The Civil War: causes and course; the role of Trotsky; the murder of the Tsar; the reasons for the Red victory; government and control in wartime
From 1918 to 1921, the Bolsheviks fought a brutal civil war to keep power. Trotsky built the Red Army, and the Reds defeated a divided coalition of enemies called the Whites.
Real World
Trotsky's creation of the Red Army mirrors how post-revolutionary Cuba conscripted and drilled a citizen force rapidly; he transformed 5,000 Bolshevik fighters in 1918 into a five-million-strong army by 1920 through strict discipline and the conscription of former Tsarist officers.
Exam Focus
When explaining Red victory, prioritise Red strengths over White weaknesses — examiners award marks for developed, two-sided causal analysis.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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