Civil war

Question 1

What were the main political beliefs against the Bolsheviks?

Answer 1

Opponents on the right claimed the Bolsheviks had no right to rule, the centre believed they betrayed popular elections and the left believed the Bolsheviks ignored the soviet that placed them into power

Question 2

How did the right become part of the white army?

Answer 2

• Aristocrats and bourgeoise felt alienated by Bolshevik ideology
• Many on the right wanted the return of the old tsarist regime including army officers who rejected the peace treaty and those with land, money or businesses who felt victimised by socialist policies

Question 3

How did the left become part of the white army?

Answer 3

• Mensheviks felt alienated by the Bolshevik ideology
• Kadets wanted a, “Russia great, united and indivisible,”
• Left - wing politicians who formed the Komuch in Samara opposed the Bolsheviks for forcing the Kadets and Right - wing SRs later left wing for opposing peace furthermore, the Bolsheviks ignored the elections in the constituent assembly.