The Political Activity of the Liberals in Siberia and the Russian Far East After October 1917

Abstract

The article considers some specific features of the socio-political situation in the Russian Far East in the conditions of the developing revolutionary process of 1917, which largely predetermined the course of the further historical development of the whole region. The Russian multi-party system was largely a reflection of society with its significant reserve of accumulated social energy, which broke free in the course of revolutionary changes in the country’s political system, and rushed to a previously forbidden niche of party building. For a number of objective reasons, the most active part in the political life of the Russian Far East was played by the bourgeoisie by whose efforts various political organizations, including political parties, were formed in the region (the Siberian Regionalism, Exchange and Military Industrial Committees, local branches of the all- political parties, unions of Republicans, etc.). Relying on the analysis of documentary sources and historical research, the authors trace not only the specifics of the formation of liberal political parties, but also the influence of the bourgeoisie on public sentiment that changed throughout the revolutionary year of 1917. The authors show the evolution of Siberian and Far Eastern liberals’ views that primarily manifested itself in the transformation of party programs and tactics. Conclusions based on the analysis have been drawn about the objective reasons for their defeat. In the authors’ opinion, these reasons lie in the dynamics of the political crises of 1917, the dogmatism of party leaders and the absence of a charismatic national liberal leader. The authors pay special attention to the struggle of the liberals for the masses during the election campaign to the Constituent Assembly, which was seen by all progressive political parties and their supporters as the apogee of the democratic revolution during which people elected their representatives by universal, equal, direct and secret ballot. However, the course of the Russian revolutionary process put an end to the liberal ideas of social transformation and the development of a multi-party system.