Whites

The resulting Civil War was principally fought between the Bolshevik Reds and anti-Bolshevik Whites, but it also involved foreign armies, nationalist movements and independent peasant forces. The main struggle is commonly dated 1918–1921, although fighting continued in the Far East until 1922. Bolshevik victory established their dictatorship, but devastated the country they governed.

The Civil War of 1918–21 was a struggle between the Bolsheviks, known as the Reds, and forces trying to overthrow them, usually called the Whites. Other armed groups also fought for their own aims, including national independence.