The Unknown February Revolution (Part 2)

Abstract

The second part of the paper is devoted to the preparation of the mass demonstration on February 14, 1917. The mass demonstration was prepared by the “Working Group” of the Central Military-Industrial Committee with the support of A. I. Guchkov and A. I. Konovalov, the leaders of this committee. It was assumed that the 100,000 workers gathered outside the walls of the Duma would demand that the deputies create the “Provisional Government” responsible to the Duma and the “people”. It was planned to provide armed resistance in the case the police and troops tried to break up the demonstrators, and therefore weapons were distributed at some local factories. It was supposed that the protest would become the beginning of an armed uprising and revolution. The activity of the workers was stimulated by the food crisis, which hightened its acuteness. In the absence of a ration card system, the lack of bread gave rise to huge queues, which acted on the population more than any agitation. According to the police reports, even those workers who were not interested in politics were ready to take part in the mass demonstration. Some reports spoke of the preparation of an armed uprising. The authorities were preparing for battles in the streets of Petrograd, a “protection plan” was developed, and police received machine guns. At the same time, there was a sensation of insecurity and fear at the court. M. V. Rodzianko, Chairman of the State Duma, tried to use these sentiments to get Nicholas II consent to create a responsible ministry, but this attempt failed. The opposition leaders however feared a possible revolution as much as the authorities. Ultimately, Miliukov and Rodzianko issued a call to the workers to refrain from mass demonstration — and it did not take place. The authorities appreciated this demonstration of loyalty on the part of the opposition and, according to some information, Nicholas II decided to agree to the creation of the responsible ministry.