The Russian Revolution

AOS1 - Revolutionary ideas, leaders, movements and events

Facts on April Thesis and the role of Kerensky

Lenin’s April Thesis

‘He proposed no backing for the ongoing war,; immediate transition to the “second” phase of the Revolution; refusal to support the Provisional Government; transfer of all power to the soviets; abolition of the army in favour of a popular militia; confiscation of all landlord property and nationalisation of all land; the fusion of all banks into a single National Bank under Soviet supervision; soviet control of production and distribution; creation of a new Socialist International.’ (Pipes 1990: 393)

From this document, create dot points to explain what Lenin proposed in his April Thesis

Lenin’s April Thesis

• No backing for the ongoing war• Transition to the “second” phase of the Revolution• No support for the Provisional Government• Transfer of all power to the soviets• Abolition of the army /creation of a popular militia• Confiscation of all landlord property and

nationalisation of all land• Fusion of all banks into a single National Bank

under Soviet supervision• Soviet control of production and distribution

It should look a bit like this...

Alexander KerenksyCareer Background: LawyerLeadership roles: • 1905 – Joined Socialist revolutionaries• 1917:

Feb - Led movement demanding Tsar’s abdicationMarch - Minister of Justice in Provisional GovernmentJune - Minister of War (led June offensive)July - Prime Minister

Achievements:• Defeated Bolshevik Party in July Days• Defeated Commander in Chief

Kornilov’s advance on Petrograd• Presented in media as ‘Leader of

Freedom’ and Leader of Revolution

Pipes on Kerenksy: A fatal mistake?

‘...lost a unique opportunity to liquidate the genuine “counterrevolution” from the left out of fear of an imaginary “counterrevolution” from the right.’ (Pipe 1990:438)

Perceived threat from ‘right’:A counterrevolution from

conservatives

Actual threat from the ‘left’:A counterrevolution from

Bolsheviks

EVIDENCEFeared revolt from the

conservative (Tsarist?) Kornilov which never happened

Had Tsar and family transported to Siberia, July 31 1917

EVIDENCEReleased Bolsheviks from Prison

when fearing revolt from Kornilov

Armed Bolsheviks and allowed creation of Trotsky’s ‘Red Guard’