Background
Kerenskii, Aleksandr was born on May 4, 1881 in Simbirsk (now Ulianovsk). Son of a headmaster (of a secondary school at which Lenin was a pupil).
Kerenskii, Aleksandr was born on May 4, 1881 in Simbirsk (now Ulianovsk). Son of a headmaster (of a secondary school at which Lenin was a pupil).
Studied law at Petersburg University, practised in Saratov, and gained fame as a defence lawyer in political cases (Armenian nationalists, Dashnaks, protests against the Beiliss trial in Kiev, 1912 etc). Studied law at Petersburg University, practised in Saratov, and gained fame as a defence lawyer in political cases (Armenian nationalists, Dashnaks, protests against the Beiliss trial in Kiev, 1912 etc).
Moved with his parents to Tashkent, 1889. Member for Saratov at the 4th Duma, 1912, leader of Trudovik (Labour) group. Joined the SRs (officially) in March 1917.
Secret member of the Masonic lodge Malaia Medveditsa. After the February Revolution 1917, became deputy head of the Provisional Committee of the Duma (precursor of the Provisional Government), and deputy chairman of the Petrograd Soviet, thus establishing a personal link between both rival centres of power. The only socialist in the Provisional Government.
Minister of Justice, March-May 1917, Minister of Defence, MaySept. 1917. Prime Minister of the Provisional Government from 21 July 1917, and commander-in-chief (after the Kornilov affair), August 1917. Insisted that Russia remain in World War I, keeping faith with her allies.
Organized an offensive, June 1917 (failed a month later). Crushed the Bolshevik revolt of July 1917,forcing Lenin to go underground. Quarrelled with commander-in-chief Kornilov, August 1917.
Lost the army’s support after the defeat of Kornilov’s march on Petrograd. Increasingly isolated from leftand right-wing circles, left the Winter Palace in a car flying the US flag to get reinforcements, October 1917. Mission to get help from the army in Pskov and Ataman Krasnov’s Cossacks ended in failure.
Went underground in Russia until the end of 1917, then in Finland. Returned secretly to Petrograd in January 1918. Moved to Moscow. Emigrated with the help of Bruce Lockhart in May 1918 (left by train, disguised as a member of the Serbian mission to Arkhangelsk, and from there by ship to Great Britain).
Edited the SR newspaper Dni (Days) in Berlin and later in Paris, 1922-1932. Moved to the USA in 1940. Taught at American universities, wrote memoirs.
Immensely popular for a short time in 1917, judged very harshly from opposite directions — by the Bolsheviks as a ‘lackey of the bourgeoisie’, and by right-wing circles as the man who made the Bolshevik victory possible.
Religion in its origin doesn't give equal treatment to women and thus offends basic human rights.
Communist Party is the leading force of Soviet society, and the nucleus of all state and public organizations.