 Amnestied as a result of the February revolution, Gerasimov became a member of the Samara Soviet of Soldiers’ Deputies, and was elected chair.In June 1917, he was a delegate at the First All-Russian Congress of Soviets and chosen a member of the new national Central Executive Committee (VTsIK) (see Soviet).In July, he joined the Bolshevik party, and in October 1917 was a delegate to the Second Congress of Soviets (which endorsed Soviet power).