Viktor Chernov in 1917: A Reappraisal

Abstract

In 1917, Chernov intended to introduce a revolutionary land law proposal for the Constituent Assembly. As a corollary measure, he argued for a proposal to suspend all transactions on land backdated to 1 March 1917. Accordingly, Chernov strongly argued for the rapid convocation of the Constituent Assembly to be convened in late September or early October. During July Crisis, he got cabinet approval for his schedule. Chernov's plan was thwarted by the Kadets who in the Second Coalition successfully demanded the prolongation by eight weeks of the election and the convocation of the Assembly. Chernov's political position was also weakened by the disintegration within the SR party that during the summer of 1917, divided the party into three factions. The Kornilov episode ended Chernov's ministerial career. In Bolshevik Russia, Chernov was a still a credible alternative to Lenin. Chernov got majority in the Second Congress of the Peasant Soviet between 26 November and 2 December. The SR party also received majority in the elections to the Constituent Assembly. In January 5, 1918, Chernov introduced the first ten paragraphs of the SR land law in the only session of the Assembly; the entire law proposal only emerged from the archives after the dissolution of the USSR.