The Civil War and the Red Army

Test yourself on The Civil War and the Red Army

After reading these notes, test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

The Background of the Civil War

A civil war was triggered by disagreements over the best form of government for Russia and if Russia should enter WW1.

Armies of the Civil War

The empire was collapsing, as Finland, Latvia and Lithuania split from Russian rule.
- Armies from these nations fought in the civil war to keep their own independence.
Different colours to refer to the different groups who fought in the Civil War.
- Reds - Bolsheviks
- Whites - Nationalists and monarchists
- Greens - Peasant armies fight against any outside rule by Whites or Reds, particularly in Siberia.

Anti-Bolsheviks

There was a complex patchwork of armies fighting the Bolsheviks.
This included:
- Left-wing groups who wanted a more democratic Russia.
- Conservatives who opposed Bolshevik proposals for profound social and economic change.
- Groups of soldiers from other countries who had been captured during WW1 and ended up in Russia.

Bolshevik power

The Bolsheviks controlled central Russia and this helped their position in the war enormously.
The Red Army was a powerful force in these areas, and conscription was used to force local men from these populous areas to fight.
By 1920, the Red Army had 5 million soldiers and had become a disciplined fighting force.

Why did the Bolsheviks win the Civil war?

Despite the Bolsheviks controlling central Russia and the Red Army having 5 million disciplined soldiers by 1920, there were many other reasons for their victory.

Propaganda

The Bolsheviks had control of industrial heartlands and transport links.
They had a strong propaganda organization, called Agitprop.
Agitprop was used to spread the Bolshevik message using art, posters and entertainment to influence the people.

Red Army discipline

There was strict discipline in the Red Army, but the soldiers also received an education, learning to read and write and understand the political aims of the Bolsheviks.
Soldiers had to swear the Socialist Military Oath.
The Red Banner was introduced - an award for those who fought bravely.
Trotsky, in particular, was crucial in instigating these policies and in leading the Red Army.

The Whites

On the other side, the Whites were geographically spread out, with much longer supply lines.
- They had little control over strategic industries, and at most their armies had 250,000 men.
The Whites lacked leadership or an individual to rally around and had no common goal other than to defeat the Bolsheviks.
Because they treated peasants badly, the Whites were unpopular.

Foreign intervention

British, French, Japanese and US troops were sent to Russia to help and encourage the Whites. These countries wanted to prevent the spread of Bolshevism.
Because of the Whites’ shortcomings, the Bolsheviks won the Civil War.

Devastation

The Cheka (Bolshevik political police) was present in every Red-controlled area and shot anyone it considered an enemy.
Former tsarist officers, under close supervision of Bolshevik political commissars (officers in charge of spreading Bolshevik ideas), were employed to improve the Reds’ military capabilities.
Millions of people died as a result of the Civil War.
- The economy was severely weakened and there were food shortages throughout the cities.