Russian Civil War

Russian Civil War montage

Bandera del Turquestan

Soviet Red Army Hammer and Plough

Volunteer Army Insignia

Coat of arms of the Czechoslovak Legion

Orzełek II RP

Russian Civil War

The Russian Civil War (1917–1922) was a multi-party war in the former Russian Empire following the two Russian Revolutions of 1917. The principal fighting occurred between the Bolsheviks, who had seized control of Russia in the October Revolution, and the White movement, a heterogeneous coalition opposing them, which included monarchists, capitalists, and supporters of democratic socialism.

Background

The roots of the civil war can be traced back to the deep social, economic, and political inequalities present in the Russian Empire, exacerbated by the hardships of World War I. The February Revolution of 1917 led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the establishment of a provisional government, which was itself overthrown by the Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin in the October Revolution.

Combatants

The main combatants were the Red Army, fighting for the Bolshevik regime, and the White Army, whose forces were composed of various groups with differing ideologies but united in their opposition to the Bolsheviks. Other notable groups included the Green armies (peasant insurgent groups), the Anarchists, and the nationalist movements in the borderlands, which sought independence from Russian rule.

Course of the War

The war was characterized by a series of offensives and counter-offensives. The White forces were initially successful in gaining territory in the East, South, and North of Russia. However, they were hampered by a lack of coordination and support, as well as internal divisions. The Red Army, benefiting from the centralization of command and control, as well as strategic leadership from figures such as Leon Trotsky, eventually gained the upper hand.

The use of terror by both sides, including the Red Terror and the White Terror, marked the conflict. The Bolsheviks also fought to suppress uprisings such as the Kronstadt rebellion and the Tambov Rebellion, as well as to defeat the independence movements in regions such as Finland, Ukraine, and Poland.

Aftermath

The war ended with a Bolshevik victory, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922. The civil war had devastating effects on the Russian population, with millions dead from battle, disease, and famine. The Bolsheviks' victory consolidated their power, leading to the creation of a one-party state and the suppression of political opposition.

Legacy

The Russian Civil War left a lasting impact on the Soviet Union and the international communist movement. It influenced the development of Soviet politics, economy, and society, and it played a significant role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the 20th century.