The main reasons for why the Reds won the Civil War the geographical factors affecting the war, support for the Bolsheviks and the Red Army and crucially were the leadership of Trotsky. The first reason why the Reds were able to win the Russian Civil War was down to the superior leadership skills of Trotsky compared to the Whites. Using strategic propaganda tactics and superb military leadership, he commanded the Red Army into victory. The first reason why the Reds had such a better leader was the way he chose and commanded his army. This was firstly by very strict military discipline.
For Russia, Stalingrad gave hope to the people, causing a surge of morale and support thereafter. It showed the world that Russia was a formidable fighting force, capable of detailed planning and coordination. By 1945, the Red Army had swept across Eastern Europe in a storm of anger and vengeance, looking to cause the same brutality that had been inflicted on them in Stalingrad. The Battle of Stalingrad had a tremendous impact on Russian and German morale; crippling the spirits of German citizens equally as much as the army. A German report on public opinion in 1943 states, “…the enemy’s strength must have been underestimated,
His cruel decisions left an indelible mark on his legacy, but his brilliance as a ruler profoundly effected Russian society. He established his absolute power by fiercely putting down rebellions and even in personal
Charge of the Light Brigade Source 1 and 2 offer a flattering image of the light brigade whereas source 3 gives a negative review of the charge. Source 3 gives a view of destruction as a result of the charge a view that presents a “ghastly sight” to those who fought in the charge. This source suggests that the Charge of the Light Brigade was not a successful engagement and it shows a somewhat gruesome event that the army struggled to free themselves from the “bloodthirsty assaults” from the Russians. This account is important as Sergeant Major Timothy Gowing served in the British Army during the Crimean War and he is recalling the events of the charge. Therefore giving the source a great deal of reliability; also the fact we know who wrote the source enhances its reliability.
Looking at the period between 1792 and 1945, it is easy to evaluate generals looking at their tactics as this is a prominent feature in their occupation and can be used to assess their competence in relation to their approach to war. Perhaps a plain example of the incompetence of generals is that of Mack who in the Battle of Ulm was seen to disregard a full attack and did not wait for the Russians, instead raging into battle with only half the force he needed to stop Napoleon. This therefore concluded with a massive loss of men and the ultimate surrender of Mack who was stunned by Napoleon’s ambush in which he used half of his men to circle the Austrians- ergo suggesting an ingenious use of tactics by Napoleon. This illustrates that while Mack was incompetent in his position; Napoleon was not, showing both sides of the argument. Another way in which tactics were used problematically is through Raglan in the Crimean War as he made several errors at Balaklava for which he received criticism, sending small British units against larger Russian contingents; which occasioned the complete destruction of the British units.
He pointed out that the war was a waste, and they were only there for their country, not for the unnecessary killing and also that fighting and killing is mentally tolling. He captures all of this when he writes one of last lines, “War is brutish, inglorious, and a terrible waste. Combat leaves and indelible mark on those who are focused to endure it. The only redeeming factors were my comrades’ incredible bravery and their devotion to each other. Marine Corps training taught us to kill efficiently and to try to survive.
With firefights, life and death situations, and the mourning of their fellow soldiers, Restrepo showed that when it comes to war, even when we win, everyone still loses. At war, winning is the main goal. Defeating the opposing side and fighting for your country is what soldiers sign up to do. However, even when the soldiers accomplish their goal, and survive the war, a part of them still dies. They will never be the same person they were before they left for war because what they see, experience and feel will change them no matter how tough they are.
In Macbeth, Macbeth’s moods and feelings change throughout act 1 to 3. In the start of the book Macbeth is described as a “valiant” soldier by the king for defeating the armies in the battle with Banquo. Another quote that describes Macbeths bravery as a soldier is “For brave Macbeth, well he deserves that name, disdaining fortune” this quote is said by the sergeant he is saying he deserves that name because he was brave in battle and he is also not afraid danger in battle showing that he is gallant and fearless. At the end of scene 1 Duncan says “Macbeth hath won” this is displaying his bravery of defeating the 2 sides in battle with Banquo, also he has just been given the Thane of Cawdor’s titile as he was a traitor in battle. In act 1 scene 3 all three witches come to Banquo and Macbeth and speak to Macbeth and say “all hail Macbeth” and each witch give Macbeth a different prophecy, “hail to thee, Thane of Glamis”, “hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor” and “that shalt be King hereafter” each witch is getting into Macbeths mind and is almost giving him an aim of what he it become, specifically the third witch that predicts he will become King, he is wondering how he will become King when he isn’t even a higher Thane.
We took too long over every battle, every war, every campaign'. The Russian Civil War was unique as neither side could rely upon the loyalty of their troops, and the Reds probably won because they were more effective at getting troops to the battlefield when needed, no matter how badly trained, armed, or organised they were. The first enemy of the new Bolshevik regime was the Germans, who were still engaged in the First World War against Russia. The Red Army, created on January 15th 1918, mainly consisted of unemployed workers or former soldiers and was highly
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