2. Conflicting attitudes to the war Flashcards
Who dominated the PS in early 1917?
- Mensheviks and SRs
- Became increasingly critical of middle-class liberals of the PG - issue centred around war participation
What led to the formation of PG?
- 28 Feb - 2 Mar - negotiations between Duma liberals and socialists of the Petrograd Soviet
- Thorny question of Russia’s war involvement avoided
Why was the war a very divisive political issue?
- Liberals intent on fighting until outright victory
- Leaders of PS wanted to end war quickly
‘An Appeal to All Peoples of the World’
- A statement on Russia’s war aims
March 1917 - PS increasingly self-confident - Set out ‘revolutionary defencism’
Who was the principal architect of ‘revolutionary defencism’?
Irakli Tsereteli
Why was ‘revolutionary defencism’ conducted?
- Socialists wanted no part in imperialist war - fought for financial territorial gain between predatory and capitalist countries
- Tsereteli conscious of the longing for peace among Russia’s workers and peasants - but feared consequences of military defeat - feared prospect of German control
3 pledges of ‘revolutionary defencism’
1) Russia wouldn’t make separate peace agreement w/ Germany - try to bring about general peace settlement involving all nations
2) Russia wouldn’t seek to make territorial gains at expense of other countries
3) Until peace settlement reached, Russia would continue to defend its territory
What did the PS attempting to get the PG to endorse ‘revolutionary defencism’ lead to?
- Put it on a collision course with Minister Milyukov
Milyukov
- Patriot
- Wanted Russia to fight until Germany defeated
- Eyes on a prize through outright Allied victory
What agreement was made with the allies?
- Russia promised control of seaway between the Black Sea and Mediterranean after the war
- A gain that the Petrograd Soviet would repudiate
