Appeals of the Provisional Government
Provisional Government, Appeals to the People and to the Army. November 7, 1917
As the Bolsheviks seized key points in Petrograd, the Provisional Government issued two urgent appeals. The first asked citizens to defend it as the people's only legitimate authority pending the Constituent Assembly. The second, sent to the Stavka, demanded loyal troops rush to the capital. Together they capture a government invoking constitutional principle while already losing control of force.
Original Source: Izvestiia, No. 207, November 8, 1917, p. 3
To the People
Izvestiia, No. 207, November 8, 1917, p. 3.
Citizens! Save the fatherland, the republic, and freedom! Maniacs have raised a revolt against the only governmental power chosen by the people-the Provisional Government.
The members of the Provisional Government, faithful to duty, will remain at their posts and continue to work for the good of the fatherland, the re-establishment of order, and the convocation of the Constituent Assembly, the future sovereign of Russia and of the peoples inhabiting it.
Citizens, you must help the Provisional Government. You must strengthen its authority. You must oppose these maniacs, with whom are joined all enemies of liberty and order including the followers of the old regime whose purpose is to destroy all conquests of the revolution and the future of our dear fatherland.
Citizens, rally around the Provisional Government for the defense of its provisional authority in the name of order and the welfare of every people of our great fatherland ...
To the Army
Direct Wire to the Stavka, 7: 00 P.M., November 7
The Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies has declared the Provisional Government deposed and demands the transfer of power under the threat of bombarding the Winter Palace from the Peter and Paul Fortress and the cruiser "Aurora." The government will surrender its power only to the Constituent Assembly. It has decided not to yield and appeals to the nation and the army for protection. Rush the dispatch of troops.
A. KONOVALOV. Acting Prime Minister