Geography Study Materials and Hand-outs

  The Russian Civil War was a complex and tumultuous conflict that took place from 1917 to 1923 following the Russian Revolution of 1917. It involved multiple factions and foreign interventions and had a profound impact on the course of Russian and world history. Here is an overview of the Russian Civil War: 1. Background: The Russian Civil War emerged in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution of 1917, which resulted in the overthrow of the Provisional Government and the rise of the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin. The conflict had deep-seated causes, including political, economic, and social unrest, as well as opposition to Bolshevik policies and ideology. 2. Major Factions: Bolsheviks (Reds): Led by Vladimir Lenin and the Communist Party, they controlled the central government in Moscow. Anti-Bolshevik Forces (Whites): This was a loose coalition of various groups, including monarchists, liberals, conservatives, and foreign powers, who opposed Bolshevik rule. Greens: Peasant reb

  1. Causes of World War I: Imperialism: Rivalries among European powers over colonies and resources. Nationalism: Intense nationalism in various European countries. Militarism: Arms race and buildup of military forces. Alliance System: Complex network of alliances between countries. 2. Key Dates: June 28, 1914: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo. July 28, 1914: Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, triggering a chain reaction of declarations of war. August 4, 1914: Germany invaded Belgium, leading to Britain's entry into the war. 1917: The United States entered the war on the side of the Allies. November 11, 1918: Armistice signed, ending the fighting. 3. Major Alliances: Triple Entente (Allies): France, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. 4. Key Figures: Kaiser Wilhelm II (Germany): German Emperor and a central figure in the conflict. Woodrow Wilson (USA): U.S. Presi