All-Russian Central Executive Committee
In June 1917, delegates gathered inside the Tauride Palace in Petrograd to establish a new governing body. The First All-Russian Congress of Soviets elected 320 deputies to form the initial committee. This group included 123 Mensheviks and 119 Social Revolutionaries alongside only 58 Bolsheviks. Nikolai Chkheidze served as the chairman during these early months. The assembly met within the palace until August 1917 when they relocated to Smolny. Their role was not yet that of supreme state power but rather a permanent oversight body for the congress.
The original composition reflected the balance of power among moderate socialist factions at the time. Chkheidze supported the Provisional Government and welcomed Aleksandr Kerensky as minister-chairman. They decided to recognize unlimited powers for this existing government structure. Representatives from the committee participated in commissions established by the Provisional Government to maintain order in Petrograd. This alignment with the provisional authorities defined their political stance throughout the summer of 1917. The majority of deputies remained committed to a coalition approach rather than immediate radical change.
By early September, the Kornilov revolt had been liquidated and political dynamics shifted rapidly. Bolshevik Viktor Nogin became chairman of the Moscow Council while Lev Trotsky led the Petrograd Council. Soldiers committees on the Northern and Western fronts began transferring allegiance to the Bolsheviks. By November, Bolsheviks held up to 90% of seats in the Petrograd Soviet and over 60% in Moscow. The old Central Executive Committee refused to convene a new Congress despite these changes. Richard Pipes noted that the initiative to hold a regional congress was technically illegal under existing procedures.
On November 7 at 10:40 pm, the Second All-Russian Congress opened during an armed uprising in Petrograd. Lenin proposed dissolving the old composition of the Central Executive Committee immediately after the session began. A new body emerged with 62 Bolsheviks and 29 Left Social Revolutionaries among its 101 members. Lev Kamenev took the chairmanship on November 9 following this restructuring. The powers of commissars from the former committee were declared discontinued across the army and local regions. Moderate socialists boycotted the proceedings entirely due to their opposition to the Bolshevik actions.
On the 28th of November 1917, the committee merged with the executive committee elected by the Extraordinary All-Russian Peasants' Congress. This combined group contained 62 Bolsheviks, 29 Left Socialist Revolutionaries, and 10 Mensheviks or Right Social Revolutionaries. The merger created a broader coalition government that included peasant deputies alongside workers and soldiers. Left Socialist Revolutionaries agreed to join the Council of People's Commissars as part of this agreement. Kamenev directed daily operations while holding a tie-breaking vote within the expanded assembly.
the 30th of December 1922 marked the official formation of the Soviet Union through the merger of multiple republics. Mikhail Kalinin retained his position as chairman of the Central Executive Committee during this transition. He simultaneously became chairman of the newly formed Central Executive Committee of the All-Union Congress of Soviets. Both roles remained largely ceremonial in nature throughout the following years. His tenure extended from the 30th of March 1919 until the 15th of July 1938 spanning over two decades of leadership.
The adoption of the 1936 Soviet Constitution triggered the final dissolution of the committee structure. By 1937, the body was replaced by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian SFSR. This change ended thirty years of operation for the original organization. The new presidium assumed all functions previously held by the Central Executive Committee. No further sessions were convened under the old name after this constitutional reform took effect.
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Common questions
Who chaired the All-Russian Central Executive Committee in June 1917?
Nikolai Chkheidze served as the chairman during these early months. He supported the Provisional Government and welcomed Aleksandr Kerensky as minister-chairman.
When did the Second All-Russian Congress open to dissolve the old committee?
The Second All-Russian Congress opened on November 7 at 10:40 pm during an armed uprising in Petrograd. Lenin proposed dissolving the old composition of the Central Executive Committee immediately after the session began.
What happened to the All-Russian Central Executive Committee on the 28th of November 1917?
On the 28th of November 1917, the committee merged with the executive committee elected by the Extraordinary All-Russian Peasants' Congress. This combined group contained 62 Bolsheviks, 29 Left Socialist Revolutionaries, and 10 Mensheviks or Right Social Revolutionaries.
How long did Mikhail Kalinin serve as chairman of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee?
His tenure extended from the 30th of March 1919 until the 15th of July 1938 spanning over two decades of leadership. He retained his position as chairman during the official formation of the Soviet Union on the 30th of December 1922.
When was the All-Russian Central Executive Committee dissolved and replaced?
By 1937, the body was replaced by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian SFSR following the adoption of the 1936 Soviet Constitution. No further sessions were convened under the old name after this constitutional reform took effect.