Kornilov Affair - Background

Background

Following the revolution of February 1917 the Russian monarchy was swept from power and replaced by a Provisional Government whose members were drawn from various liberal and left wing political parties. After the autocratic and oppressive rule of the Tsars, the Russian people hoped the Government would introduce the liberal reforms for which they had long hoped. In the weeks that immediately followed the February Revolution it appeared that this was to be the case, with the Government passing legislation that led even Lenin, one of its biggest critics, to declare Russia "the freest of all the belligerent countries". However, the initial wave of support for the Provisional Government amongst the Russian people soon subsided and was replaced by a growing unrest, a result mainly of Russia's continued participation in the First World War and the economic ramifications this decision had for Russian society. The scenes during the July Days, as the demonstration has become to be known, sparked calls for a need of more discipline and a stronger government and a resurgence in right wing feeling amongst sections of Russian society. Leading these calls were the officers of the Russian Army, Kornilov amongst them, who feared that ill discipline amongst their troops was responsible for the continued poor performance of the army during the First World War. They demanded the reintroduction of the death penalty at the front line as well as the abolition of the various soldiers committees that had been established in the months following February. Unease also escalated amongst Russia's businessmen and industrialists, whilst even amongst the politicians that formed the Provisional Government support for the restoration of order was strong.