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Did the Provisional Government face an impossible task in Russia in 1917

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Did the Provisional Government face an impossible task in Russia in 1917
Plan for Question: To what extent is it true to say that the Provisional Government faced an impossible task?

Threat of Political Opposition
- Soviets had more power than any other ‘body’; this was because they were looked upon as the legitimate authority in the land.
- They shared a dual authority with the Soviets. The All-Russia Soviet claimed the right to issue laws. From Feb to Oct 1917, major areas of policy to be agreed upon by both. The Petrograd Soviet was the closest and also the strongest force threatening the authority of the PG as the 2 groups met in different ends of the same building, the Tauride Palace.
- The Prov. Gov. was not a democratic Gov. some thought it was just a copy of the Tsarist Romanov Dynasty autocratic rule. Also, it was seen as illegitimate as no-one had elected them to lead the now-free country of Russia. There were controversy over the legitimacy of the Prov. Gov.
- Some of the country’s most influential exiles returned to Russia; e.g. Lenin.

Ways the Prov. Gov. Strengthened and improved Russia
- There were numerous reforms; including freedoms of assembly, press and speech; the abolition of legal restrictions regarding race, class and religion; universal suffrage (right to vote) introduced; more democracy; the abolition of capital punishment.

The return of Lenin
- On Lenin’s arrival into Petrograd’s Finland Station on April 3rd 1917; he makes a speech condemning the Prov. Gov. claiming that the revolution of February 1917 (that led to Tsar Nicholas II’s abdication) did not give the Russian citizens political freedom, but rather had created a parliamentary system ruled by UC and MC bourgeoisie.
- In his April Thesis, he rejected the dual authority split between the PG and the Soviets. Stating that the revolution had led to authority being taken by ex-tsarist aristocrats and businessmen.
- Lenin caused chaos amongst the Bolsheviks with his return to Russia, as he tried to convince them that the Pro. Gov. needed to
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