February Revolution: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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The immediate effect of the February Revolution was a widespread atmosphere of elation and excitement in Petrograd.<ref name="autogenerated2">ibid 91</ref> Between February and April, the [[Russian Provisional Government|Provisional Government]], which replaced the Tsar, cooperated successfully with the Petrograd Soviet. This was facilitated by the positive spirit throughout the capital, along with considerable cross-over membership between the two bodies.<ref>ibid 90</ref> A general consensus to prevent anarchy also prompted a constructive relationship.<ref name="autogenerated2" /> This arrangement became known as the "Dual Authority". However, the practical supremacy of the Petrograd Soviet was asserted as early as March 1, when the Petrograd Soviet issued [[Soviet Order No. 1|Order No. 1]]:

{{Bquotequote|All orders issued by the Military Commission of the State Duma [the Provisional Government] shall be carried out, except those which run counter to the orders and decrees issued by the Soviet"|<ref>[http://www.marxists.org/history/ussr/government/1917/03/01.htm Petrograd Soviet: Order No. 1<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>}}

Order No. 1 thus ensured that the Dual Authority occurred on the Soviet's conditions. As the provisional government was not a publicly elected body (having been self-proclaimed by committee members of the old Duma),<ref>[http://www.marxists.org/glossary/orgs/p/r.htm Glossary of Organisations: Pr<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> it lacked the political legitimacy to question this arrangement.