The July crisis of 1917 was the result of deep political, socio-economic and national contradictions, aggravated in our country after the fall of the autocracy. The latter circumstance led to the fact that representatives of monarchist movements left the political arena, and a struggle for power unfolded in the government. The unsuccessful offensives of the Russian army on the front led to an aggravation of the situation, which contributed to new internal disasters.
Background
The July crisis of 1917 erupted as a result of accumulated contradictions between various factions that fought for influence in the cabinet. Until June of that year, the leading position was occupied by the Cadet Party, which, however, quickly withdrew from the political arena. The Octobrists and Progressives could not stay at the helm. But, despite this, the remaining groups continued the struggle.
The primacy passed to the Socialist-Revolutionaries, who supported the Provisional Government and advocated an alliance with the Cadets. Another influential group was the Mensheviks, who were not uniform power. However, they also advocated an alliance with the interim government and with the bourgeoisie. Both parties were inclined to the need to wage war to a victorious end. The reasons for the July crisis of 1917 are that there was no agreement at the top of the government regarding the fate of the country and its continued participation in hostilities.
The participation of the Bolsheviks
This party demanded the provision of power to the councils. The Bolsheviks were the only force that opposed the Provisional Government and demanded Russia's withdrawal from the war. They became especially active after the return of Lenin to the country in April of the year under review.
A few months later, mass demonstrations took place in Petrograd under Bolshevik slogans. The demonstrators demanded Russia's exit from the war and the transfer of power to their local cells. The July crisis of 1917 began in the early days of the month. In response, the government ordered the protesters to be shot, and also issued an arrest warrant for the leaders of the Bolsheviks.
Accusations
The party was accused of conducting subversive work in the country with German money and deliberately organized an armed uprising against the official authorities.
As regards this problem, two points of view have been established among scientists. Some researchers believe that Lenin really enjoyed the support of Germany, which was interested in Russia's military defeat. Other historians argue that there is no reason for such a conclusion.
So that the reader can get at least some idea of how and in what sequence events unfolded, we put brief information on this topic in the table.
| date | Event |
| July 3-4 | The beginning of mass demonstrations in Petrograd under the Bolshevik slogans for Russia's withdrawal from the war and the transfer of power to the Soviets. Government order to shoot demonstrators, armed clashes, which killed several people. The government and the Petrograd Soviet accuse the Bolsheviks of attempting a coup. |
| July 8 | The order for the arrest of the Bolsheviks, the proclamation of them by German spies, as well as their accusation of political rebellion. Nursing party underground. |
| July 10th | Lenin's article "Political Situation" in which he announced the completion of the peaceful stage of the revolution, its transition to counter-revolution, as well as the cessation of dual power in the country. |
| July 24 | The formation of a new government led by the Social Revolutionary Kerensky, who began to pursue a centrist policy with the aim of reconciling the interests of the fighting groups, which ended in failure. |
| August 12-14 | The Moscow State Conference, at which an attempt was made to reconcile the parties, however, the Bolsheviks declared a boycott, while others relied on the armed forces in the person of General Kornilov. |
However, there is a hypothesis that the July crisis of 1917 was a provocation of the government itself in order to have an occasion to accuse the Bolsheviks of high treason. Be that as it may, but the party after these events went underground.
Effects
These events have led to serious political changes in the country. At the end of the month, a new coalition government was formed, led by the Social Revolutionary Kerensky. Thus, the official authorities tried to reconcile the interests of various political groups.
The new leader tried to maneuver between the groups, but he still could not achieve at least some stability in the country. The July crisis of 1917, the results of which led the Bolsheviks to embark on an armed uprising , caused a new military uprising, which almost led to the fall of the government.
This is a speech by General Kornilov. His rebellion was suppressed with the help of the Bolsheviks, whose positions were significantly strengthened after the incident, which facilitated their coming to power in October of the aforementioned year.
Summary
The July crisis of 1917 contributed greatly to the success of the coup. The table in this review shows the main chronology of events. After the execution of the demonstrators, Lenin wrote a new work in which he announced that the peaceful phase of the revolution had come to an end. Thus, he substantiated the need for an armed overthrow of power. Another important result of the crisis was the elimination of dual power in the country. This was due to the departure of the Bolsheviks underground. One of the most pressing issues remained the problem of the country's participation in the war.
Value
The July crisis of 1917 showed the weakness of the Provisional Government and its inability to solve the problems of the country's development. Subsequent events further strengthened the influence of the Bolsheviks, who without much difficulty seized power in just a few months. Therefore, the rebellion in question should be considered the penultimate one in a series of crises that shook the supreme power in the summer of the said year.