Reasons for the Red Army victory (6)

Question 1

How did Geography help the Red’s win the Civil War?

Answer 1

The Reds commanded the hub of communications, the armaments factories and the most densely populated regions of central Russia (including Petrograd and Moscow) Whites were widely dispersed in less-developed parts.

Question 2

How did unity and organisation help the Red’s win the Civil War?

Answer 2

Reds were united in their aim to survive; they were ideologically committed in a way the Whites were not- the “do or die” mentality. White generals operated independently and fought for different objectives, whereas the Reds had a unified command structure.

Question 3

How did leadership help the Red’s win the Civil War?

Answer 3

The Red Army became a well-disciplined fighting force under Trotsky’s leadership. Whites had few competent commanders and ill-discipline and corruption were rife.

Question 4

How did support help the Red’s win the Civil War?

Answer 4

Although peasant support varied generally Red land policies were more popular than Whites association with traditional Tsarist policies.

Question 5

What other involvements helped the Red’s win the Civil War?

Answer 5

Hostility to foreign involvement gave the Reds a propaganda platform. it did not greatly aid the Whites as help was insufficient sporadic and withdrawn after peace in the west. The national minorities were suspicious of the Whites, whose slogan was “Russia One and Indivisible”.