Civil war (jul 1, 1918 – dec 31, 1920)
Description:
- Between the Reds (Bolsheviks) and the Whites (Mensheviks and other political opposition) fought for control over Russia
- Lenin fought in order to annihilate opposition in a quick war instead of a long political struggle
- Greens (national minorities fighting for independence of Russia, e.g. Ukraine, Georgia)
- Interventionists offered funds to the Whites and supported military opposition campaigns in order for them to win and keep the war going, for fear of communism, and anger at foreign debts being written off by the Reds
Result
- Reds won due to more effective organisation system with central control by Trotsky, control of the railway system and important cities (Moscow and Petrograd) with more resources.
- Whites lost due to lack of organised control and common purpose (fighting only for themselves)
- Gave the Bolshevik party the qualities of toughness (military obedience and loyalty), authoritarianism, and centralisation (power moved away from Central Committee towards Politburo and Orgburo)
- Foreign interventionists withdrawn by the West due to lack of impact. Provided Red propaganda.
Added to timeline:
IB History Revision
Date:
