Abstract
Defence was of paramount concern to the leaders of the Soviet state from its inception. The Bolshevik Revolution of October 1917 took place as World War I began its final climactic year, amid fears of a renewed German offensive against Russia on the eastern front. As the Soviet government entered into a humiliating peace with Germany, Russia descended rapidly into a bitter Civil War of Reds versus Whites. At the same time the former Allies of the old regime weighed in on the side of the Whites to oust the Bolsheviks and restore Russia to a state of war with Germany. Military issues continually crowded the Bolshevik agenda. The Civil War ended in a victory for the Soviet side, and a sharp contraction of the Red Army and of Soviet defence expenditures followed. At the same time the legacy of the civil war experience was of a siege mentality and a perception of unceasing threats from every quarter of the capitalist world. This legacy would persist throughout the entire Soviet period.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
