When did Russia civil war start? This pivotal event in Russian history marked a period of profound conflict and turmoil that began in 1917 and lasted until 1922. The Russian Civil War was a result of the collapse of the Russian Empire following the February Revolution and the October Revolution, which led to the establishment of the Soviet Union.
The roots of the Russian Civil War can be traced back to the widespread discontent among the Russian population due to the harsh conditions of World War I, economic instability, and political dissatisfaction with the czarist regime. The war itself was a fierce struggle between the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, and various anti-Bolshevik factions, including the White Army, the Volunteer Army, and the Red Guards.
The Russian Civil War began in October 1917, just a few months after the October Revolution, when the Bolsheviks seized power in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). The immediate trigger for the conflict was the declaration of war against Germany by the newly formed Soviet government, which led to a split among the Russian people over whether to continue the war or pursue peace.
The conflict quickly escalated into a full-scale war as the Bolsheviks sought to consolidate their power and establish a communist state. The White Army, led by various generals and former tsarist officers, aimed to restore the Russian Empire and prevent the spread of communism. The Red Guards, on the other hand, were the military forces of the Soviet government, committed to defending the new regime.
Throughout the Russian Civil War, the two sides engaged in a series of brutal battles across the vast territories of the former Russian Empire. The war was characterized by extreme violence, widespread destruction, and massive loss of life. It is estimated that between 5 million and 10 million people died during the conflict, including soldiers, civilians, and prisoners of war.
The war reached its peak in 1918 and 1919, with some of the most significant battles occurring in Crimea, the Donbas region, and around Moscow. The Red Army, led by military genius Mikhail Kalinin, eventually gained the upper hand and began to push the White Army back.
By 1922, the Russian Civil War had come to an end, with the Bolsheviks having successfully established the Soviet Union. The war had a profound impact on Russia and the world, shaping the political landscape of the 20th century. It marked the beginning of the Soviet era and set the stage for the Cold War, as the United States and its allies sought to contain the spread of communism.
In conclusion, the Russian Civil War started in October 1917 and ended in 1922, leaving a lasting imprint on the nation’s history and the global political stage. The conflict was a defining moment for Russia, leading to the birth of the Soviet Union and setting the stage for the subsequent struggles between communism and capitalism.
