The Great War 1919 Episode Summary

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Introduction to the Russian Civil War

• Timeframe: Spring 1919
• Context: Peace discussions in Paris, but turmoil in Russia.
• The Russian Civil War (1917-1922) is the largest conflict following WWI.
• Multiple factions involved:
  • Bolsheviks
  • Counter-revolutionaries (Whites)
  • Independence movements
  • Foreign forces
  • Peasant uprisings

Causes of the Civil War

• Bolsheviks spread quickly post-October Revolution (1917).
• Russian Empire disintegrated; Imperial army in chaos.
• Lenin's miscalculation: announced the civil war was over in April 1918.
• Czech Legion and Allied intervention complicated the situation.

Key Players and Factions

Allies

• Dilemma: Intervention vs. withdrawal.
• Intervened to deny Germans advantages, support counter-revolutionaries, protect economic interests.
• Allied leaders divided on military intervention strategy.
• Shifted to indirect support for anti-Bolshevik forces and began withdrawal in Spring 1919.

Bolsheviks

• Objective: Consolidate revolution, re-establish control, spread revolution abroad.
• Imposed War Communism: requisitioning food, nationalizing economy.
• Used violence (Red Terror) to suppress resistance.
• Relied on industrial centers for support but faced significant peasant resistance.

Whites

• Former Tsarist officers; lack coordination and clarity of goals.
• Led by General Denikin and Admiral Kolchak.
• Allied support through weapons and training but struggled with coordination.
• Engaged in White Terror against suspected Bolshevik sympathizers.

Other Factions

• Greens: Peasant groups revolting against Bolsheviks.
• Blacks: Anarchist army in Ukraine.
• Smaller nations (e.g., Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, Poland) seeking independence amidst chaos.

Challenges of Warfare

• Vast distances, poor transportation, and a wrecked economy complicated fighting.
• Armoured trains became crucial for military operations.
• Cavalry played an important role; new tactics evolved throughout the war.
• The Red Army under Trotsky grew but struggled with training and morale.

Early 1919 Fighting Overview

• North: Small skirmishes with limited action.
• South:
  • Cossack forces allied with Whites faced defeat at Tsaritsyn.
  • White victory in Caucasus led to significant Red Army losses.
• East: Kolchak's forces initially successful but faced challenges in sustaining their advance.
• West: Bolsheviks attempted to exploit German retreat but faced stiff resistance from local republics and foreign forces.

Conclusion of Early 1919

• Late winter 1919: Whites appeared well-established; Reds faced obstacles.
• Lenin acknowledged the dangerous situation for the Bolsheviks amid Allied opposition.

Additional European Developments

• Paris Peace Conference updates, including disputes between Italy and Yugoslav representatives.
• Japanese proposal for a racial equality clause rejected.
• Establishment of new governments in post-war Europe, including Germany and Austria.

Sources

• Evan Mawdsley’s "The Russian Civil War"
• Orlando Figes' "A People’s Tragedy"
• Additional resources available in the video description.