Russian Revolution Civil War - Research Proposal Example

RUSSIAN CIVIL WAR Introduction The Russian Civil War was a period in history with far reaching consequences that defined the international political scene for the next seventy years to come. It set the stage for the Cold War which though not a war in the strictest sense of the term, involved all the tension that is associated with one. A small and fledgling party, the Bolsheviks, was to seize power and rule over a vast expanse of earth. Russia and several other nationalities were to be integrated in an eco-political setup that was diametrically opposite to that followed in the West. Russia was to arise as a superpower to counterbalance America for the major part of the twentieth century. It laid the foundation for communism as an ideology and political form of government that was to be replicated not only in Russia’s neighborhood but also in various parts of the world. However flawed the communist form of governance may be with socialism having its own demerits, here was a group of people who had had their fill of the monarchial rule. They were on the lookout for a just and fair system founded on equality. The excesses of the monarchy sowed the seeds for a regime change. The Bolsheviks were led by leaders with conviction who moved as a single whole and professed their unflinching support to their leaders. With single-minded devotion to their set goals, they set about tackling each obstacle, one at a time. They were a contrast vis-a-vis the White Army which solicited the support of foreign nations that they had the means to effect a change in the political setup from being nothing but a fledgling party speaks volumes about the confidence levels of this group. The following is a discussion about the events that unfolded and a critical analysis about the factors that led to the victory of the Bolsheviks and consequences thereof. Research Question What were the factors responsible for the ascent of the Bolsheviks vis – a – vis the civil war in Russia during the period 1918 to 1921? How did they entrench themselves firmly in the history of Russia and that of the world? Sequence of Events With the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, the stage was set for the declaration of independence of the Russian empire, and it was the recipe for a civil war in Russia.1 After gaining control of the country from the Provisional Government (PG), the Bolsheviks had to retain power at any cost. Lenin brokered a peace deal with Germany in order to opt out World War I. However, a civil war broke out in Russia which lasted from 1918 to 1921. The Bolsheviks were a nuisance to the Western powers as they wanted to spread the revolution to different parts of the world. Hence, they no longer felt the need to use Russia to counter the Germans. While France and Italy were ready to offer supplies to the anti-Bolsheviks, the British and the US looked for reconciliation. However, talks did not lead to any concrete steps. Instead, the West supported Kolchak and Denikin. The east, the south and the northwest were the regions where the war occurred. There were three periods to this war. Immediately after the October Revolution, the first period commenced in various parts of Russia. The war was small in nature but some foreign nations helped the Whites. The second and important period of the Russian Civil War was between January and November of 1919. However, Trotsky made the Red Army to inflict losses on the Whites. The Crimean scene was the final period of the Russian Civil War. The Red Army defeated the Whites in November 1920. The Russian civil war involved two main factions, Reds, and Whites. The white group involved foreign nations like Germany. The war was caused by the formation of factions, which rejected Lenin’s Bolsheviks. The factions included the monarchists, military men, and foreign nations. In fact, the opposition groups were referred to as whites while the Bolsheviks were referred as Reds.2 Trotsky, the war commissar organized supplies and gathered soldiers for the war. The Red Army became superior to its enemies by 1919 and did not let go of the central part of European Russia. Hence, they could plan better and move men easily when compared to their enemies who were on the fringes and hence, isolated from one another. Prior to this in 1918, talks with Germany came to a standstill and German forces attacked Russia proceeding from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Lenin had no other alternative than to sign the Brest-Litovsk treaty which ceded vast areas of Russia to the invading Germans. The treaty was between Russia on the one hand and the Central Powers viz. Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey on the other. As per this treaty, Russia had to give up Riga, Lithuania, Livonia, Estonia and some parts of Belarus. These areas were economically significant as they were agriculturally productive parts in Western Russia. Germany could use these lands to fund its military. In spite of this setback, Lenin pulled Russia out of World War I, so that he could deal with internal uprisings. The white group fought the Russians and almost reached Russia’s Petrograd. Moreover, the white group got adequate support from the Western nations.3 The Western powers supported the opposing group so that they could target the Germans. The Western power utilized the opportunity to cause a split within Germany. The Bolsheviks were concentrated in the Southern part of Russia.4 Kornilov was joined by many officers to resist them in the south of Russia. Moreover, the social revolutionary groups had also formed their faction in the Eastern part of the country. The Centre for the group’s activities was Vladivostok. Colonel Semenov, a supporter of the Tsar, set up his administration and lorded over Trans-Baikalia. General Horvat, the tsar’s former military-governor of Manchuria also started his own rule there. The involvement of Germany during the civil war compelled the Czech Republic to aid Russia in fighting the White faction, which was fully supported by the Germans. The Russian army was joined by the Czech prisoners of war in the fight for ending the civil war. 5The Czech group helped in the fight with Germany and was led by Masaryk. They were a factor in deciding the fate of the Romanovs who were executed by Lenin. The Czech prisoners helped in the fight against the Germans because they were allowed by Trotsky to pass through Russia to the western front. The Czechs had to leave their weapons behind after the fighting but were shot by the Red Guards soon after. Having lost their faith in Trotsky, the other group did not submit to Trotsky’s order for the surrender of weapons. Fortunately, the Czechs were experienced in warfare. They captured many Russian cities as a reprisal response against the shooting of their colleagues. The shooting of the Czechs made the defeating of the white group difficult.6 The few whites who were captured were executed by Lenin, especially during 19187. Trotsky’s predicaments were exacerbated by the seizing of Murmansk by the British. The British captured Archangel in the north and Murmansk in the western side. The government was set up by the social revolutionaries8. Admiral Kolchak established a united Eastern front, which served to increase disharmony within Russia. Kolchak’s advance into the Urals was short lived. Though he retreated and set up his own administration, he was overthrown by the Social Revolutionaries (SRs) and was finally killed. Oryol and St. Petersburg fell to the opposing forces, but were recovered by the Red Army. Yudenich had to go back to Estonia and Denikin too had to retreat. Wrangel had a force in Crimea. The civil war ended with his retreat from the scene, courtesy the Red Army. The Allied forces were limited in their activities on the war theatre who watched from the sidelines. Meanwhile, the Japanese made inroads into the Far East (of Russia). By the spring of 1920, the civil war was at its fag end. Poland which had just gained independence, invaded Russia. The Poles entered Kiev, but were pushed back by Trotsky. This offensive by the Red Army was completed by the time it reached Warsaw. The White armies retreated completely and left Russia. Many free states in Siberia and the border regions. The rise of the communists provided a body blow to the aspirations of several nationalities of non-Russian stock, for instance the Tartars and the Bashkirs. In the name of self-rule, they forced the totalitarian government on these people. Muslims in Tashkent did not trust the Russians, and resisted the Communists for a while. Turkey was defeated in the First World War. This led to the emergence of the three Transcaucasian republics viz. Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia. Each of these were systematically captured and joined to Russia. There was a nominal republic around Lake Baikal and its east from 1920 onwards. It was formally dissolved and annexed to Russia by the end of 1922. The Reds won the battle against the Whites because of the application of prudent and viable strategies in the civil war period9. Though many in the Red Army deserted the ranks, Lenin could create a war ready force by 1919 that numbered three million. This was far greater than what the Whites could muster. The involvement of the former military men in the fight against the whites also gave a boost to the Red’s initiative to defeat the white group. This was also supported by the Germans government10. Factors Led to the Red Triumph The Bolsheviks had many merits to their credit. Firstly, they were led by Lenin, who was the hero of the October Revolution. He motivated the Bolsheviks through the Civil War. He had concrete goals and knew what was in the best interest of Russia. There was none to challenge him in the party. He even survived an attempt on his life during this period. Secondly, the Red Army was headed by Trotsky, the Commissar for War who could manage the army very well. The Reds consisted of the Bolshevik workers and the former Tsar’s forces. He was a strict disciplinarian. Hard workers were promoted on the one hand, while cowards and betrayers were killed. He led by example. He would personally command areas under danger. He motivated the soldiers to put in their best. The geography of Russia was also a deciding factor. The Bolsheviks never let go of the core area in the central part of European Russia i.e. the area in and around St Petersburg and Moscow. This was where Russia’s rail network was. Hence, one could contact the various war zones easily. This also helped move men and materials to places where they were required. Trotsky could also personally visit such places due to the railways. The two major cities also provided enough manpower for the Red Army. These were also industrialized areas which could always provide the Bolsheviks the required arms and ammunition. Special mention should be mentioned about the brutality that went into this issue. Lenin did not tolerate dissent of any kind, which was crushed swiftly and firmly. He sent all political opponents to exile, which even included the Mensheviks. He established terror as a state measure. He deported adversaries to concentration camps and killed political foes. He blunted the institutions of Russia and unleashed the CHEKA onto his adversaries. For instance, the Provisional Government had conducted elections to the Constituent Assembly for the purpose of creating the constitution of the nation. The majority of the seats were won by the Social Revolutionaries in the elections. Sensing that their plans would not materialize, the Bolsheviks closed down the Assembly itself using brute force. They also proscribed other political parties and once the Civil War had started, the Bolsheviks banned other political parties and arrested their leaders. They also shut down newspapers which wrote against them. Similarly, they used the CHEKA, the Bolshevik Secret Police to meet their sinister goals. They pursued all opponents of the party and killed any Whites that they found. CHEKA took hostage the families of Army generals to force their loyalty. It was the CHEKA that executed the Romanov family in Ekaterinburg. This episode ensured that there would be no threat in the future from the monarchy. In a like manner, they employed propaganda very effectively. The Bolsheviks left no stone unturned in informing the people that they were in control of Russia. They told the common man with the help of speeches, newspapers, and leaflets that the common wealth of the land would be equitably distributed. They also informed that the Whites would take the country back to the Tsar’s days. Hence, they drummed up support for themselves among the people. Other minor aspects too had a role to play. Every Russian felt that that he had a cause to fight for. For some it was communism and through it, a better life. For others, it was to keep the foreigners out. Hence, the Bolsheviks were a highly motivated group. Moreover, they took over factories and brought in strict discipline. One could not strike. Food was rationed, in that farmers had to compulsorily part with their produce. This was the source of supplies for the Red Army. At sixty million, the Red Army had the largest numbers. The Bolsheviks joined hands with other like-minded groups like the Mensheviks and SRs when it was in their favour. At other times, they opposed such groups tooth and nail. Hence, by the end of the civil war, Reds were synonymous with the Bolsheviks. Initially the Whites had the upper hand in relation to the Reds. Their commanders had experience of war. They also controlled large areas of land and hence, surrounded the Reds. Moreover, they had the support of other nations who associated themselves with the war. Despite all these advantages, the Bolsheviks smelled victory towards the end of 1920. There was no single overarching leader like Lenin among the Whites. There were many leaders and lot of confusion. No two White forces co-operated with each other. They faced their battles single handedly which made it easier for the Red Army. They could be subdued individually by the Reds. The geography of Russia worked to the disadvantage. Russia being a huge land mass, it was difficult to move from one end to the other. The Whites had to move men and materials over long distances. They also did not have a proper rail network at their disposal. This meant that they could not communicate effectively among themselves. The net effect is that they could not control their forces. Moreover, the morale of the Whites was at low ebb. The White Army men did not feel inclined to endanger their lives just to make someone their leader. Added to this, there was rampant corruption. The places taken over by the Whites had their own administration. However, these were inept and were accused of corruption. In some cases, medical supplies meant for the troops ended up in the black market. What compounded matters was the brutality of the White Army, which was of a different kind. They destroyed property and crops and took away livestock. Nobody could object for fear of torture. The Bolsheviks took advantage of this situation and brought people to their side. The Whites could not garner the support of different nationalities in their fight against the Bolsheviks. Since Kolchak did not recognize Finnish independence, Iudenich was not allowed to attack St. Petersburg directly through Finland. They also did not receive the services of the Finnish forces in this matter in spite of the fact that the Reds would have found it tough in case of a combined attack by the Finns also. In a similar fashion, the Poles and Estonians stayed away from supporting Denikin in the fight against the Red Army. Denikin believed that Russia was one nation and other nationalities could not be independent. This was a wrong move since the Poles could ward off the Red Army of their own in 1920. The Bolsheviks, on the other hand, were ready to dismember the nation to serve their interests. They came to terms with the Poles and acknowledged the Polish border. In 1920, they were ready to recognize the Baltic States in order to defeat the White army and prevent other such formations. In 1919, Lenin allowed the Ukrainians to use their native tongue within the nation to stall any rebellion from the Ukrainians. On the other hand, the non-co-operation of the Allies made matters worse for the Whites. The US and England did not support the White forces wholeheartedly. Britain felt that a strong Russia would threaten its colonies in Asia. Hence, they left the White Army to its own means. The Bolsheviks inherited the resources of the Tsarist forces. With no co-operation from the railway manpower, even the arms of the White Army were siphoned off to the Bolsheviks. The White Army had reinstated Tsarist officials who took revenge on the hapless peasants, many of who were flogged or killed. Moreover, land seized by the peasants was not recognized by the Whites. Meanwhile the Social Revolutionaries (SRs) hoped to garner support from the peasants so that the Constituent Assembly could be revived. However, the peasants were not so much interested in institutions as they were in reclaiming land that they had seized. The Land Decree of October 1917 by the Bolsheviks had recognized the land as belonging to the peasants who seized them. What worked to their advantage is that the SRs were willing to talk about such seizures only after the revival of the Constituent Assembly. This was also the reason why it was difficult to recruit men for the White Army. Many of those who joined them changed their allegiance to the Bolsheviks effortlessly. Even peasant uprisings that could have dislodged the Bolsheviks did not come through. That some of the White forces engaged in looting the peasants only led to more peasant revolts. With lesser recruits, given their unpopularity, the White Army became spread out and hence was open to attacks from the Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks offered local self-government to the peasants, which was far better than a restoration of the monarchy. The net result was that the ranks of the Bolsheviks swelled in reaction to the threat to the peasants from the White Army. Men made a beeline for the Red Army due to an important reason. Lenin had decreed that food supplies had to go to soldiers first, and then to city dwellers. In addition to the above, the Tsar’s former officers joined en masse as they had no alternative left, with their pensions cut off. Amnesty weeks were organized so that those who left the Red Army could return without being punished. Forcible collectivization of peasant land by the Bolsheviks was stopped as it proved unpopular among the peasants. The Bolsheviks could create a strong state for the Army. Though the Whites were accused of being bourgeoisie, it was the Reds whose government was manned by the lower bourgeoisie. Moreover, party membership paved the way for jobs and better standard of living. In comparison, the whites had administrations which were weak on the one hand and a drain to the exchequer on the other. People from the upper crust were employed to maintain better discipline. The Russian civil war caused widespread destruction and financial ruin. The death toll was between seven and eight million. More than five million were civilian casualties, and there were 5 million deaths due to the famine of 1921–1923. The standard of living dropped as the country’s infrastructure was destroyed. The amount of cultivable land declined sharply. People shifted from towns and cities to the villages, thus increasing the amount of floating population. Civilians lived an armed life. Towns bred diseases. Moreover, war communism strengthened the concept of one-party state. In turn, people had to face famine, black market and privileges for those joining the party. While the social system became primitive, at the same time it stood for a renewal based on immediate survival. Society took in procedures that were created in extreme cases like political or economic downfall. People wanted to just survive and hence withdrew from public life. This made it difficult to reorder society. Hence, this was a defining moment for the people of Russia. War Communism was replaced by the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1921. Forcible collection of food grains from the peasants was stopped. Peasants had to give the government a fixed amount of grains. However, if they produced more, they could sell this extra produce in the open market and make profit. Buying and selling which was illegal during the War Communism days was reinstated. Small factories which manufactured non-essential items received the previously confiscated items, which the people could buy but were not essential to life, were returned to their original owner. These firms could sell their products for a gain. However, government would continue to control larger factories manufacturing essential items. Conclusion To sum up, several factors went in to make the success story that was the Bolsheviks. Not only did they have a fine leader in Lenin, the war was managed perfectly on the battlefield by Trotsky. The Reds never lost their grip on the core area of European Russia. They used experienced officers and soldiers from the Tsar’s forces, who knew Russia well from a strategic point of view. While the Whites were several groups fighting a single enemy, there was a lack of purpose among the cadres. None of the opposing forces really united with the other groups to deal a body blow to the Reds. On the other hand, the Reds moved ahead single handedly towards their cherished goal of gaining control over the nation. Added to this, the Bolsheviks were flexible and had the skill to manage the entire nation. The Whites had a tumultuous relationship with the peasants and other nationalities, which did not bring in the forces required to take on the Reds. The Bolsheviks changed their strategies according to the prevailing circumstances to stay ahead of the race. (A typical hunting with the hound and running with the hare case). Given that Russia was their focus, they used various means to hold onto power. In comparison, the Whites were an inflexible lot who could not even grab opportunities thrust at them. One should keep in mind the fact that the Bolsheviks were aware at every stage that a major military setback could be suicidal to them. The disunity of the White Army worked to the advantage of the Red Army. The Whites were so hopelessly divided, that they could not imagine coming together for a common good. They left the Red Army with breathing space and time to regroup. It never occurred to the allies to corner the Bolsheviks, when they actually surrounded the Red Army. The fact that the White army had scant regard for the sentiments of different nationalists was suicidal by itself. It should not be forgotten that the Bolsheviks were natives who knew their nation like the back of their hands. This was a head start for the Reds, who already ruled strategic points viz. the area between Moscow and St. Petersburg in the central part of European Russia. Without the grit and determination of the party, it would not have been possible to weave a large populace into a powerful nation in the world. Bibliography Acton, Edward. 2009. Rethinking the Russian revolution. London: Edward Arnold. Duiker, William J. and Spiel Vogel, Jackson J. 2010-2013.World History. Volume II: Since 1500. 7th Edition. Boston: Cengage Learning/Wadsworth. Figes, Orlando. 2014. A peoples tragedy: the Russian Revolution, 1917 - 24. London: Brodley Head. Gleason, Abbott, Peter Kenez and Richard Stites. 2013. Bolshevik culture: experiment and order in the Russian Revolution. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. Hickey, Michael C. 2011. Competing voices from the Russian Revolution. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood. Phillips, Steve. 2008. Lenin and the Russian Revolution. Oxford: Heinemann. Pipes, Richard, Richard Pipes, and Richard Pipes. 2011. A concise history of the Russian Revolution. New York: Vintage eBooks.  Ross, Stewart. 2010. The Russian Revolution. London: Evans. Trotsky, Leon, and Max Eastman. 2008. History of the Russian Revolution. Chicago, IL: Haymarket Books. Wade, Rex A. 2011. The Russian Revolution, 1917. Cambridge (GB): Cambridge University Press. Read More