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Alexander Kerensky

Alexander Kerensky, leader of Russia's Cadet party and a member of the Provisional government in 1917 as Minister of Justice, War, and Prime Minister. From 'The War of the Nations Portfolio in Rotogravure Etchings Compiled from the Mid-Week Pictorial Published by the New York Times Co. New York City N.Y.'
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Alexander Kerensky, who was head of the Russian Government when the Russian front collapsed.

Alexander Kerensky, leader of Russia's Cadet party and a member of the Provisional government in 1917 as Minister of Justice, War, and Prime Minister. From 'The War of the Nations Portfolio in Rotogravure Etchings Compiled from the Mid-Week Pictorial Published by the New York Times Co. New York City N.Y.' © Copyrighted 1919 by the New York Times Company 1914 - 1919

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Alexander Kerensky, who was head of the Russian Government when the Russian front collapsed.

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The February 1917 Russian Revolution deposed Tsar Nicholas II and brought a broad alliance of monarchists, conservatives, liberals, and socialists to power. The new government remained committed to continuing Russia's war effort.

A moderate socialist, Alexander Kerensky joined the government, first as Minister of Justice, then, in May, as Minister of War. He also joined the Petrograd Soviet.

As Minister of War, Kerensky struggled with the fallout of Order Number One, issued by the Petrograd Soviet, which democratized the Army and offered amnesty for deserters. One million soldiers left the front for home, even as workers refused to run trains or produce munitions. Germany ceased operations against Russia to watch events unfold.

Committed to the war and the Entente Allies, Kerensky launched his own offensive on July 1, against Austria-Hungary under the command of Alexsei Brusilov. It was a disaster.

On July 20, he replaced Prince Lvov, forming a new government in which he continued to hold the post of Minister of War and assumed Lvov's as Prime Minister. Within 10 days he resigned, but was brought back on August 6 to lead a coalition government.

General Kornilov, a conservative, staged a failed coup against the new government. To defend against it, Kerensky freed Bolsheviks from prison, and armed workers in Petrograd. Kerensky consolidated some power by arresting Kornilov and other generals, but faced increasing opposition from the left, particularly from the Bolsheviks who had growing support in the army.

As the Bolsheviks seized power in the October Revolution. Kerensky fled the city in search of troops to support his government. On the night of November 12-13, his forces were defeated in a short battle at Tsarskoye Selo, the former imperial summer palace 30km south of the capital. Kerensky fled Russia.

Russia

Roles held by Alexander Kerensky

Role Start Date End Date
Minister of War 1917-03-14 1917-11-07
Head of Government (e.g., Prime Minister) 1917-07-20 1917-11-07

Some books by or about Alexander Kerensky (1)

Title Author
Russia and History's Turning Point Alexander Kerensky