Their control over major cities and thus access to more weapons therefore lead to the Communist victory in the Civil War. Their geographical position also meant that the red army could communicate and coordinate effectively. Cities like Moscow and Petrograd also included most of Russia's railway network. The control over the railway network was a major advantage to the Bolsheviks as it meant that they could quickly and efficiently transport troops to where they were needed and could distribute munitions to the fronts (the troops had more access to weapons). It also meant that the Bolsheviks were able to conduct a defense of their central position and initiate any opposing attack.
They controlled the industrial heart of Russia, which included Petrograd and Moscow, this also meant they had control of all the factories, and the railway lines. Control of the factories meant they were able to make more supplies such a weapons so they had a much easier access to them, and control of the railway networks meant that they could transport troops and supplies around. Petrograd and Moscow alone were home to 60 million people. Controlling big area’s made it a lot easier for the Bolsheviks to operate and defend their selves, unlike the whites who were dispersed and unorganized. To add to the advantage of their geographical position, Trotsky was extremely important in making sure the Red Army was organized and disciplined.
The civil war began in the summer of 1918. The conflict was between the Bolsheviks (The Reds), Bolshevik opponents, such as monarchists and other parties which had been outlawed (The Whites) and finally anther anti-Bolshevik group which was made up of people from national minorities who were struggling for independence from central Russian control (The Greens).However, the group that actually won the war was the Bolsheviks (Reds). The Reds managed to win the civil war due to high organisation skills, a united arm and a strategic land position. They controlled the railway network in Russia and for that reason was able to dispatch troops to the areas they needed quickly and efficiently. The Reds controlled high industry areas which allowed them to stop the enemy receiving supplies as well as supplying the Bolshevik army with plenty of munitions.
This railway was the main line where all the supplies and goods came in and out of Russia so having control over this was a great advantage. They could also transport there troops really easily using this railway would mean they could save essential supplies such as food, which was a big advantage over the white army. The red army also had a very strong geological position, as they were stationed at the most populated and industrialised parts of Russia, such as Moscow and the capital Petrograd. Having control
In 1918, this was all to change, with Leon Trotsky placed as the commissar for war. Trotsky moved to create a real fighting force, one that was able to challenge its aggressors and move to tackle foreign intervention, something that he greatly succeeded in doing. Whether or not his role was the single most important factor for the Red success is something that we must question alongside the other factors that contributed to both Red strength and White weakness. One key factor that contributed to the success of the Red’s during the civil war was the weaknesses that their opponents posted. The main issue with the regiments of the Whites were that they were completely independent and separate to one another; all fighting for different aims.
This resulted in risings such as the Spartacist rising where communists fuelled by the success of the Russian revolution almost occupied nearly every major city in Germany. However, the Reichstag led by the SPD had stepped into a power that was left by the Kaiser, and as a result of this it had no real option but to accept the Versailles Treaty. The most irritating part for the German people was the to pay reparations to Britain and France. Germany's failure to pay her debt led to the invasion of the Ruhr, resulted in very little success for France but did succeed in the complete collapse of the German economy. This led to the Beer Hall Putsch in 1923 Hitler aided by General Lundendorff and a few hundred supporters marched on the Munich town hall as a pretext to a national revolution, unfortunately for Hitler this attempt failed and he was sent to prison.
In addition the Reds had a territorial advantage as their enemies were spread around edge of Russia whilst the Bolsheviks had the main communication lines. They were able to
Why, despite the disasters of 1941, was Soviet Russia able to defeat Nazi Germany by 1945? Despite many of the problems Soviet Russia initially faced when joining World War Two in 1939- such as a lack of high quality weaponry and equipment, poor economy and lack of knowledgeable officers due to the extensive purges under The Great Terror- they were able to quickly overcome them and emerge victorious against Nazi Germany in 1945. The reason behind their changing fete came as a result of a culmination of key factors including: Stalin’s leadership; the sheer patriotism and strength of the Russian people; the alliances they, begrudgingly, made; as well as fatal German mistakes. One of the factors behind this victory, which can be deemed as the least influential, was the German mistakes. Despite Hitler’s wealth of well put together weaponry, well trained and seemingly invincible army and a seemingly tactical mind-set (which made him at first so fearful and successful) he eventually made some vital errors which led to the Nazi demise.
It did this by travelling all of the seas and fighting and other ships that threaten them. Not only did this stop the enemy getting to our land, but by defeating lots of ships and countries, it showed Britain’s status and how much power we had. The Navy also helped secure trade routes. Because it had so much power of the seas and could dominate a vast amount of docks and lands, it made it very easy for England to do business with other countries. Also, because of our vast numbers, it was very easy to dominate docks and countries ports.
In the period 1855-1964 there were many rulers, and with the exception of the provisional government, they were all either Romanov Tsars or communist leaders. The communist leaders are often referred to as “Red Tsars” as there are clearly many similarities between them and the Romanov Tsars. The revolutions of 1917 represent an evident turning point as there were some clear areas of change in the nature of government but when examined in detail it becomes obvious there are fundamental similarities despite apparent change in regime. The comparison between Romanov Tsars is too simplistic, there were a variety of characters and differences within each era, for example the difference between Alexander III and NII is a significant one, just as the difference between Stalin and Khrushchev is. Therefore it is difficult to make a comparison; nevertheless it is apparent that there are more areas of continuity that suggest the Russian people did exchange Romanov Tsars for Red Tsars.