How Did Bolshevik Defeat Their Opponents
‘The Bolsheviks were able to defeat their opponents in the Civil War 1918-1921 because of Trotsky’s military leadership.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.
During the Russian Civil War (1918-1921) the Bolsheviks, or the Reds, encountered opposition from the Whites, Greens and Blues in the attempt to consolidate their power and take full control of Russia after their seizure of power in October 1917. The new Bolshevik government was not democratically elected; after they seized power, Lenin dissolved the constituent assembly after the Social Revolutionaries gained the most votes and won 370 seats compared to the Bolshevik’s 175 seats. Unsurprisingly, a resistance to Lenin’s control emerged and intensified into a counter-revolutionary movement, resulting in Civil War. Trotsky, as a great leader and commander, was a fundamental factor for the Bolshevik victory of the Civil War. Trotsky was Russia’s war commissar; he had immense control and authority over the military, coinciding …show more content…
However, the weaknesses of the Bolshevik’s opposition cannot be ignored alongside other Red Strengths.
Trotsky’s transformation of the Red Army, installing discipline and widespread use of propaganda are aspects of his great leadership which were instrumental in the Bolshevik victory of the Civil War. The Red army became a well-discipled fighting force under Trotsky’s leadership. Lenin had given Trotsky a free hand to control the Red Army which contributed to their victory. Despite critics, like historian and former Red Army General Dmitri Volkogonov, having argued Trotsky was poor at conducting true strategic military decisions, he was able to create, organise and inspire a brutal, loyal, disciplined Red Army whom were able to defeat their opponents at Civil War. Though conscription the Bolsheviks had increased from 200,000 men in October 1917
During the Russian Civil War (1918-1921) the Bolsheviks, or the Reds, encountered opposition from the Whites, Greens and Blues in the attempt to consolidate their power and take full control of Russia after their seizure of power in October 1917. The new Bolshevik government was not democratically elected; after they seized power, Lenin dissolved the constituent assembly after the Social Revolutionaries gained the most votes and won 370 seats compared to the Bolshevik’s 175 seats. Unsurprisingly, a resistance to Lenin’s control emerged and intensified into a counter-revolutionary movement, resulting in Civil War. Trotsky, as a great leader and commander, was a fundamental factor for the Bolshevik victory of the Civil War. Trotsky was Russia’s war commissar; he had immense control and authority over the military, coinciding …show more content…
However, the weaknesses of the Bolshevik’s opposition cannot be ignored alongside other Red Strengths.
Trotsky’s transformation of the Red Army, installing discipline and widespread use of propaganda are aspects of his great leadership which were instrumental in the Bolshevik victory of the Civil War. The Red army became a well-discipled fighting force under Trotsky’s leadership. Lenin had given Trotsky a free hand to control the Red Army which contributed to their victory. Despite critics, like historian and former Red Army General Dmitri Volkogonov, having argued Trotsky was poor at conducting true strategic military decisions, he was able to create, organise and inspire a brutal, loyal, disciplined Red Army whom were able to defeat their opponents at Civil War. Though conscription the Bolsheviks had increased from 200,000 men in October 1917