Ten Days That Shook the World · Chapter
Events of the 13th in Petrograd explained
On October 13th, three regiments of the Petrograd garrison refuse to fight Kerensky and send delegates to the front to propose an armistice and the arrest of Kerensky, Krasnov, and Savinkov.
What happens
On October 13th, three regiments of the Petrograd garrison refuse to fight Kerensky and send delegates to the front to propose an armistice and the arrest of Kerensky, Krasnov, and Savinkov. At the Petrograd Soviet, Zinoviev argues for both peaceful overtures and military victory. The City Duma debates the formation of a new government, with most factions opposing Bolshevik inclusion, voting to continue Vikzhel negotiations but insisting on restoring the Provisional Government and excluding the Bolsheviks.
Themes in this chapter
Struggle for Legitimacy and Power
The Duma's insistence on restoring the Provisional Government and excluding Bolsheviks illustrates the contest over legitimate authority.
Counterrevolution and Civil War
The proposed arrest of Kerensky, Krasnov, and Savinkov, and the ongoing hostilities, underscore the civil war dynamics.
Workers' Control and Economic Transformation
The establishment of Revolutionary Tribunals in factories and barracks reflects early efforts at workers' control and revolutionary justice.
Characters to notice
- Grigory Zinoviev
Speaks at the Petrograd Soviet, advocating for both peaceful means and military victory against Kerensky.
- Fyodor Dan
Proposes an ultimatum demanding abolition of Revolutionary Tribunals or breaking off negotiations with the Bolsheviks.
- Andrei Shingarev
Cadet who declares the municipality should not participate in any agreement with the Bolsheviks.
- Grigory Schreider
Mayor and Socialist Revolutionary who opposes all agreement with the Bolsheviks, arguing the Duma represents the popular will.
- Abram Gotz
Mentioned as a target of Bolshevik Revolutionary Tribunals.
- Nikolai Avksentiev
Mentioned as a target of Bolshevik Revolutionary Tribunals.
- Alexander Kerensky
Target of proposed arrest by the delegates sent to the front.
- General Pyotr Krasnov
Target of proposed arrest by the delegates sent to the front.
Key passages
“Three regiments of the Petrograd garrison to take any part in the battle against Kerensky. On the morning of the 13th they summoned to a joint conference sixty delegates from the Front, in order to find some way to stop the civil war.”
Three regiments refused to fight Kerensky and convened a conference of sixty front delegates to seek an end to the civil war.
Describes the garrison's peace initiative.
“At the meeting of the Petrograd Soviet, Zinoviev said, 'It would be foolish to think that this committee could finish the affair. The enemy can only be broken by force. However, it would be a crime for us not to try every peaceful means to bring the Cossacks over to us.'”
Zinoviev argued that while force is necessary, every peaceful method must be attempted to win over the Cossacks.
Highlights Zinoviev's dual strategy of peace and force.
“Shingariov, Cadet, declared that the Municipality ought not to take part in any agreement with the Bolsheviki. 'Any agreement with the maniacs is impossible until they lay down their arms and recognise the authority of independent courts of law.'”
Shingariov insisted the city should not negotiate with the Bolsheviks until they disarm and accept independent courts.
Reflects the Cadet's hardline stance against the Bolsheviks.
“Mayor Schreider, for the Socialist Revolutionaries, stated that he was opposed to all agreement with the Bolsheviki. 'As for a Government, that ought to spring from the popular will; and since the popular will has been expressed in the municipal elections, the popular will which can create a Government is actually concentrated in the Duma.'”
Schreider opposed any deal with the Bolsheviks, arguing that the Duma, based on municipal election results, embodies the popular will and should form the government.
Shows the Socialist Revolutionary view of democratic legitimacy.
