13. Alexander Kerensky

George Buchanan, diplomat (primary)

"Kerensky's government had fallen, as the Empire had fallen, without a struggle [because] both the emperor and he had been wilfully blind to the dangers that threatened them, and both allowed the situation to get beyond their control before taking measures for their own protection. It was only when his hour had already struck... that the emperor consented to grant a constitution. It was the same with Kerensky. He waited and procrastinated. When at last he made up his mind to act, he found that the Bolsheviks had secured the support of the garrison and that it was he, not they, who was to be suppressed. If I had to write the epitaphs of the Empire and Provisional Government, I would do so in two words: lost opportunities."

Attempt to consolidate his authority and downfall

-Kerensky attempted to consolidate his authority and gain support by appealing to the left wing. -In September 1917 he declared Russia to be a socialist republic -days later he filled his cabinet with socialist ministers -But he refused to give the workers of Petrograd what they truly wanted: Russia's withdrawal from the war In early October Kerensky attempted to head off an imminent uprising by ordering raids on Bolshevik buildings, the destruction of their printing presses and the arrest of their leaders. This action precipitated the formation of the Bolshevik Military Revolutionary Commitee (Milrevcom) and for the overthrow of the Provisional Government on October 26th

Who

Between the fall of Nicholas II in March 1917 and the rise of Vladimir Lenin in October, Russia's most significant national leader was Alexander Kerensky. During the eight months of the Provisional Government Kerensky held three important portfolios: justice, war and the prime minister-ship A liberal-socialist, popular with the masses and a compelling public speaker, Kerensky was the man who might have saved Russia from political extremism. Instead, his dogged commitment to keeping Russia in the war and his political short-sightedness signed the death warrant of the Provisional Government In late October 1917 Kerensky was toppled from power and forced to flee Russia Both were also socialists, though Kerensky's socialism was of the moderate-liberal strand, while Lenin's was radical, impatient and obsessive.

1917

By the beginning of 1917, Kerensky was one of the most popular members of the Duma, enjoying a significant working-class following In March Kerensky was elected vice-chairman of the newly formed Petrograd Soviet, making him the only individual to hold high-ranking positions in both the Soviet and Provisional Government In March he became Minister for Justice, the only socialist to hold a cabinet position in the Provisional Government When the Provisional Government collapsed following the 'July Days', Kerensky was chosen to replace Georgy Lvov as prime minister.

Kornilov Affair

In August his authority was challenged by the actions of General Lavr Kornilov, whom Kerensky had appointed commander-in-chief of the army only weeks before Confronted with the spectre of being ousted by Kornilov and replaced by a military dictatorship, Kerensky was forced to call on the Soviets for support. While this support was not needed, it revealed the weak position of the Provisional Government, which could not command the loyalty of its own generals.

Involvement with socialism

Kerensky also became involved in left-wing political groups, joining the Socialist-Revolutionary (SR) party during the 1905 Revolution. In 1912 he entered public life when he was elected to sit in the fourth Duma, as a member of the Trudoviks (a small but vocal labour faction of the SRs). Kerensky soon rose to prominence as an orator

Kerensky's June offensive

Kerensky's fate changed irrevocably in May 1917, when divisions over its war policy led to several ministers leaving the Provisional Government Kerensky was appointed Minister for War Kerensky has supported Russia's continued involvement in World War I In June 1917 Kerensky ordered a disastrous offensive against the Austrians and Germans in Galicia. Poor leadership, a lack of supplies and poor morale all played havoc with the assault, which would eventually produce more than 400,000 Russian casualties

As Prime Minister

Kerensky's response to the unrest in Petrograd was firm and immediate(July Days) He ordered the arrest of Bolshevik leaders and organisers, while others, including Lenin, were chased into exile. Anti-Bolshevik rhetoric and propaganda began to flow from Kerensky and his supporters in the government. Kerensky also ordered the reintroduction of the death penalty in the military

Kerensky and Lenin

The Kerensky and Ulyanov families were known to each other and several in the two families were friends. Both were born in Simbirsk, a Volga River town Both Kerensky and Lenin trained and graduated as lawyers. Both were also socialists, though Kerensky's socialism was of the moderate-liberal strand, while Lenin's was radical, impatient and obsessive.