The White Armies had outnumbered the Red Armies but the Red Army still managed to win the Civil war. How did that happen? The Bolsheviks had some advantages which led them to their success while the Whites who had some disadvantages had led them to their fall. One of the advantages of the Bolsheviks from the Whites is that they are united and disciplined by Lenin and Trotsky. Trotsky, who was in control of the Bolsheviks by that time, had magnificently handled them.
How accurate is it to say that Lenin’s leadership was the most important reason for the Bolsheviks’ success in the revolution of October 1917? The Bolshevik party on 25th October 1917 seized control of Russia with Lenin viewed to many as the icon of the revolution since his policies were quickly widespread amongst the people of Petrograd and his impressive leadership skills mobilized his ideas and the Bolshevik planned events to gain power. However, many would disagree, arguing that Lenin is not as significant because other leading Bolsheviks, such as Trotsky, were far more effective than Lenin in carrying out the revolution. Secondly, the weaknesses and underlying issues of the Provisional Government proved that they were destined to fail regardless of their attempts to keep power through repression, already placing the Bolsheviks in a good position for taking control. Finally the failures of the Provisional Government made them vulnerable which coincidentally worked to advantage the Bolsheviks.
To have power of the railway lines meant that they could send soldiers and artillery to any place in the battle area. Opponents of the Bolsheviks, known as the Whites, had some major disadvantages, although they had a large amount of supporters, they were scattered around the central area; they were often hundreds and hundreds of miles between each army. The geographical distance between the troops meant that communications between each other were extremely difficult and that is if they even wanted to communicate. Another reason why the Bolsheviks won the Civil War was because; they were united and had only one aim which was to stay in power so that they could build the new Socialist society. However many members on the side that was against the Bolsheviks had other ideas.
Overall, despite the negative sides Trotsky’s actions they allowed the Communists to win the war. Furthermore, War Communism was a major factor that allowed the Communists to win the war. It was introduced by Lenin to completely replace capitalist economic system with communism. War Communism involved the Supreme Economic Council (Vesenkha) being formed on 2nd December 1918. This Council was responsible for running the economy.
Lenin’s skilled use of propaganda and the importance of the cause of ‘mother Russia’ harnessed the support of the peasants and working class in the face of another revolution. Trotsky’s inspirational oratory skills and successful reorganisation of the Red army ensured an effective, unified fighting force that was kept loyal and strong by Trotsky’s firm and ruthless discipline. However another factor responsible for the success of the Bolshevik’s in the Civil War was the ineffective organisation and leadership of the White Army which was the result of various personal and political rivalries between the parties which made unity and coordination impossible to achieve and victory on the side of the Whites incredibly difficult. It is to a critical extent that the leadership of the Bolsheviks was the reason for their victory in the Civil War from 1918-1921 in Russia as Lenin’s introduction of the sever policies under war communism dealt with the disastrous economic and military situation that the Bolsheviks were facing. The onset of Civil War required new and firmer policies for efficient industrial production and
This was firstly by very strict military discipline. Strictness and harsh punishments provided a deterrent to deserters and those who gave up and it created a sense of unity of fighting for one cause among the troops. This view is supported by Trotsky’s orders to the Red Army (Source D) in which he says that “Every scoundrel who incites anyone to retreat, to desert, or not to fulfil a military order, will be shot”. These harsh disciplinary techniques were used, in Trotsky’s knowledge, to boost soldiers’ morale and their will of fighting as he knew that if he lost this war, the Revolution would break up and communism would end in Russia for good. Also Trotsky selected the army carefully.
Assess the reasons for the Bolshevik victory in the Russian civil war Bolshevik victory in the Russian Civil War of 1918 -1920 would not have been certain without the strong, determined and intelligent leadership provided by Trotsky and Lenin. The fact that the Bolsheviks were led by two individuals, who combined had tremendous political, social and military skills had a direct result on the outcome of the war. There were other significant contributing factors that led to the Bolshevik victory, in particular their supreme political policies that completely offered the Russian people what they wanted. For me the main reason why the Bolsheviks did so well and won was due to the Whites were incompetent, disorganised and highly inefficient. The success of the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War was due to Lenin, Trotsky and their combined political, social and military capabilities as they were experts.
Mao Revolutionary Hero Mao's CCP was able to defeat Chiang Kai-Shek's KMT easily due to his high amounts of support and his massive capability to fight. While the KMT was out fighting the Japanese and wasting America's resources and aid, Mao was rallying people together in China (1A) mostly peasants as they were integral to Mao's vision of China's future (3A). Mao's 'Main Rules of Discipline' were also massive benefits for his followers to obey as people had to treat each other in somewhat the same manner and same respect, despite the fact that one might be a higher ranking than the other (5A). For example: Peasants being treated fairly by officials. This was a major encouragement for peasants to follow Mao as they have been mistreated for so long and now finally a leader has come up willing to defend them and treat them as equals.
The victory of the Bolsheviks in the civil war was surprising due to the diverse force massed against them. Trotsky’s contribution to the Bolshevik victory was substantial however there were also many other aspects such as Lenin’s contribution, the geographical and structural benefits of the communists and the failures of the anti-communists. Trotsky’s contribution to the Bolshevik victory in the civil war was down to his military leadership. His founding and introduction of the red army in 1918 supported the Communists and enabled them to fight their cause and reinforce their ideas into other Russian people. The use of the Red Army meant that the Communists were considered serious contenders in the Cold war as without it there would be no possibility of them standing their ground.
This was a dramatic change from the Bolshevik party's position in 1917 when the party enjoyed widespread support amongst the peasants, workers and soldiers who saw in the Bolshevik's the best hope for popular revolution. By the early 1920's however this had all changed. The Bolshevik's had lost the majority of its popular support after a ferocious Civil War and several economic disasters, political failures and mismanagement. Throughout the period 1917 to 1924 the Bolshevik's tried desperately to consolidate their power and regain control of the Country. Lenin’s contribution to the Bolshevik Party was an essential factor in their consolidation of power during 1917-1924, however; Lenin’s role was not the only factor contributing to their success.