Domestic Policies of the Provisional Government

Overview of Provisional Government's Domestic Policies

• The Provisional Government aimed for national unity after the abrupt fall of Tsarist Russia in March 1917.
• There was initial relief among the population at the removal of Nicholas II, described as a "nationwide honeymoon."
• Challenges arose from a lack of legitimacy and the need to collaborate with the Petrograd Soviet.

Eight Principles of Liberal Reform

• Introduced immediate amnesty for all political prisoners.
• Guaranteed freedom of speech, assembly, and the right to strike.
• Abolished religious, national, or social privileges right away.
• Prepared for a Constituent Assembly with universal suffrage.
• Removed provincial governors, replacing them with elected local militia.
• Ensured elections for local councils and zemstvo, allowing everyone to participate.
• Allowed military units that joined the revolution to keep their weapons without being sent to the front.
• Maintained military discipline throughout the changes.

Additional Domestic Reforms

• Acknowledged and permitted the establishment of trade unions.
• Introduced an eight-hour workday to improve labor conditions.
• Established trial by jury and abolished capital punishment and exile.
• Removed censorship, promoting open political discussions.
• Initiated economic policies involving increased money printing.

Successes of Domestic Policies

• The Eight Principles provided unprecedented freedoms to the Russian populace, sparking political engagement and discussion.
• Provisional Government successfully maintained stability until a new constitution and elected government could be established.
• The introduction of labor rights and the support from the Petrograd Soviet allowed for some orderly functioning of society.

Failures of Domestic Policies

• Failed to address critical issues such as land reform, food shortages, declining living conditions, and the continuation of World War I.
• Inflation and currency issues worsened due to the reckless printing of money, leading to economic instability.
• The weakening of authority allowed political discontent to surface, benefiting groups like the Bolsheviks, whose membership surged between February and October 1917.
• Local soviets and assemblies diminished Provisional Government control, complicating governance amid rising regional unrest.

Decline of Support and Political Confusion

• Delays in establishing the Constituent Assembly by May 1917 eroded initial public goodwill.
• Continued focus on the war diverted attention from addressing domestic crises, heightening dissatisfaction among citizens.
• Perceived as ineffective and incapable of making necessary changes, the Provisional Government lost favor on both left and right political flanks.
• The environment led to the rise of competing authorities and ultimately contributed to the government’s demise in the October Revolution.

Explore the domestic policies implemented by the Provisional Government in Russia. While they lacked extensive economic reforms, their radical changes compared to the Tsarist regime had significant impacts. This quiz will analyze these reforms and their historical context.