How Imp = Unity + Organisation To The Red Vict In The Civ War In The Years 1918-21

Question 1

Unity and organisation of the reds

Answer 1

• fighting for a common aim of socialism
  -lead by Trotsky… vv organised, visiting all fronts on his train, immense amount of organisation + scheming
  -Strict discipline, desertions + cowardice punishable by death
  -conscription intro 1918, much larger army… 5 mil in RA by 1920

Question 2

Failure of the Whites

Answer 2

-not unified in their objectives… only sticking point was they were against the rev
-aft WW1 ended, the allies found there was no need for intervention… soldiers were tired so withdrew
- this lead to a prop stunt by the reds which further unified the RA
-no central leadership, big issue with desertions thus appearing weaker
-held no geographical strong point

Question 3

Geographical advantages

Answer 3

-Reds heard a large sphere of influence w/ their positions
-held Moscow + Petrograd … more people w/in their reach, for conscription + indoctrination
- thus also held mass industrial areas and railways, ability to transport weapons, supplies + Trotsky to where was needed
-w/in controlled areas Cheka held control, elim Bolsh opposition… thus areas in control were broadly accepting of the regime

Question 4

Conclusion

Answer 4

Whilst RA unity + organisation helped to solidify their position, their victory could not have been achieved without their favourable geographical position wherein they were able to conscript from.
The whites weak aims and leadership played into the reds hands as they were able to exploit this… as it further unified the RA. Further solidified by the withdrawal of foreign support.
All factors are intertwined, but one can question how effective they would have been if there hadn’t been such an emphasis on discipline.