Civil war and foreign relations

• Foreign intervention

  Normal foreign relations weren't possible for Lenin and the Bolsheviks in 1918, the new regime gained space through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk but wartime alliance exposed them to isolations and international hostility from entente (a friendly understanding between states or factions)
• Foreign intervention

  The Bolsheviks had to content against anti-Bolsheviks within Russia and foreign intervention
• Foreign intervention

  From 1918-1920, foreign troops were stationed all over Russia, the actual number of which was small and did little direct fighting, but seemed to be an existential threat to Bolshevik Russia.
• Foreign intervention

  They had many motives;

  • In 1918, it was to keep Russia in WW1 and to prevent German troops moving to the western front
  • After the armistice, it changed to supporting anti-Bolsheviks
  • There was confusion over which anti-Bolshevik force to support and the allies disagreed on the level of intervention
• Foreign intervention

  The allied government had little up to date info, the speed of events and lack of normal diplomatic activity meant they were out of touch.
• Foreign intervention

  There were foreign spies in Russia like the American journalist John Reed.
• Foreign intervention

  The confusion and uncertainty of allied government as to how to respond involved attempts at making peace and military intervention.
• Foreign intervention - The Impact

  • Didn't bring down the Bolshevik regime due to small scale, little co-ordination and limited direct military action
  • Military success, leadership and the failures of the anti-Bolsheviks secured Bolsheviks success
  • In 1920, Britain agreed to negotiate a trade agreement with the USSR, recognizing it as a state
  • The Bolsheviks claimed they fought major capitalist and imperialist assault, using propaganda to better further their image
  • The west debated whether the intervention affected their relations.