The civil war Flashcards
Why was there a civil war in Russia?
Absolute rule and policies of the Bolsheviks
Lenin wanted a short conflict to end opposition
People wanted or wanted to stop independence of nationalities
The Allies influence - they wanted to keep the war going on the Eastern Front
Who occupied the territory in the North and Central Russia?
Reds
Who occupied the territory in the Far north, East and South?
The Whites
Who occupied the territory in the Ukraine?
The Greens
Who had access to most troops with 70 million in their areas?
The Reds
Why did the Reds win?
They were a disciplined force
They introduced conscription (70 million available)
Trotsky’s leadership
They shared an ideology
They controlled the main cities and communication networks
What was the red army used for?
Red Terror, attacks, defence and Military discipline
Did the Civil War cause more or less centralisation?
More
What were the Whites weaknesses?
Support from the allies - used in propaganda against them
Divided aims, leaders, ideology, by geography
Communication was difficult and had to be held in Paris
20 million fewer workers and soldiers
Little access to factories
Diverse regions
Who were the Greens?
Small area in Ukraine
Limited population and resources
Surrounded by whites
How did Lenin control Russia?
Cheka and Red terror
The Red Army defence of Communism
Red army attacks for more land
Cheka enforced military discipline
Lenin centralisation of industry and government
Use of war communism
What was war communism?
Part of state capitalism - a way to control the country
1) Grain requisitioning
2) Rationing (largest rations to soldiers and workers, smallest to the bourgeoisie)
3) Abolition of money - hyper inflation so paid via rations
4) Abolition of trade - private trade became illegal
5) Nationalisation of industry - all businesses taken over by the state
6) Conscription - fight or work
Why was war communism introduced?
May 1918 - economy collapsed - food prices soared, industrial production shrank, value of the rouble collapsed.
He hoped Nationalism would lead to grater efficiency , get experts to run the economy - Vesehka ( a state group that would set targets and organise the economy)
STATE CAPITALISM
Re-establish worker discipline - pay more to the most productive
Proper management of factories by paid specialists
Co-ordinate economic production to meet need.
Why was war communism necessary?
Ensure high levels of production to met war goals
To ensure the efficient allocation of workers
Food production to feed soldiers, workers and civilians
What was red terror?
30th August an attempted assassination of Lenin led to:
- Repression using the cheka to get rid of all opposition - estimated 500,000 dead.
