3 May 1917. Maxim Gorky

Non-fiction

Project 1917 is a series of events that took place a hundred years ago as described by those involved. It is composed only of diaries, letters, memoirs, newspapers and other documents

Maxim Gorky

23, Kronversky ave., Petrograd, Russian Empire

The new order of political life requires a new spiritual order from us. It goes without saying that you won’t be born again in two months, but the sooner we rid ourselves of the baggage from our pasts, the stronger our spiritual health will be, and the more productive our work to create new forms of social life will become.

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Sigmund Freud

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I sometimes fall into such a mood that I no longer want to live, and I feel relief in the knowledge that my difficult existence will soon come to an end.

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Elizaveta Naryshkina

The Pacifist movement is growing. Milyukov’s note has provoked protests. Merely emphasising the rejection of annexation and indemnities was simply not enough. Fools… German agents are turning them against England. Without a doubt, envy plays a role in the ill-will towards our allies. Giving the soldiers such will was an insanity of unspeakable proportion. Now it is no longer an army, but a horde of Praetorians who dictate the law. We are in terrible danger.

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Elizaveta Kuzmina-Karavaeva

16, Kovensky sidewalk, Petrograd, Russian Empire

Dying at the front is now definitely perceived as dying in vain.

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Felix Yusupov

Yusupov's Palace, 94, Moyka embankment, Petrograd, Russian Empire

I managed to take out two Rembrandts among the masterpieces of our collection from St. Petersburg: "Man in a wide-brimmed hat" and "Woman with a fan". Having removed the frames and rolled them into tubes, I got them out easily

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Alfred Knox

Petrograd, Russian Empire

On the night of the 3rd large crowds demonstrated for and against M. Milyukov before the Marinski Palace, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with rare courage, came out and spoke to the crowd in defence of his policy.

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Maurice Paleologue

10, Kutuzova embankment, Petrograd, Russian Empire

Yielding to the pressure of the Soviet, Kerensky and, unfortunately, Albert Thomas too, Miliukov has bowed to the necessity of informing the Allied Governments of the manifesto issued on the 9th April to enlighten the Russian nation about the views of the Government of free Russia on the subject of war aims, a manifesto which can be summarized in the famous expression: "No annexations, no indemnities." But he has added an explanatory note which, couched in intentionally vague and diffuse terms, does what is possible to counteract the arguments of the manifesto. See more

The Soviet has been sitting all night, proclaiming its determination to have this note withdrawn and make Miliukov "harmless" in future. In fact, a fierce dispute with the Government is in progress.

There has been much excitement in the streets since early morning. Groups have gathered at all points to listen to impromptu speeches. About two o'clock the character of the demonstrations became more serious. A collision between Miliukov's supporters and opponents took place in front of Our Lady of Kazan and the former gained the day.

Before long the regiments of the garrison emerged from their barracks and marched through the streets of the city, shouting: "Down with Miliukov! Down with the war!"

The Government is in permanent session at the Marie Palace, having firmly decided that this time it will make no further concessions to the tyranny of the extremists. Kerensky alone has refrained from taking any part in its deliberations; he feels that his position as Vice-President of the Soviet leaves him no other course.

This evening the agitation became more intense. More than 25,000 armed men and a huge mob of workmen collected round the Marie Palace.

The Government's position is critical; but its resolution has not wavered. From the top of the steps which give a splendid view of the Marie and St. Isaac Squares, Miliukov, General Kornilov and Rodzianko have been bravely haranguing the crowd.

At length a rumour began to spread that the Tsarskoïe-Selo regiments, which have remained faithful to the Government, are marching on Petrograd. The Soviet seems to think it is true, as it hastily issued an order that the demonstrations are to cease. What will happen to-morrow?

I have been thinking all day over the lamentable mistake Albert Thomas has made in supporting Kerensky against Miliukov. In view of his persistence in what may be called "the revolutionary illusion," I decided to-night to send Ribot the following telegram:

The gravity of the events in progress and the sense of my responsibility compel me to ask you to confirm by direct and express order that you have instructed M. Albert Thomas I am not to communicate with you.

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Nicholas II

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

This extraordinary spring weather continues; the sun appeared, but a heavy snow was falling and a strong wind was blowing. During the morning between 10 o*clock and 11 o*clock, I gave Alexis a geography lesson. Then I took a walk. During the day we worked on the ice. I saw a sentry sleeping on a bench wrapped up in his sheepskin coat. Until dinner and after dinner I read for a long time.

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2 May

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1916: Year in Review.

in Petrograd

in Moscow