The two sides in the Civil War. Key events and reasons for Bolshevik victory. Flashcards
What was going on in summer 1918 for the communists
They found themselves with opposition once more
Why were the communists under attack by in 1917
Their opposition group called the whites that consisted of tsarists, democrats, mensheviks, and socialist revolutionaries
What was a disadvantage for the Reds (communists) in the civil war
They only controlled a small part of Russia.
Advantages for the Reds in the civil war
Controlled Petrograd and Moscow meaning they had most of industrial factories to make supplies, had railway lines to send ammunition from anywhere in the battle area
Clear aim to stay in power to build a socialist society
Had a great leader Trotsky commisar of war
What role did Trotsky play in thecivil war
He built up the red’s army from nothing introducing conscription of men over 18, had the idea to make loyal troops by assigning fanatical bolsheviks to each unit of men, brough in experiences former tsarist officers kept tame by political commisars, and stopped desertations by threatening to kill commanders of deserters, people harbouring desserters, and had a train which he would ride in bringing a army of strong soldiers where fighting was intense
Who led the whites
From the east there was Admiral Kolchak who was supported by Czech soldiers left behind by the war, the west General Yudenich backed up by polish and baltic soldiers, and General denkin and his coassaks.
What were issues that whites faced that led to their defeat
they were attacking from different points scatted with miles between each army
communications were difficult to coordinate attacks
unclear aim other than to defeat the bolsheviks
lacked a single leader lots of squabbling within the whites and didn’t trust each other making it easy for trotsky to coordinate attacks.
What was one initial advantage for the whites that turned into a disadvantage
They had foriegn support from the British, French, and Americans. The allies were fearful of communism, they gave supplies and troops however these troops were tired of war and didn’t help much. Even having a mutiny so it was ineffective. This actually helped the red in their propaganda, painting a picture where the whites were being used and the reds were defending russia.
What was happening between 1918 to 1920 for the russian civil war
1918 was a bad time for the reds the whites were closing in, but trotsky was organizing the red army smartly. Taking advantage of the uncoordinated attacks he picked all the whites off. With much luck the whites were arguing and fighting some of the socialist revolutionaries refusing to fight with the tsarists. In 1920 with trosky the main white threat was over and the reds had control over russia.
Why did the reds win the end of the war
They had peasant support, meaning they had more men. Whites had said they would restore the land of the peasants back to old landlords whereas reds said they could keep it. They had control over factories, were united in aims and causes, and had a strong and smart leader.
What happened to the tsar after his abdication
He was held under house arrests, if he escaped he could be vital to the whites sucess, if executed he would be a martyr. He shot after the risk of him being rescued by the whites was too big for the reds.
Why were reds and whites lying about the tsars death
Reds were lying bc. if the germans figured out they were behind the cruel murder of the tsarina who was part of the german royal family they might call off the treaty of breast litvok
Whites were lying bc. they could win support from russians and foreign government who learned of the cruel murder of the royal family
What was lenin doing during the civil war while trotsky was leading the troops
His task was to run the government but mainly organize food and industrial production in red areas to support the red army.
Why did Lenin start War communism
Bc. food riots from the country side started, which caused industries to collapse causing workers to leave cities.
How did war communism affect cities
The government now was in charge of factories what they were producing as the worker committees were not doing very well.He put in his own managers and were run very strictly similar to the tsars time. Also workers were prevented from leavin gcities. Food was rationed with large ratios for factory workers and lowerer for other people leading to black markets. Money became worthless that’s why in 1920 many paid in food o rother goods. Also house owners were forced to share rooms with others. Cities an on the mind set that until every man has one room no one has right to have two rooms.
