CA closed down after one
day - end of the idea of
democracy. The Russians
wanted democracy and
were prepared to fight
against the Bolsheviks to
achieve this.
Sovnarkom was a
Bolshevik-led government in
October, but the Mensheviks
and SRs in it were ignored and
formed opposition against the
Bolsheviks which was required
for a war to start
Many felt that the Bolsheviks had not
helped them quickly enough. There
was still food shortages especially
after BL and the loss of Ukraine
Who fought whom?
REDS
Bolsheviks (became Communists)
Fighting for survival
WHITES
Opposition to the Bolsheviks, (general
Denikin, Yudenich and Kolchak
They did not like the Bolsheviks
or their Communist ideas
GREENS
National minorites
(such as Georgia)
They were seeking
independence from
the Bolsheviks
FOREIGN POWERS
Russia's ex-allies
(Britain, France,
USA, Japan)
Lenin had withdrawn from the war and signed treaty of BL
Bolsheviks cancelled payment of all loans given to Russia by the allies
Britain, France and USA feared spread of Communism to their own countries
What?
Spring 1918
Civil war began
1919 defeats for reds
General Yudenich,
with British support
attacked from NW and
threatened Petrograd
General Denikin
supported mainly
by French
threatened the
South, especially
Ukraine
With British
support, Admiral
Kolchak attacked
from the East
1919
Due to leadership and organisation of
Trotsky, and the weaknesses and divisions
of the Whites, the tide began to turn
(Yudenich and Denikin were both defeated)