Evaluate the reasons for the overthrow of the Provisional Government in October/November 1917.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the reasons why the Provisional Government (PG) collapsed. Reasons could include the issue of Dual Power and that the PG lacked legitimacy. Other factors could include poor decision-making, failure to address the Land Question or deal with the economic crisis. The decision to continue with the war and military failures (Kerensky Offensive) led to increasing unpopularity. Others may argue that the PG did survive the July Days but needed Bolshevik support against Kornilov emphasising its weakness. The strength of opposition should also be considered, there was increasing support for the Bolsheviks because of Lenin’s policies (Peace, Land and Bread), they gained majorities on the Petrograd and Moscow Soviets by September 1917. However, some may point out that the Bolshevik coup of October/November was considered to be risky by leading Bolsheviks (Kamenev and Zinoviev) and only succeeded because the PG was on the verge of collapse. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions should be stated clearly and supported with appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates make an appraisal of the reasons for the overthrow of the Provisional Government in October/November 1917. This was a popular question. Some excellent responses were seen with a wide variety of factors successfully discussed. Some weaker candidates tended to give narrative accounts with too much focus on the February/March Revolution.