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How Did Alexander Kerensky's Fall To The Fall Of The Government?

Decent Essays

After overthrowing Tsar Nicholas II, Russian people were optimistic for change. The Provisional Government inherited authority after the removal of Tsar Nicholas II. A better life was promised and optimism spread across the country as the Provisional Government took control. Eventually the Provisional Government was confronted by the same issues Tsarism faced. The majority of the people felt the abdication of the Tsar was positive, but now the main issue became Russia’s involvement in World War 1. Alexander Kerensky, was appointed Minister of War and rose to a higher rank on July 1917, when he became Prime Minister. Kerensky was initially praised for his role in the Duma and was favourite to become Russia’s saviour. Despite his best efforts to unite all political parties, he soon alienated himself by not bettering the lives of the Russian people. He also lost the confidence of the left wing by refusing to apply their radical social and economic program. Kerensky failed to control certain aspects such as; Russia’s involvement in World War 1, Land rights and the “Kornilov Affair”. Due to these failures Kerensky and the Provisional Government collapsed.

During World War 1 Russia faced difficulties constantly. Russia suffered food, transport, men and weapon shortages regularly. After the failures of the June Offensive, Kerensky took charge. The Russian army’s strength had been eroding for months. The Radical-Left political group, the Bolsheviks, called for "peace, land, and bread.”. Kerensky had planned an offensive, known as the June Offensive. The June Offensive failed and this impacted negatively on the Russian army. Morale was dangerously low, whilst desertion and indiscipline began to grow. Weary soldiers terrorised the civilian population on their way home, and violence became a common daily condition in Russia. Whilst Kerensky was trying to inspire soldiers, Lenin was actively convincing people to stop fighting. General Brusilov said
“In a year of war the regular army had vanished. It was replaced by an army of ignoramuses.” From July onwards it became increasingly evident that the majority of support for the soldiers lay with Lenin and the Bolsheviks, instead of Kerensky. Kerensky claimed propaganda had

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