February revolution completely changed as a social and political system of the former Russian empire.Were abolished, many power structures, began a serious reformation of bureaucracy.At first, all this sometimes led to quite remarkable, strange forms of governance.The perfect example is the dual power in Russia in 1917 about its causes and outcome should be discussed separately.
What is it?
a result of the revolution Russia was the rule rather original unit, which was formed Provisional Government and the Soviet of Workers 'and Soldiers' Deputies.By the time The Government consists of ten people: four cadets, two Octobrist, one progressives and SRs, as well as one representative of the Provincial Council and a non-party member.The composition of the Board is comprised mainly Social Revolutionaries and Mensheviks.They believed that their body is still completely unprepared for the management of the state, and therefore should limit the supervision of the activities of the Government.
So, dual power in Russia in 1917 - a system of government in which power was divided between the two bodies: the Provisional Government and the Council of Workers 'and Peasants' Deputies.Theoretically, such a scheme implies mutual control and the avoidance of "excesses" that benefit only some certain social strata.In practice, it turned out not so well.
reasons
way, why in general there was dual power in Russia in 1917?The reasons are quite banal.First, we noted that all political forces in Russia at that time were eager to power, but to agree among themselves they really do not succeed.
In addition, there was a complete unwillingness to bear responsibility for their actions.Does not that sound familiar?For example, no one could decide to bring the country out of the war, although it has long understood the futility of all sectors of society.While dual power in Russia in 1917, there has not been done almost nothing for the actual transfer of land to the peasants, which are already waiting for since 1861.Naturally, all this is inciting the people against the Provisional Government and the Council.
Relations Council and the Government
The Government prevailed two points of view on the attitude to the socialist Council.Both were similar: in the first case, the deputies believed that it is impossible to make concessions in general, in the second - which should gradually seize all management initiatives.But in reality, ignore the Council was completely impossible, because he relied on the support of the armed people.
And because in the declaration, which was adopted March 3, 1917, together with him was approved by the full political amnesty proclaimed civil liberties and the abolition of capital punishment, prohibited class and class discrimination, and also reported on the convening of the Constituent Assembly.
Contradictions in the March declaration
Blunder, who made a dual power in Russia in 1917, was that the members of these governing bodies did not mention either the termination of a senseless war, or the confiscation of land landowners.In addition, the promised declaration of the Democratic Republic also did not happen.Last but not least it was due to the fact that the Provisional Government sought in that whatever was to concentrate all state power in his own hands.
What was the state structure for the first time after the February Revolution?
Originally old administrative apparatus has been fully preserved.In place of the governors were planted trusted commissioners of the Government.Legislation fully stayed the same.The police was replaced by a people's militia.At first, the people with confidence in the Provisional Government, as people believed that its members finally end the war and bring the country out of crisis.
So, dual power in Russia.1917 in the yard, in the country pile of unresolved social and economic problems.Resources for their decisions were, almost all social strata were for the new government, as the tsarist government in recent years to do nothing, quickly and decisively bringing the country to a crisis.But for some reason it did not work, and the Provisional Government?
management errors
tackle the most urgent issue of land was postponed until the last, up to the Constituent Assembly.Therefore it is not surprising that for the majority of the population government again became hostile and alien.Tension mounted, and then the crisis began, the Provisional Government.
18 April Miliukov, who was at that time Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a letter allies said that Russia, in spite of everything, is going to "fight to the bitter end."Thousands of people came out to protest, not wanting to send their loved ones at all hateful war.Milyukov and Defense Minister Guchkov were immediately dismissed.Already in early May, the Provisional Government includes some Mensheviks and SRs.
coalition government
This time the coalition government, when the country was ruled by "10 of the capitalists" and "six socialists."However, even that all the problems could not been solved.In such circumstances, we were born extremely favorable conditions to support the people of Bolshevism.June 3, 1917 at the First All-Union Congress of Soviets acted Lenin, who had already returned from exile.
He said that his party saw going on in the country a mess, is ready to take all the power in their hands and to restore order.Thus, the dual power in Russia, 1917, all rapidly begin to lose the support of all sections of the population.The policy of the Government and the Council did not like anyone.
direction - on the dictatorship!
Mensheviks and SRs got particularly hard, because they "cooperated with the bourgeoisie" in the face of the Provisional Government.In a production environment, the Bolsheviks there are more and more supporters.The events of June 18 is shown particularly clearly.On this day, the Council has planned a rally in support of the Provisional Government.The Bolsheviks reacted to such a clear threat immediately summoned the workers to "spontaneous" rally.
In St. Petersburg alone, took to the streets not less than five hundred thousand people who "carried the weight" known to every slogan "All power to the Soviets!", "Down with the capitalist ministers!", "Down with the war!".
Failures at the front
crisis, the government was not far away, but at that time the Russian troops launched an offensive in the South-Western Front.In just ten days, it is completely bogged down, Russia's losses were huge.By disparate archival summaries it can be concluded that killed about 60 thousand soldiers.Then comes a new political crisis.
eighth day of July in the Central Committee of the Cadets decided to completely withdraw from the "collaborationist government," which at that time already being negotiated with the nationalist parties of Ukraine, agreeing on the terms of the release of this new-born country from Russia.
soon on the streets of St. Petersburg was again seething thousands of demonstrations, held under the slogan transfer all power to the Bolsheviks.This time the situation is complicated by the fact that among the people there were many armed soldiers and sailors.Generally, dual power in Russia in 1917 there was largely due to people's faith in the fact that its members are able to stop the war.When this did not happen, the credibility of the electorate had been lost immediately.
Sunset dual power
Government has taken a fateful decision on the need to use force.It killed at least 700 people, and public administration is gradually beginning to slide towards the dictatorship of the banal.It was placed under martial law, derived from the capital hastily military units were completely closed almost all the radical newspaper.
second coalition government
issued a decree on the speedy arrest of Lenin and GE Zinoviev, who at that time was headed by the Bolshevik Party.July 24 was formed "second edition" of the coalition government, which this time included eight "capitalists" and seven "socialists".Prime Minister of the new authority becomes notorious Alexander Kerensky.
Because of what happened to social upheaval, which ended due to a dual power in Russia in 1917?Table briefly describes how it happened three times before the crisis, and the causes that led to them.
| Objects comparisons | April crisis | June crisis | July crisis |
| causes of the incident | contradictions between the various political forces in the management of the country | plight in all spheres of the economy, industry and agriculture | complete failure of the offensive in the south-west |
| formal pretext forI start demonstrations | Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs "about the war to the bitter end» | Training offensive operations "to raise patriotic consciousness» | huge losses, the beginning of the separatist movement in many regions of the former empire |
| form "popular protests» | Demonstrations by anti-war nature | Demonstrations involving soldiers and sailors | armed demonstrations |
| main slogans | «Down with Milyukov"that is, the Minister of Foreign Affairs | «Down with the war", "All power - the Soviets' | « All power - the Soviets » |
fact, dual power in Russia in 1917 and ended in this,since after the establishment of the Government of the State actually led by the Mensheviks.Simply put, about a separation of powers of speech is not going.So, what has resulted is a dual power in Russia in 1917?The results were disappointing:
- There brewing a huge social crisis.
- army and navy were clearly not on the side of the government.
- lead the country out of the war no one dared.
- land to the peasants was not transferred.
- need social and economic reforms, the people did not wait.
Generally, dual power in Russia in 1917, the circuit is repeatedly cited above, there is a wonderful example of how weak and diffident political forces "Dorval" to the authorities are not able to do something really useful.The Bolsheviks and captured the hearts of people that chose to not just ranting, but to act.
They stopped still Russia's participation in the war, although it did so by "shameful Brest peace", as Lenin himself spoke directly.However, the onset of relative calm and a respite to the country were worth.We hope you have learned about the factors that ever stopped dual power in Russia in 1917 Table, which we quoted above, describes the main reasons.
Kornilov Mutiny
After the dual power has been liquidated, there was an attempt to unite all political forces in the country, in order to prevent it from sliding into the chaos of civil war.In mid-August it took place more public meeting which was attended by all the political forces of the country.In addition to the Bolsheviks.Alas, the attempt to reach an agreement failed for the umpteenth time: the Mensheviks argued for real reform and coexistence with the Council, the bourgeoisie also insisted on the dictatorship and the eventual elimination of all socialists.
In these circumstances, the military coup was possible, "at the helm" of which was General LG Kornilov.His program included not only the complete elimination of the leaders of Bolshevism but also the mobilization measures in the economy, the restoration of the death penalty in the Navy and in the Army.The latter was needed to stop the rapidly growing expansion of troops.Kornilov miscalculated: it rose against almost all the political parties, which is not impressed by the restoration of the royal dictatorship.During the week, the rebellion was suppressed.
If you carefully read the first part of the article, you probably remember that dual power in Russia in 1917 ended in consequence of indecision deputies Soviets and the Provisional Government.The same are due and the subsequent events: getting, finally, the real power, all political parties have fallen into apathy.Their members already did not need anything, but because the Bolsheviks were easily captured governance into their own hands, taking advantage of the full support of tired of all this people.
