In history, there are often moments when a dual power is formed in the state. The reasons may vary depending on the political, economic and social environment. What is the essence of dual power for Russia in 1917-1918?
The case of the Russian Empire can be considered unique.
The overthrow of tsarism
1917 in Russia radically changed the history of the state itself. Russian Emperor Nicholas II left Petrograd on February 22, 1917. The number of strikers on the streets of the city continued to grow inexorably. On February 24, there were already 90 thousand of them.
On February 25, the number of strikers already exceeded 250 thousand, which was a unique phenomenon in the history of the Russian Empire at that time. The year 1917 in Russia will forever sweep away the current imperial power.
There were skirmishes between the strikers in the crowd, which fueled even greater anger and sentiment against Emperor Nicholas II. The next day, the tsar canceled the activities of the State Duma until April 1918. There were clashes between the military and police in the city, which led to the uprising of the Petrograd military regiment. The military began to take the side of the strikers and protesters. The causes and essence of dual power lie in the fall of the royalmode.
The beginning of dual power
As a result of the overthrow of tsarism and the monarchy, a period of dual power began in the former Russian Empire.
What is the essence of dual power? What it is? Dual power is when two governing bodies operate in parallel and independently of each other. This was the case between the February and October revolutions. With the help of the February revolution, it was possible to overthrow the then-ruling Nicholas II from the throne.
Then two governing bodies were formed: the Provisional Government and the system of Soviets. Naturally, two systems of government could not coexist peacefully in one state, and there were prerequisites for a clash. In order to consider and understand the essence of the dual power of 1917 in Russia, it is necessary to proceed to the consideration of crises. The two powers lead the masses to struggle.
Struggle and crises
After the February revolution, the political forces have completely changed on the territory of Russia. To understand the essence of dual power for this period of development of events, one must turn to political views.
The position of the Mensheviks was opposed to the position of the Bolsheviks and the Soviet system. The Mensheviks are the rich and noble people of Russia who did not want drastic political and economic changes. They created their Provisional Government, headed by Kerensky, and believed that now was not the time for significant political and economic transformations. The king is gone, now you need to calm down and think about what to do next. They were not supporters of the fact that Russiaready for the transition to the socialist system. They said that it was not possible at this stage of her development and that it would take time.
The Bolsheviks, in turn, consisted of activists from the people and opposed their ideas to the opinion of the Provisional Government. They believed that Russia was ready and able to make a socialist revolution that would only benefit ordinary workers and peasants.
April, June and July crises followed. In the first two crises, the Provisional Government and the Soviets tried to find a compromise and an agreement. In July, when it became clear that nothing would come of it, demonstrations of workers and supporters of the Bolsheviks began in Petrograd.
Revolution
The Bolsheviks openly ignored the Mensheviks and did not understand what the essence of dual power lies in. Meanwhile, a second revolution was brewing in society. It was clear that a political compromise between representatives of the Provisional Government and the Soviets was impossible. The Soviets and the Bolsheviks are one step ahead of the Provisional Government and begin demonstrations in Petrograd on July 4 under the slogans "All power to the Soviets!", "Land to the peasants." What is the essence of dual power for this period of time? There is no more dual power.
The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, acted successfully in the field of popular unrest and revolution. They chose exactly the slogans that the people wanted to hear from them.
Despite the dual power in Russia, the peasant land issue was not resolved. Most of the peasants remainedwithout own land. Lenin promised them land.
Workers in the cities worked in difficult conditions and no one wanted to deal with their issues. Lenin promised that the working day of workers would be reduced and wages would be raised.
The Provisional Government turned to General Kornilov, who was the commander of the army, for support. He said that he would help, and the protesters would achieve nothing. Kornilov was a man of imperial views and did not welcome social and political changes. The loyal and less radical position of the Mensheviks was to his liking.
However, Lenin and the Bolsheviks received tremendous support from the masses and were able to bring their revolutionary campaign to an end, defeating the Provisional Government. During the revolution, the army of General Kornilov joined the protesters on the side of the Bolsheviks.
End of revolution
After the army went over to the side of the Bolsheviks, the Mensheviks lost their last chance and hope. It was the final victory.
The Bolsheviks began to create their own councils and governing bodies. Despite the fact that Lenin promised land to the peasants, their issue was still not resolved. Moreover, it was not resolved during Lenin's lifetime.
The issue with the workers was also not resolved. This caused indignation among the workers, but did not lead to riots, unrest and revolution.
In the future, after the revolution, the actions of the Bolsheviks will be aimed at reforming the economic component of Russia.
