Key facts and dates

The Kornilov coup of late August 1917 was a pivotal moment in the Russian Revolution, highlighting the fragility of the Provisional Government and shifting power towards radical forces. This timeline captures the critical events and aftermath of the failed coup attempt.

Timeline of key events

• July 1917 – General Lavr Kornilov appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Russian army.
• Late August 1917 – Kornilov attempts a coup, marching troops towards Petrograd.
• 27-30 August 1917 – Kerensky denounces Kornilov as a traitor and seeks Soviet support.
• Late August 1917 – Kornilov's advance collapses due to opposition from workers and agitators.
• September 1917 – Provisional Government's authority weakens; Bolsheviks gain credibility.

Background to the Kornilov coup in late August 1917

In the summer of 1917, Russia was in a state of profound crisis following the February Revolution, which had overthrown the Tsarist regime. The Provisional Government, tasked with steering the country towards stability, faced immense challenges that set the stage for a dramatic confrontation.

Conditions leading to the crisis

• Military discipline breakdown - The Russian army, battered by losses in the First World War, suffered from desertions and mutinies, with soldiers increasingly unwilling to fight.
• Economic chaos - Wartime shortages, inflation, and disrupted supply lines led to widespread hunger and industrial strikes, particularly in urban centres like Petrograd.
• Fear of Bolshevik revolution - The growing influence of the Bolsheviks, a radical socialist faction led by Lenin, alarmed conservative and military leaders who feared a complete overthrow of the existing order.
• Political instability - The Provisional Government struggled to assert authority, caught between demands for reform from the left and resistance from conservative forces.

General Kornilov's motivations and actions as Commander-in-Chief

General Lavr Kornilov emerged as a central figure in this turbulent period, embodying the military's frustration with the government's perceived weakness. Appointed as Commander-in-Chief in July 1917, his views and subsequent actions reflected a belief in the necessity of drastic measures to restore order.

Kornilov's role and ideology

• Appointment and background - Kornilov, a career military officer with a reputation for discipline, was appointed to lead the army by Alexander Kerensky in a bid to stabilise the military situation.
• Belief in military dictatorship - Convinced that Russia was descending into anarchy due to revolutionary agitation, Kornilov advocated for a military dictatorship as the only solution to suppress disorder.
• Plan for action - By late August 1917, Kornilov planned to march his troops on Petrograd, intending to seize control, disband the Soviet, and establish a strong authoritarian regime.

The confused events of the coup attempt and Kerensky's response

The events of late August 1917 surrounding Kornilov's coup attempt remain shrouded in ambiguity, with conflicting accounts of intentions and communications. This episode unfolded chaotically, exposing the fragility of the Provisional Government and forcing desperate measures from its leader, Alexander Kerensky.

Key developments during the coup attempt

• Disputed interpretations - Some historians suggest Kerensky initially encouraged Kornilov to march on Petrograd to suppress revolutionary threats before dramatically reversing course and denouncing him as a traitor.
• Kerensky's reaction - Faced with Kornilov's advancing troops, Kerensky publicly condemned the general's actions as a betrayal, declaring the coup an attack on the revolution itself.
• Appeal to the Soviet - In a desperate bid for assistance, Kerensky turned to the Petrograd Soviet, releasing imprisoned Bolshevik leaders to bolster resistance efforts.
• Arming the workers - To counter Kornilov's forces, Kerensky authorised the distribution of weapons to workers, forming Red Guard units that would later become instrumental in further radical actions.

The collapse of Kornilov's advance and immediate outcomes

Kornilov's attempt to seize power quickly unravelled due to widespread opposition and logistical failures. The collapse of his coup marked a critical moment, exposing the limits of military authority in the face of revolutionary fervour.

Reasons for the coup's failure

• Opposition from railway workers - Railway workers, sympathetic to revolutionary causes, disrupted troop movements by refusing to transport Kornilov's forces or sabotaging rail lines.
• Revolutionary agitators - Activists sent to Kornilov's troops spread anti-coup propaganda, undermining morale and convincing many soldiers to defect or refuse orders.
• Lack of broader support - Kornilov failed to rally significant backing from other military units, political factions, or the general population, isolating his effort and ensuring its collapse.

Immediate aftermath of the failure

• Government's weakened position - The Provisional Government survived the coup but appeared powerless without the support of the Soviet and revolutionary groups, which further eroded its credibility.
• Bolshevik rehabilitation - The Bolsheviks, previously marginalised and targeted, emerged as defenders of the revolution due to their role in opposing Kornilov, gaining significant public and political credibility.
• Army's loss of loyalty - The failed coup shattered the army's allegiance to the Provisional Government, with many soldiers now viewing it as incapable of leadership.

Long-term consequences for the Provisional Government and Bolshevik rise

The Kornilov coup had far-reaching effects on the political landscape of Russia, decisively shifting the balance of power. Its failure marked a turning point that accelerated the decline of the Provisional Government and facilitated the Bolshevik ascent.

Lasting impacts of the Kornilov affair

• Fatal weakening of the Provisional Government - The government's dependence on Soviet and worker support during the crisis revealed its lack of independent authority, rendering it unable to govern effectively in the following months.
• Rise of the radical left - The empowerment of the Soviet and the arming of Red Guard units strengthened radical factions, creating a framework for organised resistance against the government.
• Path to Bolshevik seizure of power - The coup's aftermath created ideal conditions for the Bolsheviks, who capitalised on the government's weakness to stage the October Revolution just weeks later.
• Shift in political dynamics - The episode marked a critical juncture in the Russian Revolution, as conservative and military efforts to preserve order collapsed, allowing radical socialist ideas to dominate.