Lee argues “Lenin’s diplomacy… ensured Bolshevik survival in this crucial period” . This correctly recognises Lenin’s key role in the Bolshevik success. The Reds’ organisation and control from the central government was hugely important for their win. In August 1918, Lenin finalised a trade agreement where the Bolsheviks were to pay six billion marks and provide Germany with one-quarter of the oil production of Baku on the Caspian Sea. This meant that the Reds could take their focus off the west, especially the Ukraine, and move their forces to better deal with the Socialist Revolutionaries in the east. Another success was Lenin’s launch of the Red Terror itself, August 1918, which has already been established as a significant factor contributing …show more content…
The Soviet historian Volkogonov explored how “On 24 December 1922 Lenin described Trotsky as ‘the most capable man in the present Central Committee’ and ‘the outstanding leader of the present Central Committee’” . Lenin recorded this in Polnoe Sobranie Sochinenii, his last will and testament, so it is likely to be his true opinion of Trotsky. Lenin’s support for Trotsky, and probably vice-versa, gave the Red leaders an edge over the Whites. Whilst the Reds were for the main part in unison, their opponents lacked a common strategy, failing to co-ordinate separate campaigns, including that of Kolchak, Denikin, Wrangel and Yudenitch . Lenin saw himself as the commander-in-chief of an organisation committed to permanent political warfare. Both Lenin and Trotsky’s tactical approach to Russia’s political problems helped them win the Civil War as no other parties were willing to make the political and economic promises that the Bolsheviks made. Furthermore, Lenin’s evident need for power should not be underestimated in his drive for success. Overall, I think that leadership was the most important factor for the Reds winning the Civil War. The efficiency and aggressive style of Lenin’s leadership meant that the Bolsheviks had a strong figurehead to look up to. Trotsky’s organisation gave the Reds one of their greatest assets: the