Military pressure on Soviet Russia already in the spring of 1918 set the stage for the creation of a large, combat-ready Red Army, but it was not easy to do this quickly. Until mid-January 1918, the main task was to democratize the old army. January 15, 1918 Lenin signed a decree on the creation of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA) on a volunteer basis.
During this period, it was recruited from among the class-conscious workers and the poorest peasants. At the same time, the popular myth that the Red Army was founded on February 23 and this holiday in honor of its organization has no basis. By May 10, 1918, 306,000 people (250,000 Red Army men and 34,000 Red Guards) served in the Red Army units, of which more than 70% were communists and sympathizers. On May 29, a decision was made on the mandatory mobilization of workers and peasants of a number of draft ages, and on July 10, 1918, the Fifth All-Russian Congress of Soviets legislated the transition to manning the army and navy on the basis of general military service.
When creating the Red Army, the new government had to overcome a number of difficulties. In the spring of 1918, the troops did not have uniform states, uniforms, or weapons of the same type. The management of military units was carried out by elected commanders and collegiate bodies. The level of discipline and combat training of the Red Army and the "commanders" was low. The suspicion of the authorities towards the officer corps and the hostility of many officers to the Bolsheviks remained. All this had to be overcome resolutely and in a short time.
The transition to universal conscription made it possible to sharply increase the size of the Red Army: in the autumn of 1918 it exceeded half a million, and by the end of the year - 1 million fighters. Measures were taken to restore discipline: V. I. Lenin demanded "to force the command staff, higher and lower, to carry out combat orders at the cost of any means." The name of People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs L. D. Trotsky is associated with the widespread and deliberate use of repressions against violators of military discipline. In addition to the death penalty restored back in February, in the summer and autumn of 1918, decimation was resorted to at the fronts - the execution of every tenth fighter who conceded a unit without an order.
To improve professionalism, it was decided to recruit officers and generals of the former regime into the new army. Lenin considered the use of military specialists as one of the forms of class struggle. In order to exercise party control over them, an institution of military commissars was created, who were "assigned" to military experts. Without the signature of the commissars, the orders of the commanders were not valid. The families of former officers were placed under the control of the Cheka and were actually in the position of hostages. At the same time, many officers sincerely accepted the new government and consciously cooperated with it. In general, during the years of the Civil War, 75 thousand former tsarist generals and officers fought on the side of the Soviets. Former military specialists made up 48% of the senior command staff and administrative apparatus, 15% were former non-commissioned officers. Graduates of the first Soviet courses and schools made up only 37% of the red commanders. By the end of 1920, there were about 5.5 million people in the ranks of the Red Army.
Militarization of management and concentration of resources. From the beginning of the Civil War, the Soviet leadership took vigorous measures to mobilize all available resources for victory. On September 2, 1918, the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic (RVSR) was created. He exercised direct leadership of the army and navy, as well as all institutions of the military and naval departments. L. D. Trotsky, people's commissar for military and naval affairs, was appointed chairman. The main working bodies of the RVSR were the Field Headquarters, which was in charge of military operations, and the All-Glavshtab, which organized the rear, recruited and trained troops.
On November 30, 1918, the Council of Workers' and Peasants' Defense was formed. The new emergency body was headed by the Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. I. Lenin. The activities of the Defense Council covered primarily economic issues, the solution of which was necessary to ensure the unity of the front and rear. Meeting, as a rule, on a regular basis - twice a week, the Council discussed emerging problems and took prompt measures to overcome difficulties. He also made decisions on declaring certain regions of the country in a state of war (siege) and transferring all power in them to the revolutionary committees.
In the difficult conditions of the Civil War, maintaining order in the rear was of particular importance. For this purpose, a special system of military and repressive-terrorist organs was created to protect the revolution. It included the Cheka, the police, the Internal Security Troops (VOKhR), the Special Purpose Units (CHON), the Internal Service Troops (VUNUS), the food army and some other military formations that were outside the command of the Red Army and operated mainly in the rear. A special role among them belonged to the Cheka. From the middle of 1918, there was an accelerated creation of local (provincial, district, volost, rural) emergency commissions. In accordance with the decision of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee of October 28, 1918, all of them received the right to create armed detachments with them, the number of which by March 1919 reached 30 thousand people. At dangerous moments in some territories, local Chekas took over the functions of organs of Soviet power.
Already in the summer of 1918, the Bolsheviks went on a harsh suppression of all opposition political forces, trying to stop even the possibility of their consolidation. Since that time, BCQ has heard the word "terror" more often. Explaining its meaning at the end of June 1918, the chairman of the Cheka, F. E. Dzerzhinsky, said: “Society and the press do not correctly understand the tasks and nature of our commission. They understand the fight against counter-revolution in the sense of a normal state policy and hollowly shout about guarantees, trials, investigations, and so on. We have nothing in common with revolutionary military tribunals, we represent organized terror. It needs to be said openly." No less characteristic is the August statement of the head of the Petrograd organization of the RCP (b) G. E. Zinoviev: “We now calmly read that 200-300 people were shot somewhere there. The other day I read a note that, it seems, several thousand White Guards were shot in Livny, Oryol province. If we go at such a pace, then we will quickly reduce the bourgeois population of Russia.
After the attempt on Lenin's life and the assassination of the chief Petrograd Chekist M. S. Uritsky, on September 5, 1918, the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars was issued, which ordered that all persons associated with the White Guard conspiracies be shot on the spot. The mass phenomenon has acquired hostility. According to experts, only in September - October 1918, about 15 thousand people were shot on the territory of Soviet Russia. The main victims were representatives of the officers, the nobility, the bourgeoisie, the intelligentsia, and sometimes members of their families. At the same time, the creation of a network of concentration camps began throughout the country, the contingent of which numbered in the tens of thousands.
During the war years, the Bolsheviks managed to create a rigid system of food withdrawal from the peasants to supply the soldiers and partly the urban population, primarily the proletariat. The work of enterprises that ensure the production of weapons, ammunition, uniforms for the active army was also established. And although the organization of economic life was built largely with the use of coercion, and the amount produced was far from optimal needs, it nevertheless made it possible to create the necessary conditions for the survival of the Soviet Republic.
The Bolsheviks assigned a large role in the mobilization of workers and peasants to repel the enemy to agitation and propaganda work, which was established on a nationwide scale. Both political workers and cultural figures took part in this activity. Leaflets, posters, brochures, and newspapers were published in large editions; agitation trains and agitation steamboats plied across the country. The plan for monumental propaganda called for the creation of a series of monuments to revolutionaries and progressives "of all times and peoples." Public buildings, institutions, as well as holidays and other mass events were decorated with banners, posters, banners, the content of which propagated the goals of the new government, the greatness of labor, the union of workers and peasants (“What the revolution brings to the working people”; “The world of peoples will be concluded on the ruins of bourgeois rule ";" Factories - to the working people "; "Land - to the peasants", etc.). The intervention of the Entente countries, foreign support for the White movement, the war of Poland against Soviet Russia gave the Bolsheviks the opportunity to intercept from their enemies the slogans of protecting the freedom and independence of the Fatherland.
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Parade on Red Square, Moscow, 1922.
Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (abbr. Red Army) - the formation (armed forces, later ground forces) of the RSFSR in 1918-1922 and the Ground Armed Forces of the USSR in 1922-1946 (since 1946 - the Soviet army).
The Red Army is the official name of the types of armed forces: the ground forces and the air force, which, together with the Red Army Army, the troops of the NKVD of the USSR (Border Troops, Internal Guard Troops of the Republic and the State Escort Guard) made up the Armed Forces of the RSFSR / USSR from 10 (23) February 1918 to February 25, 1946.
February 23, 1918 is considered to be the day of the creation of the Red Army (see Defender of the Fatherland Day). It was on this day that the mass enrollment of volunteers in the Red Army detachments began, created in accordance with the decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR "On the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army", signed on January 15 (28), 1918.
History of the Red Army
... The Council of People's Commissars decides: to organize a new army under the name "Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army", on the following grounds:
1) The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army is being created from the most conscious and organized elements of the working classes.
2) Access to its ranks is open to all citizens of the Russian Republic not younger than 18 years old. Everyone enters the Red Army who is ready to give his strength, his life to defend the conquered October Revolution, and the power of the Soviets and socialism.
On January 10, 1918, a document was signed in Kharkov on the formation of the Red Cossacks, headed by V. M. Primakov, which soon became part of the Red Army.
<…>All to arms. All in defense of the revolution. The general mobilization for digging trenches and the expulsion of trench detachments is entrusted to the soviets, with the appointment of responsible commissars with unlimited powers for each detachment. This order is sent as an instruction to all councils in all cities.
Governing bodies
The supreme governing body of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army was the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR (since the formation of the USSR - the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR). The leadership and management of the army was concentrated in the People's Commissariat for Military Affairs, in the special All-Russian Collegium created under it, since 1923 the Council of Labor and Defense of the USSR, since 1937 the Defense Committee under the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR. In 1919-1934, the Revolutionary Military Council carried out direct command of the troops. In 1934, to replace it, the People's Commissariat of Defense of the USSR was formed.
In the conditions of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, on June 23, 1941, the Headquarters of the Supreme Command was formed (from July 10, 1941 - the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command, from August 8, 1941 - the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command). From February 25, 1946, until the collapse of the USSR, the armed forces were controlled by the USSR Ministry of Defense (the Central Office was reorganized on February 14, 1992 into the corresponding ministry of Russia).
Military authorities
The direct leadership of the Red Army is carried out by the Revolutionary Military Council of the RSFSR (Union) (RVS) (formed on September 6, 1918), headed by the People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs and Chairman of the RVS.
People's Commissariat for Military and Naval Affairs - a committee composed of:
10/26/1917 - ? - Antonov-Ovseenko, Vladimir Alexandrovich (in the text of the Decree on the formation of the Council of People's Commissars - Avseenko)
10/26/1917 - ? - Krylenko, Nikolai Vasilievich
10/26/1917 - 3/18/1918 - Dybenko, Pavel Efimovich
People's Commissars for Military and Naval Affairs:
8.4.1918-26.1.1925 - Trotsky, Lev Davidovich
The Central Office of the Red Army consists of the following main bodies:
Headquarters of the Red Army, since 1921 the General Staff of the Red Army.
Main Directorate of the Red Army.
Departments subordinate to the chief of armaments of the Red Army.
Artillery (since 1921 the Main Artillery Directorate)
Military Engineering (since 1921 the Main Military Engineering Directorate)
On August 15, 1925, the Military Chemical Directorate was established under the head of supply of the Red Army (in August 1941, the "Chemical Defense Directorate of the Red Army" was renamed the "Main Military Chemical Directorate of the Red Army"). In January 1918, the Council of Armored Units (“Tsentrobron”) was created, and in August 1918, the Central, and then the Main Armor Directorate. In 1929, the Central Directorate of Mechanization and Motorization of the Red Army was created, in 1937 it was renamed the Armored Directorate of the Red Army, and in December 1942 the Directorate of the Commander of Armored and Mechanized Forces was formed.
Office of the Naval Forces.
Military health department.
Military Veterinary Administration.
The body that manages the party-political and political-educational work in the Red Army is the Political Directorate of the Red Army.
Local military administration is carried out through revolutionary military councils, commands and headquarters of military districts (armies), to which all troops located on the territory of a given district are subordinate, as well as district military commissariats. The latter are the registration bodies of the population liable for military service. All the work of the central and local government bodies in the Red Army is carried out in close connection with Party, Soviet and trade union organizations. In all units and divisions of the Red Army there are organizations of the CPSU (b) and the Komsomol.
By a decree of the Council of People's Commissars of May 4, 1918, the territory of the Republic was divided into 11 military districts (VO). Yaroslavl, Moscow, Orlovsky, Belomorsky, Ural and Volga Military Districts were formed in May 1918 during the Civil War. At the head of the troops located on the territory of the military districts was the Military Council of the district, the chairman of which was the commander of the troops of the given district. The leadership of the troops, as well as the military commissariats in the military districts, was carried out through the headquarters, the political department of the district and the departments of the chiefs of the armed forces and services. Over time, the number of military districts changed.
Organizational structure
Detachments and squads of the Red Guard - armed detachments and squads of sailors, soldiers and workers, in Russia in 1917 - supporters (not necessarily members) of leftist parties - Social Democrats (Bolsheviks, Mensheviks and "Mezhraiontsy"), Socialist-Revolutionaries and anarchists, as well as detachments Red partisans became the basis of the Red Army detachments.
Initially, the main unit of the formation of the Red Army, on a voluntary basis, was a separate detachment, which was a military unit with an independent economy. At the head of the detachment was a Council consisting of a military leader and two military commissars. He had a small headquarters and an inspectorate.
With the accumulation of experience and after the involvement of military experts in the ranks of the Red Army, the formation of full-fledged units, units, formations (brigade, division, corps), institutions and institutions began.
The organization of the Red Army was in accordance with its class character and the military requirements of the early 20th century. The combined arms units of the Red Army were built as follows:
the rifle corps consisted of two to four divisions;
division - from three rifle regiments, an artillery regiment (artillery regiment) and technical units;
regiment - from three battalions, an artillery battalion and technical units;
cavalry corps - two cavalry divisions;
cavalry division - four to six regiments, artillery, armored units (armored units), technical units.
The technical equipment of the military formations of the Red Army with fire weapons (machine guns, guns, infantry artillery) and military equipment was basically at the level of modern advanced armed forces of that time. It should be noted that the introduction of technology made changes to the organization of the Red Army, which were expressed in the growth of technical units, in the appearance of special motorized and mechanized units and in the strengthening of technical cells in rifle troops and cavalry. A feature of the organization of the Red Army was that it reflected its openly class character. In the military bodies of the Red Army (in subdivisions, units and formations) there were political bodies (political departments (political departments), political units (political units)), conducting political and educational work in close cooperation with the command (commander and commissar of the unit) and ensuring the political growth of the Red Army masses and its activity in combat training.
For the duration of the war, the active army (that is, those troops of the Red Army who conduct military operations or provide them) is divided into fronts. The fronts are divided into armies, which include military formations: rifle and cavalry corps, rifle and cavalry divisions, tank, aviation brigades and individual units (artillery, aviation, engineering and others).
The USSR Law "On Compulsory Military Service", adopted on September 18, 1925 by the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR, determined the organizational structure of the Armed Forces, which included rifle troops, cavalry, artillery, armored forces, engineering troops, signal troops, air and sea forces, troops united state political administration (OGPU) and escort guards of the USSR. Their number in 1927 was 586,000 personnel.
The organization of the working people's armed forces is the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army of the USSR.
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army is divided into land, sea and air forces.
The Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army also includes special forces: troops of the United State Political Administration and escort troops.
Article 2., Section I., Law of the USSR "On Compulsory Military Service", Approved by the Central Executive Committee of the USSR Union, Council of People's Commissars of the USSR Union, August 13, 1930, No. 42/253b.
Composition (types of troops and special services)
Infantry
Infantry is the main branch of the army, which forms the backbone of the Red Army.
... The infantry, being the most numerous branch of the armed forces, performs the most difficult and responsible combat work ...
The combat charter of the Red Army infantry in 1927.
The largest rifle unit in the 1920s was the rifle regiment. The rifle regiment consisted of rifle battalions, regimental artillery, small units - communications, sappers and others - and the headquarters of the regiment. The rifle battalion consisted of rifle and machine gun companies, battalion artillery and battalion headquarters. Rifle company - from rifle and machine-gun platoons. Rifle platoon - from branches. Branch - the smallest organizational unit of the rifle troops. It was armed with rifles, light machine guns, hand grenades and a grenade launcher.
Artillery
The largest unit of artillery was an artillery regiment. It consisted of artillery battalions and regimental headquarters. The artillery battalion consisted of batteries and division control. Battery - from platoons. Platoon has 2 guns.
Breakthrough Artillery Corps (1943-1945) - a formation (corps) of the Red Army artillery in the armed forces of the USSR during the Great Patriotic War. The breakthrough artillery corps were part of the reserve artillery of the Supreme High Command.
Cavalry
The Soviet cavalry or cavalry was at first small in number. By the end of 1918, there were only about 40,000 sabers in the theaters of operations of the civil war, which was 10% of the entire active Red Army. Most of the cavalry formations were part of rifle divisions. The Soviet cavalry began to form simultaneously with the creation of the Red Army in 1918. Of the disbanded old Russian army, only three cavalry regiments entered the Red Army. In the formation of cavalry for the Red Army, a number of difficulties were encountered: the main areas that supplied cavalrymen and saddle horses to the army (Ukraine, the South and South-East of Russia) were occupied by the White Guards and occupied by the armies of foreign states; lacked experienced commanders, weapons and equipment. Therefore, the main organizational units in the cavalry were originally hundreds, squadrons, detachments and regiments. From individual cavalry regiments and cavalry detachments, the transition soon began to the formation of brigades, and then divisions. So, from a small equestrian partisan detachment of S. M. Budyonny, created in February 1918, in the autumn of the same year, during the battles for Tsaritsyn, the 1st Don Cavalry Brigade was formed, and then the consolidated cavalry division of the Tsaritsyn Front.
Especially vigorous measures to create cavalry were taken in the summer of 1919 to oppose Denikin's army. To deprive the latter of the advantage in the cavalry, cavalry formations larger than the division were needed.
In June - September 1919, the first two cavalry corps were created; by the end of 1919, the number of Soviet and opposing cavalry was equal. The fighting in 1918-1919 showed that the formations of the Soviet cavalry were a powerful strike force capable of solving important operational tasks both independently and in cooperation with rifle formations. The most important stage in the construction of the Soviet cavalry was the creation in November 1919 of the First Cavalry Army, and in July 1920 of the Second Cavalry Army. Cavalry formations and associations played an important role in operations against the armies of Denikin and Kolchak in late 1919 - early 1920, Wrangel and the army of Poland in 1920.
During the Civil War, in some operations, the Soviet cavalry accounted for up to 50% of the infantry. The main method of action for subunits, units and formations of the cavalry was an offensive in equestrian formation (horse attack), supported by powerful machine gun fire from carts. When the conditions of the terrain and the stubborn resistance of the enemy limited the actions of the cavalry in mounted formation, they fought in dismounted combat formations. The Soviet command during the years of the Civil War was able to successfully resolve the issues of using large masses of cavalry to perform operational tasks. The creation of the world's first mobile formations - cavalry armies - was an outstanding achievement of military art. The cavalry armies were the main means of strategic maneuver and the development of success, they were used massively in decisive directions against those enemy forces that at this stage posed the greatest danger.
The success of the fighting of the Soviet cavalry during the years of the Civil War was facilitated by the vastness of the theaters of operations, the stretching of enemy armies on broad fronts, the presence of gaps that were poorly covered or not at all occupied by troops, which were used by cavalry formations to reach the enemy’s flanks and carry out deep raids in his rear. Under these conditions, the cavalry could fully realize its combat properties and capabilities - mobility, surprise strikes, speed and decisiveness of action.
After the Civil War, the cavalry in the Red Army continued to be a rather numerous branch of the armed forces. In the 1920s, it was divided into strategic (cavalry divisions and corps) and military (subdivisions and units that were part of rifle formations).
As a mobile branch of the military, the strategic cavalry was intended for the development of a breakthrough and could be used by decision of the front command.
Later, during the period of demobilization, the main unit of the cavalry is the cavalry regiment. The regiment consists of saber and machine-gun squadrons, regimental artillery, technical units and headquarters. Saber and machine-gun squadrons consist of platoons. The platoon is divided into sections. In the 1930s, mechanized (later tank) and artillery regiments, anti-aircraft weapons were introduced into the cavalry divisions (later this experience was recognized as unsuccessful); new combat regulations were developed for the cavalry.
Cavalry units and subunits took an active part in the hostilities of the initial period of the Great Patriotic War. In particular, in the battle for Moscow, the cavalry corps under the command of L. M. Dovator valiantly proved himself. However, during the war it became more and more obvious that the future belongs to the new modern branches of the military (forces), therefore, by the end of the war, most of the cavalry units were disbanded. At the end of the Great Patriotic War, in 1945, the cavalry as a branch of service practically ceased to exist.
Armored troops
In the 1920s, the production of its own tanks began in the USSR, and with it the foundations of the concept of the combat use of troops were laid. In 1927, in the Combat Manual of the Infantry, special attention was paid to the combat use of tanks and their interaction with infantry units. So, for example, in the second part of this document it is written that the most important conditions for success are:
the sudden appearance of tanks as part of the attacking infantry, their simultaneous and massive use over a wide area in order to disperse artillery and other anti-armor weapons of the enemy;
separation of tanks in depth while creating a reserve of them, which allows you to develop an attack to a greater depth;
close interaction of tanks with infantry, which secures the points they occupy.
The issues of use were most fully disclosed in the "Temporary Instructions for the Combat Use of Tanks", issued in 1928. It provided for two forms of participation of tank units in battle:
for direct support of the infantry and as a forward echelon, operating out of fire and visual communication with it.
The armored forces consisted of tank units and formations and units armed with armored vehicles. The main tactical unit is a separate tank battalion. It consists of tank companies. A tank company consists of tank platoons. The composition of the tank platoon - up to 5 tanks. A company of armored vehicles consists of platoons; platoon - from 3-5 armored vehicles.
For the first time, tank brigades began to be created in 1935 as separate tank brigades of the reserve of the High Command. In 1940, tank divisions were formed on their basis, which became part of the mechanized corps. But due to the huge losses in tanks suffered by the Red Army at the beginning of the war, and the insufficient production of tanks by the NPO of the USSR, it was decided to make significant adjustments to the organizational structure of the armored forces. In accordance with the directive letter of the Headquarters of the High Command of July 15, 1941, the abolition of mechanized corps began, which continued until the beginning of September 1941. In connection with their disbandment, tank divisions were transferred to the command of the army commanders, and motorized divisions were reorganized into rifle divisions. Because of these reasons, it was necessary to switch from the divisional to the brigade organization of the armored forces, established by order of the NPO of the USSR No. 0063, and in September 1941, to the creation of separate tank battalions of various staffing levels (from 29 to 36 tanks per battalion). Tank brigades and separate tank battalions became the main organizational forms in the Soviet armored forces. On December 1, 1941, the Red Army had 68 separate tank brigades and 37 separate tank battalions, which were used mainly for direct support of rifle troops. Such an organization under the conditions of 1941 was forced. In 1942, in connection with the restoration of tank corps, and then the mechanized corps, tank brigades were formed, which became part of them. The brigade included 2 tank and 1 motorized rifle and machine gun battalions, as well as a number of separate units (53 tanks in total). In the future, the organizational and staffing structure of tank battalions was improved in order to increase its independence, strike and firepower. Since November 1943, the brigade had three tank battalions, a motorized battalion of submachine gunners, an anti-aircraft machine gun company and other units (a total of 65 T-34 tanks). For military merit, 68 tank brigades received the title of guards, 112 were awarded honorary titles, 114 were awarded orders. In 1945-1946 tank brigades were reorganized into tank regiments. In 1942-1954, these troops were called armored and mechanized troops. They consisted of tank (since 1946 - mechanized) armies, tank, heavy tank, mechanized, self-propelled artillery, motorized rifle brigades (since 1946 - regiments). Since 1954, they began to be called armored forces; they included tank and mechanized units.
Mechanized troops, troops consisting of mechanized (tank), motorized rifle, artillery and other units and subunits. The concept "M. in." appeared in various armies by the early 1930s. In 1929, the Central Directorate of Mechanization and Motorization of the Red Army was created in the USSR and the first experimental mechanized regiment was formed, deployed in 1930 into the first mechanized brigade consisting of tank, artillery, reconnaissance regiments and support units. The brigade had 110 MS-1 tanks and 27 guns and was intended to study issues of operational-tactical use and the most advantageous organizational forms of mechanized formations. In 1932, on the basis of this brigade, the world's first mechanized corps was created - an independent operational unit, which included two mechanized and one rifle and machine gun brigades, a separate anti-aircraft artillery division and numbering over 500 tanks and 200 vehicles. The title "M. in." was enshrined in 1932 in the temporary instruction of the mechanized troops of the Red Army, which is called "Driving and combat of independent mechanized formations." By the beginning of 1936 there were 4 mechanized corps, 6 separate brigades, and 15 regiments in cavalry divisions. In 1937, the Central Directorate of Mechanization and Motorization of the Red Army was renamed the Armored Directorate of the Red Army, and in December 1942, the Directorate of the Commander of Armored and Mechanized Forces was formed. During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, armored and mechanized troops became the main strike force of the Red Army.
Air Force
Aviation in the Soviet Armed Forces began to form in 1918. Organizationally, it consisted of separate aviation detachments that were part of the district Air Fleet Directorates, which in September 1918 were reorganized into front-line and army field aviation and aeronautics directorates at the headquarters of the fronts and combined arms armies. In June 1920, the field administrations were reorganized into the headquarters of the air fleets with direct subordination to the commanders of the fronts and armies. After the Civil War of 1917-1923, the air forces of the fronts became part of the military districts. In 1924, the aviation units of the Air Force of the military districts were consolidated into homogeneous aviation squadrons (18-43 aircraft each), which were transformed into aviation brigades in the late 1920s. In 1938-1939, the aviation of the military districts was transferred from a brigade to a regimental and divisional organization. The main tactical unit was an aviation regiment (60-63 aircraft). Aviation of the Red Army, based on the main property of aviation - the ability to deliver fast and powerful air strikes to the enemy over long distances that are not available to other branches of the military. The combat means of aviation were aircraft armed with high-explosive, fragmentation and incendiary bombs, cannons and machine guns. Aviation possessed, at that time, a high flight speed (400-500 or more kilometers per hour), the ability to easily overcome the enemy’s battle front and penetrate deep into his rear. Combat aviation was used to destroy manpower and technical means of the enemy; to destroy its aircraft and destroy important objects: railway junctions, military industry enterprises, communication centers, roads, etc. reconnaissance aviation had as its purpose the conduct of aerial reconnaissance behind enemy lines. Auxiliary aviation was used to correct artillery fire, to communicate and monitor the battlefield, to transport the sick and wounded in need of urgent medical care to the rear (air ambulance), and for the urgent transportation of military cargo (transport aviation). In addition, aviation was used to transport troops, weapons and other means of combat over long distances. The basic unit of aviation was the aviation regiment (air regiment). The regiment consisted of aviation squadrons (air squadrons). Air squadron - from links.
By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, the aviation of the military districts consisted of separate bomber, fighter, mixed (assault) aviation divisions and separate reconnaissance aviation regiments. In the autumn of 1942, the aviation regiments of all branches of aviation had 32 aircraft each, in the summer of 1943 the number of aircraft in the assault and fighter aviation regiments was increased to 40 aircraft.
Engineering Troops
The divisions were supposed to have an engineering battalion, in rifle brigades - a sapper company. In 1919, special engineering units were formed. The engineering troops were led by the inspector of engineers at the Field Headquarters of the Republic (1918-1921 - A.P. Shoshin), the chiefs of engineers of fronts, armies and divisions. In 1921, the leadership of the troops was entrusted to the Main Military Engineering Directorate. By 1929, full-time engineering units were available in all military branches. After the start of the Great Patriotic War in October 1941, the post of chief of the Engineering Troops was established. During the war, engineer troops built fortifications, created barriers, mined the terrain, ensured the maneuver of troops, made passages in enemy minefields, ensured the overcoming of his engineering barriers, forcing water barriers, participated in the assault on fortifications, cities, etc.
Chemical troops
November 13, 1918, by order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic No. 220, the Chemical Service of the Red Army was created.
In 1923, anti-gas teams were introduced into the states of rifle regiments.
In the years 1924-1925, in the course of the military reform, the foundations of modern troops and service were laid, an important step was taken towards the creation of a centralized leadership of them, and the beginning of planned military-chemical training in units was laid.
By the end of the 1920s, all rifle and cavalry divisions and brigades had chemical units. During the Great Patriotic War, the chemical troops included: technical brigades (for setting up smoke and masking large objects), brigades, battalions and companies of anti-chemical protection, flamethrower battalions and companies, bases, warehouses, etc. During the hostilities, they maintained high readiness chemical protection of units and formations in case the enemy used chemical weapons, destroyed the enemy with the help of flamethrowers and carried out smoke camouflage of troops, continuously conducted reconnaissance in order to reveal the preparation of the enemy for a chemical attack and timely warning of their troops, participated in ensuring the constant readiness of military units, formations and formations to perform combat missions in the conditions of the possible use of chemical weapons by the enemy, destroyed the enemy’s manpower and equipment with flamethrower and incendiary means, camouflaged their troops and rear facilities with smoke.
Signal Corps
The first communications units in the Red Army were formed in 1918. On October 20, 1919, the Communications Troops were created as independent special troops. In 1941, the post of chief of the Communications Troops was introduced.
Automobile Troops
As part of the Logistics of the Armed Forces of the USSR. In the Soviet Armed Forces appeared during the Civil War. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, they consisted of subdivisions and units.
In the Republic of Afghanistan, military motorists were assigned a decisive role in providing OKSVA with all types of materiel. Automobile units and subunits transported goods not only for the troops, but also for the civilian population of the country.
59 separate brigade of material support
Railway Troops
In 1926, the servicemen of the Separate Corps of the Railway Troops of the Red Army began to carry out topographic reconnaissance of the future BAM route.
1st Guards Naval Artillery Railroad Brigade (converted from 101st Naval Artillery Railroad Brigade) KBF. The title "Guards" was awarded on January 22, 1944.
11th Guards separate railway artillery battery of the KBF. The title "Guards" was awarded on September 15, 1945. There were four railway buildings: two built BAM and two in Tyumen (built bridges, laid roads to each tower).
Road Troops
As part of the Logistics of the USSR Armed Forces. In the Soviet Armed Forces appeared during the Civil War. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, they consisted of subdivisions and units.
By the middle of 1943, the road troops consisted of: 294 separate road battalions, 22 military highway directorates (VAD) with 110 road commandant sections (DKU), 7 military road directorates (VDU) with 40 road detachments (DO), 194 horse transport companies, repair bases, bases for the production of bridge and road structures, educational and other institutions.
Labor army
Labor Army (Trudarmiya) - military formations (associations) in the Armed Forces of the Soviet Republic in 1920-1922, temporarily used to restore the national economy during the Civil War. Each labor army consisted of ordinary rifle formations, cavalry, artillery and other units engaged in labor activities and at the same time retaining the ability to quickly transition to a state of combat readiness. In total, 8 labor armies were formed; in military-administrative terms, they were subordinate to the RVSR, and in economic and labor terms - to the Council of Labor and Defense. The forerunner of military construction units (military construction teams).
The Bolsheviks assigned to each Red Army unit a political commissar, or political commissar, with the power to overrule the unit commander's orders if they ran counter to the principles of the Communist Party. Although this reduced the effectiveness of the command, the Party felt an urgent need to control the unreliable "military specialists" from among the former tsarist officers, on whom the army was heavily dependent. Control was weakened in 1925, since by this time enough new command cadres had been brought up.
Ranks
The early Red Army rejected officership as a phenomenon, declaring it a "remnant of tsarism." The very word "officer" was replaced by the word "commander". Shoulder straps were abolished, military ranks were abolished, instead of which the titles of positions were used, for example, “komdiv” (division commander), or “comcor” (corps commander). On July 30, 1924, the order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR No. 989 was issued on conferring the title of "commander of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army" to the entire command staff of the Red Army. Also in this year, "service categories" were introduced, from K-1 (lowest) to K-14 (highest), corresponding to the experience and qualifications of the commander. When referring to a commander whose position was unknown, one should have called the position corresponding to the category, for example, “comrade of the regiment commander” for K-9. Triangles (for junior officers K 1 and 2), squares (for middle officers K 3-6), rectangles (for senior officers K 7-9) and rhombuses (for senior officers K-10 and above) were used as insignia. ). The types of troops, on the uniform, differed in the color of their buttonholes.
On September 22, 1935, service categories were abolished and personal ranks were introduced. They were a mixture of job titles and traditional titles, such as divisional commander. Separate ranks were introduced for political workers ("brigade commissar", "army commissar of the 2nd rank"), for technical services ("engineer of the 3rd rank", "divisional engineer"), for medical workers and so on.
On May 7, 1940, the personal ranks "general", "admiral" were introduced, replacing the former "commander", "commander" and others. On November 2, 1940, official ranks for junior officers were abolished, and the rank of lieutenant colonel was introduced.
At the beginning of 1942, the ranks of the technical and logistics services were brought into line with the traditional ones ("engineer-major", "engineer-colonel" and others). On October 9, 1942, the system of political commissars was abolished, along with special ranks. Official ranks remained only for the medical, veterinary and legal services.
At the beginning of 1943, the unification of the surviving official ranks took place. The word "officer" returned to the official lexicon again, along with shoulder straps, and the old insignia. The system of military ranks and insignia practically did not change until the collapse of the USSR; modern Russian Armed Forces actually continues to use the same system. The old official titles "battalion commander" (battalion commander), "brigade commander" (brigade commander), "commander" (division or division commander) are still preserved in unofficial (jargon) use.
It should be noted that, despite the fact that the military ranks of the Red Army of the 1943 model were developed on the basis of the ranks of the Russian Imperial Army, they, nevertheless, are not an exact copy of them. First of all, the following differences can be noted:
the non-commissioned officer ranks of sergeant major, sergeant major (cavalry rank) were not restored.
the senior officer ranks of second lieutenant, lieutenant, staff captain were not restored.
the rank of ensign (in Old Slavonic - "standard bearer", from "ensign" - banner), which belonged to the officers in the tsarist army, was established in the Soviet Army only in 1972. The ranks of "ensign", "senior warrant officer" are singled out in a separate category, and do not apply to officers.
the ranks that existed only in the cavalry were not restored - cornet (corresponding to second lieutenant), staff captain (corresponding to staff captain), captain (corresponding to captain).
at the same time, the rank of major was established, which was abolished in the tsarist army in 1881.
a number of changes also took place in the ranks of the senior officers, for example, the rank of general feldzeugmeister was not restored, and others.
In general, the military ranks of junior officers (sergeants and foremen) of the Red Army correspond to the tsarist (Russian) non-commissioned officers, the ranks of junior officers - to chief officers (the statutory address in the tsarist army is “your honor”), senior officers, from major to the colonel - as a staff officer (the statutory address in the tsarist army is “your excellency”), senior officers, from major general to marshal - as a general (“your excellency”).
A more detailed correspondence of ranks can only be established approximately, due to the fact that the very number of military ranks varies. So, the rank of second lieutenant roughly corresponds to the military rank of lieutenant, and the royal rank of captain roughly corresponds to the Soviet military rank of major.
It should also be noted that the insignia of the military ranks of the Red Army, model 1943, were also not an exact copy of the royal ones, although they were created on their basis. So, the rank of colonel in the tsarist army was designated by shoulder straps with two longitudinal stripes, and without asterisks; in the Red Army, a military rank, had insignia, on the pursuit - two longitudinal stripes, and three medium-sized stars arranged in a triangle.
Command staff
A significant part of the command staff of the Red Army until the early 1930s were people who received officer ranks in the tsarist and partly in the white armies. Replacing them with commanders trained in Soviet military institutions was delayed. According to the memorandum of Ya. B. Gamarnik (May 1931), there were 5195 “former” officers in command, including 770 in the highest commanding staff of the ground forces (67.6% of the highest commanding staff of the ground forces), 51 people in the Naval Forces (53.4% of the senior commanding staff of the naval forces), 133 people - in the Air Force (31.1%).
Repressions of 1937-1938
Part of the Great Purge of 1937-1938, according to some, was the so-called "purge of the Red Army cadres". Its goal was the cleansing of "unreliable elements", mainly among the highest ranks. The debatable question is whether the purge caused the weakening of the Red Army. Supporters of the opposite point of view point out that the number of the Red Army increased at the peak of the purges. In 1937 it was 1.5 million people, having more than tripled by June 1941. Part of the Great Purge of 1937-1938, according to some, was the so-called "purge of the Red Army cadres". Its goal was the cleansing of "unreliable elements", mainly among the highest ranks. A small part of them was returned back after the attack of Nazi Germany on the USSR. According to some reports, the "Stalinist purge" of the Red Army was one of the factors that gave Hitler confidence in the success of his attack on the Soviet Union. Declassified data indicate that in 1937 the Red Army had 114,300 officers, 11,034 of whom were repressed, and were not rehabilitated until 1940. However, in 1938 the Red Army already had 179 thousand officers, 56% more than in 1937, of which 6,742 were repressed and not rehabilitated before 1940.
As a result of the work done, the army was largely cleansed of spies, saboteurs, who did not inspire confidence in foreigners, of drunkards, plunderers of national property.
From the report of the management of the command staff of the Red Army, dated May 5, 1940, sent to the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR K. E. Voroshilov.
population
By the end of April 1918 - 196,000 people.
By the beginning of September 1918 - 550,000 people.
By the end of October 1918 - almost 800,000 people.
By the end of 1919 - 3,000,000 people.
By the autumn of 1920 - 5,500,000 people.
By January 1925 - 562,000 people.
In 1927 - 586,000 people.
March 1932 - 604,300 people (of the entire Red Army (land Red Army, red air fleet and red navy)).
By January 1941 - 4,200,000 people.
By the spring of 1942 - 5,500,000 people (Active army and navy).
Since the spring of 1942 - 5,600,000 people (Active army and navy).
By the summer of 1942 - about 11,000,000 people.
By the beginning of 1945 - 11,365,000 people.
By May 1945 - 11,300,000 people.
By February 1946 - 5,300,000 people.
Conscription and military service
Since 1918, the service has been voluntary (built on a volunteer basis). But volunteerism could not give the necessary number of fighters to the armed forces at the right time. On June 12, 1918, the Council of People's Commissars issued the first decree on conscription for military service of workers and peasants of the Volga, Ural and West Siberian military districts. Following this decree, a number of additional decrees and orders for conscription into the armed forces were issued. On August 27, 1918, the Council of People's Commissars issued the first decree on the drafting of military sailors into the Red Fleet. The Red Army was a militia (from Latin militia - an army), created on the basis of a territorial-militia system. Military units in peacetime consisted of an accounting apparatus and a small number of command personnel; most of it and the rank and file, assigned to military units on a territorial basis, underwent military training by the method of non-military training and at short-term training camps. The construction of the Red Army from 1923 until the end of the 30s was carried out on the basis of a combination of territorial police and personnel formations. In modern conditions, with the growth of the technical equipment of the Armed Forces and the complication of military affairs, the militia Armed Forces have practically become obsolete. The system was based on military commissariats located throughout the Soviet Union. During the conscription campaign, young people were distributed on the basis of the quotas of the General Staff for the types of troops and services. After the distribution of conscripts, officers were taken from the units and sent to the course of a young soldier. There was a very small stratum of professional sergeants; most of the sergeants were conscripts who had completed a training course to prepare them for positions as junior commanders.
After the Civil War, representatives of the "exploiting classes" - the children of merchants, priests, nobles, Cossacks, etc. - were not called up to the Red Army. .
The term of service in the army for infantry and artillery is 1 year, for cavalry, horse artillery and technical troops - 2 years, for the air fleet - 3 years, for the navy - 4 years.
military training
In the first half of 1918, universal education went through several stages of its development. On January 15, 1918, a decree was issued on the organization of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army and the All-Russian Collegium for the formation of the Red Army was created under the People's Commissariat for Military and Naval Affairs. She launched an active work in the center and in the field. In particular, all military specialists and regular officers were taken into account. In March 1918, the VII Congress of the RCP (b) adopted a decision on the general training of the population in military affairs. On the eve of the Izvestia of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, an appeal was printed: “Every worker, every working woman, every peasant, every peasant woman must be able to shoot from a rifle, revolver or machine gun!” Their training, which had already practically begun in the provinces, districts and volosts, was to be led by military commissariats, formed in accordance with the decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR of April 8. At the All-Russian General Staff, on May 7, the Central Department of Vsevobuch was established, headed by L. E. Maryasin, while local departments were created at the military registration and enlistment offices. On May 29, the All-Russian Central Executive Committee issued the first decree on the transition from recruiting volunteers to the mobilization of workers and the poorest peasants.
In June 1918, the First Congress of Vsevobuch Workers took place, which made important decisions. In accordance with them, the activities of the bodies of universal education in the field were also built. Back in January, a provincial military department with an accounting sub-department arose in Kostroma. The People's Commissariat for Military Affairs published an instruction on the procedure for the work of such bodies, recruiting centers were opened for recording volunteers in the Red Army, and for the first time, extensive training in military affairs was launched. In February - March, residents of Kostroma and Kineshma, mostly workers, enlist in the proletarian Red Army detachments. The military departments were engaged in their training. On March 21, on the very day when the elective beginning in the Red Army was canceled (by order of the Supreme Military Council of the RSFSR), the All-Russian Collegium appealed to military specialists, to all officers of the old army, with an appeal to join the Red Army for command positions.
Vasilevsky A. M. "The work of all life"
The system of military education in the Red Army is traditionally divided into three levels. The main one is the system of higher military education, which is a developed network of higher military schools. Their students are traditionally called cadets in the Red Army, which roughly corresponds to the pre-revolutionary title of "junker". The term of study is 4-5 years, graduates receive the title of "lieutenant", which corresponds to the position of "platoon commander".
If in peacetime the training program in schools corresponds to obtaining higher education, in wartime it is reduced to secondary special education, the training period is sharply reduced, and short-term command courses lasting six months are organized.
A traditional feature of Russia is the system of secondary military education, which consists of a network of cadet schools and corps. After the collapse of the Armed Forces of the Russian Empire (Russian Imperial Army and Navy) in 1917-1918, this system ceased to exist. However, in the 40s, it was actually restored as part of the general turn of the USSR to pre-revolutionary Russian traditions, caused by the Great Patriotic War [source not specified 2793 days]. The leadership of the Communist Party authorized the founding of five Suvorov military schools and one naval Nakhimov school; pre-revolutionary cadet corps served as a model for them. The curriculum in such schools corresponds to obtaining a complete secondary education; Suvorov and Nakhimov students usually enter higher military schools.
After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, a number of new educational institutions were organized in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, directly called "cadet corps". The pre-revolutionary military rank "cadet" and the corresponding insignia have been restored.
Another traditional feature of Russia is the system of military academies. Students in them receive a higher military education. This is in contrast to Western countries, where academies usually train junior officers.
The military academies of the Red Army have gone through a number of reorganizations and redeployments, and are divided into different types of troops (Military Academy of Logistics and Transport, Military Medical Academy, Military Academy of Communications, Academy of Strategic Rocket Forces named after Peter the Great, etc.). After 1991, the point of view was promoted that a number of military academies were directly inherited by the Red Army from the tsarist army. In particular, the M.V. Frunze Military Academy comes from the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff, and the Artillery Academy from the Mikhailovskaya Artillery Academy, founded by Grand Duke Mikhail in 1820. This point of view was not shared in the Soviet period, because the history of the Red Army began in 1918. In addition, the Higher Military Scientific Courses (VVNK), created in the White emigration on the initiative of the former. Supreme Commander of the Russian Army Vel. Book. Nikolai Nikolaevich the Younger as the successor and continuer of the traditions of the Academy of the General Staff.
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation retained the Soviet system of military education in general terms, while disbanding a number of schools as part of the general reduction of the Armed Forces in the 90s of the XX century. However, the greatest loss for the system of military education was the collapse of the USSR. Since the Soviet Army was a single system for the USSR, military schools were organized without taking into account the division into union republics. As a result, for example, out of 6 (Leningrad, Kolomna, Tbilisi, Sumy, Odessa, Khmelnitsky) artillery schools of the Armed Forces of the USSR, 3 remained in Ukraine, despite the fact that the Ukrainian army did not need such a number of artillery officers.
Reserve officers
As in any other army in the world, the system for training reserve officers was organized in the Red Army. Its main goal is to create a large reserve of officers in case of general mobilization in wartime. The general trend of all the armies of the world during the 20th century was a steady increase in the percentage of people with higher education among officers. In the post-war Soviet Army, this figure was actually brought up to 100%.
In keeping with this trend, the Soviet Army considers virtually any civilian with a college degree as a potential wartime reserve officer. For their education, a network of military departments has been deployed at civilian universities, the training program in them corresponds to a higher military school.
Such a system was used for the first time in the world, in Soviet Russia, adopted by the United States, where a significant part of the officers are trained in non-military training courses for reserve officers, and in officer candidate schools. The developed network of higher military schools is also very expensive; the maintenance of one school costs the state, approximately like the maintenance of a division, fully deployed in the state of wartime. Reserve officer training courses are much cheaper, and the United States puts a lot of emphasis on them.
an order to urgently transfer their military unit in an easterly direction.
The commander knew that a few days ago the territory of our allied country
was attacked by the aggressor and the advanced units of the Red Army were already
went into battle. 1. Indicate the decade when the specified hostilities took place. 2. With the troops of which country did the units of the Red Army enter the battle? 3. How did the hostilities in question end?
Which of the following refers to the events that took place in the USSR in the 1920s?
1) the introduction of the "golden chervonets" into monetary circulation 2) the creation of the Red Army 3) the introduction of a universal seven-year education 4) the transition to the NEP
2.
Mark one of the provisions of the NEP: 1) the activities of the committees of the poor 2) surplus appropriation 3) universal labor service 4) free trade
3.
Which of the following refers to the policy of "war communism"? Indicate two correct provisions: 1) the introduction of surplus appropriation 2) the encouragement of private enterprise 3) the permission of foreign concessions 4) the nationalization of industry 5) the "cultural revolution"
4.
Prodrazvyorstka is: 1) equalizing allocation of land to peasants 2) voluntary partnership of peasants for joint management of the economy 3) withdrawal of surplus agricultural products from peasants in favor of the state 4) allocation of peasant cuts and farms.
2. 2) What social and political forces opposed the Bolsheviks in
the first period of the Civil War? Why the first anti-Bolshevik
performances were quickly suppressed by the Red Army?
3. Creation of the Red Army (Dates, decrees, the strength of the Red Army, how the tsarist officers were attracted).
territory of this state?
3. The period February-October 1917 is called:1) constitutional monarchy 2) dual power
3) absolute monarchy 4) democratic republic
4.. Which of the following events happened before the others?
1) making a decision to replace the surplus with a tax in kind
2) dispersal of the Constituent Assembly
3) anti-Bolshevik speech of sailors in Kronstadt
4) the conclusion of the Brest peace
5. Which of the following events took place during the period of dual power?
1) the murder of G.E. Rasputin
2) agrarian reform P.A. Stolypin
3) June political crisis
4) creation of the Council of People's Commissars
6. VChK is an abbreviation for the Bolshevik-created
1) an emergency command and control body of the army in the conditions of the Civil War
2) the temporary supreme body of government in 1917
3) an emergency body to combat sabotage and counter-revolution
4) the body for the preparation of the coup in October 1917, the headquarters of their speech
7. For the foreign policy views of the Bolsheviks in 1918-1919. was typical
1) the desire to establish ties with the governments of Western countries in order to withdraw Soviet Russia from international isolation
2) the desire to revive the Russian state, returning to its composition all the former territories of the Russian Empire
3) the idea of the inevitability of a world revolution in the very near future
4) opinion about the possibility of coexistence of two systems - socialist and capitalist
8. Read an excerpt from an article written in April 1917 and indicate which party's program settings are reflected in it.
“In the agrarian program, the shifting of the center of gravity to the Soviets of Labor Deputies. Confiscation of all landed estates.
Nationalization of all lands in the country, disposal of land by local Soviets of Laborers and Peasants' Deputies. Separation of Soviets of Deputies from the poorest peasants. Creation of exemplary farming from each large estate under the control of laborers' deputies and at public expense.
1) Cadets 2) Octobrists 3) Socialist-Revolutionaries 4) Bolsheviks
9. In terms of its ideological orientation, the Soyuz 17 October party can be considered:
1) liberal 2) socialist 3) monarchist 4) revolutionary
10. Supporters of the power of the Bolsheviks in the Civil War are called:
Checking test on the history of Russia for grade 9.
Great Russian Revolution. Option 2
Part A
1. The Constituent Assembly in Russia was convened in
1) October 1917 2) January 1918 3) March 1918 4) December 1919
2. Brest peace was signed
1) in March 1917. 2) March 1918 3) May 1917 4) May 1921
3. What concept characterizes an important phenomenon in Russian history in 1917?
1) denationalization of industry 2) palace coup
3) depeasantization 4) dual power
4. Which of the following events happened before the others?
1) II All-Russian Congress of Soviets
2) the defeat of the troops of P.N. Wrangel in the Crimea
3) rebellion of the Czechoslovak corps
4) the signing of the Brest Peace
5. Which of the following authorities was created in 1917?
1) State Duma
2) State Council
3) Senate
4) Provisional Government
6. What was the name of the first Soviet government?
1) PSR 2) Cheka 3) SNK 4) All-Russian Central Executive Committee
7. Which of the following related to the consequences of Order No. 1 of the Retrograde Council?
1) the restoration of the death penalty in the army
2) the introduction of the principle of unity of command in the army
3) dissolution of elected soldiers' committees
4) fall of military discipline
8. Read a fragment from the document and indicate its title
“... The nationwide desire to bring the world war to a decisive victory has only intensified, thanks to the awareness of the common responsibility of each and every one ... It goes without saying ... The Provisional Government, protecting the rights of our Motherland, will fully comply with the obligations assumed in relation to our allies.”
1) "Milyukov's note"
2) April theses
3) Order No. 1 of the Petrosoviet
4) "Manifesto August 1, 1914"
9. Which party at the beginning of the 20th century considered it possible to use terror tactics?
1) Octobrists 2) Cadets 3) Social Revolutionaries 4) RSDLP
10. Supporters of the power of imperial power in the Civil War are called:
1) red 2) white 3) green 4) black shirts
Part B
1. Arrange the following events in chronological order.
A) the beginning of the meetings of the II All-Russian Congress of Soviets
B) the creation of the Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies
C) "Kornilov rebellion"
D) the proclamation of Russia as a republic
Option 2
2. Which three of the following were commanders of the Red Army?
1) S.M. Budyonny
2) M.N. Tukhachevsky
3) M.V. Frunze
4) A.I. Denikin
5) P.N. Wrangel
6) P.N. Milyukov
3. Which of the listed authorities were created in 1917
1) Council of People's Commissars
2) Committee of Ministers
3) Provisional Government
4) State Duma
5) Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies
6) Supreme Council
4. Establish a correspondence between the name of the body of Soviet power and the name of the politician who led its work.
AUTHORITIES PERSONS
A) First SNK 1) V.I. Lenin
B) Cheka 2) I.V. Stalin
C) RVSR 3) L.D. Trotsky
D) All-Russian Central Executive Committee 4) F.E. Dzerzhinsky
5) Ya. M. Sverdlov
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I The beginning of the war 2
CHAPTER 2 Foreign intervention 6
CHAPTER 3. Creation of the Red Army 8
CHAPTER 4 Nationalization and mobilization of the economy 10
CHAPTER 5 The End of the Civil War 14
CONCLUSION 18
USED LITERATURE 19
INTRODUCTION
Many facts of our history have been distorted, much remains for
us a mystery, now it is difficult to say who was to blame, what
before it was done and why it happened. One of these themes of our
past - the Civil War, about which too much has been written, and
nothing is written. Some say that in this war, where the brother killed
brother, son - father, the Bolsheviks are to blame. Others claim that
if not for the "White" army, then none of this would have happened. I decided
look at this problem through the eyes of "whites", through the eyes of "reds" and with
sides. That is why in my work I relied on the work of "neza-
of an interested face, "French historian Nicolas" Werth, book
which seemed to me the most realistic reflection of history; a
also on historical documents of participants and witnesses of these events
So who is to blame for the start of the civil war?
Many tend to blame the Bolsheviks, forgetting that:
the Bolshevik government was rather young; Secondly,
despite the mistakes made, the Civil War did not start, after all
In October 1917 (since the day of the “accession to the throne” of the Bolshevik
authorities); thirdly, let's not forget that the time was troubled and
dark, and finally, fourthly, that system, that social
the order that the Bolsheviks were going to build was depicted only
on the paper. The experience of building socialism was not carried out in any country
peace, i.e. has not been implemented anywhere _practically., theoretically,
was first set forth in the writings of socialist utopians of the 18th century.
So, a month after the October Revolution, the new government
controlled most of the north and center of Russia to the middle Volga,
as well as a significant number of settlements up to the Caucasus
(Baku) and Central Asia (Tashkent). The influence of the Mensheviks persisted in
Georgia, in many small towns of the country the Soviets were dominated by
The main centers of resistance were the regions of the Don and Kuban,
Ukraine and Finland. In May they were joined by part of Eastern Russia
and Western Siberia. The first "Vendee" was the revolt of the Don Cossacks.
The Cossacks differed sharply from the rest of the Russian peasants: they had the right
receive 30 acres of land for military service, which they carried up to 36 years.
They did not need new lands, but wanted to keep what they had.
It took only a few unsuccessful statements by the Bolsheviks, in
whom they branded "kulaks" in order to displease the Cossacks.
Opponents of Soviet power turned to the Cossacks in the hope of turning
them into their supporters. General Alekseev was created
Volunteer army under the command of General Kornilov. After
Kornilov's death in April 1918, this post was taken by General Denikin.
The volunteer army consisted mainly of officers. Winter 1917/18
its number did not exceed 3 thousand people (the tsarist army
numbered 133 thousand officers in 1917). Persecuted by the Bolsheviks
troops of the former ensign Sievers, weighed down by those who joined
her politicians, journalists, officers' wives,
The Volunteer Army suffered heavy losses between Rostov and
Ekaterinodar and was saved only due to the fact that in the army of Sievers
the Cossacks rebelled.
Krasnov as chieftain of the great army of the Don. After negotiations with
the Germans who captured Ukraine signed an agreement on the supply of
weapons of the first "white" army. Command of the Armed Forces of the South
achieved the following goals:
I. The destruction of the Bolshevik anarchy and the establishment in the country
legal order.
II. Restoration of a powerful united and indivisible Russia. III.
Convening a people's assembly on the basis of a general
electoral law. IV. Carrying out decentralization of power
by establishing
regional autonomy and broad local self-government.
In the very first days of the new government, the Rada refused to recognize
the Bolshevik Council of People's Commissars as the legal representation of the country,
demanded its replacement by a representative socialist
government and announced the independence of Ukraine. At the convened
At the Kyiv Congress of Soviets of Ukraine, supporters of the Rada received a majority.
The Bolsheviks left this congress and gathered their own in Kharkov,
recognized itself as the sole legal government of Ukraine and
Kharkov Bolsheviks expelled from the Executive Committee of the Soviet
representatives of other parties.
6 thousand Red Army soldiers and sailors under the command
Soviet troops entered "bourgeois" Kyiv. At the same time, it did not
no "extremes". Rada asked for help from the Central European
states with which she negotiated peace in Brest-Litovsk. one
March German troops entered Kyiv, where power was restored
Rada under the control of the occupying army.
The third front of the civil war was in Eastern Siberia.
Tens of thousands of Czech and Slovak soldiers, refusing to defend
Austro-Hungarian Empire, declared themselves prisoners of war in relation to
"Russian brothers" and received permission to get to Vladivostok,
to then join the French army. According to jovial,
soldiers were supposed to advance "not as a combat unit, but as
a group of citizens who have weapons to repel possible
attacks by counter-revolutionaries." However, the weapons of the Czechs and Slovaks
turned out to be more than stipulated in the agreement, the authorities decided it
battles, and Czechoslovak troops occupied the city. Later they took
control of several cities along the Trans-Siberian Railway, which have
strategic importance: Omsk, Tomsk, Yekaterinburg ... Since that time
a large artery linking Russia and Siberia was cut.
The Czech offensive was supported by the Socialist-Revolutionaries, who organized in
Samara Committee of deputies of the dispersed constituent assembly
(Komuch) calling on the peasants to fight "against Bolshevism, for
freedom". Kazan, Simbirsk, Ufa joined Komuch.
opposition meeting. It was attended by about 150
deputies, half of them - Socialist-Revolutionaries, there were Cadets Mensheviks
and others. The delegates were divided into two groups. The left wing demanded
creation of a government that would recognize the Constituent Ordinance and
would rely on it; the right insisted first of all on the creation
a strong collegial authority, regardless of any
there was no elected meeting, the disputes continued for two weeks - finally
won the second point of view at the meeting was created Temporary
all-Russian government - Ufa directory which was
In addition to the three established Bolshevik fronts - Don, Ukraine
and the Trans-Siberian, - on the territory controlled by the central government, led
fighting scattered underground groups, mostly Socialist-Revolutionaries. Most
active opponents of the new government united in the Union for the Defense of the Motherland and
freedom, headed by Savinkov. The union was indirectly associated with
Yaroslavl (250 km from Moscow). Then, in coordination with
volunteer army of the group intended to march on Moscow, but
the operation failed and they had to leave Yaroslavl, where they
won the favor of the population who feared a counteroffensive
Bolsheviks.
According to Soviet official data, in the summer of 1918 in the regions
under the control of the Bolsheviks, due to the policy of surplus appropriation
carried out by food detachments and committees of the peasant
the poor, created in July, there were 108 "kulak riots".
A real guerrilla war unfolded. There is a renewal
eternal conflict: city-village. after the revolution was the same
how many peasant riots before October.
the signing of the Brest-Litovsk Treaty and more and more critical of the agrarian
Lenin's policy, decided: "in the interests of Russian and international
revolution... organize a series of terrorist acts against
prominent representatives of German imperialism." The Left Socialist-Revolutionaries -
incorrigible utopians, followers of terrorist traditions
populists prepared and carried out an assassination attempt on the German ambassador
Blumkin. After that, the SRs tried to carry out a military coup,
but due to the lack of a plan, they have nothing but the capture of the telegraph
out. The Bolsheviks took advantage of these events and removed all
Socialist-Revolutionaries from the political arena.
The forces opposing the Bolsheviks were very heterogeneous, they
fought with the Bolsheviks as well as among themselves. Left SRs are not
had nothing in common with Savinkov's supporters, and the Samara Komuch - with
tsarist officers who were going to overthrow the Omsk government. Tem
no less than in the summer of 1918, the opposition groups seemed to unite and
became a real threat to the Bolshevik government, under whose control
only the area around Moscow remained. Ukraine was captured by the Germans,
Don and Kuban - Krasnov and Denikin, Yaroslavl - Savinkov. Folk
the army assembled by Komuch occupied the territory up to Kazan, White Czechs
Savinkovian persuasion killed the chairman of the Petrograd Cheka, Uritsky, and
the left SR Kaplan seriously wounded Lenin (although this fact is not completely
intervention.
1CHAPTER 2 Foreign intervention
1Having hardly signed an agreement in Brest-Litovsk, Germany, it was immediately
1 violated. In April, German and Ukrainian troops captured the Crimea. In May
The Germans entered Georgia "at the request of the Georgian Mensheviks", who
1 declared the independence of their republic. The consent of the Georgian and
1 Ukrainian Mensheviks 0k 1ov for the guardianship of the Germans, later became an excuse
1for the violent suppression of separatist regimes by central
1authorities.
The allies were hostile to the Bolshevik regime. They are
Germany. However, feeling the absence of true counterpower and seeing
that the Bolsheviks resisted the fulfillment of German demands,
put forward in Brest-Litovsk, they were forced for some time
remain neutral with respect to the new regime. At first
the intervention pursued anti-German aims. In March 1918, in
Murmansk landed 2 thousand British soldiers in order to disrupt
the expected German attack on Petrograd. Bolshevik
leaders were appreciative of this, as it could
limit Germany's aspirations. Lenin developed the theory
"inter-imperialist contradictions", which became for several decades
The War Council in London, at the suggestion of Clemenceau, decided to
landing of Japanese troops in the Far East. To prevent mass
German offensive in the west, it was necessary at all costs to maintain
Eastern front. The first Japanese formations landed in Vladivostok
only 7500 people, then the Japanese - more than 70 thousand. Japan really
were not so much anti-Bolshevik as expansionist
intentions. At the end of the summer of 1918, the nature of the intervention changed. Troops
received instructions to support anti-Bolshevik movements. In August
1918 the British and Canadians entered the Transcaucasus, occupied Baku, where
with the help of local moderate socialists, they overthrew the Bolsheviks and only
then retreated under the onslaught of Turkey. Anglo-French troops
landed in August in Arkhangelsk, overthrew the Soviet power there, and
then they supported the Omsk government of Admiral Kolchak. French
troops in Odessa provided rear services for Denikin's army, which
acted on the Don. Americans took minimal part in
crusade, which in the summer of 1918 was a deadly
threat to Soviet power.
1 CHAPTER 3. 0С 1 building of the Red Army
1Given the current situation, the Bolsheviks in the shortest possible time
1formed an army, created a special method of managing the economy,
1 called it "war communism" and established a political dictatorship.
16.3 million people, 3 million were in the rear. The soldiers didn't want to
The Brest-Litovsk negotiations accelerated the collapse of the armed forces. in winter
1 remained on paper. The new government actually had no army. For
1 of the defense of the capital, it had only 20 thousand people, of which approximately
110 thousand were Red Guards. Because the issue of armed
1protection of power required an immediate decision, before the Bolsheviks
1there was a choice: either use the structures of the old army, which is already
1began to demobilize, or introduce compulsory service of workers,
1 thus expanding the Red Guard and depriving the factories of manpower,
1or to create a new type of armed force from volunteer soldiers and
1 selected commanders. At the beginning of 1918, the last option was adopted.
1The first "red" armed forces consisted of volunteers, often
1 recruited with the assistance of trade unions. As for the Red Guards,
1 close to the factory committees, they also gradually merged into
1 Red Army. Until the autumn, the battles were fought by units recruited for
1 a quick hand of volunteers and Red Guards, weakly armed and
1 fighting each with their enemies: the Red Guard - with
1 "internal party 0izans", and volunteers - with white Czechs and white
army, treating with complete contempt for traditional military science.
The growth of opposition and the beginning of foreign intervention revealed
the insufficiency of these forces, and the government returned to the old practice
The size of the army increased from 360 thousand in July 1918 to 800 thousand in
November and up to 1.5 million people in May 1919, and at the end of 1920 the army
numbered up to 5.5 million people. However, the war was
unpopular among peasant soldiers (some of them were drafted into
army four years ago) that desertion led to massive
character. During the year their number reached 1 million people. Creation experience
democratic army spilled out with a bang. People's military commissar,
Trotsky, chairman of the Supreme Military Council, established a rigid
discipline and began to vigorously fight desertion. He is not
stopped even before the introduction of the hostage system, when
the deserter was answered by members of his family.
In addition to desertion, the army was greatly destabilized by problems
equipment and command. Questions of equipment was called again
created body - the Council of the military industry (Industrial Military Council),
directly subordinate to the Workers' and Peasants' Defense Council
(created in November 1918), headed by Lenin and responsible for
front and rear coordination. The Promvoensovet disposed of all
military installations. The Red Army was at the same time the main
employer and main consumer in the country. Half of all clothes
shoes, tobacco, sugar produced in the country went to the needs of the army, its
role in the economy was decisive. To solve the staffing problem and
over the objections of the "left communists", the government turned to
specialists and officers of the tsarist army. Approximately 50 thousand of them went
to serve in the new army. Most often these were "trench" officers, also
like soldiers opposed to regular officers - the colors of white
army. In each unit, the orders of military experts were to be
signed by a political commissar appointed by the party and obliged
monitor the execution of command orders. Cases of betrayal
were rare, but the order provided that in the event of a change
officer, the commissar responsible for him will be shot.
During this time, tens of thousands of "red officers" left the soldiers.
new society created after the revolution, service in the Red Army was
one of the main ways to move up the social ladder.
completed various courses created in parts. They taught there
"to think correctly", assimilating the foundations of a new ideology. The army was
the main supplier of personnel for the Komsomol, in 1920 by a third
made up of former military personnel. It is in the army that most
joined the party, most of the newly minted party members then replenished
cadres of the Soviet administration, especially in small towns and
villages. In 1921, about 2/3 of the chairmen of the village councils were from the former
soldiers of the Red Army. They immediately began to impose on their subordinates
military leadership style. The penetration of the military in all spheres
cultural, economic, social and political life led to
a "coarseness" of social relations.
3Nationalization and mobilization of the economy
"The coarsening also affected economic relations. In October 1917
after three and a half years of war and eight months of revolution, the economy
the country was in ruins. Links between town and country were
interrupted. Business strikes and lockouts have completed the corruption
economy generated by the war. Definitively abandoning the worker
self-government, doomed to failure in the conditions of economic
catastrophe, the Bolsheviks took a number of emergency measures. Some
were hasty, but mostly they showed an authoritarian,
centralist state approach to the economy. In Soviet history
the totality of these measures was called "war communism". AT
October 1921 Lenin wrote: "at the beginning of 1918 ... we made the mistake
that they decided to make a direct transition to the communist
production and distribution".
That "communism", which, according to Marx, was supposed to lead to
the disappearance of the state, on the contrary, surprisingly
hypertrophied state control over all spheres of the economy.
nationalization of all enterprises with capital over 500 thousand rubles. Straightaway
after the creation of the Supreme Council of National Economy in December 1917, he took up nationalization,
which was at first "spontaneous" and had a repressive character according to
attitude towards entrepreneurs who tried to resist abuse
opportunistic measure, which also pursued the goal of circumventing
1918 any enterprise seized from German subjects will be
returned to them in the event that this property was not already
expropriated by the state or local authorities. Such a trick with
nationalization made it possible to ban the transfer of hundreds of factories "fair
enterprises. November 1920 Decree on nationalization issued
enterprises with more than ten or more than five jobs, but
using a mechanical engine", which turned out to be about 37 thousand.
Of these, 30 thousand did not appear in the main lists of the Supreme Council of National Economy, their
nationalization did not even reach the peripis.
powers of the People's Commissariat for Food (Narkomprod), in
In it, the state proclaimed itself the main distributor of
being the main manufacturer. In a broken economy, vital
an important problem was to ensure the supply and distribution of products
especially grains. The Bolsheviks faced a dilemma: either
restore the semblance of a market in a collapsing economy, or
resort to coercive measures. The Bolsheviks chose the later one, so
how they were sure that the intensification of the class struggle in the countryside would solve
kombeds (committees of the peasant poor) were created, which, with
support of the food army, which consisted of workers and
Bolshevik activists whose number reached 80 thousand people. ,
were supposed to become a "second power" and withdraw surplus agricultural products.
About half of the staff of this organization were unemployed.
Petrograd workers who were "lured" by decent wages (150
rub.), and in particular payment in kind, which was proportional
volume of seized "surplus". After the dissolution of these units at the end
civil war many of the participants many of the participants in this
campaigns fell into the administrative and art apparatus, there were few
returned to the factories.
The creation of kombeds showed complete ignorance by the Bolsheviks
peasant psychology and equalization in the distribution of requisitions
undermined the economy of the middle peasants, riots began to arise; on the
food army was ambushed, a real
local authorities, where he urged them to "stop the persecution
middle peasant".
The surplus appropriation campaign in 1918 ended in failure: instead of
the planned 144 million poods of grain were harvested only 13 million poods.
states for internal trade. Since the beginning of the year, many stores
were "municipalized" by the local authorities. In November 1918 the committees
were dissolved and absorbed by the newly elected village councils.
centralized and planned system of surplus appraisal. Every area
county, volost, each peasant community had to pass
to the state a predetermined amount of grain and other products
depending on the expected yields, which were calculated on
based on pre-war statistics. Each community was responsible for its supplies and
only after their implementation, the authorities issued receipts for the purchase
industrial goods, moreover, in a very meager amount - 20-25% of
necessary.
The state encouraged the creation of collective farms by the poor (in
October 1920 there were about 15 thousand of them and they united 800 thousand people.
peasants) with the help of a government fund. This collective
farms were given the right to sell surplus products to the state, but
they were so weak (the collective economy had about 75
tithes of land cultivated by about fifty people), and their
technology is so primitive (this was partly due to the ridiculous prices
which the state established for agricultural products), that these
collective households could not produce a significant amount of surplus.
Only some state farms, organized on the basis of former estates,
provided a serious contribution to the supply of paramount importance
(intended for the army). By the end of 1919, there were
just a few hundred state farms.
The surplus appraisal set against itself not only the peasants, but also
city dwellers, because it was unthinkable to live on food issued by cards, but
their distribution was very confused and unfair. In these
conditions flourished "2black market 0". The government tried in vain
fight the bagmen; decrees were issued to arrest anyone with
a suspicious bag, it was forbidden to travel in trains, etc.
In the spring of 1918, workers from St. Petersburg factories went on strike demanding the right
carry bags weighing up to 1.5 pounds (24 kg.); it testified to
the fact that not only the peasants urged to trade in surpluses, not
lagged behind them and workers with relatives in the countryside. All were
busy looking for food, leaving work became more frequent (in May 1920
50% of the workers of Moscow factories were truant). State hosted
various measures to eliminate these undesirable phenomena: introduced
work books to reduce staff turnover introduced
voluntary-compulsory subbotniks, as well as a universal
labor service for people from 15 to 50 years old. The most extremist
the method of recruiting workers was the proposal to turn the Red Army
into the "labour army" and militarize the railway. These projects were
put forward by Trotsky and supported by Lenin.
After the victory over Kolchak, the 3rd Ural Army was transformed into
1920, to the First Revolutionary Labor Army. In April in Kazan
a second such army was created. The results of these transformations were
depressing: the peasant soldiers were completely unskilled
labor force and were not eager to work and wanted to return home.
The railroad workers were infuriated by the need to obey the military.
"War Communism", born of Marxist dogmas in the conditions
economic collapse and imposed on a country tired of war and
revolution turned out to be untenable. But in the future, his "political
conquests "was destined for a long life.
I would like to show by what methods the political
Bolshevik dictatorship. Terror maintained at the highest level:
which later became popular in the west of Europe, the methods of "political
struggle", or rather genocide, but this is a topic for another story.
CONCLUSION
The year 1919 was decisive for the Bolsheviks; they created an active,
growing army. Later they defeated Yudenich, Denikin, Wrangel...
Later, the crisis of "war communism", etc. It seems to me that I
considered in sufficient detail the beginning of the civil war and the dynamics of its
development from different angles of modern historical views. And I
I decided for myself that all this is the natural course of history, which means
obeys the laws of history, which can be foreseen on the basis of
the past to predict the future and I would hate to now,
despite the complexity of the current economic situation, could
a similar political situation with the same consequences for
layman.
REFERENCES
Werth N. History of the Soviet state. 1900-1991: Translated from French -
Moscow; Progress: Progress Academy, 1992. - 430s.
FOR NOTHING MORE...
INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I The beginning of the war 2 CHAPTER 2 Foreign intervention 6 CHAPTER 3. Creation of the Red Army 8 CHAPTER 4 NationsOn January 15 (28), 1918, the Council of People's Commissars adopted a Decree on the creation of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA) on a voluntary basis. On January 29 (February 11), the Decree on the Creation of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Fleet (RKKF) was signed. The direct leadership of the formation of the Red Army was carried out by the All-Russian Collegium, created under the People's Commissariat for Military Affairs.
In connection with the violation of the armistice concluded with Germany and the transition of its troops to the offensive, on February 22, 1918, the government addressed the people with a decree-appeal signed by V.I. Lenin "The socialist fatherland is in danger!". The next day, the mass enrollment of volunteers in the Red Army and the formation of many of its units began. In February 1918, the Red Army detachments offered decisive resistance to the German troops near Pskov and Narva. In honor of these events, on February 23, a national holiday began to be celebrated annually - the Day of the Red (Soviet) Army and Navy (later Defender of the Fatherland Day).
DECREE ON THE FORMATION OF THE VOLUNTARY WORKERS' AND PEASANTS' RED ARMY JANUARY 15(28), 1918
The old army served as an instrument of class oppression of the working people by the bourgeoisie. With the transfer of power to the working and exploited classes, it became necessary to create a new army, which will be the bulwark of Soviet power in the present, the foundation for replacing the standing army with nationwide weapons in the near future and will serve as support for the coming socialist
revolutions in Europe.
In view of this, the Council of People's Commissars decides:
organize a new army called the "Workers' and Peasants' Red Army", on the following grounds:
1) The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army is being created from the most conscious and organized elements of the working masses.
2) Access to its ranks is open to all citizens of the Russian Republic at least 18 years old. Everyone enters the Red Army who is ready to give his strength, his life to defend the gains of the October Revolution, the power of the Soviets and socialism. To join the Red Army, recommendations are required:
military committees or public democratic organizations standing on the platform of Soviet power, party or professional organizations, or at least two members of these organizations. When joining in whole parts, a mutual guarantee of all and a roll-call vote are required.
1) The soldiers of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army are on full state allowance and in addition receive 50 rubles. per month.
2) Disabled members of the families of soldiers of the Red Army, who were previously dependent on them, are provided with everything necessary according to local consumer standards, in accordance with the decisions of local Soviet authorities.
The Council of People's Commissars is the supreme governing body of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. The direct leadership and management of the army is concentrated in the Commissariat for Military Affairs, in the special All-Russian Board created under it.
Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars
V. Ulyanov (Lenin).
Supreme Commander N. Krylenko.
People's Commissars for Military and Naval Affairs:
Dybenko and Podvoisky.
People's Commissars: Proshyan, Zatonsky and Steinberg.
Managing Director of the Council of People's Commissars
Vlad. Bonch-Bruevich.
Secretary of the Council of People's Commissars N. Gorbunov.
Decrees of the Soviet power. T. 1. M., State publishing house of political literature, 1957.
THE APPEAL OF THE BOLSHEVIK GOVERNMENT
In order to save the exhausted, tormented country from new military trials, we made the greatest sacrifice and announced to the Germans our agreement to sign their terms of peace. Our parliamentarians left Rezhitsa in the evening for Dvinsk on February 20 (7), and there is still no answer. The German government is obviously slow to respond. It clearly does not want peace. Fulfilling the instructions of the capitalists of all countries, German militarism wants to strangle the Russian and Ukrainian workers and peasants, to return the land to the landlords, the factories and plants to the bankers, and the power to the monarchy. The German generals want to establish their own "order" in Petrograd and Kyiv. The Socialist Republic of Soviets is in the greatest danger. Until the moment when the proletariat of Germany rises and triumphs, the sacred duty of the workers and peasants of Russia is the selfless defense of the Republic of Soviets against the hordes of bourgeois-imperialist Germany. The Council of People's Commissars decides: 1) All forces and means of the country are wholly devoted to the cause of revolutionary defense. 2) All Soviets and revolutionary organizations are obliged to defend every position to the last drop of blood. 3) Railway organizations and the Soviets associated with them are obliged by all means to prevent the enemy from using the communications apparatus; when retreating, destroy tracks, blow up and burn railway buildings; all rolling stock - wagons and steam locomotives - should immediately be directed east into the interior of the country. 4) All grain and food stocks in general, as well as any valuable property that is in danger of falling into the hands of the enemy, must be subjected to unconditional destruction; the supervision of this is entrusted to the local Soviets under the personal responsibility of their chairmen. 5) The workers and peasants of Petrograd, Kyiv and all cities, towns, villages and villages along the line of the new front must mobilize battalions to dig trenches under the guidance of military specialists. 6) All able-bodied members of the bourgeois class, men and women, must be included in these battalions, under the supervision of the Red Guards; those who resist are shot. 7) All publications that oppose the cause of revolutionary defense and take the side of the German bourgeoisie, as well as those seeking to use the invasion of the imperialist hordes in order to overthrow Soviet power, are closed; able-bodied editors and employees of these publications are mobilized for digging trenches and other defensive work. 8) Enemy agents, speculators, thugs, hooligans, counter-revolutionary agitators, German spies are shot at the scene of the crime.
The socialist fatherland is in danger! Long live the socialist fatherland! Long live the international socialist revolution!
Decree "The socialist fatherland is in danger!"
DECISION OF THE VTsIK ON FORCED RECRUITMENT TO THE WORKERS AND PEASANTS ARMY
The Central Executive Committee considers that the transition from a volunteer army to a general mobilization of the workers and the poorest peasants is imperatively dictated by the entire situation of the country, both for the struggle for bread and for repelling the counter-revolution, both internal and external, which has become impudent on the basis of famine.
It is necessary to urgently move to the forced recruitment of one or more ages. In view of the complexity of the matter and the difficulty of carrying it out simultaneously throughout the entire territory of the country, it seems necessary to begin, on the one hand, with the most threatened areas, and on the other hand, with the main centers of the labor movement.
Based on the foregoing, the All-Russian Central Executive Committee decides to instruct the People's Commissariat for Military Affairs to develop, within a week, for Moscow, Petrograd, the Don and Kuban regions, a plan for the implementation of forced recruitment within such limits and forms that would least disturb the course of production and social life of the aforementioned regions and cities.
The relevant Soviet institutions are instructed to take the most energetic and active part in the work of the Military Commissariat in carrying out the tasks assigned to it.
VIEW FROM THE WHITE CAMP
As early as mid-January, the Soviet government promulgated a decree on the organization of a "workers' and peasants' army" from "the most conscious and organized elements of the working class." But the formation of a new class army was not successful, and the council had to turn to the old organizations: units were allocated from the front and from reserve battalions. respectively sifted and processed, Latvian, sailor detachments and the Red Guard, formed by factory committees. All of them went against Ukraine and the Don. What force moved these people, mortally tired of the war, to new cruel sacrifices and hardships? Least of all - devotion to the Soviet government and its ideals. Hunger, unemployment, the prospects of an idle, well-fed life and enrichment by robbery, the impossibility of getting back to their native places in a different way, the habit of many people during the four years of the war to soldiering as a craft (“declassed”), and finally, to a greater or lesser extent, a sense of class malice and hatred, brought up over the centuries and kindled by the strongest propaganda.
A.I. Denikin. Essays on Russian Troubles.
DEFENDER OF THE HOMELAND DAY - HOLIDAY HISTORY
The holiday originated in the USSR, then February 23 was annually celebrated as a national holiday - the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy.
There was no document establishing February 23 as an official Soviet holiday. Soviet historiography associated the coincidence of honoring the military to this date with the events of 1918: on January 28 (15, old style) January 1918, the Council of People's Commissars (SNK), headed by Chairman Vladimir Lenin, adopted a Decree on the organization of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA), and February 11 (January 29, old style) - Workers 'and Peasants' Red Fleet (RKKF).
On February 22, the decree-appeal of the Council of People's Commissars "The Socialist Fatherland is in danger!" was published, and on February 23, mass rallies were held in Petrograd, Moscow and other cities of the country, at which workers were called upon to defend their Fatherland. This day was marked by the mass entry of volunteers into the Red Army and the beginning of the formation of its detachments and units.
On January 10, 1919, the chairman of the Higher Military Inspectorate of the Red Army, Nikolai Podvoisky, sent a proposal to the Presidium of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee to celebrate the anniversary of the creation of the Red Army, timing the celebration to the nearest Sunday before or after January 28. However, due to the late submission of the application, no decision was made.
Then the Moscow Soviet took the initiative to celebrate the first anniversary of the Red Army. On January 24, 1919, its presidium, which at that time was headed by Lev Kamenev, decided to coincide with these celebrations on the day of the Red Gift, held to collect material and money for the Red Army.
Under the All-Russian Central Executive Committee (VTsIK), a Central Committee was created to organize the celebration of the anniversary of the Red Army and Red Gift Day, which took place on Sunday, February 23.
On February 5, Pravda and other newspapers published the following information: "The organization of the Red Gift Day throughout Russia has been postponed to February 23. On this day, the celebration of the anniversary of the creation of the Red Army, which will be celebrated on January 28, will be organized in cities and at the front."
On February 23, 1919, the citizens of Russia celebrated the anniversary of the Red Army for the first time, but this day was not celebrated either in 1920 or in 1921.
On January 27, 1922, the Presidium of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee published a resolution on the fourth anniversary of the Red Army, which stated: "In accordance with the resolution of the IX All-Russian Congress of Soviets on the Red Army, the Presidium of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee draws the attention of the executive committees to the upcoming anniversary of the creation of the Red Army (February 23)."
The Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council, Lev Trotsky, arranged a military parade on Red Square that day, thus laying the foundation for the tradition of an annual nationwide celebration.
In 1923, the fifth anniversary of the Red Army was widely celebrated. The decision of the Presidium of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, adopted on January 18, 1923, stated: "On February 23, 1923, the Red Army will celebrate the 5th anniversary of its existence. On this day, five years ago, the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of January 28 of the same year, which laid the foundation for the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army, the stronghold of the proletarian dictatorship.
The tenth anniversary of the Red Army in 1928, like all previous ones, was celebrated as the anniversary of the decree of the Council of People's Commissars on the organization of the Red Army of January 28, 1918, but the publication date itself was directly linked to February 23.
In 1938, in the "Short Course on the History of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks" a fundamentally new version of the origin of the date of the holiday was presented, not related to the decree of the Council of People's Commissars. The book stated that in 1918 near Narva and Pskov "the German occupiers were given a decisive rebuff. Their advance on Petrograd was suspended. The day of the rebuff to the troops of German imperialism, February 23, became the birthday of the young Red Army." Later, in the order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR dated February 23, 1942, the wording was slightly changed: "The young detachments of the Red Army, who entered the war for the first time, utterly defeated the German invaders near Pskov and Narva on February 23, 1918. That is why February 23 was declared the day birth of the Red Army.
In 1951, another interpretation of the holiday appeared. In the "History of the Civil War in the USSR" it was indicated that in 1919 the first anniversary of the Red Army was celebrated "on the memorable day of the mobilization of workers to defend the socialist Fatherland, the mass entry of workers into the Red Army, the broad formation of the first detachments and units of the new army."
In the Federal Law of March 13, 1995 "On the Days of Military Glory of Russia", the day of February 23 was officially called "The Day of the Red Army's Victory over the Kaiser's troops of Germany (1918) - the Day of Defenders of the Fatherland."
In accordance with the changes made to the Federal Law "On the Days of Military Glory of Russia" by the Federal Law of April 15, 2006, the words "Day of the victory of the Red Army over the Kaiser troops of Germany (1918)" were excluded from the official description of the holiday, and also stated in the singular concept of "defender".
In December 2001, the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation supported the proposal to make February 23 - Defender of the Fatherland Day - a non-working holiday.
On Defender of the Fatherland Day, Russians honor those who served or are serving in the ranks of the country's Armed Forces.
