User:Max Rowe-Sutton/sandbox

Many proofreading and syntax changes for April Crisis page not listed here.

Implications of Dual Power
Conflicting plans for governance between the Provisional Government and the Soviet of Workers’ Deputies underly much of the polarization and conflict of the April Crisis. Created from former representatives of the State Duma, the Provisional Government hesitantly took power on February 28th, 1917 -- hesitantly is important, because the void of decisive governance in the months following the February Revolution damaged the Provisional Government's standing among Russia's lower classes. (citation from Voices). But the Provisional Government was always somewhat distanced from workers, soldiers, and peasants; the Petrograd Soviet faced no such impediment: they possessed powerful street-level sway of worker and peasant opinions. This disparity made some union (or simple cooperation) with the Soviets imperative to the Provisional Government's success, as ignoring the Soviets meant relative isolation from large segments of the population, and greater unrest among lower classes. But by cooperating with the Petrograd Soviet, the Provisional Government -- in which many Duma members were reluctant or opposed to Socialist ideals -- offered the Soviets a foundation from which they could draw power, and (to some extent) vindicated their beliefs. This tenuous relationship exacerbated the climate of confusion and discontent that lead to the April Crisis.

Pressure from Petrograd Soviet
On March 14th, the Petrograd Soviet released "An Appeal to All the Peoples of the World," a letter written by N.N. Sukhanov condemning Russia's continuing participation in WW1. Particularly, the letter criticized Russia's expansionist ambitions -- which the Provisional Government had yet to dismiss -- and sought to confine Russia's focus mostly to intra-national issues. This letter was released at a time of public turmoil and disenfranchisement with the Provisional Government. Russia's lower classes had seen no relief from the burdens of inflation and limited resources, and were becoming more inclined to the Soviets.

Mass Demonstrations
In response to Miliokov's leaked note, vast numbers of workers and soldiers took to the streets of Petrograd and Moscow. These demonstrations were sometimes violent: armed soldiers occupied the streets, and many skirmishes occurred between pro and anti-government activists. Brutality among anti-government protestors was aimed at the Provisional Government's inconsistent stance on Russia's participation in the war. Facing famine and inflation, protestors -- buoyed by success in the February Revolution, unafraid to voice their opinions and enact change -- raised their voices to decry the Provisional Government's failure to represent their viewpoints and desires. Among protestors demands was the faint call for Soviet power -- this displayed the evolving sentiments of Russia's populace, and foreshadowed the lower class-driven rise of the Soviets. Fearing that Russia was not ready for Soviet rule, Soviet leaders worked to pacify protestors and quell demonstrations.

Simplified Dual Power section

Dual Power
The Provisional Government and the Soviet of Workers' Deputies had conflicting plans for governance, and this disparity underlies much of the polarization and conflict of the April Crisis. Created from former representatives of the State Duma, the Provisional Government took power on February 28th, 1917. The Provisional Government questioned their own authority and was hesitant to exercise power. This created a void of decisive governance, and damaged the Provisional Government's standing among Russia's lower classes. But the Provisional Government was always somewhat distanced from workers, soldiers, and peasants. The Petrograd Soviet, on the other hand, possessed powerful street-level sway of worker and peasant opinions. This asset made cooperation with the Soviets imperative to the Provisional Government's success, as ignoring the Soviets meant relative isolation from large segments of the population, and greater unrest among lower classes. By cooperating with the Petrograd Soviet, the Provisional Government offered the Soviets a foundation from which the could draw power, and (to a certain extent) vindicated Soviet beliefs. It also gave them a powerful platform to voice their discontent with the Provisional Government's policies.

Simplified Pressure from Petrograd Soviet Section (will be renamed "An Appeal to All the Peoples of the World")

Pressure from Petrograd Soviet
On 1 March, 1917 the Petrograd Soviet released "An Appeal to All the Peoples of the World," a letter written by N.N. Sukhanov. The letter condemned Russia's continuing participation in WW1, and criticized Russia's enduring expansionist ambitions. It also sought to confine Russia's focus mostly to intra-national issues. This letter was released at a time of public turmoil and disenfranchisement with the Provisional Government. Russia's lower classes had seen no relief from the burdens of inflation and limited resources, and were becoming more inclined to the Soviets.

Simplified Mass Demonstrations Section

Mass Demonstrations
In response to Miliokov's leaked note, vast numbers of workers and soldiers took to the streets of Petrograd and Moscow. These demonstrations were sometimes violent: armed soldiers occupied the streets, and many skirmishes occurred between pro and anti-government activists. Brutality among anti-government protestors was aimed at the Provisional Government's inconsistent stance on Russia's participation in the war. Facing famine and inflation, protestors raised their voices to decry the Provisional Government's failure to represent their viewpoints and desires. Among protestors demands was the faint call for Soviet power, which displayed the evolving sentiments of Russia's populace, and foreshadowed the lower class-driven rise of the Soviets. Fearing that Russia was not ready for Soviet rule, Soviet leaders worked to pacify protestors and quell demonstrations.