Make a list of the challenges facing Friedrich Ebert when he became the leader of Germany following the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II on Nov. 9, 1918.
Organize the challenges as follows:
Political Challenges
-Germany had a revolution and became an unstable democratic-republic.
-Stresses of war caused the revolution in October-November and kicked the Kaiser in 1918.
-Many ex-soldiers and civilians despised the new democratic leaders and came to believe that the heroic leader Field Marshall Hindenburg had been betrayed by weak politicians.
Social Challenges
-War left millions of widows and children fatherless.
-Women had to replace the soldiers that died in the war that used to work in the factories which was controversial because it threatened traditional housewife perspective of women.
-The war had deepened divisions in society.
-The gap between the rich and poor widened because the factory workers had restrictions on the amount of pay they received, while factory owners made vast fortunes from the war.
Economic Challenges
1. Germany was basically bankrupt
-National income was about at 1/3 of what it had been in 1913.
-By 1925 the state was spending 1/3 of its budget on war pensions.
-Industrial production was 2/3 of what it was in 1913.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Germans React Angrily to the Treaty
Under each of the following six points briefly explain why Germany reacted so angrily to the Treaty of Versailles.
1. Germans were no aware of the situation in 1919.
-In 1919 many Germans did not know how bad Germany's military situation was at the end of the war, and therefore only thought a ceasefire was called upon and the German's should of been at the PPC.
1. Germans were no aware of the situation in 1919.
-In 1919 many Germans did not know how bad Germany's military situation was at the end of the war, and therefore only thought a ceasefire was called upon and the German's should of been at the PPC.
-People were mad that they were not being represented at the PPC and they were forced to sign a harsh treaty without a comment or choice.
-People did not think they started or lost the war ( see above).
2. War guilt and reparations
-The German people felt that the war guilt should at least be shared.
-The German people felt that the war guilt should at least be shared.
-Germany was forced to accept the blame for starting the war, and therefore were forced to pay reparations to the Allies.
-German economy was already in bad condition and the people barely had food to eat.
-They feared that the reparation payments would cripple Germany's economy.
-German economy was already in bad condition and the people barely had food to eat.
-They feared that the reparation payments would cripple Germany's economy.
3. Disarmament
-The little amount of men that could volunteer to be in the army was 100,000 which upset Germans because their army was a symbol of German pride.
-The little amount of men that could volunteer to be in the army was 100,000 which upset Germans because their army was a symbol of German pride.
-Hitler will rebuild army and will gain respect from a widespread amount of Germans.
4. German territories
-Losing all of German territories was another blow to the German pride and to it's economy.
-Saar and Upper Silesia were major industrial areas, and they were taken away.
-Germany was losing land while Britain and France were increasing their empires.
5. Fourteen Points and League
-The Treatment of Germany was "not in Wilson's Fourteen Points."
-Self-Determination was given to Eastern European peoples and countries such as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, but the German peoples were discriminated against and had to be ruled by non-Germans when living in a different country.
-Austria and Germany could not join together.
-Germany felt insulted because they could not join the League of Nations as well.
6. Double Standards?
-Germany's economy was in real trouble, but partially self-inflicted.
-Other states raised taxes in order to pay of war debt, but the Kaiser government planned on extracting payments from other defeated countries reparations.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Germany is "Punished" by the Big Three at Versailles
1. Using information and sources on pages 14 - 17, summarize the aims of the three leaders at the Paris Peace Conference.
Georges Clemenceau (France)
Attitude towards Germany:
His country was invaded twice by the Germans and killed a lot of the French army, and destroyed lots of it's industry, land and self-confidence, which was devastating to France and made France and Germany enemies. Germany was very powerful and threatening to many of the French.
Main Aim:
He was determined to never allow such devastation to France ever again, and he saw the Treaty of Versailles as an opportunity to cripple Germany so that it could not attack France again.
How he felt about the treaty
He was a realist, but knew that he would probably be forced to compromise on some issues by the US and Britain. Even so, he still demanded that the treaty weaken Germany as much as possible. (France and USA clashed ideas). In the end, France got it's way with Germany.
Woodrow Wilson (United States)
Attitude towards Germany:
Believed that Germany should be punished, but not that harshly. His view was if Germany was treated too harshly, then one day when they do recover, they would want revenge.
Main Aim:
Seen as an idealist and wanted to build a better and more peaceful world from the ruins of the war. Wilson's main aim was to strengthen democracy in the defeated nations so that its people would not let their leaders lead them into another war.
How he felt about the treaty
He did not cancel the debts owed to the USA by Britain and its allies so he could put pressure on them to accept his ideas (did not get pushed around). He though nations should cooperate if they wanted to achieve world peace, so he set up his Fourteen Points. Believed that self-determination would help the cause if all countries ruled themselves and countries formed a "League of Nations." (France and USA clashed ideas). In the end he had to give them )France and Britain their wishes for Germany, but he got his wish for self-determination for Europe.
David Lloyd George (Great Britain)
Attitude towards Germany:
He wants Germany to be punished, but not too harshly as well. Wants Germany to lose it's navy and it's colonies because they threatened the British empire. Does not want Germany to get revenge after they regain their strength.
Main Aim:
Stop Germany from being a threat to the British empire, but wants them to start trading again (meant jobs for the British people).
How he felt about the treaty:
He was in the middle of Clemenceau and Wilson's ideals. Wanted Germany to be punished, but not to the point where they would want revenge, so he is playing for both sides, but more towards France. (Punished Germany). Did not agree with some of Wilson's Fourteen points.
Main Terms of the Treaty of Versailles against Germany
2. Read pages 18 - 19. Summarize the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles:
War Guilt:
Germany was blamed for starting the Great War.
Reparations:
All three agreed that Germany had to pay reparations to the Allies for damage caused by the war (6, 600 million).
German Territories and Colonies:
Germany's overseas empire was taken away from them. It was the cause of bad relations between Britain and Germany before the war. German colonies became mandates owned by the "League of Nations," which meant that France and Britain controlled them. Forbade Germany from forming together with Austria and they had to change their European borders.
Germany's Armed Forces:
Germany's military power was a major concern for all powers, so they decided to knock it down a couple of levels by:
-Limiting their army to 100, 000 men.
-Conscription was banned: the men had to be volunteers.
-Germany was not allowed armoured vehicles, submarines or aircraft.
-Their navy could only build 6 battleships.
-The Rhineland became a demilitarized zone (border between Germany and France). No German troops allowed.
League of Nations:
Set up an "international police force" and Germany was not allowed into the League of Nations until it proved itself to be a peace-loving country.
Georges Clemenceau (France)
Attitude towards Germany:
His country was invaded twice by the Germans and killed a lot of the French army, and destroyed lots of it's industry, land and self-confidence, which was devastating to France and made France and Germany enemies. Germany was very powerful and threatening to many of the French.
Main Aim:
He was determined to never allow such devastation to France ever again, and he saw the Treaty of Versailles as an opportunity to cripple Germany so that it could not attack France again.
How he felt about the treaty
He was a realist, but knew that he would probably be forced to compromise on some issues by the US and Britain. Even so, he still demanded that the treaty weaken Germany as much as possible. (France and USA clashed ideas). In the end, France got it's way with Germany.
Woodrow Wilson (United States)
Attitude towards Germany:
Believed that Germany should be punished, but not that harshly. His view was if Germany was treated too harshly, then one day when they do recover, they would want revenge.
Main Aim:
Seen as an idealist and wanted to build a better and more peaceful world from the ruins of the war. Wilson's main aim was to strengthen democracy in the defeated nations so that its people would not let their leaders lead them into another war.
How he felt about the treaty
He did not cancel the debts owed to the USA by Britain and its allies so he could put pressure on them to accept his ideas (did not get pushed around). He though nations should cooperate if they wanted to achieve world peace, so he set up his Fourteen Points. Believed that self-determination would help the cause if all countries ruled themselves and countries formed a "League of Nations." (France and USA clashed ideas). In the end he had to give them )France and Britain their wishes for Germany, but he got his wish for self-determination for Europe.
David Lloyd George (Great Britain)
Attitude towards Germany:
He wants Germany to be punished, but not too harshly as well. Wants Germany to lose it's navy and it's colonies because they threatened the British empire. Does not want Germany to get revenge after they regain their strength.
Main Aim:
Stop Germany from being a threat to the British empire, but wants them to start trading again (meant jobs for the British people).
How he felt about the treaty:
He was in the middle of Clemenceau and Wilson's ideals. Wanted Germany to be punished, but not to the point where they would want revenge, so he is playing for both sides, but more towards France. (Punished Germany). Did not agree with some of Wilson's Fourteen points.
Main Terms of the Treaty of Versailles against Germany
2. Read pages 18 - 19. Summarize the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles:
War Guilt:
Germany was blamed for starting the Great War.
Reparations:
All three agreed that Germany had to pay reparations to the Allies for damage caused by the war (6, 600 million).
German Territories and Colonies:
Germany's overseas empire was taken away from them. It was the cause of bad relations between Britain and Germany before the war. German colonies became mandates owned by the "League of Nations," which meant that France and Britain controlled them. Forbade Germany from forming together with Austria and they had to change their European borders.
Germany's Armed Forces:
Germany's military power was a major concern for all powers, so they decided to knock it down a couple of levels by:
-Limiting their army to 100, 000 men.
-Conscription was banned: the men had to be volunteers.
-Germany was not allowed armoured vehicles, submarines or aircraft.
-Their navy could only build 6 battleships.
-The Rhineland became a demilitarized zone (border between Germany and France). No German troops allowed.
League of Nations:
Set up an "international police force" and Germany was not allowed into the League of Nations until it proved itself to be a peace-loving country.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The German Revolution
1. Using the documents in Chapter 1 as evidence, list the ways in which conditions in Germany worsened during the war.
-protests were not posted to newspapers- news and media were controlled by government
-antiwar demonstrations were illegal
-resources were scarce (firewood, coal, gas)
-British blockades prevented food from coming into Germany
-Winter of 1916-17 was a harsh one and destroyed potato harvest- turnip alternative.
-Soldiers were in need of food as well.
-Mutiny on naval vessels because food rations were cut.
2. Give two reasons why the war caused such bad conditions for German civilians.
The war caused such bad conditions for the German civilians because the British blockade prevented food ships from docking at German ports, so therefore they were starving and there was also power shortages. Also, the government made it so that the civilians could not protest the war, by making anti-war demonstrations illegal.
3. After reading Chapter 2, give two reasons why Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated on November 10, 1918.
One reason why Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated was because he had no control of Germany anymore because all his military generals went against his word and committed mutiny, which spread from the coast, inland and people started to form their own governmental systems in their towns. Another reason was because the allied countries of France, Britain and USA were waiting for Germany to collapse, but instead Wilhelm could make an agreement whilst he had moderate control of the people, which did not end in his favor.
4. Using the information you have read in this chapter, give evidence to support the statement that there was "revolution all over Germany."
The revolution began with sailors on naval vessels to refuse to go to battle with the enemy, then they were arrested and others protested against (held a meeting) the sentences they were to face for mutiny, and soon workers and sailors began to take over the coastal towns by mutiny and then it started to spread inland to towns and cities where they had started to make mini governments, hence the "revolution all over Germany."
5. Study the information about the German Socialists in Chapter 2, page 5. What did the three Socialist groups have in common?
All three Socialist groups had the exact same aim: to improve workers' conditions, and to give democratic rights to all Germans (ie right to vote), their methods were all very different.
6. In what ways were the Socialist groups different.
The Socialist groups were separated by their methods of obtaining their goals or aims for the country. For example: The Social Democratic Party's method was to get parliament to pass reforms, while the Independent Socialists' method was to organize strikes in order to force parliament to make reforms. Finally, the Spartacists' method was to completely overthrow the government.
7. After reading Chapter 3 make a time chart of the events of the German Revolution from Nov. 10, 1918 to Jan. 15, 1919. You should be able to find six events.
1. Kaiser Wilhelm had abdicated on Nov. 10, 1918, leaving Germany without a leader.
2. New Years Eve, 1918; The Spartacist Party changed their name to The German Communist Party
3. January 6, 1919 The German Communist Party started it's revolution.
4. January 10, 1919 the Free Corps and The German Communist Party fought in the streets for three days.
5. January 15, 1919 the Free Corps arrested Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht and murdered them.
6. February 11, 1919 Ebert was elected President of the Weimar Republic.
8. At what time would you say the Communists had their best chance of seizing power? Explain your answer.
I think the Communists had their best chance of seizing power when the sailors were angry and frustrated with Ebert because he didn't give them high enough pay in order to survive, so therefore, the Communists should of made deals with the angered sailors while they could and that way, they would of made allies with the potential enemy.
-protests were not posted to newspapers- news and media were controlled by government
-antiwar demonstrations were illegal
-resources were scarce (firewood, coal, gas)
-British blockades prevented food from coming into Germany
-Winter of 1916-17 was a harsh one and destroyed potato harvest- turnip alternative.
-Soldiers were in need of food as well.
-Mutiny on naval vessels because food rations were cut.
2. Give two reasons why the war caused such bad conditions for German civilians.
The war caused such bad conditions for the German civilians because the British blockade prevented food ships from docking at German ports, so therefore they were starving and there was also power shortages. Also, the government made it so that the civilians could not protest the war, by making anti-war demonstrations illegal.
3. After reading Chapter 2, give two reasons why Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated on November 10, 1918.
One reason why Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated was because he had no control of Germany anymore because all his military generals went against his word and committed mutiny, which spread from the coast, inland and people started to form their own governmental systems in their towns. Another reason was because the allied countries of France, Britain and USA were waiting for Germany to collapse, but instead Wilhelm could make an agreement whilst he had moderate control of the people, which did not end in his favor.
4. Using the information you have read in this chapter, give evidence to support the statement that there was "revolution all over Germany."
The revolution began with sailors on naval vessels to refuse to go to battle with the enemy, then they were arrested and others protested against (held a meeting) the sentences they were to face for mutiny, and soon workers and sailors began to take over the coastal towns by mutiny and then it started to spread inland to towns and cities where they had started to make mini governments, hence the "revolution all over Germany."
5. Study the information about the German Socialists in Chapter 2, page 5. What did the three Socialist groups have in common?
All three Socialist groups had the exact same aim: to improve workers' conditions, and to give democratic rights to all Germans (ie right to vote), their methods were all very different.
6. In what ways were the Socialist groups different.
The Socialist groups were separated by their methods of obtaining their goals or aims for the country. For example: The Social Democratic Party's method was to get parliament to pass reforms, while the Independent Socialists' method was to organize strikes in order to force parliament to make reforms. Finally, the Spartacists' method was to completely overthrow the government.
7. After reading Chapter 3 make a time chart of the events of the German Revolution from Nov. 10, 1918 to Jan. 15, 1919. You should be able to find six events.
1. Kaiser Wilhelm had abdicated on Nov. 10, 1918, leaving Germany without a leader.
2. New Years Eve, 1918; The Spartacist Party changed their name to The German Communist Party
3. January 6, 1919 The German Communist Party started it's revolution.
4. January 10, 1919 the Free Corps and The German Communist Party fought in the streets for three days.
5. January 15, 1919 the Free Corps arrested Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht and murdered them.
6. February 11, 1919 Ebert was elected President of the Weimar Republic.
8. At what time would you say the Communists had their best chance of seizing power? Explain your answer.
I think the Communists had their best chance of seizing power when the sailors were angry and frustrated with Ebert because he didn't give them high enough pay in order to survive, so therefore, the Communists should of made deals with the angered sailors while they could and that way, they would of made allies with the potential enemy.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Russia, 1861-1905
1. List the general goals of the:
a. socialists- Hoped to create a classless society that would end the suffering of the peasants in the lower class. Taking the "means of production" also was a desired goal in which the people had their goods regulated by the state or government. More pro-peasant than pro-nobility.
b. liberal reformers- They believed that western constitutional practices would solve Russia's problems of injustice in the past.
2. List three characteristics of serfs' lives.
Three characteristics of serf's lives were that they were almost as lowly as slaves in some cases, working for the nobility for a place to stay and eat. They were also very mercilessly exploited and had no rights or freedoms, and were most commonly uneducated laborers. Usually the interest of the entire family came before the individual and they lived without communication to the outside world.
3. List four reforms of Tsar Alexander II.
His first reform was to get rid of serfdom in Russia by liberating the surfs and selling them allotments with 49 year mortgages. His second reform was introducing trial by jury and relaxed censorship laws. He also elected assemblies to fix issues such as road maintenance, primary education, taxation and irrigation. His forth reform was setting up state-run industries in order to close the gap of industrial revolution between Russia and the West, along with modernizing transportation.
4. Why did the populists go "to the people" in 1873-1874?
The populists "went to the people (peasants)" in 1873-1874 because they desired to make a personal connection with the peasants so they could gain supporters of their revolutionary cause.
5. List two consequences of the famine of 1891.
The famine struck 36 million peasants who lived in the Russian empire. This, made the peasants bitter towards the government because the tsar encouraged people to export their grain instead of feeding it to their families. People were hungry and dying, and then political tensions were running high on top of it all.
6. Why was Karl Marx important to Russian intellectuals?
Karl Marx was important to Russian intellectuals because they failed at going "to the people" to persuade them to change, so they thought that complete transformation of their society would be better for Russia,especially in the time of a famine (it explained the famine). They liked how Marx explained the social world systematically and straight forward and a classless society with equality sounded like a good idea to peasants, through education and learning they would understand. It also appealed to intellectuals because it's European ideals would make Russia as successful as the rest of Europe.
7. What were the Goals and Methods of the following political groups in early twentieth century Russia? (see page 8 of the reading)
a. Liberal Democrats
Suggested reforming into a Western European system of government, and valued individual liberties and saw the role of the state as protecting the rights of the citizens.
b. Socialist Revolutionaries
Worked to gather support from the peasants and lower class because their ideals appealed more to them, the uneducated and poor to encourage a revolutionary change. But the Socialist Revolutionaries were more extreme than regular socialists, they wanted to replace the monarchy with a democratic republic and socialize all land and put it in communes. They brought violence to the government and assassinated many people to get the point across.
c. Social Democrats
Racialists that believed in Marxism. Lenin was a leader of this group and believed that a successful revolution depended on revolutionary intellectuals building a stronger sense of working-class moral among workers. Goal was to lead the workers (key to Russia's success) to lead a revolution.
8. How did Bloody Sunday change people's attitudes toward the Tsar?
After the Tsar's troops murdered 200 innocent people for peacefully protesting, people started to not think that the tsar was a godly benefactor, but more as an evil tyrant.
9. List four reforms in Tsar Nicholas's October Manifesto.
A couple of reforms included in the October Manifesto is the expansion of civil liberties, a limited monarchy, a legislature elected by universal suffrage, and legalization of trade unions and political parties.
a. socialists- Hoped to create a classless society that would end the suffering of the peasants in the lower class. Taking the "means of production" also was a desired goal in which the people had their goods regulated by the state or government. More pro-peasant than pro-nobility.
b. liberal reformers- They believed that western constitutional practices would solve Russia's problems of injustice in the past.
2. List three characteristics of serfs' lives.
Three characteristics of serf's lives were that they were almost as lowly as slaves in some cases, working for the nobility for a place to stay and eat. They were also very mercilessly exploited and had no rights or freedoms, and were most commonly uneducated laborers. Usually the interest of the entire family came before the individual and they lived without communication to the outside world.
3. List four reforms of Tsar Alexander II.
His first reform was to get rid of serfdom in Russia by liberating the surfs and selling them allotments with 49 year mortgages. His second reform was introducing trial by jury and relaxed censorship laws. He also elected assemblies to fix issues such as road maintenance, primary education, taxation and irrigation. His forth reform was setting up state-run industries in order to close the gap of industrial revolution between Russia and the West, along with modernizing transportation.
4. Why did the populists go "to the people" in 1873-1874?
The populists "went to the people (peasants)" in 1873-1874 because they desired to make a personal connection with the peasants so they could gain supporters of their revolutionary cause.
5. List two consequences of the famine of 1891.
The famine struck 36 million peasants who lived in the Russian empire. This, made the peasants bitter towards the government because the tsar encouraged people to export their grain instead of feeding it to their families. People were hungry and dying, and then political tensions were running high on top of it all.
6. Why was Karl Marx important to Russian intellectuals?
Karl Marx was important to Russian intellectuals because they failed at going "to the people" to persuade them to change, so they thought that complete transformation of their society would be better for Russia,especially in the time of a famine (it explained the famine). They liked how Marx explained the social world systematically and straight forward and a classless society with equality sounded like a good idea to peasants, through education and learning they would understand. It also appealed to intellectuals because it's European ideals would make Russia as successful as the rest of Europe.
7. What were the Goals and Methods of the following political groups in early twentieth century Russia? (see page 8 of the reading)
a. Liberal Democrats
Suggested reforming into a Western European system of government, and valued individual liberties and saw the role of the state as protecting the rights of the citizens.
b. Socialist Revolutionaries
Worked to gather support from the peasants and lower class because their ideals appealed more to them, the uneducated and poor to encourage a revolutionary change. But the Socialist Revolutionaries were more extreme than regular socialists, they wanted to replace the monarchy with a democratic republic and socialize all land and put it in communes. They brought violence to the government and assassinated many people to get the point across.
c. Social Democrats
Racialists that believed in Marxism. Lenin was a leader of this group and believed that a successful revolution depended on revolutionary intellectuals building a stronger sense of working-class moral among workers. Goal was to lead the workers (key to Russia's success) to lead a revolution.
8. How did Bloody Sunday change people's attitudes toward the Tsar?
After the Tsar's troops murdered 200 innocent people for peacefully protesting, people started to not think that the tsar was a godly benefactor, but more as an evil tyrant.
9. List four reforms in Tsar Nicholas's October Manifesto.
A couple of reforms included in the October Manifesto is the expansion of civil liberties, a limited monarchy, a legislature elected by universal suffrage, and legalization of trade unions and political parties.
Monday, September 5, 2011
The Seeds of Conflict
1. Define "The West." Make sure you could identify several countries as examples.
"The West" are the capitalist countries of Europe and North America during post WWII, also known as the Cold War. The USA was the so called "principal power" of the West during this time period. Some examples of countries that were capitalist during the Cold War are France, Britain and the USA.
2. Explain the differences in the economic ideology between the West and the USSR.
The USSR was leading the world's first socialist state, which would have communist economic principles which directly opposed the West's ideals. For instance, the USSR didn't like the gap in classes. Communists believed that all factories, businesses and land should be taken over by the government on behalf of the people, where as capitalists believed that private enterprise was better because individuals would have the freedom to own their own businesses and keep most of the profit. To capitalists, communism threatened their hard earned cash.
3. Explain the differences in the political ideology between the West and the USSR.
"The West" are the capitalist countries of Europe and North America during post WWII, also known as the Cold War. The USA was the so called "principal power" of the West during this time period. Some examples of countries that were capitalist during the Cold War are France, Britain and the USA.
2. Explain the differences in the economic ideology between the West and the USSR.
The USSR was leading the world's first socialist state, which would have communist economic principles which directly opposed the West's ideals. For instance, the USSR didn't like the gap in classes. Communists believed that all factories, businesses and land should be taken over by the government on behalf of the people, where as capitalists believed that private enterprise was better because individuals would have the freedom to own their own businesses and keep most of the profit. To capitalists, communism threatened their hard earned cash.
3. Explain the differences in the political ideology between the West and the USSR.
The West was the symbol of Liberal Democracies which meant that the political system was valued because it gave the people freedoms and the choice to choose the government in which they thought was best for their country, as well as to kick a leader out of office. The USSR was completely opposed to a Liberal Democracy, so they decided that the only way to make things fair and equal in a one-class society was if there was only one political party (communist party) and the government was going to rule on behalf of the people. (No rights?).
4. What was the Comintern (Communist International) and why did it concern the West.
Comintern was an organization set up in 1919 to set up communists political parties and groups worldwide in an effort to undermine the capitalism so that the Communist party may rise and conquer. This concerned the West because the entire effort of Comintern was to uproot capitalist values and spread communistic values to other countries so the communist party may grow stronger.
5. What occurred during the Russian Civil War (1918-21) that solidified the opposition between the West and the Communists? (Be specific and use key details.)
The hostility between the West and the USSR was solidified when they supported "The Whites" (fighting against communistic takeover) in the Russian Civil War against the Bolshevik Red Army (supported communistic takeover) along with many capitalistic governments in hopes that The Whites would win and Lenin would not rule. But in the end Lenin's Red Army survived the Civil War and the experience highlighted issues between the two superpowers. The USSR was scared that the West would contemplate military action and support whenever an opportunity might rise.
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