Problems of PG

• Role of political parties:

  • still in process of formation in 1917, not unified and quickly willing to abandon the PG
  • constant change in cabinet, parties resigned constantly
  • largely control of one individual, Kerensky
• Kerensky was seen as politically weak (feminine, which was against the patriarchal vision of Russian politics)

  • Allyship w. Kornilov, plot to move Korn's troops into the capital and shut down the Soviet
  • Plot failed because Kerensky was nervous that Kornilov was going to take power instead of him
  • So Kerensky went to the Soviet for help thus the authority of the PG was diminished
• Failure of Kerensky's plot taught Trotsky to unite all Soviets in Northern region and defensive circle
• PG was still committed to War

  • Huge resources needed for over 10 mill soldiers to prevent rebellion
  • In popular govt, peace was demanded, but not prepared for a dishonourable peace
  • PG had no honourable way out, Central powers were still solely committed, and Allies did nothing to relieve the Eastern front
• Nationalities that wanted complete independence: Poland, Finland
• Ukraine wanted increased autonomy, Russia lost control over grain and industry in Ukraine

  • PG could not assert its authority over the empire, couldn't guarantee its resources from provinces
• Post Feb 1917 marked the Social Rural Revolution signifying the end of Stolypin's land reforms

  • Rural violence reintegrated 'separator' lands into communes
  • Breakdown of govt authority
  • Disrupted production in the countryside as lawlessness increased
  • Peasants lacked the civilisation to put law above self interest
• Peasant soldiers returning to the countryside were young and armed, transformed with experience and discipline

  therefore capable to assert their own authority

  Caused generational conflict as the soldiers demanded their own home states outside of their elders
• Peasants were only willing to sell grain if the price was in their favour, inflation was high so they could not buy consumer goods with the profit earned from selling grain

  • wanted industrial capital to advance production
  • BUT PG was not able to provide this because of the war effort
  • attempted to set a minimum price for grain but peasants rejected
• Urban workers were discontented that they weren't getting sufficient food
• Soviets undermined the power of PG b/c they passed their own legislation about democratisation of the army and other areas of govt