The Last Tsar - Chapter Twenty-two Bolshevik Uprising in July 1917

Chapter Twenty-two
Bolshevik Uprising in July 1917

It was the desire of the German government to knock Russia out of the war first, then France and Britain at the end.

But how? Tsar Nicholas had abdicated in March 1917, but the policy of Russia remained unchanged. The Provisional Government was determined to continue to fight until the decisive victory was won. The German General Ludendorff devised a new plan - the plan of sending Lenin and his Bolshevik followers (i.e. who were then living in Switzerland) to Russia via Sweden, to overthrow the weak and shaky Provisional Government. Lenin promised to make peace with Germany if he got power. Lenin was offered, by the German government, large sums of money to execute the plan. He and his followers were also offered a sealed compartment in a train which would take them to Petrograd via Sweden.

On April 16th Lenin and his followers arrived at Petrograd, occupied a mansion, which once belonged to a famous ballerina, Mathilda Kschessinska. From the balcony of that mansion he delivered speeches to the people against the Provisional Government and started creating turmoil inside Russia.

'The German leaders turned upon Russia the most grisly of all weapons. They injected Lenin like a plague bacillus into the body of Russia', - said Winston Churchill.

The United States government extended loans of $325 million to the Provisional Government, but on condition - 'No war, no loans'. It meant a heavy pressure on the Provisional Government.

Pressed by the allies the Provisional Government prepared for another offensive under General Brusselov. In July, Russian artillery opened a heavy bombardment along forty miles of the Galician front, and the thirty-one Russian Division attacking the Austrians quickly broke through. For two weeks they (the Russians) advanced. Then, on July 14th, German reserves arrived and stopped the advance. The 31st Division was ordered for further attacks but the whole Division refused to move. The Russian retreat became a rout. Lenin and Bolsheviks took that opportunity and on July 16th, the Bolsheviks struck. With real effort General Kornilove crushed that uprising, which is called the July Uprising or First Bolshevik Uprising of July.

After that the new prime minister of the Provisional Government, Alexander Kerensky, suggested to move the Imperial family somewhere far away from the capital. At last Tobolsk, a commercial town in Siberia, was chosen by the Provisional Government, and the day for departure was fixed on 13th August.

Tsarvitch Alexis's birthday fell on 12th August. In the morning of 12th August, the priests with the gold Icon, came to the Palace in procession to conduct the service for the birthday and to pray for the safe journey of the Imperial family to Tobolsk.

'The ceremony was moving, all were in tears. Afterwards the family followed the procession as far as the balcony and saw it disappear through the park. It was as if the past were taking leave, never to come back', wrote Beckendorff.

The next day, 13th August 1917, was the last day in their lives to spend at Tsarskoe Selo. They (the Imperial family) never returned. Tsarvitch's French and English tutors, Gilliard and Gibbs, two ladies-in-waiting, Madame Scheineder and Countess Hendrikova, Prince Basil Dolngornky, General Tatisheve, and two aides-de-camp, Madame Schinder, Countess Hendrikova, Prince Basil Dolngorsky, General Tatisheve, maid Demidova, Tsarvitch's attendant sailor Nagorny, cook Kharitovnoff, servant Trupp and Dr. Botkin, the Tsarina's physician, were later executed in Ekaterinburg. They were guilty of serving their master faithfully.

On July 13th the Imperial family prepared for the long journey to Tobolsk. Trunks and chests were scattered throughout the Palace. Later they were picked up and assembled in the semi-circular hall.

The train was to leave Tsarskoe Selo station in the middle of the night, but it arrived at the station at dawn.

In the evening of August 13th, the Grand Duke Michael, the younger brother of the Tsar, came to say goodbye to his older brother. He met Nicholas in his study. The meeting was very sad and moving. The brothers embraced each other, spoke little - - - How is mother? How is Alix (the Empress)? Michael wanted to see the children but was not allowed. The Tsarvitch, nervous and excited, waited outside to see Uncle Misha. Ten minutes later Michael came out of the study in tears, quickly kissed Alexis, said goodbye and left the Palace. It was their last meeting. The Grand Duke Michael was brutally murdered in July 1918.

The night was confused and sleepless. 'For the first time I saw Alexandra Fedorovna (the Empress) worried and weeping like any ordinary women', - wrote Kerensky.

He came to the Palace on that fateful night to arrange everything himself, and he did. At 6 a.m., August 14th, the family left the Palace ground forever. The train, wearing the Japanese red cross flag, was waiting on a siding outside the station. Kerensky escorted the family to the station, said goodbye to the Emperor and family.

'I never thought at that time that the terrible future awaited them', - wrote Kerensky later.

As soon as all were aboard, the train began to move eastward, toward Siberia.

To guard the Imperial family in Tobolsk, Colonel Kobylinsky and two hundred soldiers were to follow there.