The Causes of the Russian Civil War Flashcards
1
Q
What signalled the start of the Russian Civil War?
A
Rebellion of the czech Legions on the 25 May 1918
2
Q
Who were known as the whites during the civil war?
A
the Communists opponents
3
Q
Who were known as the reds during the civil war?
A
the communists
4
Q
Who was appointed the head of the red army?
A
Trotsky
5
Q
Who were known as the greens during the civil war?
A
supported economic power being transferred to local groups of peasants
6
Q
What were the causes of the Civil War?
A
- July 18 Russia was 1 party state - other parties supported whites
- Others wanted return to the Tsars regime or PG
- Britain & France wanted Russia to remain in the war against Germany - did not want a communist regime in Russia
- Japanese wanted to expand their territory and influence
- Many different nationalities within the pre-1914 Russian Empire e.g. Finland, Ukraine, Poland wanted their own countries
- Many Russians opposed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk - left wing SR’s abandoned coalition with Bolsheviks march 18 and opposed Lenin
- Bolsheviks started to clash with the peasantry - Lenin had authorised forcible collection of grain stock from the peasants to feed the cities - angered peasants - supported greens and whites
7
Q
What did the peasants do against the forced collection of grain?
A
- avoided conscription
- took steps to hide their grain
- grain production fell
8
Q
How did Britain and France fight Russia?
A
sent troops to Russia and provided whites with supplies - allowed Civil War to develop
9
Q
What was the Czech Legion?
A
- created in 1917
- made up of Austro-Hungarian prisoners
- consisted of 40’000 men and opposed red army
