The New Regime: The Civil War,

Brest-Litovsk Treaty

A peace treaty signed by the Bolsheviks with Germany in 1918, ceding control over Baltic provinces, Poland, and Ukraine, marking a significant territorial loss for Russia.

Lenin’s Revolutionary Vision

Lenin believed that the war in Western Europe would lead to the downfall of imperial regimes and expected liberated nations to join a broader socialist revolution.

Civil War Erupts

Following the Bolshevik rise to power, Russia descended into a civil war with opposition from various groups, including Tsarist loyalists and anti-Leninist socialists.

Peasants Role

Both Bolsheviks and their opponents sought the support of the peasantry during the civil war.

Bolshevik Institutions

The Communist Party became the ruling institution, with the Soviets playing a key role in governance and the Council of People’s Commissars established post-coup.

Cheka

The political police formed in December 1917 to counter revolutionaries, which evolved into various organizations like OGPU, NKVD, and KGB.

Red Army

Founded in January 1918 under Leon Trotsky, it was crucial for the Bolshevik victory during the Civil War.

July 1918 Constitution

A new constitution introduced to formalize the structure of the Bolshevik government.

War Communism

Economic policy adopted by the Bolsheviks to manage crises during the civil war, involving nationalization of industries and food requisitions.

Food Shortages

Peasants produced less food due to worthless money and insecure property rights, leading to government requisitions.

Class Conflict

Tensions arose between urban workers and farmers, particularly larger landowners resisting requisitions.

Anti-Bolshevik Resistance

Various groups opposed the Bolsheviks, including peasants fearing for their livelihoods and the Czech Legion.

Foreign Intervention

Allied powers intervened in Russia, believing Bolshevism was temporary and aimed to re-enter World War I against Germany.

Vladivostok Campaign

An inter-allied military intervention planned to support the Czech Legion against the Bolsheviks.

Bolshevik Response

The Red Army fought against multiple enemies, including foreign troops and nationalist movements during the civil war.

Japanese Ambitions

Japan sought to expand its influence in East Asia amid the collapse of the Russian Empire.

Polish-Soviet War

A conflict waged by the Bolsheviks against Poland, which had gained independence after the Russian Empire's collapse.

Disunity Among Anti-Bolsheviks

Internal divisions weakened anti-Bolshevik efforts, with right-wing factions alienating the peasantry.

The White Terror

Punitive reprisals against Bolshevik supporters by anti-Bolshevik forces, deepening resentment in occupied regions.

Trotsky and the Red Army

Trotsky played a crucial role in organizing the Red Army, restoring discipline and gaining peasant support.

The Red Terror

A campaign of mass executions targeting opposition to the Bolshevik regime, including individuals from various backgrounds.

Kronstadt Rebellion

A revolt by sailors against Bolshevik control, which was crushed, leading to executions of thousands.

Establishment of the USSR

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was formally established in 1922 after the civil war ended.

Expansion of the USSR

The number of Soviet Socialist Republics grew from 4 to 15 by the beginning of World War II.

Federalism and Nationalities

The USSR aimed to address nationalism by granting autonomy to different national groups within a federative system.

Cultural Autonomy

Various nationalities within the USSR were granted rights to maintain their languages, schools, and customs.

Hierarchy of Nationalities

Nationalities were organized into levels of autonomy, with Soviet republics holding the highest status.

Russian Dominance

The RSFSR dominated the USSR, comprising over half the population and three-fourths of the territory.

Separatism and Centralized Control

Despite efforts to suppress separatism, signs remained, particularly in Ukraine, contributing to the USSR's eventual collapse.

State and Party Structure

The governance structure of the USSR followed a pattern of parallel state and party structures formalized in the 1924 and 1936 constitutions.