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Bolshevik Civil War (Events (Spring 1918 Volunteer Army (Led by Denikin…

- - - - Lenin had declared that 'elections prove nothing' and established the 'dicatorship of the proletariat after his failing within the 1918 elections. He barely got 20% of seats, whereas the social revolutionaries gained nearly 50% of seats. In addition, when the new constituent assembly met in the Taurade Palace for one day in January under the new President, social revolutionary chernov, Lenin assumed control by force using bolshevik guards and assume Bolshevik control through intimidation and brutality.
      - When the Sovnarkom was established shortly after the collapse of the provisional government, there was much opposition to it from the Mensheviks, who stated it would only last 'three weeks', and also from the kadets, liberals and right social revolutionaries, although Trotsky did persuade Lenin to allow some left social revolutioanries in. The government was completely dominated by Bolsheviks, but took power in the name of the soviets, with Trotsky as commissar for foreign affairs and Lenin as chairman. The other parties even here complained he had seized power through brutality, and called for elections.
      - Could not rely on the army or police, or civil service, bankers refused to serve under them.
- - - - Western Historians credit him for the full success of the red army. He was not an expert strategist, but he travelled the length of Russia in order to keep in contact with the developments of the war. Pursues victory with energy and commitment, when Yudonich's army threatened Petrograd, Trotsky wanted to abandon the city, but Trotsky refused to give in and travelled to the front line.
      - Soviet historians: Said he did not greatly contribute to the Red Army, particularly after the emergence of Stalin
      - Robert Service and Martin Sixsmith: Trotsky's military genius.
      - However, not all Bolshevik supported him, as he was often stubborn in his approach, taking an independent line and clashing with subordinates.
- - - - Debate over whether War Communism was a pragmatic response to the situation, or a a pre-planned strategy. It could be seen as a natural extension of Bolshevism's drive to obliterate class enemies and the bourgeoisie. However, what is evident is that Lenin reversed his initial promises of freedom, justice and self-determination, and instead promoted an autocratic political culture.
      - Trotsky was initially opposed to war communism, and put forward his own scheme of mixed capitalism and socialist in 1920, but was rejected by the party. However, he saw that greater discipline was the only way of countering Russia's imperial reputation and economic devastation of the Civil War.
      - Christian- - the Bolshevik Party emerged from war brutalised and militarised.
      - Richard Pipes: Lenin had known the dangers of his policies, but he said he would rather the whole nation die of starvation than allow free trade in grain.
    - - Humanitarian issues after War Communism: - 25 million died from malnutrition and disease, 1 million died of typhus and typhoid. Northen European influenza killed 3 million. Cannibalism, stories of mothers placing their children at opposite ends of the room so they would not eat each other. A lot of cases of peasant outbreaks and unrest, used poison gas to massacre the rebels in the forests.
      - Political issues: Strikes and protests as the food crisis deepened. In addition, workers demonstrated about the lack of representation through unions and also the decreasing rations and strict discipline in factories. By 1921, food rations dropped by a third, therefore the Cheka was utilised to put down any demonstrations. Also, support for other Soviet parties increased, and there was a call for 'Soviets without communism'.
        
        Splits within the Bolshevik Party- Workers Opposition Group, led by Kollentai called for greater worker control, removal of managers and strict war disciplines. Were against those such as Trotsky within the Bolshevik Party, who wanted to utilise War Communism as a means of building a strong socialist state.