The Provincial Assembly, however, did not pass the decision of creating an independent country, and was swiftly dispersed by the Bolsheviks. Legally put, the decision of the Provincial Assembly had more weight than the events in February 1918, when the republic was declared by a small group of politicians who did not have the mandate of the people. Provincial Assembly, on the other hand, had been democratically elected in the summer of 1917.
Juriidiliselt seisukohalt võttes oleks Maapäeva otsus siiski võib-olla isegi kaalukama tähtsusegakui 1918. aasta veebruari sündmused, sest toona kuulutas riigi välja kitsas poliitikute ringkond, kellel otsest rahva mandaati ei olnud, kuid Maapäev oli demokraatlikult valitud 1917. aasta suvel.