The Russian Civil War 1917-1921

New Government Nicholas abdicates in 1916 (during the war). Alexander Kerensky, former leader of the Duma, leads the new Provisional Government. People wanted to get out of the Great War, but Kerensky refused to withdraw.

Meanwhile… Lenin made a deal with Germany to help him re-enter Russia. Lenin promised to take Russia out of the war if he came to power. Lenin and Leon Trotsky offered the people “Peace, Land, and Bread”.

The Civil War begins: The Bolsheviks (led by Lenin and Trotsky) overthrow the the Prov. Gov. in November 1917. “Bolshevik” means the majority. The Communist Party. Slogan was “Power to the Soviets!” Soviet= a council of revolutionary soldiers and workers.

Warfare REDS: Bolsheviks/Communists WHITES: Tsarist supporters and/or democrats, anti-communists. Both sides used terrorist tactics. Reds formed the “Cheka”: a terrorist secret police. “War communism”: commies took over banks, railroads, mines, factories, and farms.

Warfare Reds arrested the Romanovs and held them in house arrest, where they were later executed together. Britain, France, and the USA supported the Whites: Wanted Russia to stay in the war.

OUTCOME Communist Reds have victory in 1921. Promised to give control to the people. In reality, the Comm. Party had absolute control… just as the czar had. Created the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics- the USSR. It soon became the world’s largest dictatorship.

The Soviet Union The flag:

The Soviet Union’s Republics Armenia Azerbaijan Belaruse Estonia Georgia Kazakhstan Kirghizstan Latvia Lithuania Moldova Russia Tajikistan Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan