2. Consolidation of power

aqa a-level Russian revolution

Aims/Policies of White Army

• Restore monarchy or establish a democratic republic

• preserve Russia

• stop communism

• oppose Bolshevik policies like land redistribution and nationalisation of industries

• promote private property, traditional hierarchy and a centralised Russian state

Problem: Policies lacked clarity- contributed to disunity

White Army Leadership

• Anton Denikin: Commander of the Volunteer Army (1918-1920)

• Alexander Kolchak: Declared Supreme Ruler of Russia in Nov 1918, based in Siberia

• Pyotr Wrangel: Led remnants of the white army in Crimea (1920)

Problem: Leadership was scattered and based in different areas

Location of White Army

• Concentrated in Southern Russia, the Don and Kuban regions (Denikin’s Volunteer Army)

• Siberia under Kolchak’s regime

• North-western Russia, targeting Petrograd ( Yudenich’s campaign in 1919)

• Crimea was the last stronghold under Wrangel

Support for White Army

• Foreign aid: Britain, France and the USA provided supplies and funding, though inconsistent ( Allied landings in Murmansk and Arkhangelsk in 1918)

• Japan supported Kolchak in Siberia (1918-1920)

• support from conservative and anti-communist factions within Russia

Problem: Lack of unity and distrust among allies weakened overall support

Aims/Policies of the Red Army

Leadership of the Red Army