1874: Alexander Kolchak – Supreme Ruler of Russia

This day in 1874 marked the birth of the most powerful anticommunist leader in Russia – Alexander Kolchak. The Russians who fought against the Bolshevik revolutionary government are usually called the White Guards or Whites, in contrast to the Bolshevik Reds (especially their Red Army). Kolchak was declared the Supreme Ruler of Russia (Верховный правитель России) by the anti-Bolshevik government in Siberia, and was given dictatorial powers.

It is interesting that Kolchak was a successful polar explorer before the Revolution. As a Russian Imperial Navy officer, he participated in an Arctic expedition, and an Arctic island was even named after him (and has kept the name until today). Kolchak achieved such fame by his exploration career that he was nicknamed “Polar”. During World War I (the Great War), Kolchak became the youngest vice admiral in Russia, and was appointed the commander-in-chief of the Black Sea Fleet.

After the Bolsheviks took power in Petrograd, Admiral Kolchak became one of the most fervent defenders of the tsarist regime. The anticommunist forces in Siberia established an all-Russian government. After Emperor Nicholas II was killed, this provisional anticommunist government declared Kolchak the Supreme Ruler of Russia (Верховный правитель России).

At one time the anticommunist forces had great success in their war against the Bolsheviks. Kolchak had as many as 110,000 battle-ready soldiers. He ruled like a dictator and re-introduced the old tsarist laws. Eventually, however, the Red Army managed to reorganize and defeat the White Guards. Kolchak was captured and executed in 1920, in the Siberian city of Irkutsk.