Russian Revolution Essay Plans

What were the main causes of the Russian Civil War?

Widespread famine
Opposition to Bolshevik absolutism
Opposition to the treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Lenin’s deliberate desire for a “destructive civil war”
The aspirations of national minorities (the greens) for independence
Foreign intervention

What were the factors for Bolshevik success in the October Revolution

Provisional government’s shortcomings included:
Their decision to continue the war
Their lack of response to the land question
Their poor handling of the Kornilov Affair
Weakness of the Petrograd Garrison

Bolsheviks’ Strengths Include:
Straightforward and effective political strategy
Role of Trotsky and the MRC

What were the factors of Bolshevik Victory in the Russian Civil War?

Weakness of the whites:
Lack of unity and coordinated both within themselves and with foreign forces
The Whites were too reliant on supplies from abroad, which seldom arrived in sufficient quantities, in the right places, at the right time
The Whites additionally lacked strong leadership

Strengths of the Reds
Trotsky’s military strategy proved effective in defending Petrograd and Moscow, exhausting the enemy, paving the way for successful counterattacks to secure victory
The Whites’ reliance on foreign aid further drove the image that the Reds were the champions of the Russian nation, which served to bolster morale
Morale amongst the Whites proved shaky, being a force divided by several groups only with the purpose of disposing of the Bolsheviks. Conversely, the Reds fought with a driving purpose, especially with the promise of peace, bread and land.

Causes of war communism

Outcomes of war communism

Causes of the implementation of the NEP

Outcomes of the NEP