Alexander Fedorovich Kerensky: biography, activity, personality assessment

The October Revolution and the collapse of the Russian Empire influenced world history, one of the key roles in these events was played by Alexander Kerensky. The biography of the politician is filled with ups and downs. Evaluation of his personality still causes controversy in historical and political circles. However, it is impossible to deny its significance for the history of Russia.

Origin

The ancestors of Alexander Fedorovich belonged to the clergy. According to the politician, all the great-grandfathers he knew served in the church. Presumably, they lived in the territory of the Penza province, since here is the village Kerenki. Historians connect the name of Kerensky with this ethnonym. Alexander's father, like all his brothers, entered the seminary. However, church affairs did not inspire him. After graduation, he began to teach. And after a while he graduated in Kazan. Mother Alexander Fedorovich was a hereditary noblewoman. Her father held a high post in the military ministry. From her grandfather, she got a huge fortune. Therefore, her wedding with a teacher from Kazan caused conflict with his family.

Childhood of Alexander

Fedor Kerensky, by the coincidence of circumstances, before the birth of Alexander, taught another famous politician and revolutionary - Vladimir Lenin. Two families (Ulyanov and Kerensky) maintained friendly relations and often communicated with each other. Moreover, Fedor takes care of children after the Ulyanovs' eldest son is executed for treason. At that time, relatives of political criminals were extremely difficult to enroll in a prestigious educational institution or get government jobs. Vladimir Ilyich was able to enter the university largely thanks to the recommendation of his teacher.

In the eighty-ninth year the Kerensky family moved to Tashkent. There, Alexander studies at the gymnasium. He has the image of a successful student. He is fond of acting and music, often takes part in amateur productions. Gymnasium ends with a gold medal. A year later, a new student, Alexander Kerensky, entered St. Petersburg University. Biography of a politician was predetermined in the student years.

The First Revolution

In 1904, Kerensky Alexander Fyodorovich graduated from the Faculty of Law and began his advocacy. At the same time, his acquaintance with the socialists takes place. On the ninth of January, nine hundred and fifth year, a procession to the Winter Palace takes place. The common people wanted to express their dissatisfaction with the domestic political life in the country to the emperor. However, the peaceful procession was brutally suppressed by soldiers and Cossacks. Against those activists who survived the "Bloody Sunday", criminal cases were opened. Alexander Kerensky joined the association of lawyers, which dealt with the defense of the accused.

In addition, Kerensky wrote articles for various socialist press. One of the newspapers where Alexander's records were published - "Burevestnik" was subject to censorship. The lawyer came with a search, during which they revealed weapons and several revolutionary leaflets. After that, he was taken into custody. Kerensky held in the famous Crosses until the spring of Nineteen Sixth. After this, the charges were dropped from him, but nevertheless they were deported to Turkestan.

In Tashkent, a family of political refugees from the capital did not stay long. Four months later, Kerensky returned to St. Petersburg. Contrary to threats from the police and the recent expulsion, Alexander again returns to participate in the resonance processes. This time, he acts as the defender of several peasants, who staged a pogrom of estates. Up to nine hundred and tenth takes part in a number of other high-profile processes.

In January, Kerensky Alexander Fyodorovich becomes an attorney for the jury. The new appointment considerably unties the hands of the lawyer. He continues to adhere to the line of defense of socialists and revolutionaries. After some time in the new position he becomes the head of the defense of the Turkestan Socialist-Revolutionaries. Despite the pessimistic forecasts, he manages to protect defendants from the death penalty.

The next loud process of Alexander was the case of Armenian radicals. At the same time, an investigation of the execution of peasants in Lensk began, which received an all-Russian resonance. After that, the police began to repress all lawyers and public figures who were on the side of striking workers. Contrary to constant pressure from the government, Alexander Fyodorovich manages to continue to advance along the career ladder. In the thirteenth year, he was elected chairman of the Fourth Congress of Trade and Industry Workers, he became Kerensky. The biography of the highest echelon politician begins precisely after this appointment. A year later, Alexander is elected to the State Duma. At this point, he has to withdraw from the party of the Socialist-Revolutionaries, because they decide to boycott the elections. Therefore, Kerensky adheres to the little-known party of Trudoviks, which he heads in a year.

Entering the Parliament

Political activity in the Duma gives the leader of the Trudoviks wide popularity both among the intelligentsia and among the common people. His oratorical skill was envied by the deputies of all the leftist parties. The fiery speeches of a former lawyer are always at the center of the attention of newsmen. In addition to his activities in the Duma, he is also part of the paramilitary organization of the Great East. The main emphasis of this unrecognized group was on politics. In the sixteenth year, Alexander became one of the most famous politicians in Russia. The life of Kerensky is fraught with great difficulties. Constant pressure, police surveillance, poor health often lead to nervous breakdowns. Both Kerensky's contemporaries and his descendants remember bad health. Recordings have been preserved, from which it follows that Alexander repeatedly fainted from severe pain. But at the same time he continued to work.

In the sixteenth year, the war squeezes out of Russia all the juices. Contrary to the law on the prohibition of conscription into the army of indigenous peoples, Emperor Nicholas decides to mobilize in Turkestan to make up for the losses at the front. The local population reacts by insurrection to such a decision. To investigate the incident, the Duma creates a special commission, headed by Kerensky. After arriving in Tashkent, Alexander unequivocally states that all the blame for the riots lies on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and local officials. Such a bold statement won the sympathy of liberals and opposition to the existing regime.

The February Revolution

By the seventeenth year throughout the Russian Empire a wave of discontent with the tsarist regime was rolling. Protests and rallies begin. Workers are on strike. The situation is also aggravated by a huge number of deserters from the front. Simple peasants do not understand why a war is needed, on which hundreds and thousands of soldiers die each day. In the highest echelon of power, there are talks about the overthrow of the autocracy. One of the leaders of supporters of such radical changes is Kerensky. The biography of the revolutionary begins with his famous February speech in the Duma. He openly calls for disobeying the imperial decrees, moreover - for the physical elimination of the supporters of the autocracy. An uprising begins. Contrary to the will of Nicholas II, the Duma creates an interim government, which includes Alexander Fyodorovich. He often speaks to the common people. Actively communicates with the leaders of the armed groups of the rebels.

In the spring of the seventeenth, he holds the post of Minister of Justice. As a former lawyer, he is well versed in the intricacies of the legislative system of the Russian Empire. Therefore, it immediately starts bold reforms. The policy of Kerensky is characterized by decisive action. All revolutionaries are freed from imprisonment. Many repressed return from the links and immediately begin to actively participate in political life.

The judicial system is radically changing. Abolition of the highest courts, the reorganization of the jury. Many judges and prosecutors resign. And in some cases, the justification for this are denunciations of attorneys.

Military service

Kerensky's military activities began after the crisis of the Provisional Government. Allied powers in the Entente demanded that Russia continue to participate in the war. At the same time, many socialists critically considered this prospect. As a result, a conflict breaks out, threatening a split. But the authorities are making concessions and creating a coalition of the Duma. Alexander Fedorovich receives the post of Minister of War. On a new post he, as well as on the previous one, starts large-scale reforms. His most important posts are his colleagues. Instead of experienced generals put people who participated in the February Revolution. The post of supreme commander-in-chief receives the popular Brusilov.

However, the new generals can not reverse the situation at the front. The Russian troops still bear huge losses. The shells are still not enough. After the army reforms and the weakening of discipline, the soldiers mass desert. One of the ways out of this situation is found by Kerensky. The Provisional Government, in order to somehow stop the flight of troops, creates special volunteer "death squads". According to the idea of the government, the presence of such units will have propagandistic success and restore morale at the front.

Huge popularity among the people

At this time, Kerensky enjoys great popularity in Russia. He constantly speaks at meetings, uttering fiery speeches. The crowd adores him. Alexander Fyodorovich carefully cared about his image of "the voice of the people." He appears in a jacket in a military manner and wears a short hairstyle, characteristic of a simple worker. However, the revolutionary ardor subsides. The country has the strongest economic and social crisis. In many places there is a shortage of food. Bold reform of the army, which was initially accepted by the people with approval, did not bring any results. This crisis is used by the Bolsheviks. The people are beginning to spread rumors that the government has conspired with the Entente and is ready to wage the war to the end. Such news did not greatly rejoice at the front. Many hoped that after the overthrow of the autocracy they could return home.

Kerensky and the Revolution of 1917

In July, Alexander Fyodorovich becomes minister-chairman. He is supported by the parliament. The head of the government Kerensky begins an offensive at the front. However, the collapsing army is unable to successfully fight. The offensive ends in failure. Some generals send troops to the capital to establish a military dictatorship and "put things in order". However, the Provisional Government does not allow the passage of the soldiers of General Krymsky to Petrograd.

Lenin and Kerensky are in opposition to each other. In October, it becomes obvious that the Bolsheviks are preparing a speech. The army finally disintegrated. Soldiers everywhere arranged lynchings and seized power. Alexander Fyodorovich dissolves the parliament and in fact becomes a dictator. At this time the Bolshevik agitators are setting up the army and the population for the uprising. Under the authority of the Provisional Government, there are practically no battle-worthy units that could resist the insurgency. Kerensky is desperately trying to persuade garrison detachments of Petrograd to his side, which leads to their complete transition to the camp of the Communists. As a result, the Winter Palace was stormed. Alexander Fyodorovich managed to escape. The evaluation of Kerensky's personality from the position of the American ambassador was the following. According to the diplomat, the chairman of the government not only failed to show the leader's ability to crash, but also fought exclusively for his image. Any ministers who could get popularity among the people, he immediately fired.

Escape and emigration

After the Bolsheviks seized power in Petrograd, Kerensky fled the city. He appealed to various generals, but no one ever accepted it. As a result, he goes north. After a while Alexander arrives in Finland. From there he flies to London. Begins political activity abroad. Appeals to Western European politicians with proposals for immediate intervention in Russia. Lives in Paris. After the capture of the city by the Nazis again runs, this time in the US. In exile, he lives up to eighty-nine years. He was buried in London.

Evaluation of the personality of Kerensky

Opinions about Alexander Fedorovich are different. Supporters of the Soviet government and the October Revolution consider him a populist and a traitor to the people. His work is evaluated as counter-revolutionary. The characterization of Kerensky in the Soviet period was extremely negative. He was considered guilty of the crisis and the Civil War. Nevertheless, in the sixties negotiations were held about his possible return to the USSR. However, they were never crowned with success. Left historians agree that Alexander was too ambitious and greedy for power.

Opponents of the Soviet regime also consider Kerensky a traitor. However, in this case, he is accused of inaction at a difficult time for Russia.