The Russian Civil War

Connector What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk? What did Russia give up to get out of the war?

Treaty of Brest Litovsk

Outcomes All will know some of the events of the Civil War Most will understand why and how the Civil War was won Some will be able to list all the factors explaining how the Civil War was won.

Think What is happening in the picture?

Discuss What is ‘civil war’? Can you think of any examples of countries that have had civil wars? Why do civil wars start?

Which of these groups would still not be happy with the Bolsheviks? Liberals Army soldiers Socialist Revolutionaries Factory workers Non-Russians Army officers Red Guard peasants

Reds and Whites RedsWhitesGreens The Reds were pro-Bolshevik The Whites were anti-Bolshevik The Greens just wanted to be left alone

Draw the table and fill in the two sides RedsWhitesGreens Liberals Army soldiersSocialist Revolutionaries Factory workers Non-Russians Army officers Red Guard peasants

Watch This short video clip gives you an overview of the Russian Civil War NwJTUhttp:// NwJTU

Map You will now be given a map of Russia during the Civil War. Who is fighting against the Bolsheviks? What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of each side? Cut out the map and stick it into your book

Reds: strengths and weaknesses  Small, united revolutionary force.  Controlled central areas around Moscow and Petrograd.  Controlled majority of rail network.  Small, geographically limited.  Initial measures created problems – e.g. workers and soldiers in charge.  Trotsky was an inspiring war leader.

Whites: strengths and weaknesses  Much larger in size.  Included many Tsarist officers.  Benefited from support from abroad.  Lack of co-ordination. Geographically divided  Many different groups with different aims.  Foreign intervention played badly with local population.

Who will win? Stand on one side of the room if you think the Reds were stronger. Stand on the other side of the room if you think the Whites were stronger. Be prepared to give your reasons!

Why did the Reds win? Red advantagesWhite problems Unified and disciplined leaders Trotsky was personally courageous Single aim: to stay in power The Reds held the central area of western Russia, which was where most large industries were Controlled train and communication lines, so the Reds could act quickly Scattered around central Russia, hundreds of miles between armies Communication was difficult Rivalry between generals Different aims amongst the Whites Lacked good leaders Whites fought amongst themselves and didn’t trust each other Remember

Test each other! How many …. Red advantages White problems … can you name? Take it in turns!

‘Explain’ essay question ‘Explain why the Bolsheviks won the Russian Civil War.’ (8 marks) You have 10 minutes to answer this question.

Question : Explain why the Bolsheviks won the Civil War. LevelMarkDescriptor 0No rewardable material 11-2Simple or generalised statements of causation. eg “The Bolsheviks won the Civil War when they defeated the Whites.” (1) OR eg “Because the Whites had lots of problems.” (1)  1 mark for one simple statement, 2 marks for two simple statements. 23-5Explains causes. Statements supported by relevant knowledge. eg “The Bolsheviks had many advantages in the Civil War. They controlled the train and communication lines which allowed them to move soldiers and supplies quickly to where they were needed. By contrast, the Whites were spread across the country and formed separate armies that did not work together.” (4)  3-4 marks for one explained cause, 4-5 marks for two explained causes. 36-8Explains why the causes brought about the stated outcome. Eg “The Bolsheviks had many advantages in the Civil War. They controlled the train and communication lines which allowed them to move soldiers and supplies quickly to where they were needed. By contrast, the Whites were spread across the country and formed separate armies that did not work together. This division of the Whites, and the fact that the Bolsheviks were united in a single cause with a good geographical base, was the key reason why the Bolsheviks won the Civil War. The Bolsheviks won because they could focus their energies where they were most needed to defeat their enemies, while the Whites never had enough strength at one point to be able to defeat the Bolsheviks.” (7)  6-7 marks for 1 cause linked to outcome, 7-8 marks for 2 causes linked to outcome. Award 8 marks to any answer which prioritises causes or demonstrates how they combined to produce outcome.

“ The Bolsheviks had many advantages in the Civil War. They controlled the train and communication lines which allowed them to move soldiers and supplies quickly to where they were needed. By contrast, the Whites were spread across the country and formed separate armies that did not work together. This division of the Whites, and the fact that the Bolsheviks were united in a single cause with a good geographical base, was the key reason why the Bolsheviks won the Civil War. The Bolsheviks won because they could focus their energies where they were most needed to defeat their enemies, while the Whites never had enough strength at one point to be able to defeat the Bolsheviks.” (7)