. The Bolsheviks expected to be praised, but found themselves criticised, this was new policy
- Abandon co-operation with others
- work for true revolution
- Overthrow PG, simply the old duma
- Struggle for power to the workers
- Demand authority to the soviets.
Lenin saw soviets as powerbase, a post-tsar construction and a place to influence the proletariat. If they could take the soviets, they could take the state. He came up with two slogans, 'Peace Bread and Land' and 'All Power to the Soviets'. Lenin basically confronted all problems, The war with Germany, The food shortage and the countryside disruption. Lenin said they would not be fixed with the PG in office, who 'profited from war'

SUMMARY
PG basically the old Duma - Judged purely on performance
Considerable co-operation between 'Duma' and Soviet

SOVIET - made sure workers/soldiers got treated
often the more dominant half with certain issues
SOVIET ORDER NO.1 'Orders of military commission are to be obeyed only in instances when they do not contradict Soviet decree's' The Soviets had military control.

PG REFORMS - Amnesty for prisoners, Election of Assembly, People's militia

THE BOLSHEVIKS RETURN. Stalin and Kamenev, first. Believed in co-operation and possible reconnection with the mensheviks. Lenin sent letters urging class war within the war. Lenin returned on a german train who wanted him to kick start a revolution so Russia pull from the war. Speculation from Ger Foreign office suggests Lenin was a spy, he and germany had the common aim around the war. Lenin condemned co-operation and called the PG as the 'old duma'

APRIL THESIS - 'Push for Revolution, Condemn co-operation, struggle for power to Proletariat, overthrow the PG, All power to the Soviets'
Soviets seen as the powerbase.
Peace, Bread and Land
All Power to the Soviet slogans.