Provisional Government in Russia (1917). Overthrow of the Provisional Government. The Bolsheviks came to power Who was part of the provisional government of 1917
Provisional Government Provisional government
in Russia, formed after February Revolution 1917 and the abdication of Emperor Nicholas II by the Provisional Committee of the State Duma with the consent of the leaders of the Petrograd Soviet for the period until the convening of the Constituent Assembly. The highest executive and administrative body also performed legislative functions. Valid from March 2 (15) to October 25 (November 7), 1917; 4 compositions of the Provisional Government were replaced: 1st composition (2 Octobrists, 8 cadets and those adjacent to them, 1 Trudovik, then a Socialist Revolutionary; chairman - cadet G. E. Lvov) until May 6 (19); 2nd (1 Octobrist, 8 cadets and associates, 3 Socialist-Revolutionaries, 2 Mensheviks; chairman - Lvov) - until July 24 (August 6); 3rd (7 cadets and associates, 5 Socialist-Revolutionaries and People’s Socialists, 3 Mensheviks; chairman - Socialist-Revolutionary A.F. Kerensky) - until September 1 (14) (transferred power to the “Directory”); 4th (6 cadets and associates, 2 Socialist Revolutionaries, 4 Mensheviks, 6 non-party members; chairman - Kerensky) - from September 25 (October 8). In its program, set out in the declaration [published on March 3 (16)] and an address to Russian citizens on March 6 (19), it proclaimed the principle of “continuity of power” and “continuity of law”, declared its desire to bring the war “to a victorious end” and fulfill all treaties and agreements concluded with the Allied powers of the Entente. It legalized the destruction of the police apparatus, the arrest of members of the Council of Ministers, abolished political hard labor and exile, and declared a political amnesty. He promised to introduce political freedoms, convene a Constituent Assembly, and replace the police with people's militia. Adopted a law on freedom of assembly and association; issued decrees on the transfer to the state of lands belonging to the imperial family, on working committees for industrial enterprises; announced the introduction of a grain monopoly. On September 1 (14), the Russian Republic was proclaimed. Overthrown during an armed uprising organized by the Bolsheviks in October 1917.
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENTPROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT - the highest body of state power and administration in Russia (cm. RUSSIA (state)) from March 2 (15) to October 25 (November 7), 1917; arose during the days of the February Revolution during negotiations between members of the Provisional Committee of the State Duma and the Executive Committee of the Petrograd Soviet. Being the highest executive and administrative body, the Provisional Government also performed legislative functions. The local authorities of the Provisional Government were provincial and district commissars.
The idea of creating a government (cm. GOVERNMENT)“public trust” or “national defense” appeared in mid-1915, when, under the impression of the defeats of the Russian army at the front, the Progressive Bloc, in opposition to the tsarist regime, took shape in the State Duma and the State Council. In August 1915 alone, six lists of candidates for this government were drawn up, in four of which Prince G.E. was listed as its head. Lvov, Chairman of the All-Russian Zemstvo Union. It was assumed that the government, composed of representatives of parliamentary parties, would be more capable than the ministers appointed by Emperor Nicholas II Alexandrovich of his own choice.
Formation of the Provisional Government
The first composition of the Provisional Government included the Minister-Chairman and the Minister of Internal Affairs - Prince G.E. Lviv (cm. LVOV Georgy Evgenievich), Ministers: Foreign Affairs - P.N. Miliukov (cadet), military and naval - A.I. Guchkov (Octobrist), communications - N.V. Nekrasov (cadet), trade and industry - A.I. Konovalov (progressive), finance - M.I. Tereshchenko (non-party), education - A.A. Manuilov (cadet), agriculture - A.I. Shingarev (cadet), Justice - A.F. Kerensky (Trudovik, since March - Socialist Revolutionary), Chief Prosecutor of the Synod - V.N. Lvov (center), state controller - I.V. Godnev (Octobrist). The leading role in it was played by the leader of the Cadet Party P.N. Miliukov and Octobrist leader A.I. Guchkov. Already during the formation of the Provisional Government, it was necessary to take into account the opinion of the Council of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies that arose in Petrograd. In particular, the issue of introducing the post of Minister of Labor, which would be occupied by the leader of the Petrograd Soviet N.S., was considered. Chkheidze. During the February Revolution, the leadership of the Soviets agreed to transfer power to the Provisional Government, but in practice, a situation of dual power immediately developed in the country, with real power gradually flowing into the hands of the Soviets. Without the support of the Soviets, the Provisional Government could not exist and operate for the first four months. On March 9 (22), the US government was the first to recognize it, on March 11 (24) - Great Britain and France.
The Provisional Government outlined its program in a declaration (cm. DECLARATION (document)), published on March 3 (16), and then in an appeal to Russian citizens on March 6 (19). The Provisional Government announced the beginning of preparations for the convening of the Constituent Assembly, a number of democratic freedoms, political amnesty, and the replacement of the police with the people's militia. The Provisional Government declared its desire to bring the war “to a victorious end” and to fulfill the treaties and agreements concluded by the Tsar with the allied powers. Nothing was said about the eight-hour workday, about agrarian reform, which made the government’s position convenient for criticism from the radical left opposition.
On April 12 (25), the law was adopted (cm. LAW (in law)) on freedom of assembly and association. In agrarian policy, the Provisional Government limited itself to a decree on the transfer of cabinet lands to the state (March 12 (25)) and appanage lands (March 16 (29)). On March 9 (22), an order was issued to bring peasants to criminal liability for participating in “agrarian riots.” On March 19 (April 1), in a special appeal, the Provisional Government recognized the need for land reform, but declared all unauthorized seizures of land illegal. On April 11 (24), the law “On the Protection of Crops” was issued, which guaranteed compensation for losses in the event of “popular unrest.” The Provisional Government promised to bring the agrarian question to the decision of the Constituent Assembly. In order to prepare materials on the land issue for the Constituent Assembly, by resolution of April 21 (May 4), main, provincial, district and volost land committees were created.
Trying to maintain unity Russian state The Provisional Government refused to recognize the right to self-determination and autonomy for individual peoples (Finland, Ukraine) until this issue was resolved by the Constituent Assembly (cm. CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY). Right to state branch was recognized for foreign policy reasons in the appeal of March 17 (30) for Poland. The law of April 23 (May 6) on workers' committees in industrial enterprises formally legalized the factory committees that had arisen everywhere. In food policy, the Provisional Government on March 25 (April 7) declared the introduction of a grain monopoly. In the financial field, it announced on March 8 (21) that it would assume all domestic and foreign financial obligations of the tsarist government. In area foreign policy a policy was pursued to strengthen ties with allies, especially the United States.
August and July crises
Internal contradictions and population dissatisfaction with the policies of the Provisional Government led to government crises. April crisis (cm. APRIL CRISIS) led to the creation of the first coalition government on May 5 (18). On May 2-3 (15-16) P.N. left the Provisional Government. Miliukov and A.I. Guchkov, and six socialist ministers were included in the government, by agreement with the executive committee of the Petrograd Soviet. The coalition government included the Chairman Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs - G.E. Lvov, ministers: military and naval - A.F. Kerensky, justice - P.N. Pereverzev (trudovik), foreign affairs - M.I. Tereshchenko, communications - N.V. Nekrasov, trade and industry - A.I. Konovalov, public education - A.A. Manuilov, finance - A.I. Shingarev, agriculture - V.M. Chernov (Socialist Revolutionary), Posts and Telegraphs - I.G. Tsereteli (Menshevik), labor - M.I. Skobelev (Menshevik), food - A.V. Peshekhonov (people's socialist), state charity - Prince D.I. Shakhovskoy (cadet), Chief Prosecutor of the Synod - V.N. Lvov, state controller - I.V. Godnev.
Refusal of the Provisional Government to resume the activities of the State Duma (cm. STATE DUMA of the Russian Empire), the confrontation with the Provisional Committee of the State Duma gave rise to the problem of the government's legitimacy. Forced to destroy the law enforcement system, the Provisional Government was unable to build a new, similar mechanism through which it could implement its decisions. It was unable to rely on the public executive committees that arose everywhere after the February Revolution, which included delegates from various political forces. The provisional government transferred local power to a specially created institution of commissars. In April G.E. Lvov issued a circular which directly stated that the provincial commissar was assigned the rights and responsibilities of former governors. New appointees often did not have the necessary administrative experience in the community. The new government initially did not inspire confidence, and the social differentiation of society and the aggravation of political struggle led to the polarization of forces between the left and right flanks, gradually strengthening the main opponents of the Provisional Government - the Soviets.
On June 18 (July 1), the Provisional Government launched an army that did not want to fight on the offensive on the Southwestern Front. The Provisional Government was unable to effectively combat devastation and hunger, limiting itself to bureaucratic measures to regulate certain leading industries. Growing dissatisfaction with the policies of the coalition government manifested itself during the June 1917 demonstration. Aggravation of the external and internal political situation as a result of the failure of the June offensive at the front, disagreements among ministers on the issue of attitude towards the Ukrainian Central Rada (cm. CENTRAL RADA), the failed attempt by the Bolsheviks to seize power during demonstrations by armed soldiers, sailors and workers on July 3–5 caused a new government crisis.
The July crisis led to the elimination of dual power in the country. July 2 (15) group of cadet ministers - A.I. Shingarev, A.A. Manuilov and D.I. Shakhovskaya resigned. Following the cadets, on July 7 (20), the head of the Provisional Government, Prince G.E., resigned. Lviv. A.F. was appointed minister-chairman. Kerensky, with him retaining the posts of military and naval minister. The Socialist-Revolutionary-Menshevik leadership of the Central Executive Committee of the Soviets declared the Kerensky government “the government of saving the revolution,” recognizing its unlimited powers. Petrograd was declared under martial law, repressions and arrests of Bolsheviks began. On July 7 (20), the Provisional Government issued a decree to arrest and bring to trial V.I. Lenin. On the same day, a resolution was adopted to disband the military units of the Petrograd garrison that took part in the July demonstration. On July 12 (25), the death penalty was introduced at the front and military revolutionary courts were established on the model of the tsarist military courts. In the declaration of July 8 (21), the Provisional Government promised to begin socio-economic reforms, but was unable to fulfill its promises.
On July 24 (August 6), the second coalition government was formed. It included the Minister-Chairman, the Minister of War and the Navy - A.F. Kerensky (cm. KERENSKY Alexander Fedorovich), Deputy Chairman and Minister of Finance - N.V. Nekrasov (radical democratic party); Ministers: Internal Affairs - N.D. Avksentyev (Socialist Revolutionary), Foreign Affairs - M.I. Tereshchenko, Justice - A.S. Zarudny (people's socialist), education - S.F. Oldenburg (cadet), trade and industry - S.N. Prokopovich (non-factional Social Democrat), agriculture - V.M. Chernov, post and telegraph offices - A.M. Nikitin (Menshevik), labor - M.I. Skobelev, food - A.V. Peshekhonov, state charity - I.N. Efremov (radical democratic party), communications - P.P. Yurenev (cadet), chief prosecutor of the Synod - A.V. Kartashev (cadet), state controller - F.F. Kokoshkin (cadet).
Kornilov rebellion and October Revolution
On August 3 (16), the new Supreme Commander-in-Chief General L.G. Kornilov (cm. KORNILOV Lavr Georgievich) demanded from the Provisional Government the militarization of factories, factories, railways and the introduction of the death penalty in the rear. Great Britain, France, and the United States put pressure on the Provisional Government, demanding that it restore order in the rear and at the front. Trying to find political support, the Provisional Government convened a State Conference in Moscow on August 12 (25). The leader of the right-wing counter-revolutionary forces was L.G. Kornilov, who on August 25 (September 7) moved troops to Petrograd. The Kornilov rebellion was suppressed with the involvement of Red Guard troops. The new crisis, the government crisis, has become the most acute and prolonged. In search of a way out, it was decided on September 1 (14), 1917, to temporarily transfer power to the Council of Five, or Directory. Its composition included the Minister-Chairman - A.F. Kerensky, Minister of Foreign Affairs - M.I. Tereshchenko, Minister of War - A.I. Verkhovsky, appointed on August 30 (September 12), Minister of Marine - D.N. Verderevsky, appointed on August 30 (September 12), Minister of Posts and Telegraphs - A.M. Nikitin. The democratic meeting of September 14-22 (September 27 - October 5) was convened to resolve the issue of organizing power, but failed to do so.
On September 25 (October 8), the third coalition government was formed, which included the Chairman Minister and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief (cm. SUPREME COMMANDER IN CHIEF)- A.F. Kerensky, Deputy Minister-Chairman, Minister of Trade and Industry - A.I. Konovalov (cadet), ministers: foreign affairs - M.I. Tereshchenko, military man - A.I. Verkhovsky, marine - D.N. Verderevsky (both non-party members), labor - K.A. Gvozdev (Menshevik), Justice - P.N. Malyantovich (Menshevik), food - S.N. Prokopovich, finance - M.V. Bernatsky, education - S.S. Salazkin, charity - N.M. Kishkin (cadet), post and telegraph - A.M. Nikitin, state control - S.A. Smirnov (cadet), confession - A.V. Kartashev, communications - A.V. Liverovsky, Chairman of the Economic Council - S.N. Tretyakov. On October 3 (16), the Socialist Revolutionary S.L. was appointed to the post of Minister of Agriculture. Maslov. On October 7 (20), the Provisional Council of the Russian Republic (Pre-Parliament) was convened, which had the goal of preventing the collapse of state power and directing the development of the country along the path of parliamentarism.
Being in a permanent crisis, the Provisional Government was late in making the decisions necessary to strengthen power. “Temporary regulations on provincial (regional) and district commissars” was published only on September 25. The adopted laws in the field of state construction were delayed in implementation. For example, elections to district zemstvo institutions on the basis of the law of May 21 ended only in early December 1917, and the opening of new provincial zemstvo institutions was scheduled only for March 1, 1918. The slowness and half-heartedness of socio-economic reforms, miscalculations in state building contributed to the growing national crisis, which led to the October Revolution (cm. OCTOBER REVOLUTION 1917) and the transfer of power into the hands of the Soviets.
In the fall of 1917, economic devastation in the country intensified. The government actively printed paper money; at the beginning of March there were 9.9 billion rubles of paper money in circulation, at the beginning of September there were already 15.4 billion rubles. State debt (cm. STATE DEBT) by October 1917 it reached 50 billion rubles. In a crisis of power, the Bolshevik Party led by V.I. Lenin began to violently seize power. During the October armed uprising, on the night of October 26 (November 8) at 2:10 a.m., the Provisional Government was arrested in the Winter Palace. Only A.F. Kerensky managed to escape from the capital on the morning of October 25 (November 7). The Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies, which opened on October 25 (November 7), proclaimed the transfer of all power to the soviets and created the first Soviet government headed by Lenin.
Composition of ministers of the Provisional Government
All members of the Provisional Government were formed on a coalition basis. In total, 39 people participated in all government compositions. In general, liberal-minded figures prevailed, which was reflected in the entire course of domestic and foreign policy. The stay in ministerial posts was short-lived, 23 people performed their duties for no more than two months. In such a short period of time, they could only solve urgent current affairs and could not do any work for the future.
Sixteen ministers of the Provisional Government were previously deputies of the State Duma of different convocations (I.V. Godnev, A.I. Guchkov, I.N. Efremov, A.F. Kerensky, F.F. Kokoshkin, F.I. Rodichev, P. N. Milyukov, I.G. Tsereteli, V.N. Lvov, A.I. Shingarev), led factions and Duma commissions. Eighteen people were elected by the councilors (cm. VOWELS (in history)) zemstvos and city dumas. 31 people had higher education, of which 24 graduated from universities. Two - S.S. Salazkin and A.I. Shingarev - had two higher educations, graduating from the faculties of physics, mathematics and medicine. Among the government members were Academician S.F. Oldenburg, three professors (A.A. Manuilov, N.V. Nekrasov, S.S. Salazkin), five private assistant professors (M.V. Bernatsky, I.V. Godnev, A.V. Kartashev, F.F. Kokoshkin, P.N. Milyukov).
Most of the ministers were lawyers - 11 people, doctors, economists and engineers - four each, military men - three, five people graduated from the Faculty of History and Philology. By occupation, university teachers were in first place - 8 people, followed by industrialists (5), lawyers (4), landowners (3). For six ministers, the main business of life was illegal party work. Most members of the Provisional Government were in conflict with the autocratic government. Ten people (N.D. Avksentyev, K.L. Gvozdev, P.P. Maslov, P.N. Milyukov, A.M. Nikitin, S.N. Prokopovich, S.S. Salazkin, M.I. Skobelev , I.G. Tsereteli, V.M. Chernov) went through prisons and exile, six were expelled from educational institutions (N.D. Avksentyev, A.I. Verkhovsky, P.P. Maslov, A.V. Peshekhonov, I. G. Tsereteli, V. M. Chernov), five people were deprived of the right to teach or were forced to leave their jobs educational institutions(A.V. Kartashev, F.F. Kokoshkin, A.A. Manuilov, P.N. Milyukov, S.S. Salazkin), three (F.F. Kokoshkin, A.V. Peshekhonov, F.I. Rodichev) were subject to administrative persecution.
By class, 21 people were nobles (cm. NOBILITY), including three (G.E. Lvov, I.G. Tsereteli, D.I. Shakhovskoy) had the title of prince. People from peasant backgrounds were K.L. Gvozdev and A.V. Kartashev. Average age ministers was 46 years old. The oldest (61 years old) were I.V. Godnev and F.I. Rodichev, the youngest (31 years old) - A.I. Verkhovsky and M.I. Tereshchenko. Twelve ministers were members of Masonic organizations.
The further fate of the members of the Provisional Government reflected the attitude of the Russian intelligentsia towards the revolution. Sixteen former ministers collaborated in one form or another with Soviet power, 23 people emigrated and initially carried out anti-Soviet activities. Later, some of them changed their views. Rear Admiral D.N. Verderevsky shortly before his death accepted Soviet citizenship, A.V. Peshekhonov worked as a consultant at the USSR trade mission in the Baltic states, S.N. Tretyakov collaborated in exile with Soviet intelligence and was executed by the Nazis.
encyclopedic Dictionary. 2009 .
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Modern encyclopedia
Provisional Government- in Russia, the first democratic government formed after the overthrow of Emperor Nicholas II. Formed after the February Revolution by the Temporary Committee of members of the State Duma with the consent of the leaders of the Petrograd Soviet for the period until the convocation... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT, formed during the February Revolution, after the abdication of Emperor Nicholas II, by the Provisional Committee of members of the State Duma with the consent of the leaders of the Petrograd Soviet for the period until the convening of the Constituent Assembly.... ... Russian history
The highest body of power and administration in Russia from March 2 to October 25, 1917. It arose during the days of the February Revolution during negotiations between members of the Provisional Committee, the State Duma and the Executive Committee of the Petrograd Soviet. Political Science... Political science. Dictionary.
In 1917, after the February Revolution, the first coalition provisional government appeared. To understand the meaning of this definition, let's delve into historical events that time.
Causes of the Russo-Japanese War
One of the reasons for its appearance is the Russian-Japanese War of 1904-1905. Russia during this period of time was a strong power. Its influence began to spread to Europe and Far East. The first targets were Korea and China.
Japan did not like Russian intervention. She wanted to get one that belonged to China, but Russian empire made a deal and rented the peninsula and sent troops into the neighboring province of Manchuria.
Japanese requirements
Japan put forward demands: Russia must leave the province. Nicholas II understood that this territory was extremely important for the spread of Russian influence in the Far East, and refused to withdraw troops. Thus began the Russo-Japanese War.
Results of the Russo-Japanese War
Both powers were strong and there were fierce battles for territory. A year later, Russian troops began to retreat. The Japanese army, still capable of combat, was also exhausted. Japan's offer to Russia to conclude an agreement to end the war turned out to be successful. In August 1905, both sides signed a peace agreement.
According to the document, Port Arthur and the southern lands of the Sakhalin Peninsula joined Japan. So the Japanese state strengthened its influence on the territory of Korea, and Russia, as the losing side, received nothing.
The results of the Russo-Japanese War led to the fact that discontent only intensified. A political crisis has arrived.
Prerequisites for the revolution of 1905-1907
In 1905-1907 A revolution broke out on Russian territory. There were several reasons for the coup d'etat:
- the government did not want to carry out liberal reforms to legalize free trade, the inviolability of private property, and freedom of choice;
- peasant poverty;
- 14-hour working day;
- carrying out forced Russification of the state;
- defeat in the Russian-Polish war.
Revolution
Bloody Sunday on January 9, 1905 provoked popular unrest. Workers refused to go to work and staged a peaceful demonstration after the unfair dismissal of 4 employees of the Putilov enterprise. The rally participants, about 100 people, were shot.
In the fall of 1905, trade unions united against the government. Then Nicholas II made concessions:
- created the State Duma;
- signed a document guaranteeing freedom of speech and press.
Representatives of the Social Revolutionaries, Mensheviks and employees of the Constitutional Democratic Party declared the end of the revolution. But in December 1905, an armed coup attempt took place, which was neutralized in the first half of 1907, after the creation of the second State Duma - the first did not retain power.
Results of the revolution
Results of the revolution of 1905-1907. are:
- emergence of the State Duma;
- legality of the actions of political parties;
- abolition of redemption payments from peasants;
- assertion of the right of peasants to freedom of movement and the right to independently choose a city for residence;
- permission to organize trade unions;
- reduction of working hours.
World War I
The situation during the First World War, which began in 1914, turned out to be devastating for the state. The Russian economy after the revolution of 1905-1907. was in decline. The participation of the state in the world war only worsened the situation. The crisis manifested itself in hunger, poverty, and unsettled military conditions. The closure of a large number of plants and factories has led to a lack of jobs.
February Revolution
Problems in economic, political and class issues were not resolved. The discontent of the people led to the February Revolution of 1917. The overthrow of Nicholas II, the creation of a coalition government - all this became a necessary measure to overcome the crisis. In addition, after the coup d'etat, Russia automatically withdrew from the First World War.
Coalition government
Let's start with the term. A coalition government is a temporary government that is created by an alliance of several parties only in a parliamentary state. This is due to the fragmentation of deputies between numerous parties. The need to form a coalition government lies in the goal of creating a stable political system.
After the French Revolution, power changed four times. State Duma participants offered Nicholas II different options for lists of persons to choose from for the new government. The king did not agree. After the victory of the participants in the February Revolution, on March 1, 1917, he signed the document and resigned as head of state.
First coalition government
Following the decision of the Provisional Committee of the Duma, the first coalition government was formed on May 5. It was a desperate attempt to stabilize the country's economy and establish a democratic path of development. The people loved the Mensheviks who came to power less than the Bolsheviks. The program of offensive in the fleet, proposed by Minister of War Kerensky, did not meet with support among the population. In July there was a political crisis.
Second coalition government
The Second Coalition Government was created under the command of Kornilov. Kerensky, appointed to the post of minister-chairman, began the trial of the leaders of the Bolshevik party, and representatives of the socialists took half the seats in the Duma. But the government also collapsed.
Third coalition government
The desire to create a state without representatives of the bourgeoisie at the top of power led to the convening of the Democratic Conference on September 24 - the Mensheviks were unable to rally forces against the Bolsheviks. Then they agreed to the creation of the Third Coalition Government of Kerensky, which became the head of the state administration apparatus. Power belonged to him until December 15, 1917. He was overthrown during the next coup d'etat, which was prepared by Lenin and Trotsky.
In Russia at the beginning of the 20th century, coalition governments were temporary governments that tried to stop the decline of the economy after wars and revolutions in order to introduce a democratic form of government. A total of three such governments were created, but none of them was able to retain power.
A revolution has happened. The autocracy was overthrown and the monarch was replaced by a Provisional Government.
It was created on March 15, 1917, and from then on, until November 7, all power in Russia was in its hands.
The Provisional Government was formed as a result of negotiations between the Provisional Committee of the State Duma (State Duma) and the Petrograd Soviet.
The government concentrated executive and legislative power in its hands, while local interests of the Provisional Government were represented by district and provincial commissars.
The Provisional Government included representatives of various political movements in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. There were “cadets” and socialist-revolutionaries, Octobrists and progressives. Despite the various Political Views, the ministers found a common language in the first couple of days.
On March 16, a declaration was published, where the ministers spoke about their immediate intentions. Three days later, members of the new government addressed the people. The ministers spoke about the preparations for convening the Constituent Assembly, proclaimed democratic values and promised reforms, talked about amnesty and reform of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The foreign policy of the Provisional Government boiled down to the idea of “War to a victorious end.” This position was advantageous in advance. Russia's allies in the Entente gladly recognized the legitimacy of the new Russian government.
In domestic politics, the Provisional Government decided to take a course towards maintaining order and solving the agricultural issue. The problem was never solved. The government refused to recognize the independence of Ukraine and Finland. Only Poland received sovereignty.
The new government body was hit by crisis situations twice.
The first crisis of the Provisional Government was in April. The result was the creation of a coalition government with the socialists. Because of this union, the Provisional Government lost Guchkov and Miliukov, who did not want to work in such a composition.
The second crisis is July. The events of the crisis were preceded by the offensive of the Russian army on the Southwestern Front. Anti-war sentiment reigned in the army at that time, in this organizational structure a deep crisis has arrived.
The food crisis was growing in Russia, and all production was in ruins. The failure of the army's offensive only aggravated the situation and caused a conflict within the Provisional Government itself, between its ministers. The Bolsheviks took advantage of these, organizing riots that were eventually suppressed.
During the July crisis, the head of the Provisional Government, Prince Lvov, resigned. Kerensky became the new chairman of the body. The Social Revolutionaries and Mensheviks declared Kerensky the savior of the revolution and expressed their full support to him.
After the July crisis, new shocks rocked the country. Seeing helplessness new government, Lavr Kornilov, representing counter-revolutionary and monarchist forces, organized a rebellion. Unfortunately, the good intentions of General Kornilov failed.
The Provisional Government constantly acted late, failing to make important and necessary decisions on time. The situation only got worse. The adopted laws were not implemented. Society was going to a dead end. In connection with the above circumstances, the circumstances for a coup d'état were developing. The national debt grew, the government began issuing its own money, and these “pieces of paper” were popularly called “Kerenki”.
On November 7, an armed Bolshevik uprising took place in Petrograd. The provisional government was overthrown. During the months of the existence of the Provisional Government, it consisted of 39 people. These were mainly people with a parliamentary background in. Kerensky, Milyukov, Rodichev, Lvov, Guchkov, etc.
Most ministers had higher education. Subsequently, only 16 ministers of the Provisional Government accepted the changes and collaborated with the Bolsheviks. The rest went into exile (some immediately, and some after a “business trip” to the Volunteer Army, on the Don), where they carried out active anti-Bolshevik activities.
Provisional Government in Russia- the central body of state power formed after; existed from March 2 (15) to October 25 (November 7), 1917. Being the highest executive and administrative body, the Provisional Government also performed legislative functions. Under the Provisional Government there was a “Small Council of Ministers” - a permanent meeting of fellow ministers. The local authorities of the Provisional Government were provincial and district commissars.
Formation of the Provisional Government
On the day of victory of the February bourgeois-democratic revolution of 1917, February 27. (March 12) a group of State Duma deputies formed the Temporary Committee of the State Duma, headed by M.V. Rodzianko. Meanwhile, the workers, and after them the soldiers of the capital, elected their representatives to the Council of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies. For a number of reasons, the leadership in the Council was seized by representatives of the Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries, who pursued a policy of transferring all power to the bourgeoisie. On March 2 (15), 1917, the Provisional Committee of the State Duma, by agreement with the Menshevik-SR leaders of the executive committee of the Petrograd Soviet, formed the Provisional Government.
Compound
The Provisional Government included: Minister-Chairman and Minister of Internal Affairs - Prince G.E. Lvov, Ministers: Foreign Affairs - P.N. Milyukov (cadet), Military and Naval - A.I. Guchkov (Octobrist), Railways - N.V. Nekrasov (cadet), trade and industry - A.I. Konovalov (progressive), finance - M.I. Tereshchenko (non-party), education - A. A. Manuylov (cadet), agriculture - A.I. .Shingaryov (cadet), Justice - A.F. Kerensky (Trudovik, since March - Socialist Revolutionary), Chief Prosecutor of the Synod - V.N. Lvov (center), State Controller - I.V. Godnev (Octobrist).
The Provisional Government was the government of the imperialist bourgeoisie and landowners. The Cadets, who became the ruling party of the bourgeoisie after the February Revolution of 1917, played a decisive role in shaping the composition and political line of the Provisional Government. The ruling circles of the USA, Great Britain and France fully supported the Provisional Government. On March 9 (22), the US government was the first to recognize it, on March 11 (24) - Great Britain and France.
Activity
Having come to power, the Provisional Government did not and could not solve any of the main issues of the revolution: issues of war and peace, agrarian, labor issues, the fight against devastation and hunger, national, state structure, etc. The Provisional Government outlined its program in a declaration published on March 3 (16), and then in an address to Russian citizens on March 6 (19). Bypassing the fundamental issues of the revolution in silence, the Provisional Government declared its desire to bring the war “to a victorious end” and to steadily implement the treaties and agreements concluded by the tsar with the allied powers. In area domestic policy The V.P. promised to introduce a number of political freedoms, begin preparations for the convocation of the Constituent Assembly, and replace the police with the people's militia. The Provisional Government pursued a policy of preserving the old state apparatus. Instead of democratizing the army, it tried to maintain the power of reactionary officers over the masses of soldiers. After much delay, on April 12 (25), the Provisional Government adopted a law on freedom of assembly and unions.
Agrarian policy
In agrarian policy, the Provisional Government limited itself to a decree on the transfer of cabinet lands and appanage lands to the state. On March 9 (22), an order was issued to bring peasants to criminal liability for participating in “agrarian riots.” On March 19 (April 1), the Provisional Government, in a special appeal, recognized the need for land reform, but declared all unauthorized seizures of land illegal. On April 11 (24), the Provisional Government issued the law “On the Protection of Crops,” which guaranteed landowners compensation for losses in the event of “popular unrest.” The Provisional Government promised to bring the agrarian question to the decision of the Constituent Assembly. In order to “prepare” materials on the land issue for the Constituent Assembly, by resolution of April 21 (May 4), main, provincial, district and volost land committees were created, the majority of which belonged to bourgeois-landowner representatives.
National question
The Provisional Government did not solve the national question, since it proceeded from the great power idea of a “great and indivisible Russia.” It refused to recognize the right to self-determination and even autonomy for individual peoples (Finland, Ukraine, etc.) until the decision of the Constituent Assembly. The right to state secession was recognized for foreign policy reasons in the appeal of March 17 (30) only for the Polish people.
Workers' situation
The Provisional Government did not decree an 8-hour working day and did not pass a single law to improve the situation of workers. The law of April 23 (May 6) on workers' committees at industrial enterprises, which formally legalized the factory committees that had arisen throughout the revolution, essentially limited their activities to a “legal” framework.
Food policy
In food policy, the Provisional Government, under pressure from the popular masses, on March 25 (April 7) only declared the introduction of a grain monopoly. In the financial field, it announced the assumption of all domestic and foreign financial obligations of the tsarist government. the main objective The provisional government at this stage was to
Foreign policy
In the field of foreign policy, the Provisional Government pursued a policy of strengthening ties with its allies, especially with the United States.
Chronology of events
The Bolshevik Party tirelessly explained to the masses the anti-people, imperialist essence of the Provisional Government. The April Theses put forward a plan for the transition from a bourgeois-democratic revolution to a socialist revolution and substantiated the possibility of its victory through peaceful means. The dissatisfaction of workers and soldiers with the policies of the Provisional Government led to mass anti-government protests, which, in turn, led to the crises of the Provisional Government: the April crisis of 1917, the June crisis of 1917, the July days of 1917.
First coalition government
The April crisis led to the creation of the 1st coalition government on May 5 (18). On May 2-3 (15-16), under pressure from the popular masses, Miliukov and Guchkov were removed from the Provisional Government, and 6 socialist ministers were included in the government, by agreement between the Provisional Government and the executive committee of the Petrograd Soviet. The coalition government included: Minister-Chairman and Minister of Internal Affairs - G.E. Lvov, Ministers: Military and Naval - Kerensky, Justice - P.N. Pereverzev (Trudovik), Foreign Affairs - Tereshchenko, Transport - Nekrasov, Trade and industry - Konovalov, public education - Manuilov, finance - Shingarev, agriculture - V.M. Chernov (Socialist Revolutionary), post and telegraph - I.G. Tsereteli (Menshevik), labor - M.I. Skobelev (Menshevik), food - A.V. Peshekhonov (“people's socialist”), state charity - Prince D.I. Shakhovskoy (cadet), chief prosecutor of the Synod - Lvov and state controller - Godnev.
The formation of a coalition government did not change the bourgeois nature of state power, but at the same time it meant a change in the form of political domination of the bourgeoisie. The big bourgeoisie was henceforth forced to share power with the upper strata of the petty bourgeoisie and resort to covering up its dictatorship with a coalition with “moderate” socialists. The Socialist Revolutionary and Menshevik parties turned into government parties directly responsible for the entire policy of the Provisional Government. On May 6 (19), the 1st coalition government issued a declaration in which it promised to “steadily and decisively fight the economic ruin of the country” and to carry out “preparatory work” for agrarian reform, strengthening democratic principles in the army, organizing and strengthening its fighting forces, etc. The declaration spoke of the Provisional Government's desire to achieve universal peace as quickly as possible. In fact, on June 18 (July 1), it launched an army on the offensive on the Southwestern Front that was not prepared for active operations and did not want to fight. The Provisional Government did nothing to combat devastation and hunger, limiting itself in the economic field to measures of reactionary-bureaucratic regulation of individual leading industries. The growing dissatisfaction of the popular masses with the policies of the coalition government manifested itself during the June demonstration of 1917. The aggravation of the external and internal political situation as a result of the failure of the June offensive at the front caused a new political crisis in the country.
July crisis
The July crisis led to the elimination of dual power and the establishment of a dictatorship of the counter-revolutionary bourgeoisie in the country. On July 2 (15), a group of cadet ministers - Shingarev, Manuilov and Shakhovskoy - resigned. Following the cadets, on July 7 (20), the head of the Provisional Government, Prince Lvov, resigned; Kerensky was appointed minister-chairman of the Provisional Government, while retaining the posts of military and naval minister. The Socialist-Revolutionary-Menshevik Central Executive Committee of the Soviets declared the Kerensky government “the government of saving the revolution,” recognizing its unlimited powers. The Soviets, having become an appendage of the Provisional Government, ceased to be bodies of power. In this regard, the possibility of a peaceful transfer of power into the hands of the Soviets disappeared. The Bolshevik Party took a new course towards overthrowing the bourgeois dictatorship represented by the Provisional Government through an armed uprising. The provisional government went on the offensive against the revolution. was declared under martial law. Repressions and arrests of Bolsheviks began. On July 7 (20), the government issued a decree to arrest and bring him to trial. On July 7 (20), the Provisional Government adopted a resolution to disband the military units of the Petrograd garrison that took part in the July demonstration. On July 12 (25), the death penalty was introduced at the front and “military revolutionary” courts were established (modeled on the tsarist military courts). The Provisional Government tried to mislead the masses with new promises of reforms in the declaration of July 8 (21), 1917. But this declaration also remained unfulfilled.
Second coalition government
On July 24 (August 6), the 2nd coalition government was formed. It consisted of: Minister-Chairman and Minister of Navy - Kerensky, Deputy Chairman and Minister of Finance - Nekrasov (radical democratic party); Ministers: Internal Affairs - N.D. Avksentyev (Socialist Revolutionary), Foreign Affairs - Tereshchenko, Justice - A.S. Zarudny ("People's Socialist"), Education - S.F. Oldenburg (cadet), Trade and Industry - S. N. Prokopovich (“non-factional social democrat”), agriculture - Chernov, post and telegraphs - A. M. Nikitin (Menshevik), labor - Skobelev, food - Peshekhonov, state charity - I. N. Efremov (radical democratic party ), transportation routes - P.P. Yurenev (cadet), chief prosecutor of the Synod - A.V. Kartashev (cadet), state controller - F.F. Kokoshkin (cadet).
The activities of the 2nd coalition government indicated that the imperialist bourgeoisie of Russia began to move towards an open military dictatorship. At the same time, the Provisional Government, making extensive use of demagoguery, tried to maneuver between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. On August 3 (16), the new Supreme Commander-in-Chief, General L.G. Kornilov, demanded from the Provisional Government the militarization of factories, factories, railways and the introduction of the death penalty in the rear. The Provisional Government gave the Minister of War and the Minister of Internal Affairs exclusive powers to combat revolutionary movement. Great Britain, France, and the United States put pressure on the Provisional Government, demanding that it restore “order” in the rear and at the front. To mobilize the forces of counter-revolution, the Provisional Government convened a State Conference on August 12 (25) in Moscow. However, the reactionary bourgeoisie and the military were not satisfied with the policies of the Provisional Government. The leader of these forces was Kornilov, who on August 25 (September 7) rebelled (see Kornilovshchina). The rebellion was suppressed by the revolutionary people under the leadership of the Bolsheviks. A new, longest and most acute government crisis has begun. In search of a way out of it, the ruling circles decided on September 1 (14), 1917, to temporarily transfer power to the Council of Five, or the “Directory.” It included: Minister-Chairman - Kerensky, Minister of Foreign Affairs - Tereshchenko, Minister of War - A.I. Verkhovsky [appointed on August 30 (September 12)], Naval Minister - D.N. Verderevsky [appointed on August 30 (September 12) )], Minister of Posts and Telegraphs - Nikitin. The prolonged government crisis was not eliminated by the Democratic Conference, although the official purpose of its convening was “to resolve the issue of organizing power.”
Third coalition government
On September 25 (October 8), the 3rd coalition government was formed, which included: Minister-Chairman and Supreme Commander-in-Chief - Kerensky, Deputy Minister-Chairman, Minister of Trade and Industry - Konovalov (cadet), Ministers: Foreign Affairs - Tereshchenko, Military - Verkhovsky, maritime - Verderevsky (both non-party), labor - K.A. Gvozdev (Menshevik), justice - P.N. Malyantovich (Menshevik), food - Prokopovich, finance - M.V. Bernatsky, education - S.S. Salazkin, charity - N.M. Kishkin (cadet), post and telegraphs - Nikitin, state control - S.A. Smirnov (cadet), confessions - Kartashev, communications - A.V. Liverovsky, Chairman of the Economic Council under the Provisional Government - S.N. Tretyakov. On October 3 (16), S.L. Maslov (Socialist Revolutionary Party) was appointed to the post of Minister of Agriculture; the 3rd coalition government was a coalition government only in form. All his activities were directed by a group of cadet ministers and industrialist ministers. In the declaration of September 26 (October 9), the Provisional Government proclaimed its intention to become a “firm power” and forcefully stop the “waves of anarchy.” On October 7 (20), as a result of a conspiracy between the Socialist-Revolutionary-Menshevik leaders, cadets and Kerensky, the Provisional Council of the Russian Republic was convened, which had the goal of changing the political development of the country, directing it from the path of socialist revolution to the path of bourgeois parliamentarism. Punitive expeditions against the peasants who rebelled in the fall of 1917, the use of force during grain procurements, the introduction Cossack troops to the Donbass to fight the labor movement, the formation of counter-revolutionary forces to defeat the Bolshevik Party and the Soviets - all this is characteristic of the policy of the 3rd coalition government, aimed essentially at preparing the second Kornilov revolt.
Collapse of the Provisional Government
In the fall of 1917, economic devastation in the country intensified. The government continued to issue paper money without limits. At the beginning of March there were 9.9 billion rubles of paper money in circulation, at the beginning of September there were already 15.4 billion rubles. By October 1917, the national debt reached 50 billion rubles. The provisional government was experiencing a chronic crisis. Disorder and collapse intensified in the ruling parties of the Cadets, Socialist Revolutionaries and Mensheviks. A revolutionary crisis in the country has matured. The Bolshevik Party, led by the Bolshevik Party, raised the working masses to . During the October armed uprising, on the night of October 26 (November 8) at 2:10 a.m., the Provisional Government was arrested in the Winter Palace (with the exception of Kerensky, who fled the capital on the morning of October 25 (November 7)). The Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies, which opened on October 25 (November 7), proclaimed the transfer of all power to the Soviets and created the first Soviet government headed by Lenin.
The Provisional Government, in its program, set out in a declaration published on March 16 (March 3, old style), and an address to Russian citizens on March 19 (March 6, old style), proclaimed the principle of “continuity of power” and “continuity of law”; declared its desire to bring the war “to a victorious end” and to fulfill all treaties and agreements concluded with the Allied powers.
The declaration set out a program of priority reforms: amnesty for political and religious affairs, freedom of speech, press and assembly, abolition of classes and restrictions on religious and national grounds, replacement of the police with people's militia, elections to local governments. Fundamental questions - about the political system of the country, agrarian reform, self-determination of peoples - were supposed to be resolved after the convening of the Constituent Assembly.
During the February Revolution, the leadership of the Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies agreed to transfer power to the Provisional Government, but in practice, a situation of dual power immediately developed in the country, with real power gradually passing into the hands of the Soviets. Without the support of the Soviets, the Provisional Government could not exist and operate for the first four months.
Internal contradictions and population dissatisfaction with the policies of the Provisional Government led to government crises. The April crisis led to the creation of the first coalition government on May 18 (May 5, old style). Miliukov and Guchkov left the Provisional Government, and, by agreement with the executive committee of the Petrograd Soviet, six socialist ministers were included in it.
Georgy Lvov again became the Chairman of the Government.
The new government was unable to effectively combat devastation and hunger, limiting itself to bureaucratic measures to regulate certain leading industries. The offensive he launched on the Southwestern Front failed. The aggravation of the external and internal political situation in the country, disagreements among ministers on the issue of attitude towards the Ukrainian Central Rada, and the unsuccessful attempt of the Bolsheviks to seize power caused a new government crisis in July, which led to the elimination of dual power in the country. Three cadet ministers left the Provisional Government. Following them, the head of the Provisional Government, Prince Lvov, resigned.
On August 6 (July 24, old style) the second coalition government was formed. It consisted of seven Cadets and associates, five Socialist Revolutionaries and People's Socialists, and three Mensheviks. The Social Revolutionary Alexander Kerensky became the chairman of the government.
The next government crisis was provoked by the leader of the right-wing counter-revolutionary forces, Supreme Commander-in-Chief General Lavr Kornilov, who on August 16 (August 3, old style) opposed the Provisional Government, moving troops to Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). The coup attempt he made was unsuccessful. The rebellion was suppressed. The new government crisis has become the most acute and prolonged. In search of a way out, it was decided on September 14 (September 1, old style) 1917 to temporarily transfer power to the Council of Five (Directory), headed by Kerensky, who simultaneously assumed the post of Commander-in-Chief.
Negotiations on the creation of a new government dragged on until October 8 (September 25, old style), when the third and final coalition government was formed. It consisted of six cadets and affiliates, two Socialist Revolutionaries, four Mensheviks and six non-party members. The government was headed by Kerensky, who retained the post of supreme commander in chief.
Being in a permanent crisis, the Provisional Government was late in making the decisions necessary to strengthen power. The adopted laws in the field of state construction were delayed in implementation. The slowness and half-heartedness of socio-economic reforms, miscalculations in state building contributed to the growth of a national crisis, which led to the October Revolution. During the armed uprising on the night of November 7–8 (October 25–26, old style), 1917, the Provisional Government was arrested in the Winter Palace. Only Kerensky managed to escape from the capital.
Over the entire period of existence of the Provisional Government, its composition included 39 people. Their stay in ministerial posts was short-lived; 23 people performed their duties for no more than two months. 16 ministers of the Provisional Government were previously deputies of the State Duma of various convocations. 31 people had higher education, of which 24 graduated from universities. Two had two higher educations.
Most of the ministers were lawyers - 11 people, doctors, economists and engineers - four each, military men - three, five people graduated from the Faculty of History and Philology. By class: 21 people were of noble origin, including three with the title of prince; two were from peasant backgrounds.
After the October Revolution, 16 former ministers collaborated with the Soviet government in one form or another, 23 people emigrated and initially carried out anti-Soviet activities. Later, some of them changed their views.
The material was prepared based on information from open sources
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