Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Reasons for the Outcome of the Russian Civil War - Coggle Diagram
Reasons for the Outcome of the Russian Civil War
Strenghts of the Reds
Role of Trotsky
Trotsky was the overall commander of the Red Army
Excellent leader
Organised conscripts into an effective fighting force, establishing discipline and maintaining morale
Land Reforms
Peasants more likely to support Bolsheviks thanks to Lenin's land reforms promising to give the land to the people
Despite this support decreasing due to grain requisitioning, the fear of losing land stopped peasants from siding with the Whites
Urban workers also wanted to protect their gains from 1917 revolution
Use of Terror
Used ruthless terror to silence "counter-revolutionaries"
After assassination attempt on Lenin, the terror was intensified under the Cheka (secret police)
Execution now most common punishment
Deaths from Cheka between 1918-20 around 300,000
Figes - "It is possible that more people were murdered by the Cheka than died in the battles of the civil war"
Geographical Position of the Reds
Bolsheviks controlled central area which included large important cities such as Moscow and Petrograd, meaning they could retain industrial output. .
This also meant they controlled the hub of the railway network which was essential for mobilisation of troops and resources
These were densely populated areas, meaning more possible army conscripts
Propaganda
Reds much more effective
Capitalised on the fact that the Whites were getting foreign support to make themselves seem the true patriors
Able to present the vision of a new future under a new government as opposed to a return to the old ways under the Tsar
Weaknesses of the Whites
Land Policies
White land policies ensured peasant support was more likely to go to the Reds as the Whites wished to return land to the former upper class owners and thus reverse the Soviet land reforms
Deniken helped former land owners reclaim land -> opposition from Greens
Figes - (the Whites) "made no effort to develop policies that might appeal to the peasants or... the national minorities, although the support of both was essential. They were too firmly rooted in the old Russia....they never understood that victory itself was dependent on forging a new type of state."
The White Generals
Generals were second-rate calibre
Harsh treatment of troops reminiscent of Tsarist army alienated peasant conscripts, many of whom deserted
Distrust among White generals also caused difficult cooperation
Indiscipline and corruption in White armies
General Wrangel - "The war is becoming a means of becoming rich, requisitioning and degenerated into pillage"
Kolchak had hundres of SRs who joined him arrested and executed. This lead to other SRs launching many attacks against him, contributing to the failure of his campaign
White groups were entirely divided in beliefs and aims. Some were fighting for the Constituent Assembly and others for Tsardom, some for the rights of minorities and others to unite Russia.
Use of Terror
Brutality of White armies caused resentment from peasants: Cossacks in South drove many from their lands and carried out pogroms against Jews
Foreign Intervention
Foreing Intervention lacked unity and purpose (e.g. Polar Bear Exhibition)
Each country had a different aim and there was little cooperation e.g. France and Britain wanted to reopen western front against Germany and USA wanted to prevent the spread fo communism and Japanese influence in SIberia
Geographical Position of the Whites
Geographically split up around central area, which was cotnrolled by the Bolsheviks
Separated by large distances, making communication and coordination of attacks impossible
Attitude Towards Nationalities
Nationalists from other regions were antagonised by Whites who wanted to maintain a united Russia
Ukranians and Georgians would not support Whites