July Days

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The July Days refers to events in 1917 that took place in Petrograd, Russia, between July 4 and 7 July (Julian calender) (July 16-July 20, Gregorian calender), when soldiers and industrial workers in the city rioted against the Russian Provisional Government. Most significantly, the outcome of the July Days represented a temporary decline in the growth of Bolshevik power and influence in the period before the October Revolution.

[edit] Causes

Alexander Kerensky, then minister of war and navy, ordered a vast Russian offensive against Austro-Hungarian forces on 16 June. Despite initial successes, the Russians were defeated and the operation ended on July 2, quickly to be followed by a combined counter-offensive by German and Austro-Hungarian forces on 6 July.

Anti-war feelings were rife among the proletariat at this time; it was from the proletariat, of course, that most soldiers were conscripted, and it was the proletariat that worked in the factories to produce the weapons and munitions needed for war. These feelings intensified with the news of the failed offensive. Discontented workers started protests which soon spiraled into violent riots.

[edit] Bolshevik Response

The Bolshevik party held a debate on the likely outcome and importance of the riots, and decided to take control, thinking it showed the proletariat were suitably ready and motivated for a second revolution to take power from the Provisional Government. The riots were ruthlessly crushed by the police, however, and the Bolsheviks rapidly withdrew their support.

[edit] Consequences

Kerensky ordered the arrest of Lenin and the other leading Bolsheviks, accusing them of inciting revolt with German financial backing. Lenin successfully fled the country and went into hiding in Finland, but many others were arrested, including Trotsky and Lunacharskii who were apprehended on 22 July. They remained in prison until Kerensky released them in response to the Kornilov Affair.