6.1 Reasons For The Civil War And 6.2 Key Events Flashcards
Overview
The Russian civil war lasted for nearly 3 years.
It was complicated by foreign involvement from countries that were Russia’s allies in WW1.
It bought together all of the problems Russia had faced since the tsarist regime
Summary of the reasons for the civil war
The Bolsheviks faced opposition from a variety of groups which led to a civil war lasting from 1918-1921
One of the main reasons for opposition was economic and social hardship and due to the new policies they introduced + the signing of the treaty
What economic and social hardships did Russia face before the civil war
Food shortages and starvation
Bread ration reached its lowest
Workforce in cities shrank as workers left to find food
Why did some people oppose the Bolshevik reforms - who were they and which reforms did they oppose
Decree on land - land taken from NOBLES + LANDLORDS - they supported the WHITES
decree on PEACE - NATIONALISTS wanted to continue the war
Decree on BANKING - INDUSTRIALISTS lost their wealth and businesses
What effect did closing the constituent assembly have
SRs and Cadets accused the Bolsheviks of seizing power by force
They demanded the recalling of the assembly
Supported whites
The Czech rebellion - who was involved why did they rebel
Czech Soldiers who fought in WW1
They were being transported to the western front
Czech legion rebelled and took over the trans Siberian railway
This encouraged other parties to go against the Bolsheviks
Who were the whites (who was in it -what class)
Russian group that opposed the Bolsheviks This includes: - tsarists + nobles -nationalists -liberals + socialists - SRs -Czech legion
Who were the greens
National minorities who wanted to establish independence
How did the foreign powers interfere (who did they support+why)
Russia’s allies
They supported whites because:
- Lenin withdrew from the war
- Bolsheviks cancelled payments of loans given to Russia
- they feared the spread of communism to their own countries
