6 August 1917. Winston Churchill

London, United Kingdom

The Council of Soldiers and Workmen’s deputies at Petrograd so prominent in the revolution, the parent and exemplar of all the soviets which were sprouting throughout Russia, maintained a separate existence and policy. It appealed to the world in favour of peace without annexations or indemnities; it developed its own strength and connections and debated and harangued on first principles almost continuously. From the outset a divergence of aim was apparent between this body and the Provisional Government. The object of the Petrograd Council was to undermine all authority and discipline; the object of the Provisional Government was to preserve both in new and agreeable forms. On a deadlock being reached between the rivals, Kerensky, a moderate member of the Council, sided with the Provisional Government and became Minister of Justice. Meanwhile the extremists lay in the midst of the Petrograd Council, but did not at first dominate it. All this was in accordance with the regular and conventional Communist plan of fostering all disruptive movements, especially of the Left.

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Vladimir Vernadsky

Butova kobyla, Poltavskaya guberniya, Russian Empire

I look into the future with anxiety. I believe in Russia’s strength, but think that, unconsciously, great mistakes can be made, which would direct the course of history not in the direction in which they could have, and, especially, that a lot that has been created by Russian history, in the form of a big unified state, can be lost for humanity. See more

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Alexander Kerensky

Petrograd, Russian Empire

In the given circumstances, with the country threatened by civil war and facing defeat at the hands of an external enemy, I do not consider it possible to shirk the burdensome duty laid on my shoulders by representatives of the largest socialist, democratic and liberal parties. See more

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George Buchanan

4, Dvortsovaya embankment, Petrograd, Russian Empire (British Embassy)

Letter to the Foreign Ministry

"Kerensky has formed a Government composed of six Socialist and eight non-Socialist members. Five of the latter belong to the Cadet party. Aksentieff, the president of the Council of Peasants, becomes Minister of the Interior, and Savenkoff, the former Terrorist, vice-Minister of War. KorniloffCommander in Chief of the Petrograd command - from 18 March 1917 is appointed Commander-in-Chief."

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Alexander Zamaraev

Totma, Vologodskaya guberniya, Russian Empire

Weather is bright again. We need some rain, but it’s not coming. Very little rain this whole summer. Rye is very thin and spring crops have gone bad.

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Boris Savinkov

At front, Tarnopol, Russian Empire

I’m lying face down on the grass. The grass is damp, still wet from the noisy midday rain. An ant is working exhaustedly right in front of my eyes. He drags a straw—it’s an unbearable burden. I examine him curiously. And him, and his straw, and the green stems of the grass, and the lumps of dried mud. All with curiosity. When I once expected a violent death, I skimmed “Niva.” with curiosity Is it because you read the Niva and follow an insignificant ant at these moments, that there’s no courage, no calm composure to understand to the end and measure of what we call death? See more

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Edvard Munch

Ekely estate, Norway

Fyodor Raskolnikov

Kresty Prison, Petrograd, Russian Empire

The prison guards turned a blind eye to any unauthorised interactions amongst the prisoners. Their treatment of us was characterised by a conspicuous degree of caution, even fear. The February Revolution, which resulted in the overthrow of the tsarist dignitaries and put a chunk of the ministerial portfolios into the hands of former exiles and prisoners, sparked a major upheaval in the minds of the prison-keepers. See more

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Anna Vyrubova

Petrograd, Russian Empire

At six o'clock we heard a drosky driven at great speed over the cobbles, and as it came in sight we saw my uncle standing up and wildly waving the papers in his hand, "Free!" he called out. "Anna Alex- androvna, you are free !" The rest is confusion in my mind. There were laughter and sobs. People kissed and embraced me. I was In the drosky driving through Petrograd streets. I was In my uncle's house. The tea table was spread. It was like a dream. See more

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Yakub Ganetsky

Saltsjöbaden, Stockholm, Sweden

Received an interesting letter from Lenin from his Finnish underground. In it, Lenin issued directives to us to collect information abroad, and based on it, and information received from Russia, to expose vile accusations of Kerensky and Co.

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Leon Trotsky

Kresty Prison, Petrograd, Russian Empire

Prosecutor Alexandrov brought the same charge against me, as to Lenin, Zinoviev, Kollontai, and others. The accusation is that I entered into an agreement with agents of Germany and Austria with the aim of disorganizing the Russian army, received money from these countries, etc. At the same time, due to the prolonged interrogation, I am convinced that Mr. Alexandrov, counting "proved" that Lenin is an agent of Germany, deduces my guilt from the fact that I 1) came with Lenin from Germany; 2) was a member of the Central Committee of the Bolsheviks; 3) was one of the leaders of the military organization under the Central Committee. See more

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Elizaveta Naryshkina

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

The Germans are already in Kiev and in Pskov. I suspect that they will take Petrograd. Instead of acting and giving all the power to Kerensky and KornilovCommander in Chief of the Petrograd command - from 18 March 1917, they are exhausting their energy in conversations, while evil strengthens. See more

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5 August

Trotsky got arrested again

"Most repulsive is the sense of general cowardice"

"The victory of counter-revolution is fragile and short-lived"