Ten Days That Shook the World · Chapter
3: Truce. Krasnov’s Answer to the Committee for Salvation explained
General Krasnov, acting as Supreme Commander for the Provisional Government, responds to the Committee for Salvation's armistice proposal by agreeing to negotiate but demanding the insurrectionists withdraw their regiments to Petrograd, dec
What happens
General Krasnov, acting as Supreme Commander for the Provisional Government, responds to the Committee for Salvation's armistice proposal by agreeing to negotiate but demanding the insurrectionists withdraw their regiments to Petrograd, declare the Ligovo-Pulkovo-Colpinno line neutral, and allow government cavalry to enter Tsarskoye Selo to restore order. He sets an eight o'clock morning deadline for a reply.
Themes in this chapter
Counterrevolution and Civil War
Krasnov's response represents the Provisional Government's military countermove against the Bolshevik insurrection, setting the stage for armed conflict.
Struggle for Legitimacy and Power
The negotiation over armistice terms highlights the contested authority between the Bolsheviks and the remnants of the Provisional Government.
Characters to notice
- General Pyotr Krasnov
Issues the armistice terms as Supreme Commander of the Government forces.
Key passages
“In answer to your telegram proposing an immediate armistice, the Supreme Commander, not wishing further futile bloodshed, consents to enter into negotiations and to establish relations between the armies of the Government and the insurrectionists.”
Krasnov agrees to negotiate a truce, claiming a desire to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.
Krasnov's stated willingness to negotiate masks the ultimatum-like conditions that follow.
“He proposes to the General Staff of the insurrectionists to recall its regiments to Petrograd, to declare the line Ligovo-Pulkovo-Colpinno neutral, and to allow the advance-guards of the Government cavalry to enter Tsarskoye Selo, for the purpose of establishing order.”
Krasnov demands the Bolsheviks withdraw to Petrograd, create a neutral zone, and let government cavalry enter Tsarskoye Selo to restore order.
These terms effectively require the Bolsheviks to cede strategic ground and acknowledge government authority.
“The answer to this proposal must be placed in the hands of our envoys before eight o’clock tomorrow morning.”
Krasnov sets a tight deadline of eight o'clock the next morning for a response.
The short deadline underscores the urgency and pressure on the Bolsheviks to accept or reject the terms.