Kornilov affair — attempted military coup d'état by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army
The failed coup accelerated the Bolsheviks' rise to power, directly enabling their successful October Revolution two months later.
Key Facts
- Dates (New Style)
- 10–13 September 1917
- Dates (Old Style)
- 28–31 August 1917
- Coup leader
- General Lavr Kornilov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army
- Outcome for Kornilov
- Removed as Commander-in-Chief and incarcerated
- March leader's fate
- Aleksandr Krymov committed suicide
- Political consequence
- Kerensky proclaimed the Russian Republic; Bolsheviks significantly strengthened
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following the collapse of Romanov rule, Russia's Provisional Government grew deeply unpopular due to continued participation in the First World War and economic strain. After the failed Kerensky Offensive and the July Days unrest, Kerensky appointed General Kornilov as Commander-in-Chief. Miscommunication led Kornilov to believe a Bolshevik takeover of Petrograd was imminent, prompting him to march on the capital against the government's wishes.
From 10 to 13 September 1917, Kornilov ordered his troops to advance on Petrograd in an attempted coup against the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet. Kerensky called on the Petrograd Soviet to resist. The Bolsheviks coordinated with railway workers to block the army's movement, infiltrated Kornilov's forces to encourage desertion, and conducted sabotage. The coup collapsed before the army reached Petrograd; Kornilov was arrested and march leader Krymov took his own life.
The failed coup strengthened the Bolsheviks considerably: they acquired arms distributed for Petrograd's defense, secured the release of imprisoned leaders including Leon Trotsky, and gained popular prestige for stopping the putsch. Kerensky formally abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the Russian Republic. The Bolsheviks' enhanced organization and weaponry directly contributed to their successful seizure of power in the October Revolution of 1917.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Alexander Kerensky, Leon Trotsky.
Side B
1 belligerent
General Lavr Kornilov, Aleksandr Krymov.