In the wake of the Russian Revolution, the world witnessed a tenuous period where the future of Russia hung in the balance. The Allied powers, concerned with their own geopolitical interests and the potential threat posed by a Bolshevik-led Russia, embarked on a series of interventions aimed at shaping the outcome of this tumultuous period.
Initial Allied Objectives in Russia
The primary goal of the Allied intervention in Russia was twofold. Firstly, they sought to prevent Germany from taking advantage of the chaotic situation in Russia for its own benefit, especially during the latter stages of World War I. With the Eastern Front destabilized by the revolution, there was a real concern that Germany would capitalize on this and undermine the Allied position in the war. Secondly, the Allies aimed to topple the nascent Bolshevik government by backing various counter-revolutionary forces between 1917 and 1920. This support manifested in both military intervention and financial aid to various anti-Bolshevik groups within Russia.
Deployment of Allied Expeditionary Forces
To support their objectives, the Allies deployed expeditionary forces to strategic locations within Russia. In the north, an Allied force, which included troops from several countries, landed at Archangel and Murmansk with the intent of assisting the anti-Bolshevik elements in the region. Concurrently, a contingent primarily composed of Japanese soldiers took control of Vladivostok in the Far East. British forces established a presence in the Caucasus, while the French occupied select areas in Southern Russia, using these positions as bases to aid counter-revolutionary movements.
The Counter-Revolutionary Efforts
Among the various counter-revolutionary attempts, the most significant were those led by the Cossacks in the south, initially under Kornilov, followed by Denikin, and ultimately Wrangel. These efforts posed a serious threat to the Bolshevik regime, which at times appeared to be on the brink of collapse due to the combined pressures of foreign intervention and internal dissent. Compounding the Bolsheviks’ challenges, Poland—encouraged by France and seeking territorial expansion—declared war on Russia, adding another front to the already strained Bolshevik defenses.
Factors Behind the Bolsheviks’ Survival
Despite the array of forces aligned against them, the Bolsheviks managed to withstand both the foreign interventions and the domestic uprisings. Several factors contributed to their survival. A key reason was the lack of cohesion among the counter-revolutionaries. Disagreements between royalists and republicans, as well as between military leaders and politicians, prevented the formation of a united front against the Bolsheviks. This disunity thwarted sustained collective action, ultimately leading to the failure of the counter-revolutionary efforts.
Questions for UPSC
1. How did the lack of unity among the counter-revolutionary forces contribute to the success of the Bolsheviks?
2. What were the geopolitical implications of the Allied intervention in Russia for the post-World War I order?
3. In what ways did foreign intervention influence the course of the Russian Civil War?