How did the policies of the Provisional Government contribute to the Bolsheviks' rise to power?

The Provisional Government's policies, particularly its continuation of the war and failure to address land reform, significantly facilitated the Bolsheviks' rise to power.

The Provisional Government, which took over after the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in February 1917, was marked by a series of policy failures that inadvertently paved the way for the Bolsheviks. One of the most significant was the decision to continue Russia's involvement in World War I. The war was deeply unpopular among the Russian populace, who were suffering from severe economic hardship and loss of life. The Provisional Government's commitment to the war effort was seen as a betrayal of the people's interests, leading to widespread disillusionment and unrest. This provided fertile ground for the Bolsheviks, who promised to end the war and bring about peace.

Another key policy failure was the Provisional Government's inability to address the pressing issue of land reform. The majority of Russia's population were peasants who were desperate for land redistribution. However, the Provisional Government, dominated by middle-class liberals, was reluctant to alienate the landowning classes and thus failed to implement any meaningful reform. This further alienated the masses and drove them towards the Bolsheviks, who promised to redistribute land to the peasants.

Moreover, the Provisional Government's decision to delay the convening of the Constituent Assembly, which was supposed to draft a new constitution, was seen as a sign of its unwillingness to relinquish power. This led to accusations of autocracy and further eroded the government's legitimacy. The Bolsheviks capitalised on this by positioning themselves as champions of democracy and the people's will.

Finally, the Provisional Government's inability to maintain law and order, as evidenced by the July Days and the Kornilov Affair, further undermined its authority. The Bolsheviks, on the other hand, were able to present themselves as a viable alternative that could restore stability and order.

In conclusion, the policies of the Provisional Government, marked by indecisiveness and a failure to address the pressing issues of the day, played a significant role in the Bolsheviks' rise to power. By failing to meet the demands of the people, the government created a power vacuum that the Bolsheviks were able to fill, promising peace, land, and bread.