Belarusian delegation to the Petrograd: The first attempt to “organize Belarus” (April, 1917) Cover Image

Беларуская дэлегацыя ў Петраградзе: першая спроба «арганізаваць Беларусь» (красавік 1917 года)
Belarusian delegation to the Petrograd: The first attempt to “organize Belarus” (April, 1917)

Author(s): Aliaksandr Smalianczuk
Subject(s): Social history
Published by: Uniwersytet Warszawski - Katedra Studiów Interkulturowych Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej
Keywords: Revolution in Russia; the Belarusian National Committee; Roman Skirmunt; the Provisional Government in Russia; Belarus autonomy

Summary/Abstract: The Russian Revolution and the fall of the Romanov dynasty contributed to the revitalization of the national movements in the former empire. In the March 25-27, 1917 in Minsk the Belarusian Congress of Parties and Organizations on which the Belarusian National Committee, headed by Roman Skirmunt (1868–1939) was created. Its main task was to organize the mass of the Belarusian national movement and to achieve the autonomy of the Belarus within the framework of a federal and democratic Russia. However, the visit of the Belarusian delegation to Petrograd in April, 1917 and the negotiations with the Provisional Government was failed. The interim government is still regarded Belarus as the “North-West territory” of the Russia. The only argument that could change its position, was massive national movement in Belarus and the creation of its own military forces. However, in the spring of 1917 Belarusians had no such an argument.

  • Issue Year: 4/2019
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 19-36
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: Belarusian