Alexander Kerensky, Russian lawyer and politician, 10th Prime Minister of Russia (d. 1970)
Alexander Fyodorovich Kerensky (4 May [O.S. 22 April] 1881 – 11 June 1970) was a Russian lawyer and revolutionary who led the Russian Provisional Government and the short-lived Russian Republic for three months from late July to early November 1917.
After the February Revolution of 1917, he joined the newly formed provisional government, first as Minister of Justice, then as Minister of War, and after July as the government's second Minister-Chairman. He was the leader of the social-democratic Trudovik faction of the Socialist Revolutionary Party. Kerensky was also a vice-chairman Petrograd Soviet, a position that held a sizable amount of power. Kerensky became the prime minister of the Provisional Government and his tenure was consumed with World War I. Despite mass opposition to the war, Kerensky chose to continue Russia's participation. His government further cracked down on anti-war sentiment and dissent which only further alienated him throughout 1917.
Kerensky's government was then overthrown on 7 November in the October Revolution. This revolution saw the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin replace Kerensky's government with a socialist one. Kerensky escaped Russia and lived the remainder of his life in exile. He spent this time in between Paris and New York City. Kerensky worked for the conservative Hoover Institution at Stanford University.
1881May, 2
Alexander Kerensky
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Events on 1881
- 1Jan
Panama Canal
Ferdinand de Lesseps begins French construction of the Panama Canal. - 16Apr
Bat Masterson
In Dodge City, Kansas, Bat Masterson fights his last gun battle. - 12May
French protectorate of Tunisia
In North Africa, Tunisia becomes a French protectorate. - 21May
Clara Barton
The American Red Cross is established by Clara Barton in Washington, D.C. - 19Nov
Meteorite fall
A meteorite lands near the village of Grossliebenthal, southwest of Odessa, Ukraine.