Why were the Bolsheviks ultimately successful in the Russian civil war?

The whites were not organised enough to take on a strong force like the Reds. The

Bolsheviks were able to isolate small groups of whites and take them out one by one, which was very effective.

Compared to the Whites, the Red Army was united and disciplined. The Bolsheviks also kept strict control over their heartlands in western Russia. They made sure that the towns and armies were fed, by forcing peasants to hand over food, by rationing supplies and took over the factories of Moscow and Petrograd so that they were able to supply their armies with equipment and ammunition.

The strong leadership qualities of Lenin and Trotsky created a tradition of military obedience and loyalty. By being just as autocratic and harsh as the old Tsarist government they were able to secure their power over Russia. Their decisions were good and in a way helped them to gain complete control, although the decisions of the Bolshevik party can not be whole responsible for the over throw of the Whites. The disorganisation and weak leadership of the opposition made it easier for Lenin and his party to consolidate power in Russia.

Another factor why the reds were ultimately successful was that they had the support of the peasants, which made up 80 per cent of the population, the whites ignored the demands of the peasants whereas the Bolsheviks recognised the land seizers and adjusted their policies to suit the rural community this enabled them to create a stronger army. Also many Russians were communists, who believed they were fighting for a better world. Others fought for the reds because they hated the British, American and French armies invading Russia this motivated Bolshevik soldiers unlike their enemies who were only fighting because they were being paid.

Finally, the Reds had important territorial advantages. Their enemies were spread around the edge of Russia while they had internal lines of communication. This enabled them to move troops quickly and effectively by rail, while their enemies used less efficient methods.

The Bolsheviks had what they need to win the war. The British, French and American armies were fighting miles from home, at the end of a long supply line. The Bolsheviks on the other hand had control of the main cities of Moscow and Petrograd, control of the railways, an army of 300,000 men, very strict army discipline, internal lines of communication and the whites slogan: "A united and indivisible Russia" which alienated national minorities, and played into Bolshevik hands. As a result Lenin and Trotsky were able to have a revolution they had waited for, for so long.