Why did the Bolsheviks win the civil war? Objective: to explain the relative strengths of the Reds and Whites during the Civil war, and to identify factors why the Communists won.

Recap – how secure was Bolshevik rule of Russia by 1918? Lenin’s policies made him very unpopular – in August 1918 he was shot 3 times by a Social Revolutionary agent.

Rivals to the Bolsheviks You are to work in groups of four. Each group will research a rival of the Bolsheviks. You need to explain: Who you are. What you want. How strong you are. Objective: to explain the relative strengths of the Reds and Whites during the Civil war, and to identify factors why the Communists won. Groups are: The Czech Legion The Whites The Greens Foreign Powers Groups are: The Czech Legion The Whites The Greens Foreign Powers

Evaluation of the Rivals Now get into groups where each of the rival groups are represented. Share your knowledge and take notes, so you have detailed and factual notes on each. As a group, evaluate the strength of the rivals and rank them – who was the most serious threat to the Bolsheviks and why? Should the Bolsheviks be frightened of these forces? Objective: to explain the relative strengths of the Reds and Whites during the Civil war, and to identify factors why the Communists won.

Bolshevik poster of 1918, what does this say about the opposition to the Bolsheviks during the Civil War?

White Generals – how will you remember their names? Objective: to explain the relative strengths of the Reds and Whites during the Civil war, and to identify factors why the Communists won. General YudenichGeneral Denikin Admiral Kolchak

Task Task – to do a factfile on the two sides during the Russian Civil War. You need to think about the advantages/disadvantages that each side had & also main events of the Civil War. Cover these points: – Geographic factors – Aims – Leadership/unity – Foreign intervention – Peasant Support. Objective: to explain the relative strengths of the Reds and Whites during the Civil war, and to identify factors why the Communists won. Handout Opposition Bolsheviks

The Reds Through harsh discipline and brilliant leadership, Trotsky ensured his Red Army were ruthless and determined. Did you know that he used former Tsarist officers, and kept their families hostage so their loyalty was assured! Trotsky’s war train gave him the mobility to issue orders in person, rally the troops and deliver essential supplies. Red Terror [Cheka] ensured the population was kept under strict control. In alone there was nearly 8,000 recorded executions; the vast majority for counter- revolution. By seizing food from the peasants and by rationing supplies the Bolsheviks ensured the towns and armies were fed. They also kept control of the railways. Keeping control of Moscow [hub of railway network] and Petrograd also ensured that the army continued to be supplied with equipment and ammunition. Effective propaganda [posters of whites taking land, controlled by foreign forces etc and the wonderful new society the Reds promised] also kept the people aware of the atrocities committed by the whites and raised fears about the possible return of the Tsar and landlords. The Red Army propaganda train even had a cinema aboard to help spread Communist ideas. Enhance your fact file on the Reds!

The Whites As well as a lack of unity, the Whites were also guilty of atrocities, the Whites in general caused more suffering to the peasants than the Reds. “The Civil War, , was a time of great chaos and estimates of Cheka executions vary from twelve to fifty thousands. But even the highest figure does not compare to the ferocity of the White Terror... For instance, in Finland alone, the number of workers executed by the Whites approaches 100,000.” R Appignanesi, Lenin for Beginners, 1977 Objective: to explain the relative strengths of the Reds and Whites during the Civil war, and to identify factors why the Communists won. Enhance your fact file on the Whites!

“Most Russians saw the Bolsheviks as the lesser of two evils.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? Objective: to explain the relative strengths of the Reds and Whites during the Civil war, and to identify factors why the Communists won.

White Generals – Can you name them? Objective: to explain the relative strengths of the Reds and Whites during the Civil war, and to identify factors why the Communists won. General YudenichGeneral Denikin Admiral Kolchak

The war Look at your map and the hand out you have been given. Use it to fill in the fact books on your sheet Objective: to explain the relative strengths of the Reds and Whites during the Civil war, and to identify factors why the Communists won.

General Yudenich General Denikin Admiral Kolchak Why the peasants were important: Bolshevik poster showing the Whites as dogs on leads held by the Allied Powers. The dogs are named Denikin, Kolchak and Yudenich – how did the Bolsheviks portray the White generals?

Objective: to explain the relative strengths of the Reds and Whites during the Civil war, and to identify factors why the Communists won.

Bolshevik poster showing the Whites as dogs on leads held by the Allied Powers. The dogs are named Denikin, Kolchak and Yudenich. Objective: to explain the relative strengths of the Reds and Whites during the Civil war, and to identify factors why the Communists won.

Could they have won without Trotsky? Look at your hand out. Using all the sources 1-5 and your knowledge on the Reds, explain why Trotsky’s role in the Civil War was so important. Extension pg 66 Russia in Transition: what were the weaknesses of the Red Army? Objective: to explain the relative strengths of the Reds and Whites during the Civil war, and to identify factors why the Communists won.

What was the most important reason why the Bolsheviks won the Civil War? Give each factor a mark out of 5 (1 = not important; 5 = very important) & explain your choice Leadership Geographic issues Peasants support Foreign intervention Unified aims Propaganda Trotsky. Objective: 1) To analyse the use of Bolshevik propaganda during the Civil War. 2) To evaluate the role of Trotsky during the civil war.

How important was the leadership of Trotsky in securing Bolshevik victory in the Civil War? 8 marks Objective: to explain the relative strengths of the Reds and Whites during the Civil war, and to identify factors why the Communists won.