Military officer.
For one year during the Civil War, Admiral Kolchak was the internationally recognized leader of Russia. He united all the White Movement forces against Bolsheviks and received military and diplomatic aid from the west.
Background
Lived: 1874-1920.
Alexander Kolchak was born in St. Petersburg. He took part in the polar expedition of Eduard Toll and joined the Russian Navy. Kolchak participated in the Russo-Japanese War and earned a medal of honour in defending Port Arthur.
He became the Head of the Black Sea Fleet. When the February Revolution reached the Black Sea, Kolchak could not keep the fleet together and left for St. Petersburg.
Kerensky did not trust the admiral and decided to send him far away on a mission to USA.
Civil War
After the October Revolution, Kolchak moved to Siberia and became associated with the White Movement. In September 1918, the new Siberian Regional Government called the Ufa Directory was introduced in Omsk. Kolchak was invited to join as Defense Minister.
In November 1918, Kolchak seized power as the Supreme ruler of Russia. This was military dictatorship with its headquarters in Omsk.
Supreme ruler of Russia
Kolchak was successful in extending his power from Urals to Volga. His power lasted only less than a year. Kolchak made serious mistakes: he lost support of the Czech Legion, lost support of potential ally Finland, tried to reverse the tsarist agrarian policy and used terror.
Kolchak’s power collapsed when the Reds started their counter attack in April 1919. By December 1919 Kolchak had surrendered.
Death
He tried to take a train to Irkutsk to join the English garrison and leave Russia. The Czech Legion promised him a safe passage. For some reason Kolchak was nevertheless arrested and handed over to the Reds. They tried and sentenced him to death. Admiral Kolchak was shot in February 1920. His body was thrown in an ice hole of the Angara River.
Alexander Kolchak
Military officer.
For one year during the Civil War, Admiral Kolchak was the internationally recognized leader of Russia. He united all the White Movement forces against Bolsheviks and received military and diplomatic aid from the west.
Background
Lived: 1874-1920.
Alexander Kolchak was born in St. Petersburg. He took part in the polar expedition of Eduard Toll and joined the Russian Navy. Kolchak participated in the Russo-Japanese War and earned a medal of honour in defending Port Arthur.
He became the Head of the Black Sea Fleet. When the February Revolution reached the Black Sea, Kolchak could not keep the fleet together and left for St. Petersburg.
Kerensky did not trust the admiral and decided to send him far away on a mission to USA.
Civil War
After the October Revolution, Kolchak moved to Siberia and became associated with the White Movement. In September 1918, the new Siberian Regional Government called the Ufa Directory was introduced in Omsk. Kolchak was invited to join as Defense Minister.
In November 1918, Kolchak seized power as the Supreme ruler of Russia. This was military dictatorship with its headquarters in Omsk.
Supreme ruler of Russia
Kolchak was successful in extending his power from Urals to Volga. His power lasted only less than a year. Kolchak made serious mistakes: he lost support of the Czech Legion, lost support of potential ally Finland, tried to reverse the tsarist agrarian policy and used terror.
Kolchak’s power collapsed when the Reds started their counter attack in April 1919. By December 1919 Kolchak had surrendered.
Death
He tried to take a train to Irkutsk to join the English garrison and leave Russia. The Czech Legion promised him a safe passage. For some reason Kolchak was nevertheless arrested and handed over to the Reds. They tried and sentenced him to death. Admiral Kolchak was shot in February 1920. His body was thrown in an ice hole of the Angara River.
Anton Denikin