22 October 1917. Petrograd Soviet of Workers and Soldiers Deputies

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

Petrograd Soviet of Workers and Soldiers Deputies

Smolny Institute, Petrograd, Russian Republic

In a moment of mortal danger for the people and the revolution, the Petrograd Soviet of Workers and Soldiers’ Deputies announces: the Kerensky government is destroying this country. Having proven his total inability to conduct war, he has still not offered us peace. Along with the bourgeoisie, Kerensky is preparing to surrender Petrograd, the main fortress of the revolution, to the Germans. In the face of a government mired in Kornilovishness, in the face of general mistrust among soldiers, workers, and peasants toward the government, catastrophe is inevitable. The Petrograd Soviet of W. and S.D. cannot take upon itself any responsibility before the army for the so-called strategy of the Provisional Government and in particular for the retreat of our troops from Petrograd.

The salvation of Petrograd and of this country lies in the transfer of power to the hands of the Soviets. Soviet power should offer all peoples an immediate armistice and continue until peace is achieved to take it into its own hands to safeguard the combat capabilities of the army and the defense of Petrograd and of this country.

In addition, The Petrograd Soviet of W. and S.D. calls upon the Petrograd garrison to take all possible measures to develop and consolidate its combat readiness immediately.

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