Why did the Reds win the Civil War - Russia essay plan

* Whites: Communication difficult, hundreds of miles separated different armies – created disunity

* How did this help them win? Because they had abundant resources while the Whites did not…

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(Short)

(6mins)

The Reds won the Civil war partly because of their enemy’s disunity and lack of organisation. The Reds could therefore exploit the White’s major weaknesses in order to secure a victory.

=

Unity + Organisation

* Whites: Some members were liberal and just satisfied with the returning of the Provisional government

* Whites: The generals distrusted each other → Didn’t communicate with each other about attacks → bases already far apart

* Reds: Conscription was introduced and Trotsky hand picked loyal soldiers → army increased from 100,000 to 500,000 by August 1918

* Reds: January 1920 5 million men enlisted → former Tsarist officers held with blackmail

* The result?: The Campaigns of Kolchak and Deniken contributed to the Red’s victory → (lack of troops, unorganised)

* Production of weapons - war communism

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(6 mins)

Without a clear sense of direction and leadership the Reds would have had difficulty in their success. Lenin and Trotsky were robust leaders who led the Red’s to their victory.

Leadership

* Trotsky traveled 65,000 miles throughout Russia assisting front line to encourage Red soldiers.

* Lenin clear and structured leadership

* Whites: Had multiple leaders who set bad examples by drinking.

* Whites: Aided landlords to gain lost land (lost support from peasants)

* Whites: Once peasants conscripted → Brutal discipline = want democracy more

* The result?: Better army and more support = victory

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(6mins)

Another factor that meant the Reds won the Civil war was because of the amount support they gained in Russia.

Support

* Reds: gained support through repression and reform

* Repression: Cheka, grain requisitioning,

* Reform: Propaganda, VIK peasant representation of villages in dealings with central government.

* Briefly mention former Tsarist commanders (blackmail)

* Whites: Had foreign aid from France, Japan and USA. Was half hearted and some troops sympathised with Reds.

* Whites: Peasant soldiers often switched sides, as they were not happy with White’s declaration of returning land back to landlords.

* The result?: Had committed troops who fought for them, ensuing in a better army.

Conclusion

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To conclude, I think the main reason as to why the Reds won the Civil war was because of their enemy’s disunity and their lack of support.

* The White’s became infamous for their terror they brought. Estimated 100,000 – 150,000 Jews in Ukraine and southern Russia were killed in pogroms. → Result? Loss of support

* Reds managed to gain 48,000-experienced Tsarist officers → Compare with Whites and their unorganised efforts → Effect of good army?

* Reds: Ensure loyalty of officers and men, political commissars attached to provide ‘political education’. Whites? → Less loyalty

* Disunity? → Campaign example

Why did the Reds win the Civil War in 1920 Essay Plan