ABSTRACT
According to law, the Minister of the Interior had no right to use armed force, but in case he was unable to preserve order was obliged to appeal for help to the military authorities. The mismanagement on the part of the Government, and Rasputin's influence especially, together with the final struggle between Government and Duma, were the most important factors. M. Kerensky's participation in the Duma Executive proved useful to the Provisional Government, because, being a Socialist himself, he formed a link between the Duma and the Soviet. The Soviet had issued new regulations for the garrison, which had stipulated that, having supported the "Glorious Revolution", it was to be left in Petrograd as an Army to safeguard the interests of the Revolution, and should not be sent to the Front. The attitude assumed by the Army leaders, and the effect of the Revolution on Russia's fighting forces, have exerted a far-reaching influence over later events.
