The History of~The Soviet Union (Part 2: Revolution & Civil War)

One of the most complex nations in modern human history; the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (or **USSR**) has gone from a modest communist regime to one of the most vile opponents of the west (namely the United States) until it fell on Christmas in 1991.

This is Part 2 of the History of The Soviet Union. In this part, we will talk about the problems persisting in Russia which would lead to another revolution and a Civil War which would claim more than 1 million Russians.

## Russian Revolution

Before we begin, I already have a wiki page which talks about the Russian Revolution (click here) in a bit more detail. So this will be a brief and oversimplified generalization.

After Nicholas abdicated in February (or March on the Julian Calendar) of 1917, Nicholas' Duma became the "Provisional Government" (led by a socialist Alexander Kerensky) who wanted Russia to compete with the west economically as well as culturally.

Unfortunately, a lot of the promises Kerensky and his government were basically empty as it decided to continue fighting in World War 1, and didn't give land to the Peasants, and they didn't help the massive famines which were plaguing more of the populated areas of Russia.

This si where we can now talk about the main icon of Russian communism; Vladimir Lenin. The creator of the Bolsheviks, and was exiled to Switzerland where he would wirte for a communist newspapaer which was smuggled into Russia. During WW1, Lenin would be given finding by the Germans and helped him get back to Russia so he can start his own "revolution".

Lenin now back in his native Russia, he would have gatherings and give off fiery speeches, he even came up with a slogan for his Bolshevik followers.

**Peace:** End Russia involvment in World War 1.

**Bread:** Not to make people eat nothing but Bread, but used as a symbol to deal with Russia's famine problem.

**Land:** Give the peasants the Provisional Government couldn't; Farmland.

Lenin even decreed; "All power to the Soviets" as he believed that the Communist Soviets should rule Russia. Unfortunately for Lenin, the Bolsheviks weren't a powerful faction in Russia after the July Days where a peaceful protest would (again) turn violent. But when Kerenskys hired strongman named "Lavr Kornilov" staged a coup against the Provisional Government where Kerensky had no choice but to rely on the Bolsheviks to stop Kornilov, and the Bolsheviks gained a lot of support, and fast. Eventually in November (or October on the Georgian Calendar), the Bolsheviks staged their own coup and Lenin's men stormed the Winter Palace, meanwhile on another Russian Battleship; the "Aurora" the crew fired the shot from the deck canon, signaling the beginning of the October Revolution. But it was rather a very bloodless coup contrary to popular belief. Nevertheless this would begin the Bolsheviks' takeover of Russia. But soon, there would be blood, brought on by a Civil War

## Russian Civil War

The White Army (what was left of the Russian Military against the Bolsheviks) had aroun 1 million men and they were very much scattered around the remote areas of Russia. They also had help from the Allied Powers in World War 1 such as the United states, Great Britain, France, Czechcoslovakia, and even Japan.

The Bolsheviks (or Red Army) had more men (around 5 million strong) who were more motivated and better led, they even held much of Russia's industrial infrastructure at the beginning of the war, and they gained allies in the Green and Black Armies.

For the next 2 years, the Russian Civil War went back and forth as there were massive casualties on both sides. When late 1919 came around, the Red Army then quickly gained ground on the White Army as the White army were pushed back to Siberia, though the White Army would hold out for another several years (even after the Japanese withdrew from Siberia), but by 1924 their fate was sealed, the Red Army wins at the cost of 12 million Russian lives.

With the Red Army's victory in the Russian Civil War, it laid the ground work for the creation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Or USSR).

Lenin was the first Soviet Premier, but he was hardly a "George Washington". He got rid of free elections, and though he did get Russia out of World War 1, but a lot of problems that were plaguing Russia were now plaguing the Soviet Union, the economy was still in shambles thanks in large part to the Russian Civil War and a blockcade by the Ottoman Empire. Lenin even ordered massive collectivization which made Russia's famine problems all the more worse. So, for a while, Lenin wasn't exactly a "Man of the People" as there were a lot of people that tried (and failed) to assassinate him.

Not to mention that shortly after the Russian Civil War ended, Lenin's health began to fail as he suffered one stroke after another (to the point where he couldn't alk anymore and was confined to a wheelchair). Lenin finally died on January 21, 1924, but before his death he gave out positions to all of his friends, his right-hand man Leon Trotsky was made commisar of the Soviet Red Guard, his other "untrusted" friend Joseph Stain was given the position of Secretary.

Though, Lenin would say to his other friends that his last wish was to not have Stalin to become leader, this last wish was not honored as a huge power vacuum opened up after Lenin's death, and after the political dust cleared, Stalin was left to rule the country, and effecitvely became dictator of the Soviet Union.

That'll do it for this part. In the next part, we will talk about how Stalin ran the Soviet Union, and his handling of the military during World War 2. Until next time, this is JohnnyOTGS signing out.