Russian Civil War, which began in 1917 (according to other sources in 1918) year, and ended in victory for the Red Army in 1922, was the result of political, social and national contradictions that have emerged in the country after the February 1905 revolution.
Causes of the Civil War to the present day are the subject of historians.Despite the fact that the war involved a number of political groups, the main battle unfolded between the White movement and the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army.Both parties, if they win, will be installed in the country's dictatorial regime.The Bolsheviks proclaimed the intention to establish in Russia and Europe, communist society based on the equality of all people and supporters of the White movement declared aim of the new convocation of the Constituent Assembly, which would decide the question of the political system.
Bolsheviks were not only ready for war, but also sought to bring her, considering military action the only possible way to resolve the contradictions in society.
can name the following reasons for the Civil War:
- seizure of power by the Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government.
- Bolshevik refusal by the principles of parliamentarism.
These measures caused outrage not only monarchists and liberal-minded citizens.The repression, dictatorship and the emergence of the Red Terror are opposed to the Bolshevik intelligentsia, as well as the workers and peasants.These sentiments have led to a revival of the Menshevik movement.
In addition, some researchers call the following causes of the Civil War:
- exit from World War I through the conclusion of the Brest peace with Germany on extremely unfavorable conditions.
- activities of the Bolsheviks in the village, which was the predatory actions against the peasants.
- nationalization of banks, real estate and capital goods.
- agrarian question decision contrary to the interests of landowners.
can say that the causes of the Civil War lie in the proletarian revolution, when society was divided, and there were contradictions that can not be resolved peacefully.The lack of clearly executed power, the dictatorship of the Bolsheviks led to the outbreak of hostilities.
Foreign countries (England, France and Italy) have decided to participate in the Civil War in Russia in order to support the anti-Bolshevik forces.In addition, they considered the possibility of extending its influence in Russia, taking advantage arising separatist sentiments.
However, despite all the measures, gained victory in the war, the Red Army.Historians are lengthy debate about the causes of the defeat of the White movement.
reasons for winning Reds in the Civil War was not in their numerical superiority.During the war of the Red Army soldiers deserted greater than it was in the army of white.And it is unlikely the population supported the Bolsheviks.According to researchers, the White movement killed fragmentation and the inability of leaders to unite all the discontented new government.
In addition, the peasantry did not want to join any one of the armies or combined with other opponents, because they do not want to leave their land.As a result, the Bolsheviks were able to inhibit single peasant uprisings without too much difficulty.
reasons for the defeat of the Whites in the Civil War also concluded that red controlled most densely populated settlements.The inability of the White Movement leaders to negotiate has led to a lack of assistance from the Entente.
Thus, the main causes of the Civil War were to the political situation of that time, and the defeat of the White movement was due to the poor organization of hostilities and the fragmentation of individual resistance forces.
