Petr Vologodskii “Cups of Power”: Career Steps of a Lawyer at the Time of Revolutions and Civil War (1917–1919). Part I

1917 revolution and the following Civil War brought new leaders to the stage of history. A prominent example of a leading positions achievement at such historical moment is the rise of a Siberian lawyer Petr Vologodskii, who became a prime minister of Anti-Bolshevik governments. The first part of the article deals with Vologodskii’s positions in the Tomsk province and Omsk Judicial Chamber district. Unlike previous historiography that turned mainly to study socio-political circumstances of his career rise, the author of the article argues that Vologodskii’s legal activity can be considered as a main factor of his career advancement. After the overthrow of autocracy, a reputable lawyer was given an opportunity to participate in a new statehood creation. In the difficult work it turned out to be, the lawyer applied his professional skills and proved himself to be an active chief who took care of the managed. As the region’s head of justice Vologodskii did what he mastered and loved and reached administrative hierarchy level that opened further even brighter career perspectives. The research significantly complements the biography of Petr Vologodskii and contributes our understanding of revolutionary cadre policy. It is planned that Part 2 of the research will present the career advancement and activities of a lawyer during the period of confrontation between the White movement and the Soviet government.