Russian Civil War

Definition

The Russian Civil War was a multi-party conflict that occurred between 1917 and 1923, following the Russian Revolution. It primarily pitted the Bolshevik Red Army against the anti-Bolshevik White Army, along with various other factions, and ultimately led to the establishment of the Soviet Union. The war was marked by extreme violence, significant social upheaval, and major political changes that shaped the future of Russia.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Russian Civil War began after the October Revolution of 1917, which saw the Bolsheviks take control of the government and led to widespread opposition from various groups.
2. Key battles during the civil war included the Battle of Tsushima and the Battle of Kolchak's Army, where the Red Army faced off against White Army forces.
3. International powers such as Britain, France, and the United States intervened on behalf of the White Army, hoping to prevent a Bolshevik victory.
4. The civil war resulted in an estimated 7 to 12 million deaths, due to combat, disease, and famine exacerbated by the conflict.
5. In 1922, following victory in the civil war, the Bolsheviks consolidated their power and officially established the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

Review Questions

• What were the main factions involved in the Russian Civil War and what were their primary goals?
  • The main factions in the Russian Civil War were the Bolsheviks, who aimed to establish a socialist government based on Marxist principles, and the White Army, composed of various anti-Bolshevik groups including monarchists and liberals who sought to overthrow Bolshevik rule. Other factions included nationalist movements and regional armies that had their own agendas. This conflict created a complex landscape of alliances and enmities as different groups vied for power in post-revolutionary Russia.
• How did international intervention influence the outcome of the Russian Civil War?
  • International intervention significantly impacted the Russian Civil War, particularly from Allied powers like Britain, France, and the United States. These countries provided support to the White Army in hopes of defeating the Bolsheviks and preventing communism from spreading. However, this intervention often backfired as it fueled anti-Western sentiment among Russians, uniting various factions against a common enemy. Ultimately, despite foreign support for the White Army, the Bolsheviks emerged victorious due to their organizational strength and strategic advantages.
• Evaluate how the policies implemented during and after the Russian Civil War shaped Soviet society in subsequent decades.
  • The policies introduced during and after the Russian Civil War, such as War Communism and later the New Economic Policy (NEP), fundamentally transformed Soviet society. War Communism aimed to centralize control over the economy but led to widespread hardship and resistance from peasants. The NEP introduced limited market reforms that revitalized agriculture and small-scale industry but also sparked debates about socialism's future direction. These early experiences laid the groundwork for future Soviet policies and set a tone for authoritarian governance that would characterize much of Soviet history throughout the 20th century.

Related terms

Bolsheviks: A faction of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party that seized power during the October Revolution in 1917, advocating for a socialist state.

White Army: The collective term for various anti-Bolshevik groups during the Russian Civil War, including monarchists, liberals, and socialist factions opposing Bolshevik rule.

War Communism: An economic and political system implemented by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War, characterized by nationalization of industry and requisitioning of agricultural produce.