The Russian Civil War was a multi-party civil war in the former Russian Empire sparked by the 1917 overthrowing of the Russian Provisional Government in the October Revolution, as many factions vied to determine Russia's political future. It resulted in the formation of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic and later the Soviet Union in most of its territory. Its finale marked the end of the Russian Revolution, which was one of the key events of the 20th century.The Russian Empire fought in World War I from 1914 alongside France and the United Kingdom (Triple Entente) against Germany, Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empire (Central Powers).The February Revolution of 1917 resulted in the abdication of Emperor Nicholas II of Russia. As a result, the Russian Provisional Government formed by a coalition of centrist parties was established, and soviets, elected councils of workers, soldiers, and peasants, were organized throughout the country, leading to a situation of dual power. The Russian Republic was proclaimed in September of the same year.
The Provisional Government, led by Socialist Revolutionary Party politician Alexander Kerensky, was unable to solve the most pressing issues of the country, most importantly to end the war with the Central Powers. A failed military coup by General Lavr Kornilov in September 1917 led to a surge in support for the Bolsheviks, who took control of the soviets, which until then had been controlled by the Socialist Revolutionaries. Promising an end to the war and "all power to the Soviets", the Bolsheviks then ended dual power by overthrowing the Provisional Government in late October, on the eve of the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies, in what would be the second Revolution of 1917.
The initial stage of the October Revolution which involved the assault on Petrograd occurred largely without any human casualties.Despite the Bolsheviks' seizure of power, they lost to the Socialist Revolutionary Party in the 1917 Russian Constituent Assembly election, and the Constituent Assembly was dissolved by the Bolsheviks in retaliation. The Bolsheviks soon lost the support of other far-left allies, such as the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries, after their acceptance of the terms of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk presented by the German Empire. Conversely, a number of prominent members of the Left Socialist Revolutionaries had assumed positions in Lenin's government and led commissariats in several areas. This included agriculture (Kolegaev), property (Karelin), justice (Steinberg), post offices and telegraphs (Proshian) and local government (Trutovsky).
The Bolsheviks also reserved a number of vacant seats in the Soviets and Central Executive for the Menshevik and Left Socialist Revolutionaries parties in proportion to their vote share at the Congress.The dissolution of the Constituent Assembly was also approved by the Left Socialist Revolutionaries and anarchists, both groups were in favour of a more radical democracy.The Russian Constituent Assembly had been a demand of the Bolsheviks against the Provisional Government, which kept delaying it. After the October Revolution the elections were run by the body appointed by the previous Provisional Government. It was based on universal suffrage but used party lists from before the Left-Right SR split.
The anti-Bolshevik Right SRs won the elections with the majority of the seats,after which Lenin's Theses on the Constituent Assembly argued in Pravda that formal democracy was impossible because of class conflicts, conflicts with Ukraine and the Kadet-Kaledin uprising. He argued the Constituent Assembly must unconditionally accept sovereignty of the soviet government or it would be dealt with "by revolutionary means".
Causes of Russian Civil war
Bolshevik Seizure of Power (October 1917) The overthrow of the Provisional Government by the Bolsheviks alarmed many political groups and foreign powers.opposition came from monarchists, liberals, moderate socialists, and foreign allies political opposition diverse groups (called the Whites) opposed the Bolsheviks (Reds) for different reasons: restoring the monarchy, democracy, or regional autonomy,Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918) the Bolsheviks signed a peace treaty with Germany, surrendering large territories it seen as a betrayal by nationalists and patriots, fueling opposition land and economic policies The Bolsheviks nationalized land, banks, and factories, alienating landowners, businesspeople, and peasants,war communism and food requisitioning caused suffering and unrest ethnic and regional tensions,many non-Russian groups (e.g. Ukrainians, Poles, Finns) sought independence.Civil war also became a struggle over national self-determination foreign Intervention with Britain, France, USA, and Japan intervened, supporting anti-Bolshevik.
Political Consequences
Establishment of a Communist State Bolsheviks (Reds) emerged victorious, leading to the formation of the USSR in 1922 One-party rule under the Communist Party became permanent Suppression of Opposition all rival parties were banned or eliminated political dissent crushed through the Cheka and later NKVD ,Centralization of Power concentrated in Moscow under Lenin and later Stalin in federalism was weakened; republics were tightly controlled by the center creation of the red army and secret police System military and security institutions became permanent parts of governance foundations for future totalitarian rule were laid
Social Consequences
Massive loss of life estimated 7–10 million deaths from war, famine, and disease,civilian population heavily affected famine and economic collapse war disrupted agriculture and trade,widespread hunger and poverty in both rural and urban areas displacement and Refugees millions fled the country or were displaced internally. Large Russian emigration to Europe and the U.S. (the “White émigrés”) Class Warfare and Repression aristocrats, clergy, and former elites were persecuted,peasants and workers were subjected to harsh state control (e.g. War Communism).Cultural Shift traditional institutions like the church were attacked or repressed communist ideology began to dominate education, media, and public life.
Economic consequences
Massive Economic Collapse Industrial production fell drastically—by 1921, it was only about 20% of pre-war levels transport and infrastructure (railways, factories) were destroyed or abandoned,agricultural decline and famine war, requisitioning, and drought caused severe food shortages peasants reduced crop production due to lack of incentive and fear of state seizures resulted in the 1921 famine, killing millions war Communism (1918–1921) policy of nationalization of industry and grain requisitioning from peasants private trade banned; money lost value led to black markets strikes, and unrest disruption of trade and commerce civil war and foreign intervention disrupted both domestic and international trade ports, railroads, and businesses were in ruins unemployment and labor crisis factories shut down.
Urban workers returned to the countryside skilled labor was lost through emigration and death,inflation and currency collapse worthless; barter replaced cash in many areas government printed money without backing, causing hyperinflation economic Isolation.western powers cut off trade and diplomatic ties,USSR became economically isolated, pushing it toward self-reliance.These economic disasters led to the abandonment of War Communism and introduction of the New Economic Policy (NEP)in 1921, which partially reintroduced market mechanisms to revive the economy.
