Russian Civil War

The Russian Civil War was fought between 1918 and 1922. Following the success of the Russian Revolution, the new Russian (Bolshevik) government made peace with Germany at the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, ratified on March 6 1918. This negotiated peace was the only option because the Russian army was in a chaotic and undisciplined state when the Germans advanced in February 1918, although the old Russian army had been re-organized in January into the "Workers' and Peasants' Red Army".

Explanations for the Red victory

The Bolsheviks controlled the most populous areas of Russia and when the decisive battle took place had more than 3 million men under arms. In 1921 they had 5 million, although desertion and disease depopulated the ranks. More than 75,000 ex-Tsarist officers served in the Red army. The strength of the White armies never exceeded 250,000. The Bolsheviks also controlled the main industrial regions and inherited almost all of the weapons of the Czarist army. The policy of War Communism, whereby the Bolsheviks requisitioned grain from the peasants, gave priority to the Red Army. They had the advantage of inner and better lines of communications, in particular railway lines. This allowed soldiers to be transported quickly to battlefields, and sufficient supplies to reach them. Their enemies were internally divided, both politically and ethnically.

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Another advantages the Red Army had over the Whites were leadership and discipline. Leon Trotsky was appointed as Commissar for War in 1918 after the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. He was the brilliant speaker and military organizer. From a core of Red Guards, which had been armed by the Provisional Government during the Kornilov Revolt, Trotsky built up the Red Army through conscription. Travelling on his legendary train, he boosted the Red Army's morale. He also re-introduced strict discipline (after a short period of "equality" under the Soviet Order No. 1). Deserters were shot, and political commissars, committed Bolsheviks, were placed in the ranks to ensure loyalty. Trotsky was however not responsible for the conduct of the military operations which was in the hands of professional generals from the Imperial army.

Related Topics:
Leon Trotsky - Treaty of Brest-Litovsk - Provisional Government

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