Russian Civil War

1917-1921

•How far was the outcome of the Civil War determined by the actions of the Allies rather than the policies of the Bolsheviks?

•How important was the issue of leadership in determining the outcome of the Civil War, 1917–1921?

Essay Questions

•Did the Bolsheviks triumph in the Russian Civil War mainly because their opponents were more disorganised?

•How important was the issue of leadership in the outcome of the Civil War?•Was The Russian Civil War one war or many?

2 Types of question : What Kind Of War?

Why Did The Whites Lose/Reds Win?

Basic OverviewRED• The Reds were composed

mainly of volunteering workers under of the leadership of the Bolshevik party, Kronstadt sailors and the Red Guard

• Fought a defensive war within the industrial heart of Russia with all major railways and manufacturing plants

• The Reds were united under a single goal and were commanded by inspirational and extreme leaders (Trotsky, Lenin)

WHITE

• The Whites, unlike the united front of the Red armies, were relatively disorganised. However, they had a common enemy, but no common ideology.

• A combination of Liberals, Monarchists, Moderate Socialists, Nationalists and Separatists

• Armies held surrounding areas from Samara to the East to Omsk in the North. These areas however were poor in resources and factories able to supply them with munitions

Greens•The Greens were made up from mainly peasants and anarchists who fought for themselves or either side. However the main focus should be on the reds and whites.

Leadership And Organisation

•Whites Division – Individual Generals and there conflicts between each others ideologies. E.g. Kolchaks Differences

•Trotsky’s Influence – Ability to boost the men's morale and his commitment to the war – talk about Lenin’s influence as well

•Red Discipline – How they changed from a disintegrating mess to an effective fighting force – Trotsky’s techniques

•Define Leadership – Influence, Tactics, Popularity. Remember to talk about each significant generals strengths and weaknesses

Geo-political position And

Support

•The Reds had a huge advantage because they held the ‘Central Ground’ which included Petrograd and Moscow, as well as the main factoriesand railways.•The Whites were very spread out around the central ground and had little Communication between each other.

•Who supported the reds and how Trotsky managed to gain their support.

•Outside support for the whites from countries such as France, USA, GB and Japan

Many Wars?

• Whites vs. Reds War on separate fronts

surrounding Central Russia:

1. Denekin and Wrangel in the South

2. Kolchak in the East

3. Yudenich in the West

• Whites vs. Whites

• Greens vs. Everyone

• Russo-Polish War

• Czech Legion

• National Minorities (Ukraine/Georgia etc)

Useful Quotes

What Kind of war?• Read- ‘’There is no word of strong enough force to use when

one comes to situation in Russia in those years’’

• Lynch- ‘’As in all wars, it was a chance to settle personal scores’’

• Service- ‘’Dozens of Civil Wars’’

• Lynch- national minorities fighting for independence

Why the Reds won/Whites lost• Lynch- Says that the Whites made terrible mistakes

• Pipes- Whites were better, but faced momentous disadvantages

• Service- ‘’Transformed the red army into fighting force’’ Service on Trotsky

• Laver- States lack of coordination, mistakes, half heartedness of Whites = Red victory