One hundred years
ago today, plus three, as of this past weekend, the Congress of Soviets took up
the reins of government the insurrection had just taken away from Kerensky’s
last coalition. This will be the last post for the 103rd anniversary
of the Russian Revolution; if there continues to be interest, I will begin the postings
for the 104th anniversary next February.
The Congress of Soviets
lasted little more than two days. Several posts describing their doings are combined
in this one.
Overnight November 7-8 – October 25-26, 1917: Congress of
Soviets in Session. When the Congress of Soviets convened, the Provisional Government
– Kerensky’s last coalition – was still holding out in the Winter Palace, though
Kerensky had found a pretext to absent himself. Then, as Kamenev called the Congress
into session, the naval and artillery bombardment of the palace competed with
the gavel and the voices from the podium. Some delegates argued for negotiations
with the government…but this was mooted when, after midnight, came news of the
taking of the palace and the arrest of the ministers. By then, many
right-socialists, excepting a number of left-leaning social revolutionaries,
had walked out, leaving the Bolsheviks in control.
Read about it here.
Or read the whole chapter Red
October: The Winter Palace here. Or read the whole story from the beginning
by following this link.
Overnight November 8-9 – October 26-27, 1917: Decrees on
Peace and Land. The agenda of the Congress of Soviets
was peace for the soldiers, land for the peasants, and a new government based
on the soviets of the workers. When Lenin took the podium, according to the
American journalist Reed, “…he said simply, ‘We shall now proceed to construct
the socialist order.’” And when the decree he proposed on peace had been
adopted, the congress, with deep emotion, sang the Internationale. Then
followed Lenin’s reading, and the adoption, of the decree on land.
Read about it here
and here.
Or read the whole chapter on the Congress
of Soviets here. Or read the whole story from the beginning by following
this link.
Early Morning November 9 – October 27, 1917: A New
Government. The last item on the agenda for the Congress of Soviets was
to name commissars for the new government. Lenin became head of government, and
Trotsky was made commissar for foreign affairs. Fifteen commissars in all were named.
After some debate, having concluded its business, the Congress adjourned, and
word of its actions spread to the fighting front, the provinces, and the world.
Read about it here.
Or read the whole chapter on the Congress
of Soviets here. Or read the whole story from the beginning by following
this link.
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