challenges spreading comunism

• Tensions with Poland

  Conflicts between Poland and Soviet Russia after Poland became independent in November 1918
• Poland, led by Józef Piłsudski, attacked Soviet Russia

  April 1920
• Polish advance

  1. Polish army moved quickly and captured Kiev within two weeks on May 7, 1920

  2. Polish advance stretched their supply lines thin

  3. Ukrainian population did not fully support them
• Soviet counterattack

  1. In June, the Soviet Red Army fought back

  2. Semyon Budyonny's cavalry disrupted Polish supply lines, turning the situation around and forcing the Poles to retreat quickly

  3. By the end of July, the Red Army reached the ethnic borders of Poland
• Soviet mistakes

  Soviet military commanders made strategic errors, leaving gaps in their lines and allowing Poland to launch a successful counterattack on August 16
• Armistice was signed, leading to a peace treaty in 1921

  October
• The polish debacle