The Russian Civil War, 1918 – 1920

The crushing of the Constituent assembly and the outlawing of other parties meant that the Bolsheviks did not want to share power, and this made civil war very likely especially considering the Bolsheviks only had a limited grip on Russia (Moscow, Petrograd). Lenin truly wanted a violent civil war, as the Bolsheviks did have control of the Red Guard, Army and Cheka along with Trotsky’s organisation skills, it would be better to have a short violent struggle to eliminate all enemies and opponents than years of being harassed by Anti-Bolsheviks. The Conflict began in the summer of 1918, with the Reds, White and Greens in a three way military struggle.

- Reds were the Bolshevik Army, Guard and Cheka
- Whites were Bolshevik opponents from parties who had been outlawed, to monarchists and political enemies
- Greens were the nationalities minorities who fought solely for independence.

The Bolsheviks were faced with these forces, the greens who wanted independence from Russia, and many saw them as trying to reassert Russian authority over the country even though the Bolsheviks were mainly foreign, similar to the Tsar. The Civil war provided a cover to settle old scores and pursuing personal vendettas for most people.

The war its self, was simply about fighting for food. The transport and food situation from world war one were still an issue, and until this was sorted, Russia remained hungry. The failure of not providing a remedy for the situation added to the initial military opposition to the Bolsheviks, and the loss of the Ukraine to germany, the primary food provider saw an even sharper drop still. The SR’s also mounted opposition due to their removal from the government after the Brest-Litovsk treaty in which they along with the more Left Bolsheviks had been outlawed. The SR’s planned a coup in the new capital, Moscow and is where it really started. This military rising failed, but terrorism persisted and almost killed Lenin, which led to him having a bullet lodged in his neck contributing to his early death six years later. The SR’s so, joined the whites.

The Resistance also spread, as all of the opposition formed into the whites, with the SR’s forming various uprisings in central Russia, the Volunteer army for the whites being formed, and the Czech occupation saw another white army, and again in Estonia.

The Civil war, so was a very confusing affair. The Political attempt as well as the regional (food) and nationalities attempts amounted into muddled mess. It is known that the Bolsheviks however resisted attacks on four main fronts and then drove back the attackers until they withdrew. Because of this well-organised approach and the fact that the Bolsheviks controlled the railway system that contributed in a Bolshevik win.

White weakness
- Various armies fought separately, not bound by a single aim and unwilling to sacrifice individual interests to fight an anti-bolshevik front
- Too reliant on supplies from abroad, and resistance too scattered geographically
- Lack leadership like Trotsky
- Failure of International Support


Red Strengths
- Remained in control of the central areas of Russia which had the four main vantage points to defend. They also had the control of the Industry of these areas and that meant munitions.
- Control of the Railway
- White’s dependence on foreign supplies was used as propaganda. Reds were the defenders of the nation as well as the proletariat revolutionaries.
- Trotsky’s army was brilliantly organised.

Trotsky’s role was kept up red communication, deny the whites the opportunity to concentrate large forces in any one location and prevent whites from gaining supplies. This relied on the railways, as they could transport troops, supplies and communicate. This was successful as not only did it exhaust the white supplies, they could then drive the forces back. Trotsky was also the driving force in morale.

Civil war had various effects on the Bolsheviks. Toughness was one, as the bolsheviks grew heavily in numbers over the civil war from joining the red army. This meant that later on, these members were hardened and obedient men who's opinions and decision were very tough. Next was the conversion to Authoritarianism, similar to the Tsar's rule, its true that no government could have survived the harsh conditions without it. Centralisation was also the main change, as the quickness and urgency that decisions needed to be made were simply not happening under the official central committee. So, the Politburo (a faster central committee of the party, made the decisions) and the Orgburo (who made the policies were created) to act at the speed needed, who both served by the civil service which put policies into action, the Secretariat.



SUMMARY
Bolsheviks did not want to share power, limited grip on Russia and outlawing of constituent assembly/other parties made Civil War imminent.
Evidence that Lenin wanted civil war 'Quick struggle to remove all opposition', especially as they had the Red Army and Cheka units.
Three way struggle.

Whites - SR's, monarchists and other opposition parties (plus some internationals)
Reds - Bolsheviks
Greens - Nationalists

The Reds did win eventually by fighting on four main points
Had the main cities and factories, therefore the railways.
Fighting a defense against disorganised whites
Whites also relied on foreign supplies and were not bound by a single aim
Reds also had the brilliant Trotsky and Red army, who were bound by a single aim and full of morale.

The civil war caused Toughness from the new members joining the Bolsheviks from the red army. Authoritarianism for survival due to the weak economic positions of the time. Centralisation saw the Politburo and Orgburo take over the central committee who served under the Secretariat, one making quick decisions, one making policies and the Secretariat enforcing them.