AS FP2 : Causes of the Civil War Flashcards
(12 cards)
Conceptual Awareness
Describe the Russian Civil War, generally.
A civil war is a war between organised groups from the same country. The Russian Civil War broke out in November 1917, following the revolution and ended by most accounts in 1921. However, fighting continued on the periphery for two more years and it was not until 1923 that Bolshevik power was secure.
Who were the Bolsheviks opposed by?
The Civil war was complicated by the involvement of several other countries, whose governments had their own agendas for fighting the Bolsheviks (opposition to the withdrawal from WW1, fear of communism, anger at the repudiation of Tsarist debts).
The Bolsheviks were opposed by SRs, Mensheviks, Tsarists, landowners and foreign governments.
Who were the Czech legion?
The Czech legion had originally fought for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, however they were captured by the Russians and became prisoners of war. Following their release under Kerensky, and then the Bolsheviks, they were granted safe passage home.
However, when Lenin attempted to de-arm them, they fought back, becoming involved in the Civil War as one of the many of the White Army.
60,000 soldiers, by September of 1918 they had cleared the Bolsheviks from the entire length of the transiberian railway.
Why did the SRs want to depose the Bolsheviks?
The SRs wanted to depose the Bolsheviks as they were angry that Lenin had closed down the constituent assembly, something that they had diplomatically won.
Why did Army Officers and supporters of the Provisional Government want to depose the Bolsheviks?
Supporters of the Provisional Government wanted to depose the Bolsheviks as they feared a socialist government, other counter revolutionaries also supported the whites. Army officers were angry about the Treaty of Brest Litovsk and many were supporters of the Tsarist Regime.
Why did the nobility and foreign governments involve themselves in the Russian Civil War?
Nobles were angry that they had had their land taken away with no compensation and that they had been disenfranchised under the Bolshevik regime ; Russia’s betrayal of its Western Allies through the Treaty of Brest Litovsk led France, Britain, Japan and the US to invade and occupy parts of Russia.
Why did some of the general population oppose the Bolsheviks?
Starvation also meant growing opposition, the breakdown in food supplies actually occured in WW1 but the Bolsheviks faield to address this; the loss of Ukraine through Brest Litovsk exacerbated problems and resulted in a bread ration of 50 grams per person per day in Petrograd.
Why did some national minorities involve themselves in the Russian Civil War?
National Minorities, particularly Finns, Poles and Ukranians, wanted independence, they became the Green Army ; the most famous being in Ukraine, led by Nestor Makhno.
Why did Bolshevik ideology result in opposition?
Bolshevik ideology alienated some groups, for instance the aristocracy, bourgeoisie and the Mensheviks. Additionally, the Right-Wing middle-class had everything to lose from the Bolshevik’s social and economic policies.
Who were ‘The White Army’?
The White Army was an almalgamation of groups that had very little in common, other than their hatred and fear of the Bolsheviks. They got their name due to the fact that Tsarist officers wore white, meaning that, from the beginning, they were associated with the Tsarist regime.
Who were ‘The Red Army’?
Bolsheviks / Communist Army
Who were ‘The Green Army’?
Independent groups of nationalists, peasants, bandits or towns. Fought anyone who raided villages and towns. The most famous being the Ukranian army led by Nestor Makhno who shared his loot with the local peasantry.
