Soviets, among which prevailed Soviets of workers and soldiers deputies, got a wide spread at various levels. From March till October 1917 the number of local Soviets increased from 600 up to 1429. Socialist-revolutionaries and Mensheviks, whose programs complied with the mood of Russian population, had majority in Soviets.
All-Russian conference of Councils of workers and soldiers deputies, which made the decision on necessity of convocation of the first All-Russian congress of Soviets was carried out on March 27 - April 3 on the initiative of Petrograd Soviet. It was held from June 3 till June 24, 822 delegates with casting votes and 266 - with advisory votes took part in the congress. From 777 delegates who declared their party membership, there were 285 socialist-revolutionaries, 248 Mensheviks, 105 Bolsheviks, 32 Menshevik-internationalists and 10 Menshevik-unionists. Congress approved internal and foreign policy of the Provisional Government, made a decision on preparation of the Constituent Assembly, about convocation of the All-Russian congresses of Soviets at least once in three months, elected All-Russian Central Executive Committee (VTSIK), led by Menshevik N.S.Chkheidze.
The first All-Russian congress of peasants deputies was held in May 1917. 1167 people, including 537 socialist-revolutionaries, 103 social democrats, 9 Bolsheviks took part at the congress. The policy of the Provisional Government and the course on continuation of war were approved, also the Executive committee of the All-Russian congress (the chairman - right-wing socialist-revolutionary N.D.Avksentiev) was elected.
Factory committees (fabzavcoms) appeared in Russia after February revolution. They were elected by workers of plants and factories and dealt with questions concerning normalization of working day and salary, acceptance and dismissal of workers, 8-hour working day was introduced without preliminary permission, they created workers' militia etc. The 1st city conference of fabzavcoms, at which the Central Committee of Factory committees of Petrograd was elected, took place on May 30, 1917. Bolshevik M.N.Zhivotov became the head of the Central Committee. |
History 