The Russian Civil War

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The Russian Civil War The following were equally important reasons why Lenin and the

Bolsheviks were able to hold onto power during the Civil War:

Trotsky's organisation of the Red Army

The disunity of the White opposition

War Communism

The Leadership qualities of Lenin

Explain how far you agree with this statement.

The four reasons why Lenin and the Bolsheviks were able to hold onto

power during the Civil war are all relevant and important reasons, I

am going to look into whether or not they are all as important as each

other.

Leon Trotsky was a superb leader, who built up the red army from next

to nothing. He introduced conscription, for men over eighteen years

old. Trotsky bought in around 50,000 former Tsarist officers with

experience, and he appointed political Commissars (fanatical

bolsheviks) to each unit, to make sure that orders were carried out.

As well as introducing new methods and orders, he had experience in

armies, and was very courageous - exactly the type of leader that was

needed for a Red Army victory.

The order which Trotsky issued to the Red Army during the Civil War:

'I give warning that if any unit retreats without orders, the first to

be shot down will be the commissary of the unit, and next the

commander. Brave and gallant soldiers will be appointed in their

places. Cowards, dastards and traitors will not escape the bullet.

This I solemnly promise in the presence of the entire Red Army.'

This shows the lengths which Trotsky was prepared to go to, to achieve

a victory for the red army.

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