The Red Terror

The repression that happened and proceeded the Civil war was so severe it was known as the Red Terror. It is argued that the severe repression was the only response to the problems that the Bolsheviks faced and to win the civil war. The opposite view is that the Bolsheviks were forming a strong grip upon the Russian people. Lenin himself, was totalitarian in manner, as he did not believe in democracy, and he used the tools of the Red Army and the Cheka to inforce his rule.

The Cheka, had been created in 1917 by Dzerzhinsky, the ideal choice as he never allowed his feelings of compassion to stop the destruction of the bolshevik enemies. Remorseless attitude displayed by his instructions issued ' Our revolution is in danger, we need to battle to the death'. It operated as the Law, granted unlimited powers of arrest, detention and torture. It was the main instrument used by lenin to terroriset he russian people into conformity. The Cheka under Dzerzhinsky's instructions developed into a class war. It went from being anyone against the bolsheviks to be arrested, to whole social classes, 'first duty is to ask their origins'. Some bolsheviks were uneasy about this, but the famine and social disorder of the Civil War removed all criticisms, and that the revolution could only be saved by removing the enemies of the Bolsheviks and the working class.

Trotsky as Commissar for war, complimented the Cheka's work, by ending the independence of Trade Unions and workers brought under military control, forbidden to ask questions and negotiate pay.

The Red Army was Trotsky's primary achievement, the primary factor of survival. They won the Civil war and also the means of which the bolsheviks imposed their authority at large over russia. Lenin put full trust in Trotsky to direct the Red Army. Trotsky took workers and tired Red Guards and transformed them into a skillful army of 3 million, and attached commissars to the the army to keep structure. The Death sentence was imposed for deserters, and the Civil war instructed strict discipline.

Trotsky also responded to the civil wars increasing need for men by conscription in the areas of bolshevik control. Peasants were conscripted into the army for back-breaking labour. They proved to be unreliable in the time of crisis and desertions were common. Workers were the only dependable unit, often becoming the elite forces and were regarded as Heroes. Trotsky did have some opposition in the form of Stalin in tactics, but there is no denial that Trotsky was the main factor behind the survival.

Summary
Red Terror either a response to extreme conditions, or an expression of Lenin.

Cheka was the Law with unlimited powers. Started the move against middle/upper class bourgeios of old and could prosecute for that reason alone.
Trotsky closes Trade unions and workers under military pressure.
War Commissar, Red army great achievement, won the war and imposed rule over Russia with strict discipline within the army. Conscription introduced.