The Russian Revolution: Bolshevik Decrees and Civil War

Revolutionary Measures of the Bolshevik Government

The Formation of the Council of People's Commissars: Led by Lenin, this became the first government of workers and peasants. It promptly undertook the establishment of socialism through several revolutionary decrees:

• Decree on Peace: Peace was signed with Germany. Russia accepted the conditions proposed, ceding parts of Poland, the Baltic countries, Finland, and territory to Romania.
• Decree on Land: Land was expropriated from owners and distributed to farmers, with debts forgiven. However, by 1918, due to hunger and poor food distribution, the state collectivized the land and became its owner.
• Abolition of Titles: All aristocratic titles were removed.
• Self-Determination: Recognition of the rights of peoples within the former Russian Empire.
• Wage Equality: Equating the wages of workers and peasants.
• Military Reform: Soldiers were granted the right to elect their own officers.
• Women's Rights: Decree establishing equal rights for women.
• Economic Nationalization: Nationalization of banks and enterprises, alongside the implementation of workers' control.
• Debt Cancellation: Russia canceled all debts owed to other countries.
• Internal Security: Creation of a secret police force to combat anti-revolutionary activities.

The Civil War and War Communism

Defenders of the old Tsarist order began armed resistance to prevent the consolidation of the Soviet State. Led by a significant portion of the former Tsarist army, the privileged classes, and land-owning peasantry, these forces became known as the White Russians (including Mensheviks, Social-Revolutionaries, and foreign interventionists from Britain, France, and the Czech Legion). They opposed the Red Russians.

While the White Russians held strength in the east, Siberia, and northern territories, the Bolsheviks controlled central Russia. Leon Trotsky was instrumental in creating the Red Army. The resulting civil war caused immense loss of life and widespread misery. During this conflict, Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed.

By 1921, the Red Army secured victory. The conflict necessitated War Communism, an economic policy where the entire country was directed toward supporting the war effort:

• Abolition of private property.
• State control over the production and distribution of agricultural products.
• Seizure of peasant produce.
• Mandatory labor and militarized industry.
• Rationing of food and supplies.

These measures caused severe hardship for the general population.