General Kornilov staged an attempted takeover of the Russian government in August-September 1917 because he had a very conservative attitude and wanted to crack down on the growing revolutionary sentiment in Russia. His coup attempt backfired and forced the provisional government led by Kerensky to release Bolshevik leaders like Lenin from prison and rearm their Red Guard military wing in order to defeat Kornilov, which greatly strengthened the Bolsheviks' position and helped them come to power.

1. The kornilov Affair(August to september 1917)Learning IntentionsKnow who Kornilov was.Understand WHY he staged an attempted takeover of the government.Understand how this helped the Bolsheviks

2. In January 1917 there were 40,000 Bolshevik members. Lenin was in Switzerland.

3. The February Revolution occurred without the Bolsheviks.

4. In April Lenin returned. His April Theses “Bread, Peace, Land and All Power to the Soviets” is at first dismissed as too radical.

5. Lenin pushes for its acceptance – Boshevik numbers climb from 80,000 (April) to 200,000 (July).

6. July uprising fails. Lenin flees, Trotsky is arrested, the Red Guard (Bolshevik military wing) is disarmed.

7. Today’s Question – Why was Kerensky forced to release and arm the Bolsheviks?Background notes

8. Kornilov – A General with a very conservative attitude, loyal troops and a fierce reputation (and a cool symbol)