Home – Home – Jornals – Humanitarian sciences in Siberia 2016 number

During the February revolution of 1917 Soviets of Workers’, Soldiers’ and Peasants’ Deputies were brought to the political forefront of Russia and became an alternative to the Provisional Government. Spontaneously arisen Soviets created associations at the level of districts, provinces and regions, forming a single system within the country. Creation of District Bureau of Soviets of Workers’, Soldiers’ and Peasants’ Deputies of Eastern Siberia was driven by an objective need. Separate Soviets could not independently resolve critical political affairs put forward by revolution; they needed a governing body. The paper endeavors to address the issues of creation of the District Bureau’s mechanism, its membership, structure, directions and results of work, relations with the subordinate Soviets and other elements of post-February political system. Under conditions of revolutionary time when the structure of old political system was destroyed, Bureau was forced to assume functions of both administrative authority and local government body. The Bureau’s work made it possible to arrange a stable living situation in the district. However the Bureau being overwhelmed with minor executive matters could not always be responsive to changes in political climate in the district. This led to strong disagreement with the Soviets on a number of essential problems. The Bureau’s political position was determined by its leadership where the leading role belonged to Mensheviks and Socialists Revolutionaries. On the eve of October Revolution of 1917 the Bureau considered the organization of elections to the Constituent Assembly as its main objective while the transfer of power to Soviets seemed unacceptable at that time. Being a governing body, the Bureau helped to ensure the viability of local Soviets, having allowed them to remain in the political arena and to retain the status of a power alternative. Creation of the District Bureau became an important step to consolidation of all Siberian Soviets.