Answer:
Explanation:
Kerensky’s intuitive knowledge of the appropriate action to take in the early days of the Revolution was unmatched by the other leading political figures of the time. In March 1917, when former Tsarist ministers were seized in the street and roughly escorted to the Winter Palace, Kerensky stepped forward and declared them ‘prisoners of the revolution’. He also issued the arrest of Minster of War Vladimir Sukhomlinov – for so long, a symbol of power and corruption in the old regime – something his colleagues lacked the courage to do. Kerensky could see that only by legitimising their capture with arrest could protect them from the angry mobs in Petrograd.
The ability to deliver speeches that would connect with audiences was an important skill for any public figure in 1917. Kerensky’s experience as an advocate served him well in this respect. Although his speeches were rather cliché ridden, they were very successful, making direct appeals to ‘his people’ and tears would sometimes be seen running down his face as he spoke.
But soon his tone changed, especially after the attempted Bolshevik rising of July, becoming increasingly authoritarian. Where once he had appealed directly to the goodness of the people, now he called for the preservation of the State.
Despite this, it is difficult to find strong evidence for his well-reported egotism. Kerensky was the only moderate prepared to take on the responsibility of heading Russia, and faced criticism from across the political spectrum when he was unable to avert the Bolshevik seizure of power and subsequent descent into civil war.
