Why Did the Bolsheviks Win the Civil War? | History for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

What Caused a Civil War in Russia? - Summary

• When the Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government in October 1917, they did not yet control Russia. The country had experienced three changes in government in just ten months, leading many opponents to believe the Bolshevik takeover would be just another short-lived regime.
• The Bolsheviks quickly made many enemies. In March 1918, Trotsky met with German delegates to negotiate Russia's withdrawal from the First World War. Although many Russians supported ending the war, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was extremely harsh. The treaty forced Russia to cede around 1 million square miles of land and over a third of its population.
• Bolshevik policies also generated unpopularity. Lenin declared his government to be a "dictatorship of the proletariat." Non-Bolshevik newspapers were banned, and the Cheka, a secret police force, was established. Opposition groups could no longer criticize the government without risking arrest.
• Opponents from various political backgrounds united to fight the Bolsheviks. However, their differences significantly contributed to their eventual defeat.

How did Lenin Establish Power?

• Lenin realized the critical need to swiftly establish his authority in Petrograd.
  • He garnered initial backing from both the laborers and the military forces.
  • Expanding his influence from Petrograd, Lenin progressively extended his control towards the eastern regions of the vast Russian Empire.

Tactics that Lenin Used to Gain Power

Summary of Lenin's Methods to Gain Control

The Element of Surprise:

• Lenin employed unexpected tactics to secure power.
• For example, the swiftness of the Bolshevik takeover caught many off guard.

Exclusion of Opponents:

• Lenin marginalized political rivals to consolidate his authority.
• Opposition parties like the Mensheviks and right-wing SRs were sidelined.
• Trotsky famously dismissed them as destined for obscurity.

Control through Fear:

• Similar to the practices of Tsarist Russia, Lenin used censorship and secret police.
• These tactics were aimed at suppressing dissent and maintaining power.

Reforms and Progress:

• Lenin's government addressed critical issues ignored by the Provisional Government.
• Notably, the Bolsheviks advanced women's rights under figures like Alexandra Kollontai.

Despite these actions, by the summer of 1918, enemies of the Bolsheviks had declared war

Leadership of the Reds

• Lenin entrusted Trotsky with full command of the Red Army, showcasing his confidence in Trotsky's capabilities. This decision led to the rapid expansion of the army to 300,000 soldiers.
• Trotsky, under Lenin's directive, organized a formidable military force exceeding three million troops by 1921.
• Former tsarist officers were recruited by Trotsky to train the army, a move that was closely supervised by political commissars who oversaw all military operations.
• The soldiers of the Red Army, irrespective of their rank, were addressed as 'Comrades,' fostering a sense of unity among the troops.
• Trotsky reintroduced the death penalty for acts of desertion or disloyalty within the Red Army, emphasizing discipline and loyalty.
• As a charismatic leader, Trotsky utilized an armored train to motivate and inspire his troops, showcasing his dedication to the cause.
• The Bolsheviks employed a combination of terror tactics and propaganda to garner support for their cause.

Leadership of the Whites

• The White Army comprised various factions, including the Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs), the Mensheviks, monarchists aiming to restore the tsar, and nationalist groups.
• General Yudenich and General Denikin led these combined forces.
• By 1921, the White Army had weakened significantly.
• The different factions within the White Army operated independently, lacking a unified front.
• During critical engagements, the White Army often faced shortages in reserve troops, allowing Trotsky to defeat them sequentially.
• The factions within the White Army had conflicting objectives; for instance, the monarchists' desire to restore the tsar clashed with the views of the SRs and Mensheviks.
• Mere animosity towards the Bolsheviks was insufficient to unite these disparate groups.
• Some White Army generals mistreated their soldiers, leading to defections to the Bolshevik side.
• The White Army struggled with ineffective propaganda, failing to garner sufficient support from the Russian populace.

Geography

Why was Geography Important for the Bolsheviks?

• The Red Army controlled significant regions in Western Russia.
• Moscow and Petrograd served as crucial industrial hubs for the Bolsheviks, aiding in the recruitment of troops and acquisition of resources.
• The Bolsheviks managed the Trans-Siberian railway, facilitating the seamless movement of troops and equipment across the vast expanse of Russia.

Importance of Geography for the Bolsheviks:

• The strategic control of key areas and industrial centers by the Red Army enabled the Bolsheviks to bolster their forces and resources efficiently.
• Mastery over the Trans-Siberian railway granted the Bolsheviks a logistical advantage, allowing swift deployment of troops and materials throughout Russia.
• In contrast, the White Army's lack of a centralized base hindered coordination among their dispersed units, impeding quick mobilization and efficient communication between their generals.

Influence of Foreign Powers

• The Allies supported the White Army
  • The Bolsheviks' Decree on Peace aimed to remove Russia from World War I
  • The Allies desired a stable Russian government to aid in the war
• The White Army's ties with Britain and France led to distrust
  • Russians harbored suspicions toward European and Western nations
  • Bolshevik propaganda claimed Europe was invading Russia