The Civil War 1918-21

Question 1

What was the extent of Human Suffering from the civil war?

Answer 1

• 7-10m deaths
• 7m homeless children
• 1-2m emigres (intellectuals/scientists)

• Population was brutalised.

Question 2

Why did the Proletariat (main base of Bolshevik support) shrink?

Answer 2

• Many joined the red army
• some returned to villages to get a share of redistributed land
• De-Urbanisation
—> Petrograd population 2.5m to 600k

Question 3

How did the Bolsheviks destroy the bourgeoisie

Answer 3

• Owners of large enterprises exiled
—> Foreign investment dried up

• Class warfare

• However Bolsheviks were isolated
  —> Spartacist revolution failed

Question 4

How did the civil war cause economic decline?

Answer 4

• 1/2 labour force in Petrograd and Moscow fled for food

• Industrial output 1/5 of pre war level

• Heavy damage to industrial areas