Civil War

Question 1

What was the Civil war, 1918 - 21

Answer 1

Bolsheviks formed Red Army and opposed by the White (an alliance of anti-Bolsheviks groups).

Question 2

6 Reasons for the Civil War

Answer 2

• huge territorial losses from the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk –> appalled many Russians
• Nationalists and conservatives lost everything from Bolsheviks’ plans for workers and peasants
• Former moderates (Mensheviks and some SRs) opposed Bolsheviks dictatorship - wanted Constituent Assembly
• Bolsheviks made enemies of the ‘Czech Legion’, 40,000 Czech troops who took control of Trans - Siberian Railway
• Monarchists wanted to reinstate the Tsar

Question 3

5 effects of the Civil war on Bolsheviks

Answer 3

• Terror tactics to ensure control - once energy area captured, Cheka hunted down any suspected opponents and executed them
• harsh discipline to ensure obedience - Red army deserters shot. If Red army unit retreated, 1 in 10 men shot
• Ideological victory: winning civil war strengthened belief in revolution
• Centralised control: war strengthened belief in highly organised control from centre
• Russia under threat: involvement of former allies Britain and France - made Bolsheviks fear foreign invasion

Question 4

Key event in Civil war: General Yudenich

Answer 4

• General Yudenich led a White army from west, nearly capturing Petrograd - defeated by Red Army in October 1919

Question 5

Who made up the Green army

Answer 5

• peasants and others looking for freedom from government control

Question 6

Disadvantages of the Whites

Answer 6

• disunited: no single leader –> in competition
• thousands of miles apart - Trotsky could fight then 1 by 1
• controlled few areas with industry or natural resources - couldn’t supply armies