In the years leading up to the revolution of November 1917, the First World War had left Russia in a disastrous state, with much discontent among the peasants and the industrial working class, as they suffered from low wages, poor housing, and numerous accidents. In February 1917, after the collapse of the tsars' government, Russia was shocked by two major seizures of power: the Petrograd Soviet and the provisional government. These replaced the tsars of Russia and coexisted as two governments, one predominantly liberal, the other socialist. The role of the Petrograd Soviets in the collapse of the Provisional Government in November 1917 is significant as they held most of the power, had many supporters and followers, and encouraged and inspired the growth of other similar Soviet bodies which played a significant factor in the Provisional Governments. death. The Petrograd Soviet played an important role in the collapse of the Provisional Government because it held and controlled most of the effective levers of power, such as troops, railways, and the telegraph service, rather than the Provisional Government. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayIn that period, the Provisional Government sought to continue Russia's participation in the European war, the Petrograd Soviet demonstrated that it had greater authority and power when in March 1917, the Petrograd Soviet issued Order No. 1, which ordered the military to obey only the orders of the Soviet and not those of the Provisional Government. The provisional government was powerless against the act and this crippled their control over the military and would eventually lead to the final collapse of the army. This act performed by the Petrograd Soviet, and many others, such as issuing orders for which it had no legal authority, affected the effectiveness of the Provisional Government and ultimately led to its collapse due to lack of power. The Petrograd Soviet also had many supporters and followers, which was important for the weakening of the Provisional Government. The soviet had over 3,000 members and contained delegates from nearly every factory, workplace, and military unit. From here came the strength of the Soviet: the workers who rallied behind it. This is also where their power comes from. Without waiting for the government to develop the necessary legislation to guarantee civil liberties, on March 1 (March 14) the Soviet decreed an end to censorship. The announcement was illegal, but effective and would pave the way for the development of the revolution. The Soviet was favored over the Provisional Government because it appealed to the working class rather than the Provisional Government which mainly represented the propertied classes. This gave the Soviets more power and control as more people rallied behind them. This weakened the provisional government and it slowly collapsed due to lack of power and support. A rapid acquisition of support, success and power by the Petrograd Soviets was noted. This led to the inspiration and encouragement of the growth of existing and new institutions similar to that of the Petrograd Soviet, and thus the Provisional Government deteriorated further. In total, nearly fifty soviets of workers' deputies, several peasant soviets, and a few short-lived military soviets were founded in the fall of 1905. The Moscow Soviet, formed in November and representing eighty thousand workers, was second in importance to the Petrograd Soviet. Links were soon established between these institutions, with the Petrograd Soviet serving as the main source of leadership and energy. The growth and spread of the Soviets inspired by the Soviet of.