The Russian Civil War

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  • Created by: Natalie
  • Created on: 17-04-19 17:04

The Russian Civil War

Causes

  • Treaty of Brest-Litovk. This showed jow the Bolsheviks were unable to negotiate well and unable to get the best results for Russia.
  • The continuing poor conditions of Russia and the lack of help from the Bolsheviks. Many were starving and like under the Tsar there was little done to help them
  • Allies feared the introduction of communism in Europe as they were strongly capitalist.
  • Allies called for direct military action against the Bolsheviks. Britain, USA, France eventually joined anti-Bolshevik forces, showing they wanted an end to the Bolsheviks communist methodology.
  • Repression of the Constituent Assembly and the exclusion from government of the SR's and Mensheviks. Meant that the Bolsheviks stood alone and they alone were responsible for the decisions made. Increased opposition.
  • Opposition was growing and they were not ready to accept the Bolsheviks absolute rule and their communist rule.
  • The Bolsheviks policies and actions resulted in more enemies and again more opposition.
  • Some people wanted to return to the old Tsarist regime rather than face the Bolshevik rule.
  • Some regions wanted independence from Russia but they were unable to do this due to the Bolsheviks regime.

Effects

  • White forces and opposition to the Bolsheviks were defeated and the Red Army were victorious, making the Bolsheviks seem a lot stronger and more powerful .
  • Political opposition was destroyed with the defeat of the Whites and the ultimate victory of the Reds/Bolsheviks.
  • Capital of Russia had been moved from Petrograd to Moscow. It was now more central and a bigger part of Russia. Moscow was also the railway hub of Russia.
  • Lenin and Trotsky were shown to be really good and strong leaders, having defeated the many opposition armies in Russia, as well as holding onto power throughout the war.
  • Foreign Countries had little effect on Russia. It remained a communist, one-party state which they had not wanted. They had proved that they were unable to successfully defeat communism and particularly the Bolsheviks.
  • Bolsheviks introduced new economic policies in order to hold onto power in 1921. The New Economic Policy was introduced which introduced some capitalist views, however it did result in an increase of productions. Further showing the strength of the Bolshevik Party and Lenin's authority.

Overall summary

The Civil War was ultimately caused by the growing opposition to the Bolsheviks one-party state, however there was insignificant changes to the rule following the war as the red were victorious and all opposition was destroyed. 

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