The Unknown February Revolution (part 1)

Abstract

The article, based on archival materials, describes events connected with the preparation of the demonstration on February 14, 1917. It is shown that, in the atmosphere of the “Government Assault” undertaken by the liberal opposition, the group of the most radical opposition, supported by the Central Military Industrial Committee and led by A. I. Guchkov decided to join the workers’ organizations in order to organize a grand anti-government demonstration. The Central Military Industrial Committee kept contact with the working people through the “Working Group”, which was a part of the Committee and was headed by the Menshevik K. A. Gvozdev. It was expected that on the day of the convocation of the State Duma, on February 14, a hundred thousand people would gather at the walls of the State Duma and would require the deputies to create a “Provisional Government” responsible to the Duma and the “people”. In case the police and government forces tried to scatter the protesters, then, according to the police, it was planned to provide armed resistance; weapons were given to people at some factories. It was supposed that the manifestation could become the beginning of an armed uprising and revolution. The authorities were worried by the news received, and they arrested the “Working Group”, nevertheless, preparations continued. However, the possibility of an uncontrolled development of events worried the moderate leaders of the Progressive Bloc and, at a meeting on January 29, P. S. Miliukov spoke out against the planned demonstration. At the same time, another leader of the Bloc, M. V. Rodzianko, tried to use the fears of the authorities to get their consent to the creation of a responsible ministry. Finally, Miliukov and Rodzianko made an appeal before the workers to refrain from demonstration, and it did not take place. However the authorities appreciated the loyalty of the opposition and, according to some information, Nicholas II decided to agree to the creation of a responsible ministry.