ABSTRACT
The inability of the moderate leaders of the February revolution to solve the problem of peace, and the growth of Bolshevism, were two facets of the same process. The most disastrous consequences of the ill-fated offensive were political: the disintegration of the February bloc now proceeded much more quickly, while Bolshevism received another powerful impetus. Delegations from the Bolsheviks were constantly demanding arms, allegedly for use against Kornilov, and obtaining them from the VTsIK under this or that pretext. However, some action was clearly indicated after the Kornilov affair and so, yielding to the feeling prevailing on the left, the government decided to convoke an All-Russian Democratic Convention. The All-Russian Congress of Soviets opened on June 3 in Petrograd. The pre-Parliament, which was officially named the Provisional Council of the Republic, was composed of 550 members, including 156 from non-Soviet groups.
