Larv+Kornilov


 * __ Larv Kornilov __**
 * Lavr Kornilov was born in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Siberia, in 1870. After graduating from the Mikhailovsky Artillery Training Corps in 1892 he was commissioned and posted to Turkestan. He also studied at the General Staff Academy (1895-1898) before being assigned to espionage duties in Iran and India. Kornilov was decorated during the “ [|RussoJapanese War] ” and served as military attaché in China from 1907 to 1911.

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1. He was a strong supporter of [|Nicholas II] and the autocracy. 2. Did not believe in [|universal suffrage]. 3. Wanted the Russian government to deal harshly with those people demanding political reforms. 4. Thought Russia should support Serbia against the [|Triple Alliance]. 5. Thought Russia should honor its obligations and support the [|Triple Entente] against the [|Triple Alliance]. 6. As the [|Russian Army] was the largest army in the world he was convinced that Russia would defeat [|Austria-Hungary] and [|Germany] in a war. Kornilov was appointed Supreme Commander of the [|Russian Army] by [|Alexander Kerensky], the new Minister of War. The two men soon clashed about military policy. Kornilov wanted Kerensky to restore the death-penalty for soldiers and to militarize the factories. On 7th September, Kornilov demanded the resignation of the Cabinet and the surrender of all military and civil authority to the Commander in Chief. [|Alexander Kerensky] responded by dismissing Kornilov from office and ordering him back to Petrograd. Kornilov now sent troops under the leadership of General Krymov to take control of Petrograd. Kerensky was now in danger and so he called on the [|Soviets] and the [|Red Guards] to protect Petrograd. The [|Bolsheviks], who controlled these organizations, agreed to this request, but in a speech made by their leader, [|Vladimir Lenin] , he made clear they would be fighting against Kornilov rather than for Kerensky. Within a few days [|Bolsheviks] had enlisted 25,000 armed recruits to defend the city. While they dug trenches and fortified the city, delegations of soldiers were sent out to talk to the advancing troops. Meetings were held and Kornilov's troops decided to refuse to attack Petrograd. Kornilov was arrested but he escaped and became one of the commanders of the [|White Army] during the [|Civil War]. Lavr Kornilov was killed in action during the siege of Ekaterinodar on 13th April, 1918.