History of Europe

Why did the Russian provisional government keep troops involved in World War I after Revolution of 1917?

Continued Patriotism: Many Russian soldiers and citizens maintained a sense of patriotism and devotion to their country, despite the political upheaval. They believed in the importance of defending their homeland against foreign enemies.

Brest-Litovsk Treaty Negotiations: The Russian provisional government sought to negotiate a peace treaty with Germany, known as the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. However, the Germans demanded harsh terms that involved relinquishing significant territories, which prompted the Russian government to continue fighting to avoid these losses.

Political Pressure: Various political groups and factions within the provisional government supported continued involvement in the war. These groups included liberals, conservatives, and moderate socialists who believed that Russia had a moral obligation to fulfill its wartime commitments to the Allies.

Allied Pressure: The Allied Powers, including Britain and France, exerted pressure on the Russian provisional government to continue fighting on the Eastern Front. They provided financial and military aid, and they wanted to prevent Germany from gaining a significant advantage by knocking Russia out of the war.

Fear of German Domination: Some in the Russian government feared that a German victory would result in the domination of Eastern Europe by Germany. By continuing the fight, they hoped to prevent this outcome.

Mobilization of Public Opinion: The provisional government used propaganda to mobilize public support for the war effort. They portrayed the conflict as a struggle against German imperialism and emphasized the need to protect Russian interests.