- Prov. Gov. would provide some leadership following the abdication of the Tsar
- Anounced freedom of speech, realeased political prisoners, declared a free press and abolished the dealth penalty
However they ran into problems very fast:
1) Soviets wanted to share power and without the support of the workers, the prov gov could do little
2) They were also under pressure from Britain and France to continue in the war, but the soviets didnt want to, so they settled with a defensive war. This led to the continuation of the economic problems they faced.
3) Peasants were desperate for a greater share of land. This led to rural disturbances increasing and there was a general break down in law and order in the countryside.
4) Workers wanted to stay in charge of the factories, and they forced the prov. gov. to give them 8 hrs a day of work. Prov. Gov. looked towards bosses to restore discipline, this led to fierce clashes between workers and managers.
5) Soldiers' committees were set up in many Army units. Soldiers launched an offensive in June, breaking the agreement with the Soviets. After the offensive failed there was a rapid breakdown of discipline, and by august 1917 over 1/4 mill. of soldiers had deserted.
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