|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
Red Army
Red Army (Russia/Soviet Union) It was formed and named by Trotsky in 1917 in order to fight the Russian Civil War, and consisted of many units of the old imperial army. To ensure loyalty to Lenin's new Communist regime, political commissars or ‘advisers’ were attached to all units. Their constant terror against individuals or groups deemed to be disloyal, the army's superior numbers, and Trotsky's organizational abilities ensured its eventual superiority in the Civil War. After the Treaty of Rapallo (1922) close cooperation with Germany produced great advances in combat techniques and armament production. However, it suffered a devastating blow during the Great Purge, when most of its officers were killed. Low morale, incompetent leadership, and inability to adapt to harsh winter conditions accounted for its poor showing in the Winter War with Finland. It learnt some important lessons from its difficulties there, but was none the less surprised and initially overwhelmed by the German attack in World War II. Old, ‘imperialist’ command structures were re-established, though the presence of the political commissars continued to have a demoralizing effect. It changed its name to the Soviet Army in 1946, when army, navy, and air force were placed under a single Ministry of the Armed Services, which was later reorganized as the Ministry of Defence.
|
|
|
Cite this article
JAN PALMOWSKI. "Red Army." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAN PALMOWSKI. "Red Army." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-RedArmy.html JAN PALMOWSKI. "Red Army." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-RedArmy.html |
|
Red Army
Red Army Soviet army formed by TROTSKY as Commissar for War (1918–25) to save the BOLSHEVIK revolution during the RUSSIAN CIVIL WAR. For trained officers, Trotsky had to rely on former officers of the Imperial Army. After HITLER's invasion of the Soviet Union (1941) the Red Army became the largest in the world — reaching five million by 1945. Precise figures remain unknown, but Red Army casualties in World War II have been estimated as high as seven million men. The name fell into disuse shortly after World War II and was replaced by that of Soviet Armed Forces, which in turn adopted the titles of the independent republics after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"Red Army." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Red Army." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-RedArmy.html "Red Army." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-RedArmy.html |
|
Red Army
Red Army Army of the former Soviet Union. It was characterized by a high degree of political control, and was institutionalized at all levels with a system of commissars. During World War II, the Red Army grew to more than 20 million men. It was renamed the Soviet Army in 1946. The Red Army was also the name of the Chinese revolutionary guard before it was formally renamed the People's Liberation Army.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"Red Army." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Red Army." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-RedArmy.html "Red Army." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-RedArmy.html |
|
Red Army
Red Army, see USSR, 6(b). It officially became the Soviet Army in 1944 but, as it continued to be popularly known as the Red Army, this name has been retained throughout the text.
|
|
|
Cite this article
I. C. B. DEAR and M. R. D. FOOT. "Red Army." The Oxford Companion to World War II. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. I. C. B. DEAR and M. R. D. FOOT. "Red Army." The Oxford Companion to World War II. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O129-RedArmy.html I. C. B. DEAR and M. R. D. FOOT. "Red Army." The Oxford Companion to World War II. 2001. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O129-RedArmy.html |
|
Red Army
|
|
|
Cite this article
"Red Army." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Red Army." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-RedArmy.html "Red Army." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-RedArmy.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
