In the history of each country, there are years that are considered a turning point in the change of eras.They are characterized by unfolding of almost all levels of public life, acute crisis, and often the start of hostilities.It turned out to be so in 1918 in Russia's history.On the most prominent figures of this period, the events that unfolded while in the country, and their significance for future generations, we will now discuss.
the eve of the 1918
Before we plunge into the whirlpool of the vicissitudes of 1918, to understand the full depth and reason, it is necessary to briefly describe what events preceded it.
First it must be said that the 1914-1918 year in the history of Russia and the world - is the period of the First World War.That this event was the initial impetus for all the changes that have occurred in our country, as well as in most of the European states of the period.Begun to rot the Russian Empire did not pull any militarily nor economically prolonged fighting.Actually, it could be predicted by the results of the Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905.
Romanov dynasty, ruling over 300 years, began to rapidly lose its former prestige.Events unfinished revolution of 1905 there were only harbingers of the coming storm.And she soon broke out.
Undoubtedly, the most significant events in the run-up period were described by the February and October revolutions in 1917.The first of them put an end to the autocracy of the Romanovs and the second laid the foundation for an entirely new state model based on the principles, none so far not been used in practice.
But how viable the new government had to show a watershed in 1918 in Russia's history.
first steps of Soviet power
Immediately after coming to power, the Bolshevik Party launched a whole chain of reforms in the country.
26 January 1918 was issued decree, which notifies the beginning of the calendar reform.Its essence was to switch from the Julian calendar used by the Orthodox Church, and until then considered official in the Russian Empire, the Gregorian, entered into use in most countries, can better respond to the astronomical calendar.The reform was completed on February 14 when the Soviet Russia officially transferred to the new calendar calculation.
January 28 issued a decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the formation of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army.It is this marked the beginning of the future greatness of the armed forces of the Soviet Union.
2 February was declared the decree that separated the Orthodox Church from the state.From that moment all the religious trends in the country have formally equal rights, was declared the freedom of conscience and religion.
negotiations with Germany
paramount and vital task for the Soviet power was out of the First World War, which already at that time in Russia, of course, was lost.But, of course, about any complete capitulation it was not.It was necessary to conclude an agreement with the Central Powers, which at that time Russia was at war, on the most favorable conditions for the latter are possible in the current difficult situation.
The importance of these negotiations to the Soviet regime shows that they were supposed to start more December 22, 1917.They were quite hard, because none of the parties did not want to make major concessions.
to reconsider their positions on many issues of the Soviet delegation made the resumption of hostilities and very successful promotion of German troops on the Russian-German front.These events spodvigli Bolsheviks to make significant concessions.
Brest-Litovsk peace treaty
March 3, 1918, was finally signed the Brest-Litovsk stated.Soviet Russia has agreed to substantial territorial losses, including those given, Ukraine, Belarus, Baltic States, Finland, the number of Caucasian regions.In addition, it undertook to pay considerable sums of money in the form of reparations to the victorious powers, to stop military operations against them and actually dissolve the army.
Soviet government could not fail to understand that by signing this separate treaty, it loses even the illusive hopes for recognition of their legitimacy Entente countries, and engaged in a direct confrontation with them.But there was no other way, because the peace with Germany was a matter of survival.
beginning of the formation of the White movement
From the outset, the Bolsheviks came to power, had many enemies inside Russia.The main core of their formation is the so-called White movement.It adjoins not only sincere monarchists and supporters of the republican model of government more democratic than the ones that could offer the Soviet government, and other opponents of the Bolsheviks.
However, the management of the White movement, in contrast to the Soviet government, which considers itself the legal successor of the Russian Empire and the Provisional Government disbanded during the October Revolution.The signing of the Brest-Litovsk separate agreements with the delegations of the Central Powers contributed to the de facto recognition of the leaders of the White movement Entente as the legitimate government of Russia.Although the legal registration of the position they were in no hurry.
Volunteer Army
military wing of the White movement was a volunteer army, began to take shape in late 1917 under the leadership first of General MV Alexeyev, and then - LG Kornilov This last may be the real creator of it.The final formation of the Volunteer Army was completed January 7, 1918.
But Kornilov was killed on April 13 of the same year during the liberation Ekaterinodar from the Bolsheviks.The leadership of the Volunteer Army began no less energetic Anton Denikin.
These events show the full depth of the political crisis, covering the country.Awareness of its seriousness has brought in 1918 in Russia's history.War was inevitable.
intervention of the Entente
As mentioned above, the conclusion of a separate treaty with Germany and its allies, the Soviet government put in direct confrontation with the countries of the Entente.Moreover, this conflict not only wore a purely political nature, but escalated into armed clashes.1918 - 1920 year in the history of Russia is characterized as a period of the most active phase of foreign military intervention.
Home hostility of the Entente countries against Soviet Russia was supposed landing in March 1918 of the French landing in Murmansk and Arkhangelsk port blocking UK fleet.
Later, when the Russian Civil War was in full swing, the object of foreign aggression became Vladivostok, Odessa, Kherson, Sevastopol, Batumi and other cities.Geography invasion expanded.
for intervention joined British colonies and dominions, as well as countries outside the Entente (the US, Japan and others).
Civil War
1918-1922 year in the history of Russia is characterized as the period of the Civil War.Although many historians it is measured from the beginning of 1917, and completion date of 1924, but is considered the most active is definitely beginning to unfold it in the studied period.
By the spring of 1918 the Volunteer Army was formed as a fully combat-ready force that could challenge the Red Army of the Bolsheviks.
March starts to active hostilities.The revolt against Soviet power covers the first area of the Don Cossacks, and then - Kuban.In particular, it was during the assault killed Ekaterinodar the first commander of the Volunteer Army Laurel G. Kornilov.
White movement in the east of Russia
in June in Samara was established Committee member of All-Russian Constituent Assembly (Komuch), who considered himself the successor of the Provisional Government of Kerensky.It was created Komuch People's Army, which is the eastern front of the White movement.She joined the fighting with the Red Army of the Bolsheviks, however, with little success.
in September 1918 in Ufa based Komuch was established All-Russian Provisional Government (Ufa directory).In turn, after the failure of political and military action, it was dissolved in November, Admiral Kolchak.At the same time in Omsk, he was appointed by the Supreme Ruler of Russia, and from that moment he was the acknowledged leader of the White movement in Russia.Immediately he showed himself very active leader and a great military leader, won several important victories against the Bolsheviks.However, the peak of its political and military glory came next, in 1919.
All new unexpected twists brought in 1918 in Russia's history.Events rushed, without reducing the pace.
execution of Romanov
One of the most controversial events of those that marked 1918 in the history of Russia, was shot by the Bolsheviks on July 17 in Yekaterinburg, the royal Romanov family headed by former Emperor Nicholas II.Until now, historians have not agreed how appropriate was this act of violence, and whether or not represented by members lost its popularity among the people of the dynasty real threat to the Soviet power.
national separatism
1918 in Russia's history was also marked by the rise of ethnic separatism in the regions were part of the powers of the Romanovs.One state formations on the ruins of the empire managed to defend its independence (Poland, Finland, the Baltic countries), while others were forced to cede its sovereignty during heavy fighting (UPR, Georgia), others were generally fiction, never had real power tools (BPR)Fourth, in fact, it is a satellite of Soviet Russia (the Far Eastern Republic, the Donetsk-Krivoy Rog republic and so Litbel. d.).
most tragic was in 1918 in the history of Ukraine.There is a struggle between the forces of the Ukrainian national state (UPR), who replaced his hetman Skoropadsky, Denikin's Volunteer Army, the Red Army of the Bolsheviks and the various anarchist, and sometimes even bandits armed groups.
Significant personality
All these events could not happen without the actions of specific people.Let's see who has the most influence on the situation, which formed in 1918 in the history of Russia, who rules led troops, formed the political atmosphere.
begin with the representatives of the Soviet government.Of course, the greatest impact on events on this side provided Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, it is both the leader of the Bolshevik Party and the Soviet state.That he greatly influenced the events that made 1918 a turning point in the history of Russia.Photos of Lenin can be seen below.
In addition, a significant role played by such party functionaries, as Leon Trotsky, Lev Kamenev, Felix Dzerzhinsky, more and more weight began to gain Josef Stalin.In addition, during this period such famous Red Army commander Vasily Chapayev, Mikhail Frunze, Grigory Kotovsky and others.
most active organizers of the White movement, as mentioned above, were Lavr Kornilov and Anton Denikin, and the end of 1918 moved Admiral Alexander Kolchak.
Results
Thus, by the end of 1918 the young Soviet state was surrounded by enemies, which was formed from representatives of the White movement, local ethnic groups and foreign interventionists.The fight had just begun, but the Soviet government made important - to keep the pressure on the first wave of enemies.This fact, as well as fragmentation of opponents of the Bolsheviks, the transition to an open armed struggle between them, led to the fact that the fate of the country over the next 70 years was sealed.However, the implications of momentous year felt even now.
