The Russian Civil war, 1918-21

History GCSE Coursework

The Russian Civil war, 1918-21

Question 1

It is accurate to say that the Whites were a huge threat to the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil war. This discussion will analyse why they proved such a threat using source A and my own knowledge.

As source A correctly shows, the whites controlled vast amounts of Russia. This would have given them a huge advantage when it came to attacking for they could do so from all sides. This ultimately would stretch the Bolshevik forces to a large extent, causing thin defensive lines, which the whites may have easily broken.

The whites also controlled the Trans Siberian railway. This was incredibly important, as it was one of the only means of transferring troops and supplies due to Russia’s enormity.

The white forces had backing from various influential groups in Russia. The landowners who had been dispossessed of their land due to the communist regime gave their support, for of course they wanted it back. The Socialist Revolutionaries also supported them because they were deeply angered at Lenin’s move to close down the Constituent assembly due to it being “ counter revolutionary”.

The Communists were hated by the nationalist groups for signing the treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany, (the treaty to end the first world war). They believed that Russia shouldn’t have given in so easily and also shouldn’t have given away much of their land. This reason forced them to join the whites.

The aristocrats, businessmen and richer peasants of Russia formed the Kulaks. This force was controlled by General Denekin and Admiral Kolchak and fought because it would benefit them all if the Soviets were removed from power. As source a shows this force advanced from Russia’s east side.

It was in the interests of all the major powers of the world to remove the Bolsheviks as soon as possible. Therefore as source a shows the whites had a considerable amount of foreign support. These powers included Britain, France and America as well as the Poles, Canadians and even the Germans. These extra forces were bound to enhance the white forces and would prove a threat to the Soviets. It also meant that the whites could fight a longer drawn out war, for they were not footing the bill, while the soviets could not afford to do this.

It is realistic to say that the whites did prove a large threat to the Bolsheviks due to the reasons above. All the factors are extremely important for every regiment stretched the Bolshevik red army even further.

Question 3

This piece of writing will discuss how reliable source C is for a historian studying the Russian civil war.

Source C is an account of the Bolsheviks Red Terror observed by a British businessman in Russia in 1918. The businessman is British and is therefore bound to be slightly biased ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

Question 3

This piece of writing will discuss how reliable source C is for a historian studying the Russian civil war.

Source C is an account of the Bolsheviks Red Terror observed by a British businessman in Russia in 1918. The businessman is British and is therefore bound to be slightly biased against the Bolsheviks. Being British the reader assumes he belongs to the white side. This businessman has written this source at the time of the civil war and because he hasn’t got hindsight the source might not be totally reliable.

The first line of the source states that the peasants hated the Bolsheviks and would not give them grain. Lenin had given the peasants the land and they were grateful for this. Although they did not really like the Bolsheviks they were scared that if the Whites won Tsarism or something worse might be restored. Therefore they either stayed out of the war or joined the reds. This contradicts the first line for not all the peasants hated the Communist regime.

The writer of this source is a businessman and is therefore likely to be middle class. He quotes, “the position of the middle class defies all description”. This comment is probably being overstated and is probably used mainly as anti propaganda against the Bolsheviks. As someone from the middle class he is trying to protect his own place in society, which is threatened by the Bolshevik idea that everybody is equal.

Although a British man has written this source it is largely correct in what it says. The Bolsheviks were a machine of terror and their attitude towards the middle classes was terrible. It was in their interests in some cases to take grain from the peasants for without it there front line forces would have starved and they would not have been able to hold onto power. From other sources I have gathered that if a soldier of the red army deserted the punishment is death. Therefore this statement is reliable.

I believe this source is reliable in most that it says. It is not a distorted view at all and is actually surprisingly trustworthy. I would have expected it to be even more biased against the reds, as the writer was a white whom’s duty it was to spread anti red propaganda given the opportunity.

The Bolshevik sucsess in the civil war was due to the weaknessess of the whites . In this essay I will assess and discuss this interpretation, looking at the all the factors and evidence.

The White armies were not united as a fighting force. Source A correctly shows many different nations advancing from different sides. These nations all had different objectives and ambitions and were not fighting for one single cause. Therefore instead of fighting as one large unit they fought as several, effectively weakening themselves.

There were even cases of generals on the White side refusing to speak to each other, An example of this were the Generals Kornilov and Alexi.
Many troops fighting on the White side were incredibly exhausted by world war one. These troops were sent to Russia and may have fought with physically tired bodies and equipment.
The reds were extremely ruthless to the white officers as source B suggests. Although this may be biased against the reds it is still highly relevant towards the question. If the White soldiers heard this sort of propaganda there morale would surely be weakened. In general the White morale was not good, this was especially so when the French naval fleets mutinied at Odessa. Although the reds were known for their barbarism it is unfair to discount the whites cruelty as well. It is known that the killing of 100,000 Jews was ordered by the high white generals.

The peasents were a definate factor in deciding the outcome of the civil war. Russia occupys vast numbers and which ever side they joined surely had an advantage. The Whites refused to promise independance. Therefore they were worried that if the whites were to beat the Soviets Tsarism or something very similar may be restored, therefore the majoriy sided with the Bolsheviks.

The Whites also didnt try to gain the popular support of the masses in Russia. It was almost imperitive for them to do this if they wanted a chance in winning the war. The masses could have rallied up against the Bolsheviks, instead they joined with them to fight the whites.

Country’s supporting the whites for example Britain and France sent small forces, this comment is backed up in source G. It is likely to be correct as it is written by an independant British historian early in the 21st century who it seems would have no clear motives for being biased. Sending small forces shows the confidence and expectance of the foreign leaders. These leaders arrogance was surely a reason for the white loss for with a larger force it is unlikely the Bolsheviks would have clung to power.

Source a shows all the differnet nations invovled in helping the whites in the civil war. With so many invovled it was highly unlikely they were all going to have the same objectives and ambitions. Therefore instead of fighting as one large unit they fought as several surely weakening themselves.

Although there are many white weaknesses which brought about a defeat for the whites there are also many red strenghs which surely were huge factors.

The Russian generals are portrayed as dogs who are all scampering in different directions in Source D. Although this is a piece of propoganda written by the Bolsheviks and is a distorted view it is generally what the majority of the Russian people believed at the time. The Russian reds fought desperatley knowing that if they were beaten they were bound to be treated like this and that they may be killed.

Source C states that for any military offence the only punishment is death. This is largely correct for in the Bolshevik army disipline was ruthless. This caused the Bolshevik soldiers to become scared and therefore they fought desperatley.

Trotsky was a military genious. He created a feared fighting force christened the red army, which was ruthless and extremely effective against the Whites. Trotsky also re commisened many old Tsarist officers back into the army. This bolstered his force and gave him much needed experience. By 1918 the red army numbered 1,700,000 is a statement taken from source e. Although this is written by a soviet historian and is likely to be slightly biased it is still a fairly accurate representation. Trotsky conscripted thousands of normal Russians and forced them to fight against the whites.

The red army was fresh and new unlike the beligered tired armies of the whites who had been fighting world war two. This gave them a strong advantage and of course boostered there morale, which was extremely high.

The Soviets were also very lucky in the fact that they controlled the two main industrial centres, Moscow and Petrograd. This point is backed up in source F which mentions that the reds controlled most of the resources of old Russia. This source is unlikely to be biased for it is written by an indepedant British historian who would probably have little reason to distort the truth. They also had control of the important railway network which gave them the ability of moving troops quickly and effectively.

Perhaps the most important factor for the Soviet victory is that they had clear objectives on what they wanted to achieve. A victory for them would secure power over Russia and all soldiers were completely united in a common cause. This is bound to increase their morale and determination.

It is fair to say that the whites did have alot of weaknessess during the civil war, but this is not solely why the Bolsheviks won. The Bolshevik victory was largely down to their own strengths and sheer determination as well as great leadership and order.