Russian Civil War (Reds vs. Whites) Major People Lenin – leader of the Bolshevik party. He established Russia as the first communist country. He won the support of the people with his slogan “Peace, Land, Bread.” Trotsky – military commander under Lenin. He organized the coup on the provisional government and gained the Bolsheviks power. He used his military brilliance to defeat the White Russians despite the odds. Nicholas II – tsar of Russia who abdicated in 1917. He was murdered by the Bolsheviks during the civil war. Major terms Bolsheviks – In 1918, the Bolsheviks murdered the tsar & his family. Provisional Government – government that was put in place after the abdication of Nicholas II. It was overthrown by Trotsky and the Bolsheviks during the October Revolution. Red Russians – Soviet army Lenin commanded to over throw the provisional government. The met resistance against the soviet revolution and fought the white Russians. White Russians – Russians loyal to the tsar who refused to recognize the Bolsheviks as the leaders of Russia. They fought against the Red army and due to lack of organization, were defeated October Revolution – The coup led by the Bolsheviks on the provisional government, putting Lenin in power. Petrograd – name for the city of Saint Petersburg at this time. It was the where the provisional government met and also the where the coup in the October revolution occurred. Major documents Treaty of Brest-Litovsk – Ended the war between Germany and Russia in 1918. Freed the Bolsheviks up to deal with problems in Russia itself. Russia was forced to surrender Poland, Finland, the Baltic States, and Ukraine to Germany. Major battles No major battles; just know civil war occurred between the Reds and the Whites Major causes The Socialist Revolutionary party won a large majority in the election of the Constitute Assembly by the provisional government. The Red Army, controlled by the Bolsheviks, then dispersed the provisional government and assumed power. After the October Revolution, many groups formed that opposed Lenin’s Bolsheviks. Results Long Term: o By 1921, Lenin and his supporters were in firm control of Russia o Lenin was able to begin the Soviet experiment and implement the New Economic Plan (NEP) o Laid the foundation for the rise of Stalin Short Term: o Led to a successful communist revolution o Establishment of the Cheka, Lenin’s secret police o War communism led to government confiscation of banks, transport system, and heavy industry Immediate: o Russia lost the territories of Poland, Finland, the Baltic States, and Ukraine o Russia pulled out of WWI and Germany received the above territories o The murder of the tsar and his family The Congress of Berlin Major People Otto von Bismarck – presided over the Congress of Berlin. He referred to himself as the “honest broker” because he wanted to avoid war between Russia and Austria and did not seek any new territory. Major terms Pan-Slavism - a desire to unite all the Balkan Slavs under one rule. Three Emperor’s League – Alliance of Germany, Austria, and Russia. It wavered after the blows to Russian ambitions Major documents The Treaty of San Stefano – Treaty between the Ottoman Empire and Russia. It would have increased Russia's power by giving it a possible route to the Mediterranean. It was revised in the Congress of Berlin which fixed the balance of power. The Treaty of Berlin – Result of the Congress of Berlin. It gave southern Bessarabia and part of Armenia to Russia. Montenegro, Serbia, and Romania became independent states and Bulgaria semi-independent. Austria was allowed to administer Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Great Britain received Cyprus. Major causes Through the terms of the Treaty of San Stefano, Russia gained access to the Mediterranean through Bulgaria, a prospect that other countries feared England’s control of the Mediterranean Sea was threated and England, along with Austria, forced Russia to agree to an international conference. Results Long Term: o Played a role in the formation of alliances in WWI (Russia would fight against Germany) Short Term: o Prevented war for the time being by satisfying western powers o Congress hindered the Pan-Slavic movement Immediate: o Russia was prevented for gaining access to the Mediterranean by splitting up Balkan states. This angered Russia. o The Treaty of Berlin which redrew boundaries o Ended the Three Emperor’s League o England was given Cyrus and France was encouraged to occupy Tunisia Issues The Congress of Berlin prevented the realization of the Pan-Slavic movement, which annoyed the Balkan states Germany gained Russian resentment for the blows they received at the congress Peace of Europe was treated by Russian resentment of Germany and Serbian resentment of Austria