Why was there civil war in Russia

Question 1

Collapse of the Russian Empire

Answer 1

Ø Lenin had decreed in November 1917 that territories were free to leave Russia- therefore, many territories declared themselves independent of the RSFSR.
Ø Soviets took over large areas in Great Russia and often pursued their own policies (Central Siberian Region Soviet in Irkutsk even rejected peace with Germany.
Ø There were 33 sovereign governments in Russia in June 1918.

Question 2

Political Opposition

Answer 2

Ø Number of opposition groups due to policies + actions of Bolsheviks.
Ø Union for the Defence of the Motherland and Liberty, founded Jan 1918, organised 3 armed revolts in July 1918 and the murder of Count Mirbach, the German ambassador.
Socialists, Mensheviks and SRs joined groups on the edge of Bolshevik-controlled territory when they were banned from the Executive committee of the Soviets in June 1918.

Question 3

3. Allied Opposition

Answer 3

Ø 10th Nov 1917, Morning Post in London called for direct military action against the Bolsheviks because:

1. Trotsky published on 23rd Nov the 'secret treatise' signed by the Tsar with the allies during the war- which showed allies planning to seize territory when Germany + allies were defeated.
2. Bolsheviks seized all foreign property + cancelled Tsar's debts to the allies.
3. March 1918, Brest-Litovsk Treaty ended Russia' involvement in WW1, leaving F + B to face renewed attacks on the Western Front.

Question 4

4. The breakdown of Law and Order

Answer 4

Ø Russians from all backgrounds were horrified by the growing lawlessness in the country and longed for a government that that strong and determined enough to restore law and order. De Robien noted that ‘violence or the threat of it seemed everywhere’.

Question 5

Food requisitioning

Answer 5

Ø Summer of 1918, food situation was desperate in cities- Ukraine, Russia’s ‘bread basket’ was lost.
Ø Inflation soared + peasants had no incentive to sell produce as there were few products in stores to buy.
Ø Lenin therefore sent requisition squads of workers, soldiers + Cheka to look for grain- they said that Kulaks were hoarding grain. Lenin called the Kulaks ‘peasant bourgeoisie’.