Brest-Litovsk Treaty: Bolshevik Miscalculation?
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‘Agreeing to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a misjudgement by the Bolsheviks.’ How far do you agree?
ESSAY
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, signed by the Bolsheviks in 1918, has been a subject of debate among historians. Some argue that agreeing to the treaty was a misjudgment by the Bolsheviks, while others believe it served their purpose. In this essay, I will explore both perspectives and provide my own analysis.
One of the main arguments supporting the view that the treaty was a misjudgment is the punitive terms imposed on Russia. Under the treaty, Russia had to cede significant territories to Germany and its allies. This included the Baltic states, which were to become German vassal states. Additionally, a large portion of European Russia, including Ukraine, a major grain source, was also ceded. These territorial losses severely weakened Russia both economically and politically.
Furthermore, the treaty resulted in significant population loss for Russia, with 34% of its population being taken away. This, coupled with the loss of industrial land, coalfields, and railways, had a detrimental impact on Russia's economy and infrastructure. Additionally, Russia was forced to pay a fine of 300 million gold marks, further straining its already fragile financial situation.
Internally, the acceptance of the treaty caused division among the Bolshevik leadership. Many were appalled by the terms and saw it as a betrayal of their cause. Lenin, however, managed to secure approval by a slim majority. This decision led to further conflict within Russia, as Russian nationalists joined forces to fight against the Bolsheviks. The Allied Powers also saw the Bolsheviks' actions as a betrayal and considered military intervention in Russia.
On the other hand, there is a case to be made that the acceptance of the treaty served the Bolsheviks' purpose. Lenin understood that the Russian people were exhausted by the war and desired peace. "Peace" was a central demand in the Bolsheviks' slogan of "Peace, Land, and Bread." Russia's military exhaustion made it impossible to continue the war successfully, and Lenin could not risk losing power by pursuing a futile conflict.
Moreover, the Bolsheviks were international revolutionaries with a limited loyalty to Russia. They believed that a proletarian revolution was imminent and that class conflict would replace conflicts between nations. Lenin correctly judged the situation and realized that if Germany won the war, Russia would not be worse off, and if Germany lost, there was a possibility of regaining lost lands. In either case, using peace to consolidate their power was advantageous for the Bolsheviks.
In conclusion, the question of whether agreeing to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a misjudgment by the Bolsheviks is complex. The punitive terms and the internal and external conflicts it caused suggest that it may have been a misjudgment. However, considering the Bolsheviks' goals and the circumstances they faced, accepting the treaty could be seen as a strategic move to consolidate power and pursue their revolutionary agenda. Ultimately, the impact of the treaty on Russia's future and the Bolsheviks' long-term goals remains a subject of historical interpretation.
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HISTORY
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NOTES
‘Agreeing to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a misjudgement by the Bolsheviks.’ How far do you agree? Indicative content Arguments to support the view might consider how the terms of the treaty were punitive for Russia. Her hegemony over the Baltic states was ceded to Germany and they were to become German vassal states under German princelings. In about one third of European Russia, stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea and including Ukraine (her major grain source) was ceded to Germany or her allies. Russia lost 34% of its population, 54% of its industrial land, 89% of its coalfields and 26% of its railways. In addition, she had to pay a fine of 300m gold marks. Many amongst the Bolshevik leadership were appalled at the terms and Lenin only got his way by a majority of one in a crucial committee division. Whilst the treaty ended the war with Germany it did not mean the end of conflict for the Bolsheviks. The Allied Powers saw the Bolsheviks’ actions as a betrayal of their cause, and this led them to think about military intervention in Russia. Russian nationalists were furious and joined forces to fight the Bolsheviks. Whilst Trotsky might blame ‘petty-bourgeois compromisers’ for the treaty others did not and put the blame on the Bolsheviks. However, there is a case to be made that the acceptance of the treaty was not a misjudgement but served the Bolsheviks’ purpose. Lenin knew that the Russian people were exhausted by the war and wanted peace. This was why ‘Peace’ had been at the forefront of his ‘Peace, Land and Bread.’ Russia was exhausted militarily, and this made it impossible to fight on successfully, it would be futile to do so. Both the Tsar and the Provisional government had been overthrown for continuing to pursue the war and Lenin could not risk this as the Bolsheviks grip on power was quite limited at this stage anyway. The Bolsheviks were international revolutionaries with a limited loyalty to Russia. They believed History was on their side as a great proletarian revolution was about to sweep across Europe. Their first concern was spreading the proletarian revolution. Conflict between nations would be replaced by class conflict. Lenin judged correctly the situation facing the Bolsheviks. If Germany won the war, it would retain the Russian territory it now held, but if she lost then Russia might be able to regain its lost lands. The first outcome meant that the Bolsheviks had not made Russia worse off and the second would mean they had made Russia better off, but even if this did not happen it was still better for the Bolsheviks to use peace to consolidate their hold on power so any possible outcome would be helpful to the Bolsheviks. Accept any other valid responses.