The Provisional Government

Russia needed leadership. A legislative body called the Duma had been created as a concession after the Revolution of 1905. They never had any real power until now. They joined together to form what was called the Provisional Government. They proclaimed that they would rule and eventually hold an election to form a permanent government.

The tsar had been overthrown because people wanted peace, land, and bread. The Provisional Government kept Russia in the war. They did not engender land reform. They also did not provide the people with enough to eat. They were not a popular government.

Also, after the fall of the Romanovs, workers councils called Soviets were formed all throughout Russia. They vied with the Provisional Government for legitimate authority. There was always a problem of dual leadership. No one really knew who was in charge, but everyone knew that the Provisional Government was not doing a much better job than the tsar.

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