Significance of the July Days and General Kornilov Flashcards
1
Q
When did the July Days occur?
A
3-6 July
2
Q
What were the July Days?
A
- demonstrations in Petrograd and across Russia
- Sailors of Kronstadt naval base organised an armed demonstration with aim of causing collapse of PG
- 4 July - 50’000 people surrounded Tauride Palace awaiting directions from Soviet on how to proceed
- Lenin failed to exploit situation - did not like spontaneous revolutions
3
Q
What were the July Days caused by?
A
- failure of the June offensive
- continued food shortages
- continued economic chaos
4
Q
How did the PG deal with the threat of the Bolsheviks?
A
- brought in loyal troops from outside of Petrograd to restore order
- appealed workers not to protest
- 6 July - soldiers surrounded Kshesinskaia Mansion, and 500 Bolsheviks surrendered - demonstrations collapsed
- PG accused Lenin of being German spy - left to Finland - Lenin feared he had missed his chance
5
Q
What was the Kshesinskaia Mansion?
A
Bolshevik headquarters
6
Q
What was the background to the Kornilov Affair?
A
- After failed June Offensive Kerensky replaced Prince Lvov as Prime Minister, brought back death penalty
- Kornilov became new Commander-in-Chief
7
Q
What was the Kornilov Affair?
A
- 24 August, General Kornilov marched on Petrograd to restore order on behalf of PG
- Kerensky thought Kornilov was going to remove him from power
- Kerensky provided weapons to red guards, and released Bolsheviks from prison, with weapons
- Kornilov arrested 1 September
8
Q
What were the consequences of the Kornilov Affair?
A
- seriously weakened PG
- Support for All-Russia Soviet increased
- Kerensky lost support from parties on both wings
- Discipline in armed forces deteriorated more
- Events created a power vacuum - provided Lenin and Bolsheviks (now armed) with opportunity to seize power
- Bolsheviks won majority support in Petrograd Soviet
