What is the essence of dual power? 1917

In history, there are often moments when a dual power in the state is formed. The reasons can be different depending on the political, economic and social situation. 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 changed the history of the state at the root. The Russian Emperor Nicholas II left Petrograd on February 22, 1917. The number of strikers on the streets of the city inexorably continued to grow. On February 24, there were already 90,000 of them.

February 25, the number of strikers already exceeded 250 thousand, which was a unique phenomenon for the history of the Russian Empire at that time. 1917 in Russia will forever sweep away the existing imperial power.

In the crowd there was a skirmish between the strikers, which warmed up even more anger and moods against Emperor Nicholas II. The next day, the tsar abolished the activities of the State Duma until April 1918. In the city there were clashes between the military and police, which led to the uprising of the Petrograd military regiment. The military began to take sides of the strikers and protesters. The causes and essence of dual power lie in the fall of the tsarist regime.

The beginning of the dual power

As a result of the overthrow of tsarism and monarchy in the former Russian Empire, a period of dual power began.

What is the essence of dual power? What it is? Dual power is when two governments operate in parallel and independently of each other. So it was in the period between the February and October revolutions. With the help of the February Revolution, it was possible to overthrow the ruling Nicholas II at the time.

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 examine and understand the essence of the dual power of Russia in 1917, it is necessary to turn to the consideration of crises. Two authorities lead to the struggle of the masses.

Struggle and Crises

After the February Revolution, political forces completely changed in Russia. To understand the essence of dual power for this period of events, one must turn to political views.

The position of the Mensheviks was opposed to the position of the Bolsheviks and to the system of councils. The Mensheviks are rich and noble people of Russia who did not want sharp political and economic changes. They created their Provisional Government headed by Kerensky and believed that now is not the time of significant political and economic transformations. The tsar has left, now it is necessary to calm down and think what to do next. They were not supporters of the fact that Russia was ready for the transition to the socialist system. They said that this is impossible at this stage of its development and it will take time.

The Bolsheviks, in turn, consisted of activists from the people and counterposed their ideas to the opinion of the Provisional Government. They believed that Russia was ready and could make a socialist revolution that would only benefit ordinary workers and peasants.

Next followed the April, June and July crises. In the first two crises, the Provisional Government and the Soviets tried to find a compromise and agree. 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 the essence of dual power. Meanwhile, a second revolution was brewing in society. It was clear that a political compromise between the 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? Dual power is no more.

The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, acted successfully in the arena of popular unrest and revolution. They picked up exactly the slogans that the people wanted to hear from them.

Despite the dual power in Russia, the landed peasant question was not resolved. The peasants, for the most part, remained without their own land. Lenin promised them land.

Workers in the cities worked under difficult conditions and nobody wanted to deal with their questions. Lenin promised that the working day of the workers would be reduced and salaries would be raised.

The Provisional Government appealed for support to General Kornilov, who was the army commander. He said he would help, and the protesters will not achieve anything. 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 in the person of the popular masses and were able to complete their revolutionary campaign to the end, having won the Provisional Government. During the revolution, the army of General Kornilov joined the protesters on the side of the Bolsheviks.

The End of the Revolution

After the army took 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 government bodies. Despite the fact that Lenin promised the land to the peasants, their question still was not solved. Moreover, during Lenin's life he was not solved.

The question with the workers, too, was not resolved. This caused indignation among the workers, but did not lead to mass riots, unrest and revolution.

In the future, after the revolution, the Bolsheviks' actions will be aimed at reforming the economic component of Russia.