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Lecture on Alexander Kerensky: The Early Revolutionary

Early Life

• Education: Graduated with distinction; skilled dancer and actor.
• University: Studied law at St Petersburg University, graduated in 1904.

Political Career

• 1905 Revolution: Known as Bloody Sunday; significant event for Kerensky.
• Legal Career: Began as a political lawyer, defending revolutionary activists.
• Socialist Revolutionary Party: Joined and became editor of their newspaper.
• Arrests and Releases: Arrested and released due to lack of evidence; forced to relocate temporarily.

Rise to Prominence

• Trials: Became famous for defending revolutionary groups.
• Duma: Elected Deputy in 1912; exposed Roman Malinovsky as a spy.
• World War I Stance: Initially opposed the war but later supported it to oppose German militarism.

Provisional Government

• February Revolution: Appointed Minister of Justice, abolished capital punishment and introduced reforms.
• War Minister: Appointed in April, led troops at the Eastern Front, announced July Offensive.
• Prime Minister: Became Prime Minister after Prince Lvov’s resignation.

Downfall

• Military Coup: Fired General Kornilov, who threatened a coup.
• Arming Bolsheviks: Asked Bolsheviks for help against Kornilov, leading them to arm themselves.
• Loss of Authority: Unable to regain control; Bolshevik power grew.
• Escape and Exile: Fled to prevent Bolshevik takeover; later lived in exile in Britain and the US.

Legacy

• Failure: Kerensky’s government lacked support from both sides.
• Historical Impact: His actions inadvertently led to Bolshevik rise and the Soviet Union.
• Reflection: What could have been different had Kerensky made other choices?

Conclusion

• Kerensky’s moderate socialism was overshadowed by the rise of Lenin and Trotsky.
• His legacy is complex, with his role being both pivotal and criticized.
• The lecture ends with a call for reflection on historical what-ifs.