The Russian Civil War

It was almost inevitable that the October Revolution would lead to a devastating Russian Civil War waged by forces hostile to socialism. Indeed, Lenin had predicted this very outcome. At the end of October 1917, a military advance by troops loyal to Kerensky reached the outskirts of Petrograd but was defeated by Red Guards organised by the MRC.

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Meeting of Bolshevik troops, 1919

19. Scrss – Meeting of Bolshevik troops 1919

Source: SCRSS

Poster: 'At the grave of counter-revolution', 1920

35. Sputnik_00434853.At the grave of counter-revolution 1920

Source: Sputnik

This poster was created by Viktor Deni. It depicts a Priest and a Capitalist figure weeping at the death of the 'counter-revolution'. Many of the names of...

Statue dedicated to Soviet fighters in Ukraine during the Civil War

37. Scrss_statue of Soviet fighters for the Soviet govt in Ukraine during the Civil War

Source: SCRSS

Red Guards preparing to repel Kerensky’s counterattack

4. Red Guards preparing to repel Kerensky’s counterattack

Source: Marx Memorial Library (MML)
Reference: PHOTO_SUB_SOVIET_UNION_1917_REVOLUTION+CIVIL_WAR_PERIOD

 

Portrait of Kliment Voroshilov

25. Scrss – portait of Kliment Voroshilov

Source: SCRSS

KLIMENT VOROSHILOV

Voroshilov was an active participant in the 1905 revolution and the two revolutions of 1917. After October 1917 he was a member of the Council of Peoples...

Map of White General Denikin's farthest advance

16. Denikin_Advance_Map

Source: Marx Memorial Library (MML)

Denikin had been an infantry commander in the pre-revolutionary Russian army. After October, he was a key figure in the White army during the civil war and was supported from November 1918 by Britain and...

Peasants arming themselves in Autumn 1917 on hearing of General Kornilov’s attempted coup

2. Peasants armed themselves in the autumn of 1917 on hearing of General Kornilov’s attempted coup

Source: Marx Memorial Library (MML)
Reference: PHOTO_SUB_SOVIET_UNION_1917_REVOLUTION+CIVIL_WAR_PERIOD...

Poster: 'Enemy at the gate! He bears slavery, hunger and death, let's destroy him!'

9. Sputnik Enemy at the gate He bears slavery, hunger and death Lets destroy him
Source: Sputnik

Poster: 'We Won’t Give Away Petrograd', 1919

21. Sputnik_We Won’t Give Away Petrograd 1919

By D. Moor (Source: Sputnik)

Entry of Red Army troops in Odessa in 1918, after the German interventionists were chased from Ukraine and crushed

14. Entry of Red Army troops in Odessa in 1918, after the German interventionists were chased from Ukraine and crushed

Source: Marx Memorial Library (MML)
Reference:...

Poster mocking Admiral Kolchak of the White Army

11. Sputnik Kolchak – Shoot every tenth worker and peasant! Kulak and bourgeoisie bowing to Kolchak (seated)

(Source: Sputnik)

Kolchak (seated) is shown holding a flag which bears the...

Map of White General Kolchak's farthest advance

15. Kolchak_Advance_Map

Source: Marx Memorial Library (MML)
KOLCHAK
Kolchak, a naval officer, supported the Provisional Government and especially its pro-war position. He vehemently opposed the Bolsheviks and after the October revolution, the defeated Kerensky...

Sailors preparing to Kerensky’s counterattack, 1917

3. Sailors preparing to Kerensky’s counterattack 1917

Source: Marx Memorial Library (MML)
Reference: PHOTO_SUB_SOVIET_UNION_1917_REVOLUTION+CIVIL_WAR_PERIOD

Poster: 'The Enemy is Dangerous at Sea! Strengthen the Red Fleet!'

30. Sputnik_The enemy is dangerous at sea! Strengthen the Red Navy!

Unknown artist, c. 1923 (Source: Sputnik)

Registration for active service

5. Henry Sara_MRC_registration for active service

Source: The Henry Sara Collection at the MRC

Red victims of the White Army

18. Red victims of the White Army

Source: Marx Memorial Library (MML)
Reference: PHOTO_SUB_SOVIET_UNION_1917_REVOLUTION+CIVIL_WAR_PERIOD

Poster depicting 'Denikin's Gang'

17. Sputnik_Entente

'Denikin’s Gang' are shown waving a White Russian flag which proclaims “Smash workers and peasants”. The text at the bottom urges people to "Defend soviets! Defend your freedom and your government!” (Source: Sputnik)

Poster: 'We Will Win', 1918

10. Sputnik_00552077.We Will Win 1918
Source: Sputnik

The Russian Civil War - Introduction

It was almost inevitable that the October Revolution would lead to a devastating Russian Civil War waged by forces hostile to socialism. Indeed, Lenin had predicted this very outcome. At the end of October 1917, a military advance by troops loyal to Kerensky reached the outskirts of Petrograd but was defeated by Red Guards organised by the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC).

Just...

Red Partisans of the Irkutsk Military District, 1918

12. Sputnik_Partisans of the Irkutsk Military District. 1918

Source: Sputnik

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