The Russian Provisional Government emerged in the chaotic aftermath of the February Revolution of 1917, representing a brief and fragile attempt to establish a constitutional democracy in the crumbling Russian Empire. For eight months between March and November 1917, this coalition of liberal and moderate socialist ministers struggled to manage Russia's involvement in World War I, address the desperate needs of the peasantry, and suppress the growing power of the Petrograd Soviet, ultimately paving the way for the Bolshevik seizure of power.
Collapse of the Monarchy and the Birth of the Provisional Government
The immediate catalyst for the Provisional Government's creation was the mass uprising in Petrograd (modern-day Saint Petersburg) in February 1917. Strikes over food shortages escalated into political protests demanding the end of Tsar Nicholas II's autocratic rule. As military units refused to fire on the crowds and revolutionary committees sprang up, the Tsar found himself isolated. On March 2nd, formally known as February 19th in the old calendar, Nicholas II abdicated, not for himself but for his son, Alexei, effectively ending three centuries of Romanov rule.
A Compromise Between Liberals and Socialists
In the power vacuum left by the Tsar, the Duma (the imperial parliament) formed a Provisional Committee to manage the transition. However, real political power resided with the Petrograd Soviet, a council of workers' and soldiers' deputies born from the revolution. To prevent outright civil conflict, an uneasy coalition was formed. The Provisional Government, led initially by Prince Georgy Lvov and later by Alexander Kerensky, was composed of Duma members. It shared authority with the Soviet, which controlled the military garrison, the postal system, and the railway network, creating a dual-power structure that was inherently unstable.
Mounting Crises and Political Challenges
From its inception, the Provisional Government faced insurmountable challenges. The most critical was the continuation of World War I. Despite public exhaustion and the carnage at the front, the government felt bound by Russia's alliance with the Entente powers and believed an immediate peace would undermine Russia's position. This decision led to the disastrous Kerensky Offensive in the summer of 1917, which resulted in massive Russian losses and shattered what little military discipline remained.
Economic turmoil and widespread food shortages in the cities.
The collapse of state authority in the countryside, leading to peasant land seizures.
The rise of rival political factions, particularly the Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin.
The erosion of discipline within the army and the navy.
The Dual Power Dilemma
The concept of dual power was the Provisional Government's fatal flaw. While the government claimed sovereignty based on the recent revolution, the Soviets, influenced by radical socialists, argued that they才是真正代表人民意志的机关（the true representatives of the people's will）. The Soviets issued "Order No. 1," which instructed soldiers to obey the Soviet's directives rather than the Provisional Government's military commands. This direct challenge to state authority meant that the government could not enforce its will, rendering it increasingly impotent.
The Road to the October Revolution
As the summer of 1917 wore on, popular disillusionment with the Provisional Government grew. The Kornilov Affair, an attempted coup by General Lavr Kornilov that was ultimately crushed thanks to the intervention of Bolshevik-led workers' militias, further destabilized the situation. The government's failure to deliver land to the peasants or peace to the workers allowed the Bolsheviks to capitalize on the chaos. By October, they had gained majorities in the Soviets of Petrograd and Moscow, setting the stage for a decisive takeover.
